by Kevin Powers

Created on: March 10, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

CUT! CUT! CUT! CUT! This seems to be the rhythm of every "teaser" trailer broadcasted on television prior to a film's theatrical release.
Cut. Cut. Cut.
This is the sound of all theatrically played trailers, which are longer than the televised ones but still with the same aesthetic of cutting to the action of the "good bits" of the film.
I mention the two different types of trailers because as a "preview" of an upcoming release they both have a different function although at times they both can reveal too much about the film they are advertising.

Let's first take a look at older film trailers any of Alfred Hitchcock's films, which by definition never revealed too much of the film. Hitchcock, like many of his contemporaries, believed that revealing key elements of the film can ruin the spectacle and enjoyment of the film itself. Director William Castle believed in this same aesthetic which is why so many of his films had a "gimmick" to draw film goers into the theatre (he crafted THE TINGLER, HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, and 13 GHOSTS).
If a person saw everything they needed to know about the film in the trailer, what would be the need to go see the film?

In today's savvy multi-media infused society, studios (and those who craft trailers) now believe that they need to reveal as much about a film as possible in the trailer in order to coax people into theatre seats and off the computer and out of the house away from the television. Comedies are the worst where many audiences upon viewing the whole film comment that all the best jokes were in the trailers. Neither action films nor romantic films are any different leaving potential audiences, upon viewing the trailer, believing that they've seen all they need to know about the plot and all the pivotal set pieces.
Most other genres are guilty of this mainly because the Hollywood studio system has planted in audiences head that they need to know everything about a film in two minutes (theatrical trailer) and/or a thirty second spot (television trailer).
Whether or not this is good is anyone's guess. For some movies it's perfectly fine to reveal everything (the Harry Potter films come to mind) but for some not knowing is the best part (any M. Night Shaymalan, Darren Aronofsky, or Terrence Malick film).
Then again you should just ditch Hollywood studio films altogether and stick with most documentaries and indie films. You never know what you're in store for there.

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