The Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer

[pukunui]

This is very much a tangent, but I was curious to know why we call movie promos "trailers" ... it appears that in the early days of movies, cinemas showed movie promos after the movie, but since most people didn't stay to watch them, the cinemas started showing them before the movie, but the name "trailer" stuck.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

This is very much a tangent, but I was curious to know why we call movie promos "trailers" ... it appears that in the early days of movies, cinemas showed movie promos after the movie, but since most people didn't stay to watch them, the cinemas started showing them before the movie, but the name "trailer" stuck.

Back in those days most people went to the movies every week, so the trailers mattered. And the time before the movie was used for serious newsreels.

These days a trip to the cinema is a rare thing (I believe twice a year is the current average), so people are more likely to see trailers on YouTube than in the cinema. Which means that only people who are already interested will see it!

But with this movie, the main group of people you need to persuade that they want to see it is the same as the original Star Wars - 10 year old kids. Which mean the most important marketing element is the tie-in toys.

 

[trappedslider]

This is very much a tangent, but I was curious to know why we call movie promos "trailers" ... it appears that in the early days of movies, cinemas showed movie promos after the movie, but since most people didn't stay to watch them, the cinemas started showing them before the movie, but the name "trailer" stuck.

I did not know that

 

[Ryujin]

Back in those days most people went to the movies every week, so the trailers mattered. And the time before the movie was used for serious newsreels.

These days a trip to the cinema is a rare thing (I believe twice a year is the current average), so people are more likely to see trailers on YouTube than in the cinema. Which means that only people who are already interested will see it!

But with this movie, the main group of people you need to persuade that they want to see it is the same as the original Star Wars - 10 year old kids. Which mean the most important marketing element is the tie-in toys.

First they did away with intermission. Then they started putting trailers in at the start and end of the movie. Then the ones at the end stopped. Every step felt weird.

 

[Clint_L]

Then they added commercials. Because I'm an old man, I still mutter every time a commercial plays before a film that I just paid 20 bucks to see!

 

[Ryujin]

Then they added commercials. Because I'm an old man, I still mutter every time a commercial plays before a film that I just paid 20 bucks to see!

Remove intermission so you can squeeze in more showings during a day, because money. Move the trailers to the front of the film, instead of after the credits roll, because money. Lead with commercials before the movie and trailer starts, because money. Make people pay more for 'premium' seats and reserved seating, because money.

"Why doesn't anyone go to the theatre anymore? We're going broke!"

 

[trappedslider]

No, they don’t, although there has been a trend in some modern trailers to give far too much away, making it pointless to see the movie.

 

[Ryujin]

Remember the pre-release trailers for "The Matrix"? Pretty much one line: "What is The Matrix." Worked incredibly well.