The Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer

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.
 

log in or register to remove this ad

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.
 

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

nbc GIF
 

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.

 


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!"
 




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!"

It may seem kind of ironic, but we've started going to the movies for meals more. The prices at "family" restaurants have been stupid since COVID (even fast food), but the theater near us with food service has kept their prices pretty flat to encourage attendance. The net effect is that basic stuff like a burger or chicken fingers is pretty much the same price or cheaper at the theater.

Also, when going to the movies with kids and friends with kids and kid's friends, I don't even consider going somewhere without reserved seats anymore. That feature removes an immeasurable amount of chaos from the experience.

So, I guess the inmates are running the asylum, but they're not doing that bad of a job. 🤷‍♂️
 

Remove ads

Top