#NewsBytesExplainer: Difference between teasers and trailers—key elements and examples
Before a film releases, certain aspects act as a window to the movie: songs, promotional interviews, and of course, teasers and trailers. Some fans often take the call on whether to watch or skip a movie based on how well the trailer shapes up. Teasers, shorter in length and content, precede trailers but have the same job: to introduce the movie. What's the difference?
Understand it through this definition
Per Pediaa, "The main difference is that a trailer is usually created at the end of the movie production, while a teaser is created before or during the process of movie production." "A trailer captures the beginning, middle, and end of a particular movie in a three-act structure. A teaser, on the other hand, captures an intense clip from the movie without relevant arrangement."
What are the elements that define teasers and trailers?
A teaser is usually built through these elements: some defining scenes from the movie, glimpses from songs (the audio is usually not used), a fleeting glance of multiple actors if it's a multistarrer, and a voiceover/dialogue by the lead actor. The trailer has these elements: it's longer than a teaser, other characters and not just the protagonist receive footage, and the plot becomes clearer.
Teaser versus trailer: Understanding the difference through 'Pathaan'
Let's understand the difference between a teaser and a trailer through Shah Rukh Khan's latest film Pathaan. When its teaser was released in November 2022, it featured multiple action sequences, glimpses from songs, and a voiceover by Dimple Kapadia and Khan, who narrated the film's core idea. That's it. However, the trailer provided a much better idea about the central characters' roles and motivations.
Last year, 'Shamshera' was reportedly the most-viewed trailer
Per an article by Filmi Beat published in December 2022, Yash Raj Films's Shamshera was the most-viewed trailer of the year (10cr views). The film starred Ranbir Kapoor in a double role while the primary antagonist was played by Sanjay Dutt. It was followed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi, YRF's Samrat Prithviraj, Anees Bazmee's Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and Shahid Kapoor starrer Jersey.
