teaser vs trailer

[ckcgordon]

Can anyone tell me the difference between a teaser and a trailer? I don't know how to distinguish them. To me, both of them refer to something which shows part of a movie.

 

[Anglika]

I don't think there is a great deal of difference, although a trailer is usually a mini-film, composed of a number of scenes from a film, used to promote that film.

 

[jlinger]

I thought that a teaser is incomplete, referring you to another point to finish the sentence or review. A trailer is a complete package. Of course, the trailer's point is to get you to see the movie, but a teaser, at least in print, is something that ends with (see here for more information).

An example would be: Guess who I say Jill having dinner with last night! It was .... [click here]

 

[poorboy_9]

In the film context, a "trailer" is usually for a completed film that has either a firm release date, or has already been released. A "teaser" promotes an "up-comming" film (i.e. ...opening fall 2009). Both are meant to intice you to see the film.

 

[jlinger]

Yep! Poorboy is right on that usage in the film world. Thanks.

 

[ckcgordon]

Thanks, Anglika, jlinger & poorboy_9.