Combining novelty and familiarity in movie trailers is an effective way to engage and captivate audiences.
Creating intrigue and leaving something unknown in movie trailers taps into the Zeigarnik effect and captures attention effectively.
Deep dives
The Birth of Movie Trailers
In 1913, Neil's Gramland created the world's first movie trailer, which was actually a trailer for a Broadway play. This trailer was very different from what we see today, with no music, fast cuts, or voiceover. Later, the National Screen Service had a monopoly on producing trailers until amateur filmmakers and directors like Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock started creating their own.
The Power of Novelty and Familiarity
The best movie trailers often combine novelty and familiarity. George Lucas applied this concept when he combined a familiar story structure from hero myths with a new sci-fi setting in Star Wars. This fusion of novelty and familiarity draws people in and keeps them engaged. Studies also show that introducing novel elements in familiar contexts increases preference and recall.
The Art of Leaving Something Unknown
Great movie trailers create intrigue by leaving something unknown, hinting at the story without revealing it all. This taps into the Zeigarnik effect, where unfinished tasks or information create discomfort and a desire for completion. Trailers that reveal too much or give away the monster generally fail to capture attention effectively.
Fresh Start Dates and Scarcity
Movie trailers often mention fresh start dates, like "coming this fall," to tap into the fresh start effect. This effect suggests that people are more likely to commit to something when associated with a significant date. Scarcity is another powerful tool used in trailers, where films advertise limited airing dates to create a sense of urgency and compel action.