Trailer House
Specialized post-production company that creates movie trailers, TV spots, and other promotional video content for film marketing campaigns
Definition
A trailer house is a specialized post-production facility focused exclusively on creating movie trailers, television spots, and other promotional video content for film marketing campaigns. These companies employ editors, sound designers, and producers skilled in condensed storytelling.
Trailer houses work closely with studio marketing departments and advertising agencies to create compelling promotional content that drives audience interest and ticket sales. They often produce multiple versions targeting different demographics, formats, and release strategies.
Why It Matters
Trailer houses create the primary marketing tools that influence audience decisions to see films, making their creative work directly responsible for generating box office revenue and determining marketing campaign effectiveness across all media platforms.
The specialized skills required for effective trailer creation, including rapid storytelling and audience psychology understanding, make trailer houses essential partners for studios seeking to maximize marketing campaign impact and return on advertising investment.
Examples in Practice
Buddha Jones created iconic trailers for films like 'Inception' and 'The Dark Knight,' demonstrating how creative trailer editing can build anticipation and cultural buzz that significantly impacts box office performance.
Mark Woolen and Associates specializes in trailers for prestige and independent films, creating award-season campaigns for movies like 'Call Me by Your Name' that build critical acclaim and arthouse audience interest.
Cold Open produces trailers for major studio tentpole releases including Marvel and DC films, creating multiple versions for different audiences while maintaining brand consistency across extensive marketing campaigns.