Ask Mike: The First Trailer
Hey Guys,
There’s a formula to movie trailers, and getting the right voice to boom through the theater is one of the most important ingredients. Nobody was better than Don LaFontaine. Sadly, the voice of thousands of trailers recently passed away at the age of 68.
In honor of Don’s countless contributions I set out to figure out the very first movie trailer ever made. After a few empty searches, I hit pay dirt. According to several blogs as well as Wikipedia, the first trailer that was ever shown in a movie theater was for a play called “The Pleasure Seekers.” This happened back in 1913. The blog “I Love Things That Are Great” explains that the technique was so successful that theater owners started to make trailers for films as well as plays. In 1914, the same theater owner made a trailer for a Charlie Chaplin film. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ever wonder why they’re called “trailers” when they’re actually shown before the main feature? Again, according to the above blog, this is because trailers used to be shown at the end of the film. Apparently, this didn’t work very well as moviegoers tended to leave the theater before the credits finished. Some things never change.
But some things definitely have. For a complete look at how movie trailers have evolved over the years, check out this brief history from Movie Trailer Trash. And for more on the late Mr. LaFontaine, check out this tribute from the NY Daily News.
Got your own opinion on what makes a good movie trailer besides a nice voiceover? Please silence your cell phones and leave a comment below.
Thanks for reading,
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A well-chosen sample from a good song always makes a trailer seem cooler. I never saw the movie, but I thought that the trailer for A Man Apart was awesome because of the way they timed the music.
Interesting article. Not to be disrespectful, though, I have always found Mr. LaFontaine’s voice extremely annoying. So, whenever a trailer featuring his voice came on TV, I’d either mute it or quickly change the channel.
Your right about getting the right voice to boom through the theaters. Imho the most distinctve voices of that type, besides Mr. LaFontaine were James Earl Jones and William Conrad.
I was saddened to hear about La Fontaine’s passing. He was a big part of my life. I grew up listening to his voice. Another bit of my world disappearing.
I remember one theater that used a trick to get people to stay for the “trailers”. What he did was move the cartoon to the end off the program.
BTW: credits used to be shown at the beginning of the film.
A good trailer takes a small amount of the best moments outside the climax of the movie, plays the theme music accordingly, and get you riled up for the film by synching the right moments with the right music. A COOL tagline is also a must. Nothing worse than a corny or confusing tagline. Trailers should also be fairly mysterious, giving just enough information to tell you what the movie is abolut, who the main heroi is, and (most times) who the villain is. In those times where the villain is not shopwn, give a brief description of the conflict. The director can also be a help (or a hinderance, depending on who you have).
i love that
I find most trailers to be misleading. I have seen many that have made me want to see the movie then when I get half way through I realize that the trailer was the most exciting thing about the movie! I love trailers but I don’t see movies based on them anymore. I too love James Earl Jones voice and Patrick Stewart. Mr LaFontaine gave us his time lets get these other guys on more of the trailers now.
I liked Don LaFontaine’s voice but (and I haven’t seen anyone else acknowledge this fact) he was too good for the industry’s own good; now the rightfully backgrounded trailer voice-over has been made obvious to the point of becoming an industry parody – all because LaFontaine was so good that he needed the fewest retakes and consequently became over-used. In truth, he will easily be replaced since there are many voices easily as good e.g. Jonathan Cook.
Wait till yahoo answer lose there ratings. Why cant we answer the question or ask one. So weird.
Where can I apply to do voice-overs?!
I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it. He was really good =[
I believe his voice was one of a kind. There are other good voice over people, but no one is ever going to have that perfect combo of a voice that is sonorous, ominous, and has such a melodramatic baritone all in one package.
In answer to the question, I personally feel that a good sequel trailer have the potential to be the greatest. They get you pumped up about seeing more of a series that you already love. Think about the Lord of the Rings sequel trailers, they were breathtaking.
As someone else stated, they need to show the right scenes that get you pumped, but not enough to give away anything major. The worst trailers are those that ate linear in natute and are basically a mini synopsis of the entire film.
Music and timing are also key:
One of the greatest trailers of all time is the main theatrical trailer for Episode III revenge of the sith.
Despite the faults of this movie (and it has a few) this is one of the best edited, and highest qaulity trailers of all time.
Its called a ‘trailer’ because its supposed to leave a trail. Which, they hope, the viewers follow right into the theater. Du-uh!
I have collected of those early silent film trailers.
http://www.didoman.com/categories.php?cat_id=17