Advantages And Disadvantage Of Paratext In The Film Industry

Paratext(s) in transmedia encompasses many things, it doesn’t rely on one sole attribute or peripheral. And, while paratext(s) is more of an incorporation of various text or sub-features associated to a main brand feature, it is not a main feature. It may grow and spin-off to be a feature of its own but it certainly isn’t conceived that way. Paratext(s) in media have many life lines since they are variable and set in no one place or station. However, they do have limitations and advantages. This essay will discuss, compare and contrast and argue how paratext(s) alter the outcome of a media feature, more specifically how movie trailers and marketing have explicit margins to work within for an intended outcome in regard to the classical cinema style. Paratexts’ quality of life and span simulates something like a dance between industry and the audience, they feed off each other and work together. The industry cerates paratextual items based off successful branded features and the audience accepts or rejects them. The notion is, that people like a particular original feature, they will come back and consume more, so why not produce sequels or other related peripherals (paratexts). This is not to say great effort is not put into creating and generating new content or original

While, trailers are just snippets or condensed extensions of the film itself made to drive the maximum amount of interest possible, could if not done properly can make or break a film at the box office and at the least can produce uncertain outcomes. Good outcomes for a classical cinema style movie trailer consist of appealing to the intended targeted demographics and possibly more, clear and concise, no spoilers – leaving the audience wanting more and no misleading scenes also known as “bait and switch”.