The Trailer Ear

Abstract Film audiences expect aural overplenitude when they experience a trailer soundtrack in the theatre. I call the normalization and (reluctant) acceptance of cinematic sonic excess the “trailer ear,” which this chapter explores in terms of trailer construction, exhibition, and perception. We will investigate how and why trailer loudness is highly valued by producers, the steps taken by the film industry to regulate it, the means mobilized by trailer houses to bypass the regulations, and the real and imagined damage to hearing caused by extreme dynamic levels in the cinema. As we explore these issues, we will more closely consider the TASA (Trailer Audio Standards Association) directives for trailer loudness, trailer playback levels on extra-cinematic devices, and the impact of Dolby Atmos technology on trailer listening.