A trailer is a short promotional video that gives viewers an idea of what to expect from a full-length film or other project. A successful trailer is a quick and effective pitch that will leave the viewer wanting more. In addition to enticing visuals, a trailer must be well-written and include an intriguing hook.
For a movie trailer, the goal is to give viewers a glimpse of the main characters and tease the central conflict of the story. Some trailers do this through on-screen graphics or voice-over narration, while others rely on shots of mysterious-looking people and places to create intrigue. The best trailers also leave the audience with a cliffhanger, making them want to see how the protagonists resolve their conflicts.
Book trailers need to accomplish different goals, but they should always aim to evoke an emotional response in the viewer. For example, a thriller or action movie trailer might use a fast-paced music track to generate suspense and draw the viewer in. By contrast, a romance or historical fiction trailer might use a soft music track to convey the ambiance of the setting and character.
The first step in creating a trailer is to compile a list of the key elements that you want your finished product to achieve. This might include highlighting an interesting setting, a charismatic character, a unique premise, or any other aspect of your story that would make it stand out in the marketplace. You might even compile a mood board to help guide the creative process.
Once you’ve identified the key elements of your story, it’s time to start putting together a draft trailer. This can be done with a simple script or by creating a rough outline of the plot and scenes. This helps keep the vision clear for the video editor and ensures that the finished product aligns with your intentions. It can also be helpful to storyboard the trailer, which is a graphical representation of how the final piece will unfold.
This may sound like a complicated process, especially if you’re working on a live-action project that requires gear, personnel, and on-camera talent. But if you take the time to plan and execute the production properly, you can produce an effective trailer that will help your project reach its market.
One important thing to remember when assembling your trailer is to avoid using stock footage or other pre-produced clips in your final product. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of creating your trailer and forget that it needs to be as authentic as possible for it to be effective. In addition, try to avoid including the logo of your distributor or production company in the video — it can be an eyesore and may detract from the overall look of the trailer.