Trailers are the first – and sometimes only – contact point between a film and its potential audience. This is why the quality of a film’s trailer is so important – it only has a few minutes to convince viewers that the full movie will be worth their time. This is no easy task, as a good film needs to be both visually striking and emotionally engaging in its trailer. While it is impossible to create a perfect trailer, there are a few things that every filmmaker can do to make their film’s trailer stand out from the pack.
While a trailer should never be a play-by-play of a movie’s plot, it is very important that it set up the story of the film. This can be done through a combination of establishing shots, action or plot scenes, and the use of dialogue. In addition, a trailer’s ending should leave the audience wanting more. The best way to do this is by building up towards a cliff-hanger.
A trailer should also make good use of music. This can be done by a simple, upbeat song, or a more dramatic musical score. The latter is especially useful when the trailer is meant to convey a more dramatic or suspenseful tone. A good soundtrack can help to amplify the tension of a trailer and accentuate its key scenes.
Another great technique is to use editing tricks to help distinguish a trailer from its competition. This can be done through the use of a strong lead character, cool set pieces/scenes, catchy music, or interesting visual effects. However, it is important not to try to re-invent the wheel, as each film has its own unique style and elements that need to be highlighted in a trailer.
The trailer for the original Matrix is a good example of this. While this film’s amazing special effects and action sequences are certainly memorable, the thing that really makes it stand out is its innovative use of audio. The use of a repetitive, almost hypnotic sound cue accentuates each image on screen and gives them more weight than they would have without it. This simple, yet effective, trick gave the trailer a truly unforgettable feel and led to many similar trailers using the same technique.
Finally, a good trailer will make the most of its characters. Having well-rounded and likable characters in a trailer is crucial to creating an emotional connection with the audience. The trailer for the original Matrix is an excellent example of this, as it features both likable and unlikeable characters that are all clearly developed in its short running time.
A good trailer will also be well-organized and edited. By using a three act structure, however abridged, the trailer will establish its characters, build up conflict or complications between them, and then tease the audience with an exciting climax. This basic narrative structure has worked for thousands of years, and it is one of the most effective ways to communicate a movie’s plot in a trailer.