Whether you are making a trailer for your own movie or are in the business of putting trailers together for others, there are a few important things to keep in mind. The best trailers will feature visual appeal, a clear beginning and middle, and a climax. In addition, trailers that do a good job of telling a story will be effective.
Trailers are typically a three-act structure with the first act focusing on the action. These trailers can include smash cuts or slow-paced period dramas that use slow transitions to set up the action. These trailers also tend to have a strong, emotional climax. A narrator can also be included in the trailer.
Feature films that don’t have a narrator tend to be more contemporary. The best trailers will also include a storyboard. These can be made using a film editing app, such as Adobe Premiere Pro. They should include stills from the film, as well as dialogue. In addition, a good trailer should also contain sound effects that convey the feelings and emotions of the movie. Sound effects may also be used to convey information about the film, such as ambient futuristic noises that could suggest science fiction.
Trailers can be very short, or they can be very long. The length of the trailer is determined by the film’s marketing campaign, the time of year it will be released, and where the trailer will be displayed. Usually, the length of the trailer is between two and sixty seconds. However, trailers that are less than two minutes are more effective. The National Association of Theatre Owners issued a guideline in January 2014 that asks film distributors to provide trailers that are no longer than two minutes in length. In some cases, film distributors can make a limited number of exceptions.
A movie trailer should highlight the main characters, preferably in a visually exciting way. It should also feature the most dramatic moments in the film. If you are putting together a trailer for a movie that will be released on DVD, consider including trailer footage that gives the audience a different perspective on the movie. You can also include footage that was not included in the film, such as deleted scenes.
Trailers are also commonly used for promotional purposes, such as in TV shows and on websites. These trailers are usually short and are intended to draw in a large audience. In addition, they can be very effective at presenting a bad movie in a good light. Trailers can include footage that shows the film in a different way, such as a car chase.
Trailers also typically include music not included in the soundtrack of the movie. This may be a signature tune or a recognizable song. This can add a layer of storytelling and help make transitions more natural. The National Association of Theatre Owners also suggests that movie trailers include a “billing block,” or a list of the main cast members, director, producer, and production company. The billing block is usually placed near the beginning of the trailer.