In the years since film production has become a massive industry, the trailer has emerged as a powerful tool for marketers to promote films. Whether the movie is a blockbuster or a low-budget indie, the right trailer can make all the difference. A trailer is essentially a condensed version of the film, designed to entice viewers into watching the full movie. To make a good trailer, there are a few things that every filmmaker needs to keep in mind.
The first step in creating a trailer is gathering all of the footage that you need for it. This can be a long task if you’re working on a bigger movie. Then it’s just a matter of choosing the most suitable shots. Using script breakdown software can help you to label all of the key scenes that need to be included, and it can also allow you to accurately budget your abridged shoot.
Once you have all of your footage, it’s time to start editing. This is where you’ll really begin to test your editing skills, and this is where the key to a great movie trailer lies. Every frame of your trailer must be carefully crafted, and the key is to create a three-part story. You need to introduce the characters and setting at the beginning, tease a larger story through documentary-style scenes, and then build up to an exciting climax in which you can resolve the plot.
You’ll also want to use your trailer to encourage action, such as ticket purchases or mailing list signups. This is why it’s important to include a call-to-action at the end of your trailer, so that you can convert some of those trailer-viewers into actual movie-goers. You can also use your trailer to promote special features, such as deleted scenes or behind-the-scenes footage.
Movie trailers are highly scrutinized, whether by picky sponsors or ravenous franchise fans. A small hiccup can spoil the entire viewing experience, so it’s crucial to take your time when making a trailer. You’ll need to be able to identify key scenes, edit them with great care, and then synchronize them with your chosen backing track.
You can use stock music libraries to find the perfect music for your trailer, and there are many editing techniques that you can use to elevate the overall effect. For example, you can use quick cuts to show action, use a montage of emotional scenes to build suspense, and modulate the visual tempo to catch the viewer’s attention. Keeping all of these tips in mind can help you to create a film trailer that will have audiences flocking to the cinemas.