The trailer is an essential filmmaking tool that piques audience interest and provides a sneak peek at what the full film has to offer. Whether you’re creating a trailer for a feature, documentary or short film, there are some key elements that every trailer needs to include in order to be successful.
The first step is to get your footage organized. A good way to do this is to write a shot list, which is essentially a document that lists out the shots you want to take in your trailer. This will help you ensure that you don’t miss any important moments and gives the editor a clear idea of what to shoot first.
It’s also important to make sure your shots have consistent beginnings and ends. If your shots don’t flow together, it will be difficult for viewers to follow the story and understand what’s happening. It’s also a good idea to use music throughout the trailer to set the tone. Music tells people what to feel and can add a layer of emotion that will resonate with your audience.
Next, edit your footage to create a narrative. You can do this through a series of cuts or through voice-over and titles. Titles are a common technique used in movie trailers to communicate the title of the film and any additional information. Voice-over is another common method of storytelling, as it allows you to speak directly to the audience and draw them into your trailer. However, using voice-over in your trailer can be a bit tricky. If your script is long, you may have to repeat yourself or say things that aren’t as impactful when cut down to a minute.
A great place to start your trailer is with a key scene from the film. This is called the inciting incident, and it’s the point at which your story begins to unfold. The best way to capture this moment is to choose a scene that takes place within the first act of your film.
Once you’ve captured the inciting incident, you can begin to tease the rest of your story through a series of scenes that lead up to a climax. At the end of your trailer, it’s important to leave the audience wanting more. If you’re promoting a film, this could mean encouraging viewers to buy tickets or sign up for your mailing list.
The first trailer was created by Broadway producer Nils Granlund to advertise his play “The Pleasure Seekers.” He realized that theater audiences were sitting around waiting for the next film to be shown and decided to create a short filmed advertisement to fill the time. His trailer became a huge success and revolutionized film marketing.