Filmmakers use trailers to build excitement for their films and encourage audiences to see them in theaters or on DVD. Trailers are short, informative previews that present a condensed version of the movie and its main plot points. They often include action and suspense elements that entice audiences to watch the full film. A well-made trailer can also help filmmakers secure funding for future projects.
As movie studios continue to shrink their marketing budgets, many independent and low-budget production companies are creating their own promotional trailers to sell their films. Filmmaking schools are also teaching students how to create and edit film trailers as part of their curriculum.
When making a trailer, it is important to stay within the three-act story structure of the film you are promoting. The beginning of the trailer should introduce the premise of the film and characters through exposition or interrogations, while Act 2 will heighten conflict and include some action scenes. The final act of the trailer will show the most epic and dramatic scenes in the film, building up to a climax, then end with the title card.
It is also important to keep the tone of your trailer consistent with the genre you are aiming for. If you are producing a comedy film, don’t freely reveal huge plot twists that will spoil the fun for your audience. Similarly, don’t spoil a horror film by showing the monster right away. A good way to stay true to the genre you are trying to capture is to watch similar movies and television series’ trailers to get ideas.
Once you have the footage for your trailer, it’s time to start editing. This can be one of the most daunting parts of the process, since every cut and transition will be scrutinized with surgical precision by picky sponsors and ravenous franchise fans. Choosing the appropriate backing track for your trailer can make all the difference, and it is worth investing the time to study other movie trailers that are in the same genre as yours.
While you are editing, look for ways to add visual variation and modulation to the cuts and transitions you are putting together. Any shots you can grab for cutaways or establishing shots will help your trailer stand out from the crowd. You might also consider using a voice-over or on-screen text, which is entirely up to you and depends on the style of film you are trying to promote.
Most movie trailers feature a cast run, which is a list of the main actors who appear in the film and any big-name directors or producers whose involvement may draw audiences in. Most trailers also conclude with a credit block, which lists the name of the movie, as well as the film’s studio and production company. This is the same information that will usually appear on posters and in print publicity materials for the movie itself. Lastly, some movie trailers will feature the filmmakers’ logos at the end to give their films more credibility and to attract attention.