A trailer is a short, filmed advertisement for a movie or television show. Its purpose is to attract viewers, generate interest, and ultimately get them to the cinema to see the film. The best trailers are effective at building up tension and excitement, while also revealing the core story in an engaging way.
Most great trailers follow a three act structure that begins by introducing characters and setting; heightens conflict, or drama; and then concludes with the big reveal or climax. This is important because it creates an arc that keeps the viewer engaged, and allows them to emotionally invest in the film.
A great trailer will also feature strong visuals that catch the audience’s attention, and make them want to watch the full movie. This can be achieved through a combination of high impact action shots, dramatic camera work, and/or creative editing techniques like fast cuts, fade in/out, or sync music cues to specific scenes.
The use of music is an important aspect of a trailer because it sets the tone for the film, and tells the audience how to feel. Music is also useful for creating a sense of anticipation, as it can build up tension and suspense. The most popular trailers tend to use a combination of production music libraries and licensed songs.
While trailers used to rely heavily on voice overs, they’ve now mostly moved away from them. This is partly because many modern audiences don’t connect with the sound of voice over narration, and also because there are now a variety of filmic effects that can create the same effect without using words.
When making a book trailer, it’s essential to use visuals that are relevant and aligned with the content of the book. A simple and effective way to do this is by including a cover photo of the book or by filming some scenes from inside the book. It’s also a good idea to include the protagonist’s name and a link where viewers can buy or borrow the book.
Whether your project is a scripted or unscripted film, it’s essential to use a pitch reel that captivates the audience and builds up excitement for the film. The pitch reel is the best opportunity to showcase your film’s unique story, and it will also help you gauge how successful your campaign will be if you decide to raise funds through a Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign.
To make a movie trailer, it’s important to have the right software. You’ll need a video editing program that can help you create a high quality trailer, and it should have a wide range of features. There are a number of different programs available, such as iMovie from Apple, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro X, Avid Media Composer, and many others. If you’re unsure which one to choose, consider factors such as price, ease of use, support for different video formats, and advanced editing tools. If you don’t have the budget to purchase a video editing program, there are free online services such as YouTube and Vimeo that can also be used to create a movie trailer.