A great trailer explains your film’s concept, teases the drama and excitement of the story you want to tell, and captures the attention of viewers. Trailers are also useful as marketing tools to help you raise the necessary funds for your project.
Whether you’re making a scripted feature, an unscripted documentary or something in between, the same fundamentals of movie trailer editing apply. While there are many movie trailer maker tools available, like iMovie and Apple’s Final Cut Pro, the key to a successful trailer is the story itself and the footage you start with.
One of the most important aspects of a good trailer is its audio. The music you use tells the audience what to feel, so be sure to choose carefully. For example, if you’re shooting a thriller, a dramatic score can help create the right tone, while a light-hearted doc might use something more playful. Choosing your audio before you shoot gives you an idea of the type of footage you should seek out and a framework for putting together the rest of your trailer.
Similarly, your trailer’s voice-over should convey the tone and premise of your film. Short lines of exposition can work well in a trailer, especially if they’re cutting with action shots of the characters doing what they talk about. Rhetorical questions and abstract ideas are other effective ways to give the viewer an idea of the thesis of your film without spoiling it by showing it to them.
You’ll also want to pay close attention to the way you use visuals in your trailer. For instance, the first shot in this trailer establishes the science fiction vibe of the film by using a spaceship flying through the air, futuristic font, and music. This sets the tone for the rest of the footage, which focuses on the main character’s interactions with his alien friend and a beautiful space city.
Another important aspect of a good trailer is the way it builds suspense. For this reason, it’s often a good idea to mix up the visual tempo of your trailer, rather than keeping it high-energy all the way through. It’s also a good idea to mix in a few scenes with lower-key lighting or more natural camera movements.
If you’re producing an unscripted documentary, the elements of a movie trailer will be more challenging to achieve since the documentary-style interviews and archival footage don’t usually play out in a linear fashion that you can edit. However, it’s still possible to get the drama and setup you need by planning ahead and working closely with your subjects. Using a script breakdown software can help you understand the shots you need and accurately budget for an abridged shoot. It can also help you label key moments so that crew members are aware of their importance to the story. This will ensure that they’re prepared and will be able to deliver the goods on shoot day.