Trailers are, in essence, miniature movies that must take the viewer on a similar journey as the film they promote. This is not an easy feat, and the art of creating a good trailer takes much time and forethought. Ideally, they should avoid giving too much away about the movie’s plotline, and they must manage to do this while also highlighting key moments from the film in question.
The opening shots and sequences of a trailer are important in setting the tone for the film and telling its story. For example, a movie about aliens landing on earth may begin with a shot of the world from space or a sequence of characters walking out of the airport.
This section is usually followed by a title card that identifies the film and provides a synopsis of the plot. The film’s producer, director, and cast are often listed here as well. This information is a great way to help potential viewers decide whether or not the film may be something they would want to see.
Many trailers will also include a short clip from the actual film that is shown at the end of the trailer. This is a great way to show the audience the kind of movie that they are about to watch and to give them a reason to go see it when it comes out.
Ultimately, the most important thing that a film trailer can do is leave the audience clamoring to see the full version of the movie. This is why it is so crucial to end the trailer with a cliffhanger. The audience will want to see what happens next, and if the film is good, the audience will be hooked enough that they will pay to see it in theaters.
A good trailer will also be able to set itself apart from the other film trailers that have come before it. Every film has its own unique characteristics and facets that make it stand out from the rest, so it is up to the filmmakers to identify what those aspects are and to highlight them in the trailer. This can be done by highlighting the actors, the setting, or even the editing style that is used to make the trailer stand out.
In addition to these things, a film trailer should be unique in its use of music and sound. This can be as simple as using a certain tempo of music to emphasize certain scenes, or it can be as complex as having a composer and score that is synchronized to the trailer’s shots and edits. A good trailer will also use music and sound to convey its story and emotions without the need for a single word of dialogue.