A trailer is a vehicle without a motor designed to be pulled by another vehicle, often for transporting goods. In filmmaking, it is also a term for a short promotional clip for a movie. Trailers can be found on websites for movies, television shows or video games, and are meant to be seen as a teaser for the full movie experience. Creating a successful trailer requires many skills including storyboarding, editing and voiceover copywriting.
It is important to decide what the theme of your movie will be in order to pick out footage to use and to write a voiceover script that is appropriate for your film. Choosing the opening and closing shots of the trailer will also be crucial in establishing what the trailer is about. The opening shot will be the first impression a viewer has of your film and the closing shot will be their last.
Often, the best way to get an idea of how your trailer will turn out is to create a storyboard. A storyboard is a series of images that map out the plot of your film in a simple sequence. Using a storyboard will help you decide what scenes to shoot and how to edit them together. It will also allow you to test out voiceover copy and see how it relates to the overall tone of your film.
Once you have a general sense of the flow of your trailer, it is time to start shooting. Be sure to include key moments from your movie as well as any scenes that reveal the central character’s conflict. If possible, try to get a variety of shots that capture the characters and the action in different settings. This will provide viewers with an idea of what the film is about and will give them a reason to want to see it when it comes out.
Good trailers have a natural rhythm that is difficult to describe. The clips seem to “flow” into each other in a way that is logical and effortless. This is an effect that is achieved through precise editing and a good understanding of the visual language of film. If you don’t have these skills, consider working with a professional editor.
Many modern trailers opt to show quick clips of key scenes in a rough (but usually not exact) order. However, this approach may not be suitable for all films and could result in spoiling the plot. It is also worth noting that some moviegoers may resent trailers that reveal too much of the movie’s content. As such, it is a good idea to avoid revealing too much of the plot in your trailer, and only use scenes that will generate an interest in your film. Lastly, don’t forget to end your trailer with a witty one-liner or enticing image that will make the audience eager to see your movie. This is called a “parting shot” and it can make all the difference in convincing a viewer to purchase tickets.