A trailer is a short clip or sequence of footage from a film that’s used to promote it. It’s an essential part of movie marketing, and it often helps drive ticket sales. The most effective trailers tell a riveting story that gets viewers emotionally invested in the film. They typically follow a three-act structure, with the beginning introducing the characters and setting, the middle heightening the conflict, and the end featuring a dramatic climax.
Creating a good trailer requires a lot of planning. The first step is gathering the footage. This can be easy for independent filmmakers who have already filmed the movie, but it may be harder for larger production companies that still need to raise funds. Once the footage is compiled, it needs to be edited together to create a coherent and compelling narrative. It’s also helpful to study the trailers of other movies in the same genre as your own, so you can learn what elements work best.
Movie trailers are a unique storytelling medium. They must sell a film that hasn’t yet finished post production, but they also can’t spoil any of its key plot points. They need to be more exciting, thrilling, funny, touching, or emotional than the movie itself — and they have to do it in just 2 minutes or less!
Because they are so short, trailers must cram in as much of the movie’s story as possible. They use a variety of editing techniques to evoke emotion quickly and efficiently. This includes fast cuts to show action, a montage of memorable moments from the film, and music edits that sync with specific scene transitions.
Another key element of a successful trailer is its color palette, which should match the film’s tone. For example, the trailer for Mad Max: Fury Road uses a striking orange and teal color scheme that instantly communicates the movie’s post-apocalyptic intensity. And a well-placed sound effect, such as a bone-smashing cut or the sounds of a crashing helicopter, can add to the overall sense of tension and suspense.
While trailers have long been a vital component of movie marketing, they’ve become even more important as the film industry shifts toward digital media. In addition to their traditional theatrical release, many films now feature a short trailer for streaming or download online before they hit theaters.
Movie studios are using trailer analytics to track viewer interest and tailor their release strategies accordingly. They’re also experimenting with artificial intelligence to help them create more engaging and effective trailers.
Trailers have a long and fascinating history, with entire industries built around them and vast websites dedicated to cataloging them. But if they’re going to continue their rise in popularity, they need to change the way they’re made. Making a great trailer is like writing a short book with a large audience in mind; it’s a challenge that requires knowledge of the right tools and the right tricks to make it succeed.