A trailer is a wheeled vehicle that cannot move on its own and requires a truck, car, or other vehicle to pull it. A trailer can also refer to a movie preview or advertisement that theaters show before the main feature film. Filmmakers use trailers to generate interest in their films by showing a glimpse of what will be seen on the screen. Some trailers are so impressive that potential film financiers will call to discuss the project.
When making a trailer, it is important to remember that the visuals are meant to work in conjunction with the writing and voice-over. The perfect trailer strikes a balance between the two, with each clip in the trailer advancing the story and providing stunning visuals. In addition, the voice-over must match the tone and energy of the footage while remaining relevant to the topic of the trailer.
The most effective trailers are short and concise. Oftentimes, they are less than one minute in length. However, even a longer trailer can be boring and confusing if it is packed full of irrelevant footage. It is best to focus on the most crucial scenes from the film and cut out any unnecessary clips. A trailer is not a mini-movie, but an advertisement for the film, and should be kept as brief and captivating as possible.
A good trailer should include a compelling opening scene and a cliffhanger to keep viewers interested in what will happen next. This is particularly true for documentary trailers that want to hook audience attention with a specific problem or question that needs to be addressed. For example, an introductory scene that states “Cleaning your air conditioner’s coils is simpler than you think” sets the tone for the rest of the video and hints at a solution to the problem.
In addition to introducing the story, a trailer should highlight the cast run and any big-name actors, directors, or producers that will be in the film. This is especially important for a movie trailer that hopes to draw in the most audience members. The more recognizable faces in the cast, the better. A good trailer will include a shot of the star or two in a close-up and a quick glance at their name in the credits.
A trailer can be made using many different editing programs, including iMovie and Adobe Premiere. However, the principles of creating a successful trailer are the same regardless of which software is used to create it. It is important to set the tone and captivate the audience with the use of lighting, sound effects, pacing, and editing techniques. These techniques are what make a movie trailer feel like a mini-movie and not just a collection of footage.