Trailers are short, promotional videos that entice people to watch a movie or purchase a product. They can be used online or in theaters and are an essential part of the marketing process for any film or video project.
A Trailer is a piece of visual media that is designed to promote a specific film or product by using a combination of voice-over, on-screen graphics and other visual elements. These elements may or may not be part of the final film; some are used in order to build hype for the movie, while others are incorporated to create a unique atmosphere and set the stage for the film.
The most effective trailers use sound and music to manipulate the emotions of the audience. They also feature various visual elements that accentuate the story and enhance suspense.
In the United States, there are dozens of companies that specialize in creating movie trailers for commercials and films. Some are in Los Angeles or New York City, while other companies work out of other cities.
They often work with rushes and dailies, which are edited versions of the film. The trailer editor will choose the best shots from these. Then, the film editor will cut those shots into the trailer, adding or removing footage from other scenes in order to create a coherent narrative.
Generally, film trailers are two to three minutes long and are meant for theatrical release. Teaser trailers, which are released before the main trailer to build up hype, are shorter and can be as little as one minute. Television trailers (also known as TV spots) are even shorter, usually between 15 and 60 seconds long.
Editing techniques are also used to control the pace of the trailer, add sound effects and quick cuts, and sync music cues to specific moments. A trailer can be edited in any way that the filmmaker desires, and there is no right or wrong way to do it.
It is important to keep in mind that most people have limited attention spans, so the goal of the trailer should be to capture their interest within a few seconds. This can be done by cutting out unnecessary information and making sure that the viewer is engaged before a call-to-action appears.
To make a strong trailer, it is important to start with great footage. This can be a mixture of stock or professional footage, but it is crucial to have enough material to make the final product look cohesive.
Another good strategy is to shoot a few interviews with key subjects in your project, as well as establishing shots and aerials that highlight the most significant visual elements of your story. These are all cheap to shoot, and can help you flesh out your trailer with important character backgrounds.
You can record these audio-only lines at the end of your shoot days, and then edit them into your trailer as background or title cards. This approach will give you more creative freedom with your visuals and will allow you to focus on the dialogue in your trailer, without worrying about which scenes you’ll need for the project.