A trailer is a short promo clip used to advertise a film before it’s released. It typically gives a brief overview of the movie, provides basic information such as the director and cinematographer, and contains a small clip from the film itself. Trailers have become a large industry and are highly polished pieces of advertising, able to present even poor movies in an attractive light.
Unlike feature films, which usually take a long time to shoot and edit, a trailer is often produced much earlier, sometimes even before the film itself is completed. It consists of exciting scenes from the film in a condensed fashion and is meant to generate interest in the movie amongst potential audiences.
While there are many different approaches to making a trailer, most modern ones use a similar structure. They tend to have a three-act narrative: the beginning introduces the main characters and sets up the premise; the middle heightens the conflict; and the end concludes with a dramatic climax. Some trailers also include a voice-over and on-screen titles. The trailers for films such as The Godfather, for example, start with a classic Don LaFontaine narration that sets the stage for what viewers are about to see.
The best trailers are crafted to create empathy for the main character and leave them dying to know how he or she will get out of the conflict. They also zig where the movie zags, adding an extra element of mystery and creating suspense that will keep audiences invested.
To create an effective trailer, you must first have compelling footage to work with. To do this, you can either find footage from the film itself or create a new sequence that is relevant to the film’s plot and tone. You can also use stock footage or create a montage of a variety of different clips to draw attention.
You must also choose music to accompany your trailer. The best music is evocative and sets the mood of your trailer. It should also be appropriate to the genre of your film. For a thriller, for instance, you may want to use dramatic orchestral music while a comedy might have something lighter in its soundtrack.
Finally, it’s important to remember that a trailer is an advertisement and should contain a call-to-action. This might be a link to buy tickets or sign up for a mailing list. Including the logo of the production or distribution company can be effective, but should not be the first thing that appears in the trailer.
The trailer is one of the most important tools in the filmmaker’s arsenal, and it’s a great way to attract viewers to your project. However, it is a lot of work and requires a lot of creativity and skill to make it effective. With a little practice, you can learn how to create a trailer that will help your film stand out and attract audiences to your movie.