A trailer is a short film that gives the audience an idea of what to expect from a feature-length movie. They are often used to promote films that have not yet been released or are in the early stages of development. They can also be used to help raise funds for a project, or to draw attention to an already completed work.
A well-made trailer is an effective marketing tool for any film. The trailer should be eye catching, and should highlight the key elements of the movie. For example, it may be a strong cast, a cool set piece or scene, or catchy music. It should also show the audience how the film is going to make them feel.
The first step in creating a trailer is to find good footage to use. This may mean visiting a location where the film is being shot, or getting permission to use footage from other films that have been shot there. The filmmakers must then edit the footage together to create a compelling trailer. This is done with editing software such as Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. The best trailers are often edited to a song, which helps to emphasize the emotion of the film.
Using voice-over and titles is another way to tell the story in a trailer. The voice-over can introduce the audience to the characters, and tell them what they can expect from the film. Similarly, titles can help set the tone of the trailer by letting viewers know what type of film they are watching. For example, a horror movie trailer might include a scary-looking image or a frightening sound effect.
In addition to these techniques, a good trailer will use pacing and editing to convey the emotional tone of the film. For example, the montage editing of the James Bond movie trailers worked well when selling the seriousness of the movies, but did not have the same impact in a comedic trailer. The comedy was not integrated into the pacing of the trailer, and this confused the audience.
A good trailer will conclude with a “cast run,” which is a list of the main actors in the film. This is usually followed by a list of the director and producers, as well as a brief description of the film. It is also common for the cast run to be included on posters and other print publicity material for the film.
Making a full-length film can be expensive, especially if it is a major studio release. A trailer is a cheaper alternative that can be used to generate interest in the film and encourage people to see it. It can also be a useful tool in raising funds for a film project, or attracting attention to an independent film. In some cases, a filmmaker will even produce a trailer for a work-in-progress to get investors interested before the entire film is completed. This method has been used successfully in the past for both dramas and comedies.