First, WATCH A LOT OF TRAILERS. As many as possible!
Trailer Techniques
1. Long shots to establish character, setting and the ‘dilemma’
2. Fades to black that suggest shifts in time
3. Transitions accompanied by booming SFX, building tension and placing significance on the text on screen – often white on black
4. Short shots and quick cuts of some of the most exciting moments from the film, the ‘events’ that lead to resolution but not necessarily in chronological order
5. Quiet music to establish story, menacing music to highlight villains, build to a crescendo
6. Sudden moments of quiet and silence between and after music and SFX, which have equal impact on mood and pace.
Trailer Techniques
1. Long shots to establish character, setting and the ‘dilemma’
2. Fades to black that suggest shifts in time
3. Transitions accompanied by booming SFX, building tension and placing significance on the text on screen – often white on black
4. Short shots and quick cuts of some of the most exciting moments from the film, the ‘events’ that lead to resolution but not necessarily in chronological order
5. Quiet music to establish story, menacing music to highlight villains, build to a crescendo
6. Sudden moments of quiet and silence between and after music and SFX, which have equal impact on mood and pace.
Besides these persuasive features however, the language on screen and in the voiceover can also establish the narrative. Words chosen can suggest key themes and summarize the plot in a grand way to suggest the plot is timeless and universal. Some clichéd examples are:
• They will find hope where they least expect it
• One man’s destiny…
• She will face her biggest challenge
• It will change their lives forever!
• They will find hope where they least expect it
• One man’s destiny…
• She will face her biggest challenge
• It will change their lives forever!
Plan your film trailer – Storyboard, Shot List. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. What clips should I include in order to give a really good sense of the film’s style, content and genre?
2. How will I create mood? What mood(s)?
3. How will I create pace? Can I vary pace to make it more interesting?
4.What is the plot of my film? What particular hooks can I create? How?
5. What should I leave out in order to maintain some sense of enigma which can only be resolved by watching the whole film?
6. At what point should I include the film’s title?
7. How can I design the trailer so that it draws attention to my technical role in the film’s production?
1. What clips should I include in order to give a really good sense of the film’s style, content and genre?
2. How will I create mood? What mood(s)?
3. How will I create pace? Can I vary pace to make it more interesting?
4.What is the plot of my film? What particular hooks can I create? How?
5. What should I leave out in order to maintain some sense of enigma which can only be resolved by watching the whole film?
6. At what point should I include the film’s title?
7. How can I design the trailer so that it draws attention to my technical role in the film’s production?
How will your trailer fit into the history of trailers? Will it be typical of a particular style? Will you challenge conventions?
