1.1 CUTTING YOUR TRAILER Edit your movie trailer Once you’re done shooting, it’s time to cut your trailer. Editing is where your trailer blossoms, because there are so many different ways to cut it together. The beauty is that there is no wrong way to do it. In fact, the more eye catching, the better. Test what works. Try everything. Go with your gut, and see where it leads. Here's an eye-popping movie trailer example. It thrills the viewer and generates interest in the sci-fi action film The Matrix:

How to make a movie trailer that builds anticipation

Keep in mind that you don't have to make a linear edit of all your scenes chunked together. Instead, experiment with creative editing techniques, such as bookending and intercutting your trailer. You'll want to aim for a three-act structure, however abridged, in in your trailer. This means you'll establish characters, introduce the conflict or complications, and then raise the stakes and tease the conclusion. This basic movie trailer template has worked as a storytelling framework for thousands of years, and it still works today.

Movie Trailer Definition What is a movie trailer? A movie trailer is a marketing tool originally used by major motion picture studios to show the coming attractions. They’re called “trailers” because they were commonly shown at the end of a film, but theatres and studios realized people were more likely to see them if they played before the film rather than making the viewer wait until after the credits.

What makes a good movie trailer? They build excitement for a particular project.

They entertain viewers as their own standalone piece.

They inform a focused group about coming attractions.

You may already know a bit about how to make a movie trailer on iMovie, Apple's utilitarian standby. There's no shortage of other movie trailer maker software available as well, including Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut X, and Avid Media Composer, to name a few. Whatever trailer editing software you use, the marketing and storytelling principles will remain the same. Tools give you the means, but your own creativity and the footage you start with will form the bedrock of your trailer.

1.2 HOW TO MAKE A TRAILER Avoid the mini-movie Have you ever watched a trailer and thought, “They just showed us the entire movie! Oh well ... now I don't have to see that." Everyone has seen long, boring trailers that feel like a mini-movie. If you have your entire story already recorded, don’t give over every piece of information. This isn’t the film itself, it is an advertisement for the film. When it's time to make your own trailer, find places in your story that generate questions: Who is that? Why are they doing that? What does that mean? How does that work out? Your goal is to tease the viewers and leave them wanting more. The best trailers get viewers thinking, “I have to see the rest of this!” Or, “I can’t wait to see what happens next!” Aim for this level of polish, information, style, and emotion:

The move trailer for David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Notice that there's no dialogue, except for song lyrics. We don't always need dialogue in a trailer. The visuals, characters, pacing, graphics, and music tell us everything we need to know, and just enough at that. What else did you notice? Rhythmic, fast-paced editing. Abrupt and dramatic cuts. Swelling emotion on every level: music, graphics, and imagery. And the length? About a minute and a half. You'll want to keep your trailer short. There's no set rule about how long your trailer should be, but limiting your trailer to a couple minutes is a good start. A shorter-form trailer, or teaser, usually clocks in at one minute, give or take. A teaser is a very brief, super-minimal trailer designed to, of course, tease the viewer and build anticipation. A teaser only has to have one hook. Get in, hook the viewer, get out — that's the M.O. of a teaser. When you make your own movie trailer, you have license to use graphics and title cards to your heart's content. Just make sure not to overdo it, and make sure they serve your story.

1.3 movie trailer maker Use graphics and voice-over In movie trailers, there are often two or three levels of storytelling happening at once. There’s the stuff that’s happening in the footage. Then there’s a layer of story that gets told via voice-over, on-screen graphics or both. For example, your trailer might start with a traditional Don LaFontaine voice-over line: “In a world ... where nothing is certain …” Then we’ll see a stock footage aerial shot of, say, a giant outdoor market. Then, a title card comes up that says “Egypt, 1968.” At this point, you cut to a set in Van Nuys, and no one knows the difference. Check out these motion graphics trends to get up to speed on what's effective in trailers and video content right now:

Motion graphics trends to use in your trailers

How to make a trailer? With various post-production elements firing on all cylinders. Use these elements to draw the audience into your story, tone, and mood. Incorporate them to supercharge your teaser. Voice-over and titles are useful tools, especially when you don’t have a lot of footage to choose from.

1.4 How to make a movie trailer Add music and sound effects You can get creative with music in your trailer. Music tells people how they should feel, so it’s a very important way to set the tone. Here is a video all about how to master the film score. Apply the pro tips in this video when you make your own trailers:

The best movie trailer makers know how to master the score

If you are building an original trailer for official marketing, you’ll want to find a composer to work with. They are everywhere, and many of them are really good — plus you want to get in the habit of building these relationships and becoming familiar with the process. Take a peek at resources like Score a Score and see if they look right for you. Or, you can find great royalty-free music at stock sites. Whichever route you choose, unless you're getting really artsy and out-there, you'll most likely want music in your trailer.

1.5 CUTTING YOUR TRAILER Export and send Get your movie trailer seen. Believe it or not, one of the most important ways to get someone to watch your movie trailer is old-fashioned email. Busy execs don’t like to click on links. So be sure to export a highly compressed MP4 version of your final cut that’s less than 10MB. Your 10M or less MP4 will also serve you well when posting to social media. Below is a video that is part of our Free TV Writing & Development Master Class. It includes seven episodes that take you through the entire television show development process. If you're making a trailer as part of a pitch for a film or show that you're attempting to make in its entirety, this video is essential viewing:

If you're making a trailer for a project you want to shoot, check out how to pitch like a pro