Sure wish I could make a trailer for this feature at DVinfo.net

Steven Andrus · September 22nd, 2004, 08:43 AM

I just finished my first feature, and having never made a movie trailer before I keep making crap. It's wierd, it's like i don't know what i'm doing. Here's my first try at it:

http://www.sweetserver.net/users/supafraud/teaser1.mov

Arrrg! I need to watch more trailers i guess

George Ellis · September 22nd, 2004, 11:18 AM

The first rule of trailers, cut hard and then go back and cut it harder ;)

The big observation of trailers, especially action trailers, is using clips only about 1 sec long (but you may want to shorten them).

Except where the movie is so bad that they have to show the only joke in the movie in an attempt to get you to think the whole thing is funny... ;)

Edit - If you want it to be fast, use something with 160+ beats per minute to sync to or at least listen to some heavy metal (BUT NOT THE BALLADS!) :D You have done that. On the first part, use bigger cross-fades to black to match and set that pace? On the wobbly clip about 3 in, use slo-mo to reduce the shake.

Linkafied
http://www.sweetserver.net/users/supafraud/teaser1.mov

mo edit - On the gun shot stuff, lose the bullet hole and big fade on the gun fire... That adds more mystery. Who was shot and why, see the movie

OK, last edit, really - watched 3rd time. Two guys in the beginning with closeups, slo mo both to lose the camera shake.

Yi Fong Yu · September 22nd, 2004, 02:58 PM

i'd like to throw this idea out @ya. i've never been a real fan of 'trailers' in general cause they always showed scenes from the movie therefore 'ruins' the movie. unless it is for a re-release like star wars i see no reasons for a trailer in the classic sense of the word. what i really would like to see more are 3-5 "short movies" shot in the world of your film. an example is for citizen kane the trailer for it was simply the camera interviewing the cast ad-libbing and advertising citizen kane. it was witty and interesting. just an idea for ya =). i know you may not try it as you've already your movie is "in the can" but just an idea.

cause it ends giving you the feel of the movie feature that you've shot. but doesn't give you ANY shot of the movie therefore doesn't give any of the movie away. another example is alfred hitchcock introducing his films as 'trailers'.

Steven Andrus · September 23rd, 2004, 03:58 AM

good ideas, i especially like the slow mo idea

Keith Loh · September 23rd, 2004, 09:59 AM

Another thing that has been happening recently is that some films release the first two-three minutes of their film. If you are grabbed then you are likely to want to watch the rest of it.

September 22nd, 2004, 08:43 AM	#1
Steven Andrus Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 48	Sure wish I could make a trailer for this feature I just finished my first feature, and having never made a movie trailer before I keep making crap. It's wierd, it's like i don't know what i'm doing. Here's my first try at it: http://www.sweetserver.net/users/supafraud/teaser1.mov Arrrg! I need to watch more trailers i guess

September 22nd, 2004, 02:58 PM	#3
Yi Fong Yu Trustee Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vulcan Posts: 1,564	i'd like to throw this idea out @ya. i've never been a real fan of 'trailers' in general cause they always showed scenes from the movie therefore 'ruins' the movie. unless it is for a re-release like star wars i see no reasons for a trailer in the classic sense of the word. what i really would like to see more are 3-5 "short movies" shot in the world of your film. an example is for citizen kane the trailer for it was simply the camera interviewing the cast ad-libbing and advertising citizen kane. it was witty and interesting. just an idea for ya =). i know you may not try it as you've already your movie is "in the can" but just an idea. cause it ends giving you the feel of the movie feature that you've shot. but doesn't give you ANY shot of the movie therefore doesn't give any of the movie away. another example is alfred hitchcock introducing his films as 'trailers'. __________________ bow wow wow

September 23rd, 2004, 03:58 AM	#4
Steven Andrus Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 48	good ideas, i especially like the slow mo idea __________________ www.supafraud.com

September 23rd, 2004, 09:59 AM	#5
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Another thing that has been happening recently is that some films release the first two-three minutes of their film. If you are grabbed then you are likely to want to watch the rest of it. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

September 22nd, 2004, 11:18 AM	#2
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	The first rule of trailers, cut hard and then go back and cut it harder ;) The big observation of trailers, especially action trailers, is using clips only about 1 sec long (but you may want to shorten them). Except where the movie is so bad that they have to show the only joke in the movie in an attempt to get you to think the whole thing is funny... ;) Edit - If you want it to be fast, use something with 160+ beats per minute to sync to or at least listen to some heavy metal (BUT NOT THE BALLADS!) :D You have done that. On the first part, use bigger cross-fades to black to match and set that pace? On the wobbly clip about 3 in, use slo-mo to reduce the shake. Linkafied http://www.sweetserver.net/users/supafraud/teaser1.mov mo edit - On the gun shot stuff, lose the bullet hole and big fade on the gun fire... That adds more mystery. Who was shot and why, see the movie OK, last edit, really - watched 3rd time. Two guys in the beginning with closeups, slo mo both to lose the camera shake.