Research & Planning: How to Edit a Movie Trailer

Over the weekend I have conducted some personal research into how to properly edit a movie trailer. I decided it would be a good idea to get some advice from a professional with experience, as I need all the help I can get as I will be editing the second draft of the trailer (once we have re-shot).

I have included a link to the blog post I read below, and have made list of tips/advice which will help me.

http://www.chrisjonesblog.com/2012/02/how-to-edit-a-trailer-for-your-movie…-but-the-guy-who-cuts-trailers-for-movies.html

Advice taken from the blog post:

• Choose the story line and stick to it.
• Don’t introduce too many characters.
• The end of the trailer should leave a lasting impression on the viewer.
• The trailer doesn’t have to be as linear as the film – often better if it isn’t.
• Don’t have random moments that come out of nowhere.
• Voice overs aren't always necessary, if struggling with a script just stick with captions.
• Don’t let shots and moments out stay their welcome.
• Say something once, for example you may have two characters saying pretty much the same point in two different ways, cut one out, the other one isn't needed.

Research & Planning: Meeting Post 5

My partner and I have had another meeting. We discussed several things including the footage that we shot recently for the trailer, as well as the photographs for the magazine/poster.

Outcomes of the meeting:

• We have decided that it would be best if we re-shoot the footage for the trailer as the footage we currently have is un-usable (see this post for a full explanation).
• We have also decided that we should take new photographs for our posters/magazines as the lighting was not right on the ones we previously took.
• We will also incorporate all of the feedback we received from our audience feedback session into our final products, including our trailer, magazine and poster.

Action plan:

• Speak to actors and create a new shooting schedule, preferably for sometime next week (beginning 28/01/2014). This is very close to our deadline but I believe we will get it done in time.
• On the same day that we re-shoot our trailer, we will also find a suitable place to take new photos for our magazine/poster.

Production: Poster Progress

Production: Editing Poster (Screen Recording)

Research & Planning: Problem with Footage

Unfortunately I have encountered some issues with the footage we recently shot for our trailer. It is apparent that there is some fault with the camera we used, as the quality is quite poor when playing back the footage.

There is a lot of 'noise'/'grain' on the images and the noise quality isn't very good. The wind is very clear in the background, which interferes with the quality of the dialogue between actors. I have tried to rectify this in Final Cut Pro by using several audio filters, though this has not proved very successful. The lighting is also very inconsistent between shots, which poses an issue for continuity between scenes.

Production: First Draft Edit of 'Double Ex' Trailer

Production: Magazine Update

Produce: Editing Photo for Magazine

1. Original Image.

2. I removed blemishes using the 'Spot Healing tool' in Photoshop.

3. I cut out the two actors using the 'Quick Selection Tool'. I added a gradient blue background.

4. I stretched Chris' arm out as the photo was distorted.

5. I have made Megan's eyes greener, made the whites 'clear' and brightened her teeth.

6. I have made Chris' eyes bluer and made the white surrounding them brighter.

7. I have mattified the skin of the two actors

8. I have airbrushed the skin to make it look soft

9. I have altered the contrast and removed some of the redness.

10. Finally, I have added a gradient map to the image.

Original Image side by side with the edited version for comparison.

Production: Timelapse of me Editing 'Double Ex' Trailer

Production: Photos from Magazine/Poster Shoot

Production: Trailer Footage (Unedited)

I have embedded some of the footage we shot yesterday (10/01/2014) for our trailer. I have not included all the footage as there is in excess of 30+ separate shots!

Film Trailer Footage - Front Door Shot



Film Trailer Footage - Aby



Film Trailer Footage - Megan & Chris

Production: Updated Magazine (With Cover Lines)

Production: Magazine Cover (So Far)