Comments on: NEW BREED: Cutting an Effective Indie Trailer

By: Sundance Trailers | Truly Free Film

Sundance Trailers | Truly Free Film — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:22:37 +0000

[...] for you. For those of you that are thinking of next Sundance already, Zak Forsman has a post on how to cut an effective indie trailer. Check it out. Tagged with FH2A, Film Festival Strategy, Sundance, trailers, Workbook Project, [...]

By: Inv1221

Inv1221 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:56:23 +0000

Cutting trailers sounds interesting where can I locate this article

By: Carolyn Allen

Carolyn Allen — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:01:24 +0000

I look forward to telling my readers about this article. Having produced a short and struggled with the trailer, this article says it well. People “walk into” your movie already knowing the story…they are intrigued by the “How did they get there?” behind the trailer. You say it beautifully. Carolyn

By: April Johnson

April Johnson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:14:51 +0000

Wow, this is a great article, some really vital information is expressed here. Thanks guys.

By: Zak Forsman

Zak Forsman — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:23:02 +0000

thanks guys. I should have added one more to the list… DON’T CUT A TRAILER. They are a one way street and do very little to inspire a dialogue with your audience/community.

By: Cutting an Effective Indie Trailer | FilmmakerIQ.com

Cutting an Effective Indie Trailer | FilmmakerIQ.com — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:17:13 +0000

[...] Forsman via The Workbook Project offers some tips and lessons learned from cutting a his trailer for “Heart of Now.” [...]

By: mike ambs

mike ambs — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:19:07 +0000

Great post – I’ll be bookmarking this for when I start… or I guess, (taking the advice of your post) when I find someone to cut a trailer for the film (since I’m cutting the feature).

I also agree with Arin… trailers don’t do it for me as much as episodes for indie projects – I want more than a trailer, I want to be involved… I want to dig around and see behind the curtain.

These are great tips though – very well thought out post.

By: Arin Crumley

Arin Crumley — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:37:53 +0000

Zak,

Nice trailer and great article. The only thing I’d add is that some films might not have all the elements to get people interested via a trailer alone which is why I’m a fan of also having additional content. This is a way to bring people into the story universe with out bringing them into the story just yet. And this deals with that fact that sometimes there are certain story elements that simply can not be in the trailer.

Another factor here is how spreadable something is. A trailer has to be absolutely insane for a person to forward to a friend. Where as an additional piece of content that is really good and relates to the film might stand a better chance being spreadable because as a stand alone item it might be more relevant. Then once you have that persons attention, maybe they see the trailer while they look more into the project.

So of course, the answer is both, and when it comes to making trailers, this is the best how to I’ve seen on getting that done. Keep it up.

Arin Crumley

By: George

George — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:58:13 +0000

Good advice.

I can’t believe someone would call their film A LONELY PLACE FOR DYING. Do they offer the one person who’s going to see this a razor to slit their wrists? Why not call it THE MOST DEPRESSING MOVIE EVER? Or how about LIFE SUCKS AND THIS MOVIE WILL REMIND YOU WHY. Just change the title! I’m not saying anything about the film.

By: Jett West

Jett West — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:24:18 +0000

I found this article very informative. Thanks for posting it.