How to Make a Movie Trailer - Editing 3-Act Trailer Structure

A key to making movie and game trailers is using a 3 act structure which takes the audience on journey which helps them understand the new story, understand the stakes, and get excited about it!

And this post about the trailer line of rising action

0:00 - Introduction
0:19 - The Line of Rising Action
0:44 - The Cold Open
1:29 - Act 1
2:17 - Act 2
3:18 - Act 3
4:31 - The Button
5:13 - Recap

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ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Derek Lieu and I'm a trailer editor who makes video game trailers! I got my start in the movie trailer industry as an assistant editor at a house which produced trailers for: The Matrix Trilogy, Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more.

Over many years I worked as an editor, and started making fan trailers for games until eventually I got jobs at game trailer houses in Los Angeles where I worked on games like Mortal Kombat X, Shadow of Mordor and lots of LEGO games. Independently I've made trailers for games like: Firewatch, Dead Cells, Subnautica, Ooblets and BattleBlock Theater.

I'm using this channel to teach people about the art of making trailers via video essays, tutorials, reviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at my own work. I think about trailers a lot both for work and fun, so I have A LOT to say about them.

I hope to shed light on this mostly unknown industry, and gather together a nice community of people who love to watch and make trailers!

[EternalDrummer]

Even after watching this its still so hard to edit a trailer. But this has helped a lot. I guess it takes practice and I have never even made one before.

[Shotinmm]

The fact that this doesn't have the view count it should hurts me. I really liked this video and think that it should be more popular among the film maker community. Thank you for this knowledge and when I post my project I'll send you the link!

[TerraStone]

YES! I HAVE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR ANOTHER VIDEO FROM YOU!

[ItsScottJones]

@01:27 and don't underestimate those logos! They might be required branding but they also make good palate cleansers to separate sequences or acts without feeling too disjointed.

[thatLTboi]

Thank you so much. I'm currently making a mock-up movie trailer for school and this is gonna be really helpful to me.

[adamgarceau]

Watching this for my film class, recommended by the professor. So good and helpful!

[bullishtitan]

Talking about hitting the nail on the head with what type of content I was looking for. No time wasted. Thanks brother

[lnzeld]

That is an extremely informative and helpful video. As a guy who edits fan trailers I found this a gift I never knew exists but I'm so happy I found it

[initium]

Have been struggling so much with this, thanks so much for such a precise and easy to grasp description with examples.

[JessCatorc]

This was so well structured, thank-you!!

[yasso]

the examples you gave while talking were a really good addition. great video

[MinecrafterJoe]

I don't know how you managed to cram so much good stuff into a 6 minute video. Can't wait to apply these to my own trailers!

[noahvining]

Derek, thank you so much. This helped a lot, I'm trying to make my own fan made trailer and things are becoming so much
clear now.

[NetFelixOfficiel]

Omg i love your channel i have waited for someone to talk entirely of trailers for so damn long. Trailers are legit my life i can rewatch anyone like 300 times in a week but nobody gets it.Tho you are so good at it!, continue the great work can't wait for more!!

[fizzd]

So good! Your newsletters have always been great but this is a whole new level.

[kamillenteereacts]

This video is incredibly well-made. Tysm!

[agitatree]

Hi, i tried to make some analysis from some movie trailer. Here it is:

Kingsman: The Secret Service | Official Trailer 2 Analysis

Cold Open: 00:00 - 00:11 -> Funny Scene followed by Century Fox logo
Act 1: 00:12 - 01:38 -> Introducing Galahad characters. Galahad life was saved by Eggsy's father. Showing what kind of kingsman organization is. Eggsy training to be a kingsman / spy.
Act 2: 01:39 - 01:59 -> Introducing the antagonist. Some action to build up excitement. Uncertainty about the antagonist. Some protagonist resolve to handle the situation.
Act 3: 02:00 - 02:24 -> Dialogue about how dire the situation is "Sounds like many people are going to die". More action and dramatic music kicks in.
The Button: 02:25 - 02:33 -> Some explicit dialogue from the antagonist, you can think it as a jokes then Final tease cuts to the credits.


Kingsman: The Golden Circle | Official Trailer 2 Analysis

Cold Open: 00:00 - 00:10 -> Exciting action sequences. Showing the main protagonist epic entrance.
Act 1: 00:11 - 00:19 -> Some action to make audience thinking what's going on. Who is that guy in that black car.
Act 2: 00:20 - 01:05 -> Introducing the antagonist. Showing that the antagonist destroyed kingsman facility. How the main protagonist going to handle the situation.
Act 3: 01:06 - 01:38 -> More action and dramatic music kicks in. Showing most dramatic scene in the story then the trailer ends.
The Button: 01:39 - 01:48 -> Some catchphrase from the previous movie, then cuts into the credit scene

What do you think? Is there anything i miss or maybe i put it in the wrong section.

[xBLUMONKEY]

this was fantastically explained. Thank you, sir. 🙏

[LegoAnimations]

Ight, imma create a trailer for my newest upcoming stop-motion animation based on this knowledge.
Thank you for explanation. This seems like a good structure to follow.

[augustus]

Been trying to make trailers in Shorts format for my vids and this was very helpful! THANKS!!!