Scribbling Trailer Tales
Watching movie trailers before M. Night Shyamalan's new flick Trap, I closed my eyes and listened for the eight-sequence structure. Originally designed for shaping a script, this method breaks a story into eight parts, each serving as a mini-arc within the larger narrative. You can use this structure to craft a compelling trailer that sets audience expectations.
Kick-off with a harrowing or climactic moment to get the audience off TikTok. Think of it as a teaser before the teaser – just enough to make viewers sit up and take notice.
The Jurassic Park trailer starting with the T-Rex attacking the Jeep.
The Matrix trailer opening with Neo dodging bullets.
The Dark Knight trailer could begin with the Joker dangling from a building, delivering his chilling line, "Madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push."
After you’ve hooked ‘em with a clip, launch the Eight Sequences:
Introduction (15-20 seconds): Establish the world and introduce the protagonist.
Jurassic Park: "Welcome to Jurassic Park."
The Matrix: "Wake up, Neo."
The Dark Knight: "You've changed things... forever. There's no going back."
Inciting Incident (15-20 seconds): The event that changes everything.
Jurassic Park: "We've made living biological attractions so astounding that they'll capture the imagination of the entire planet."
The Matrix: "The Matrix is everywhere. It's all around you."
The Dark Knight: "I believe whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you... stranger."
First Act Turn (15-20 seconds): The protagonist commits to their journey.
Jurassic Park: "All major theme parks have delays."
The Matrix: "You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."
The Dark Knight: "This city deserves a better class of criminal."
First Half of the Second Act (15-20 seconds): Rising action and initial attempts.
Jurassic Park: "Dinosaurs and man, two species separated by 65 million years of evolution, have just been suddenly thrown back into the mix together."
The Matrix: "I know kung fu."
The Dark Knight: "You crossed the line first, sir. You squeezed them, you hammered them to the point of desperation. And in their desperation, they turned to a man they didn't fully understand."
Midpoint (15-20 seconds): A pivotal twist or heightening of stakes.
Jurassic Park: "The power's out... again?"
The Matrix: "Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."
The Dark Knight: "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
Second Half of the Second Act (15-20 seconds): Increased tension and complications.
Jurassic Park: "They're out!"
The Matrix: "They're coming for you, Neo."
The Dark Knight: "Let's put a smile on that face."
Third Act Turn (15-20 seconds): The lowest point or major crisis.
Jurassic Park: "We're being hunted."
The Matrix: "He is the one."
The Dark Knight: "This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object."
Climax and Resolution (15-20 seconds): The story's peak and its resolution.
Jurassic Park: "We must leave now!"
The Matrix: "There is no spoon."
The Dark Knight: "You’ll hunt me. You’ll condemn me. Set the dogs on me. Because that’s what needs to happen."
Ending with a Hook: The Closing Clip
Closing Clip (5-10 seconds): Wind down with a calmer, more reflective moment. Imagine the Jurassic Park trailer ending with calm ocean waves and the helicopter flying away from the island, accompanied by "It's over... for now."
The Matrix might close with Neo hanging up the phone in the phone booth, saying, "I’m going to show them a world where anything is possible."
The Dark Knight could end with Batman standing on a rooftop, looking over Gotham, with the line "I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be."
These elements deliver a compelling mini-story that sets expectations and “We’ve gotta see that!” for your audience. Keep this approach in mind when breaking story and scribbling pages to ensure your beats are on target.
