Feature trailer just released

mainstreetprod

mainstreetprod

Veteran
For those who aren't part of the FS7 forum, just wanted to ask you to check out the trailer for my latest family feature, "Providence". It will be on DVD early next year with a limited theater release. We released the trailer last night and had an email from a distributor this AM wanting to set up a meeting.

 
with as much work as you put into this production, you want to have a killer trailer for it. unfortunately, i don't think this is a very effective trailer. it doesn't convey to me what the movie is about or why i would want to see it.
 
Very nice images! I love the look.

As for the trailer I have to agree. The editing is spot on with the music but I am missing a sense of the script beyond music and picture. I was dying to hear dialogue and get teased into the story through sound bites.
 
A lot of thought went into the trailer construction. There are two trains of thought- 1) tell the story of the film in the trailer , or 2) try to interest the viewer in the movie through compelling scenes. We chose the latter.

I was dying to hear dialogue and get teased into the story through sound bites.

This is another reason we went with this style trailer- it's a silent film (our second). We felt like, had we used longer, slower moving clips that clearly told the story, viewers would have been more bored, and would have felt like they had already seen the movie after seeing the trailer.
 
It's much more helpful (to you) if you ask what the viewers have gotten from your trailer to see if indeed the aims you were after were gotten in your specific audience market.

Here is what i got (male, 35yo, degree in arts = thus very visual, career in film as DP, an wards winning feature doc that's very visual under my belt as director):
-- some kids
-- someone dies
-- some people are turning heads
-- photographer takes pictures
-- some people writing something
-- some actors' names

As such from the above there is very little for me to hold onto. Don't care about kids, don't care that "someone" dies, don't care about turning heads (as i know this is film editing 101: repetition of action for an effect - here, what effect?). Photographer taking pics might be something i care about but here it's some event/cheap photography so again i pass. People writings something - again why care? You have actors in your film = great, but what is it in for me? As you can see there is very little for me in your film as you present it as such you loose one potential viewer of the few who will bother to click to see the trailer in the firsts place (sorry, this is the reality of today).

What examples can you post from your assertion no 1 (tell story)? How about assertion no 2 (show scenes)?
 
without being as detailed and analytical as patrick, I have to agree. I understand not wanting to give story away, and the fact that it's silent so there're no dialogue bites you could put in there, but there must be some way to convey enough of a coherent story/idea of what the film is about without giving the entire thing away, but enough to make someone want to watch more, yeah? some sort of compromise/middle ground.
 
the cuts were too fast and in the first couple of seconds I did not get a hint of structure or pattern leading me to a story.

The shots were well made though. I think the edit style was were it was less effective for this trailer.
 
Well, here's what a more conventional trailer would look like (something we quickly whipped up for a trade show halfway through the shooting process) Better?
BTW, the film is a romance about a couple that knows each other from childhood but doesn't get together until they are in their 40's.

 
mainstreetprod said:
Well, here's what a more conventional trailer would look like (something we quickly whipped up for a trade show halfway through the shooting process) Better?
BTW, the film is a romance about a couple that knows each other from childhood but doesn't get together until they are in their 40's.

Click to expand...

Its better in the sense that you can make out a structure and story line BUT I think you should half it as it seems too long. Halfway through, it felt long already. The trailer began to look like a short film already. But the cuts are better though, compared to the first.
 
You trailer brings up an interesting question about filmmaking - in those 2 mins of your new trailer you tell us the story. Period. We see the images and know exactly what the story is. As such what else would i gain from your films? Am i missing something out for not spending 90min and instead watching 2 min abbreviated version? Maybe a moment of tension, maybe one witty one-liner that i don't get to hear... Even if so is it really worthy of my extra 88min? This has much less to do with your specific trailer/film but rather is a problem with majority of modern film that don't explore the issues beyond the story. [of course this doesn't help you much but rather opens up doors for an interesting conversation about what really counts in films]
 
Well, of the two trailers, I'd say the first one was more effective. We released it, got 1500 hits overnight, a major DVD / streaming distributor contacted us, we sent a screener and next day he made an offer. Following day we contacted a theatrical distributor, they immediately responded after seeing only the trailer and we are in talks as we speak. So at least with distributors, the trailer is doing it's job, fast cuts and all.
 
I'm going to be the odd one out and say I like the trailer. I WOULD go see the film based on what I see, because I want to know if what I think is going on is true. i feel engaged and curious enough.

What I think I saw ...


** POSSIBLE SPOILERS **

Two kids who I believe are neignbors - the boy is a bit of a loner/geek type, the girl is popular and very social. This will put them at odds from the get go. Both are in single-child families.

The boy/guy reads a lot and builds models, and is analytical. The kid everyone makes fun of, and I think he is on the yearbook committee, which may be the extent of his social life. The girl/gal is a typical miss precious with her manners and pink dresses, teddy bears and dolls, and she confides in her raggedy Anne. She is sensitive to peer pressure.

Something about their families is eventualy going to bring them together, and I get that it is some kind of tragedy (cemetery, two teen girls killed ??). Both come from families with some kind of issues that somehow adds to the two kids losing the chance to interact.


I believe this is a faith-based film, and if not, faith plays a big part in at least one of the families, which may be one more reason the boy and girl are worlds apart. A venus and Mars scenario.

One of the fathers - the boys I think - is a preacher, or very devout, and is a counsler of sorts (marriage?) and door-to-door peddler of the word. I think the girl's father is the 'imperfect' in a perfect family. Infidelity?? Boy is reading the bible (reluctantly?), the girl gets a novel for Christmas - Catcher in the Rye ??

This starts out a period film. Mid 70s, I think.

The girl grows up to be a photographer, rents a studio, makes it her profession. I think the boy is expected to follow in his father's footsteps, but at the very end he gets some kind of epiphany that may shatter everything he knows.


There is a lot of conflict in this, which is one of the backbones to storytelling. I can feel the rollercoaster of emotions, and from what I can see, the direction and performances are in a tight simbiosis. It is a complex trailer, I agree, and maybe not readily 'available' to most viewers. I took me three watches to sorta get it, but get it enough to believe there is a very emotional and strong story here, and one I would want to see. In fact, i want a signed copy !!

If I were to put this in a nutshell based on what I think I saw ...

Two neighbors growing up in very different worlds will find a common ground, and love, through a tragedy that threathens to tear their families apart.

The road to love can be long.



Like the music, like even more there is not a word spoken. A silent film like this is an epic undertaking.

Should have had lenses in the guys glasses.


I think your trailer is fine. It gives away some of the conflict without giving away the story or the ending.

I wish you the very best with this.

Alex
 
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Glad you like it Alex. You pretty much nailed it as far as what you got out of the trailer, with 3 exceptions: He doesn't peddle the word door to door, the girl gets a Bible for Christmas (with a bookmark in it that is an integral part of the story), and the boy's father is long gone. Everything else is spot on, which is pretty good after watching a bunch of fast moving short clips.
This is our (my wife writes and directs) second silent film and the culmination of a lot of hard work and study in learning how to write an effective silent script. When we make our next "talkie" we will be better fiilmmakers as a result. Silent films are liberating because there is no concern over sound in any way and you can concentrate on story and image.
 
You have taken an interesting route to understanding - and producing - film and story. Kudos.

The old adage is that dialogue is really only there to fill in where the visuals can't convey certain bits of story. I don't know, I felt something watching this. It works.


Two all time fave short silent film are 'Spin' and 'Right Place'. They make it seem so easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjkNlmsYwFo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP59tQf_njc


alex

EDIT: Just looked at the film's website. Looks like the man I thought was the boy's father was actually himself as an adult. I didn't get that we were following three stages of the same two people. very nice.
 
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If I didn't know it was a film trailer, I would have thought it was a cinematographers reel. There's not a whole lot tying it together. Without a VO of some sort it isn't working. Just my opinion though. It's your project so It should look as you see fit, however you asked for feedback so there mine:-)
 
looks like we all feel mostly the same way, but he said the trailer has gotten him some meetings with distributors so I guess WTF do we know?
 
There is such a beautiful poetry of movement and emotion here. I could watch it all day.


One issue as I have learned more about the film ... it was clear to me that the boy and girl (beautifully cast) were also the teenagers, also well cast. I didn't get that we were also following them into adulthood and chosen professions. It might have to do with the casting of the male lead, as he doesn't really resemble his teenaged self. But that happens in real life - like the 10-year HS reunions some of us have survived through!

And just look at this image from Johnny Depp's new film, Black Mass. Unrecognizable.

johnny-depp-whitey-bulger-embed.jpg young-johnny-depp18.jpg


So, I'm not knocking the casting, and I am sure it will be plenty clear in the film. Just threw me in the trailer.

I think there are enough visual clues (cross, sign in window, cemetery, costume and period backgrounds) to make it easy enough to digest.

Nice trailer (my support of the work has nothing to do with faith, shared or not, in case some folks are making that conclusion. My thoughts are based soley on artistic merit, be a film about faith, anarchy, train robberies or the triumph over illness).

alex
 
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It might have to do with the casting of the male lead, as he doesn't really resemble his teenaged self. But that happens in real life - like the 10-year HS reunions some of us have survived through!

We took a lot of care in casting trying to have each actor look like the others at different ages. Then, wouldn't you know it, "Adult Mitchell" dropped out two weeks before we started shooting. His replacement did an incredible job, but doesn't look quite as much the part.
 
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