A two-minute trailer can work magic for a film at the box office

Amala Paul’s Aadai became the most talked about film after the release of teaser with a nude shot. Jayam Ravi’s recent film Adanga Maru until the release of its sneak peak did not have big expectations. After a thrilling sneak peak, the film became most expected and consequently, a big hit. Same situation has arisen for his next film Comali. The film’s first look and many subsequent looks did not create sufficient buzz. However, its 2 minutes trailer brought in the buzz with its controversial comments on Rajini’s politics and since then the film is highly expected. We can write case studies on how a two-minute trailer or sneak peak of films like Dhilluttu Thuttu 2, LKG, Thadam, Super Deluxe, Natpe Thunai, Kolaigaran, Gurkha, Kadaram Kondan brought in sea change which helped these films to achieve box office success.

Besides the cast, crew, title and first look, it is the two-minute trailer or sneak peak which has the potential to bring in huge excitement among audience. Film being a visual medium, it is the visual presentation through teaser or trailer or sneak peak, which brings in the magic of attracting audience.

Hence, it is the filmmaker’s responsibility to ensure that film’s first visual (trailer/teaser/sneak peak) connects well with audience by bringing out something unique, attractive and at times controversial if the content justifies it (e.g. Aadai, A1 and Comali). Run of the mill, matter of fact or simple narrative teaser or trailer just to communicate the theme no longer appeals to audience.

In a good trailer, you have to build a story just like you would for a short or feature film and must use editing techniques to cue viewers into the emotional tone of the film and engage them. An eye-catching trailer usually shall have the following ingredients:

Dialogues: As you have limited time to introduce key characters, use interesting dialogues to explain about them (Ex: Never Ever Give up, I am Waiting, I am the villain in my story etc.). Include all your most impactful dialogues in opening 30 seconds to involve audience in to the movie’s key theme and minimize effort on their part to understand the film.

Action: Action shots bring in excitement and engagement among audience. Hence, use the best of shots after establishing the film through dialogues if the film has them.

VFX/CGI Shots: Don’t give away too much by showing all your important VFX/CGI shots as the audience will have nothing interesting to see in the film. Keep it for the main film. Just show only the glimpses of a few impressive shots in the trailer.

Comedy: Comedy plays a key role in attracting audience. Witty and comical scenes and dialogues bring in laughter and attention to the trailer.

Production values: Trailer offers a good opportunity to showcase your production values and entice audience. Hence, include your best visually compelling shots and fast cuts in trailer.

Taglines: The film’s tagline must be broken into multiple parts and sprinkled throughout the trailer as single words written massively across the screen are more impactful than whole sentences. 

Music: The key element which integrates all above elements beautifully is the background score (BGM), which has to be unique and in sync with the film’s theme. The film Kolaigaran’s sneak peak brought in good buzz only through its BGM. Establish the Title: Ensure that film’s title is well established by allocating 10 seconds of the trailer to it as audience have to remember the film from its title.

A unique trailer for a film has the capability to achieve AIDA: ATTRACT attention of audience, create INTEREST in content, bring in the DESIRE to watch the film and ACTION the audience to visit theatres to watch the film. AIDA can be ensured only if the trailer is unique and has never seen before appeal. Create your magic in 2 minutes through a trailer or sneak peak and count your box office collections!