| Editing Movie & TV Trailers (Online)

Learn how to make a movie or TV trailer that lands with impact. Examine the editor’s role in the expanding world of film and TV marketing.

Note: This workshop will be held in a live, online format utilizing the Zoom platform.
Class meets for 6 Saturdays, Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 1-3pm ET.

How do you convince a viewer to buy into watching a film or series?  With less than two minutes to close the deal, how do you make every second count?  Guided by accomplished trailer editor and motion graphics artist Robert Nichols, learn what it takes to deliver on that huge responsibility and how to launch in this expanding side of the industry.

For experienced editors who want to learn about the techniques and nuances that make a modern movie trailer work, this workshop affords a rare opportunity to learn from an editor currently working in the competitive world of film and TV marketing.  We will examine the creative and business sides of crafting a trailer.

Mission Impossible: Fallout, TV Spot, by instructor Robert Nichols. View Robert’s portfolio.

Trailer editing is a skill set that is much different from other long and short-form editing — a skill set that is very much in demand today.  As the trailer editor, everything starts and ends with you. You are the writer, director, and – most importantly – “problem solver” who will be tasked with creating the most eye-catching and efficient ways to communicate why your target audience should see a particular movie or show.

Each week will cover a new element of trailer editing and marketing theory, as we also practice the techniques that put that theory into play.  You will get an inside look at how movie studios, networks, and creative agencies work together to create promotional materials, and how the editor plays a crucial part throughout the process.

Retribution (2023) Official Trailer – Liam Neeson, By instructor Robert Nichols.

Topics that will be covered include how to break down a movie, cutting to establish genre, visual storytelling, sound design, how to navigate the business side of this world, and more.  

In our virtual classroom, you will see editing techniques demonstrated live in a non-linear sequence timeline. Homework assignments will give you opportunities to practice these techniques with provided footage, building creative muscles, ultimately culminating in the student’s final assignment: a 60-90 second teaser trailer.

DUNE – Digital Spot, by instructor Robert Nichols.

Leave this course, ready to go out into the world with a firm understanding of what a trailer editor needs to do on a day-to-day basis to be cutting on movie campaigns of all shapes and sizes.

RAMY – Season 2 Critics Spot, By instructor Robert Nichols.

Please note: Students should be experienced with a non-linear editing software.