The more trailers I watch, the more I feel like it really ain’t that hard to make a good one. For those aspiring trailer makers out there, I’ll tell you what I think are the three most important things to consider while making your trailer: Music, Music, and Music.
There’s a misconception out there that movie trailers are supposed to be mini-movies. In other words, you take the best dialog and drama and comedy from your movie, and you cram them into a two and a half minute short. However, in my opinion, a good movie trailer isn’t a mini-movie; it’s a Music Video.
Trailers are a medium far different than a movie. They’re not meant to teach you anything or move you or surprise you. They’re just meant to pump you up for the future film. So I say, leave the heartwarming drama and the intriguing twists for the actual movie, and instead, just make a fun little music video. Pick out a couple catchy tunes, throw in some flashy scenes, finish it off with a witty one-liner, and vuala, a sure seat-filler.
And with that, I give you the trailer for Street Kings. It’s the best trailer I’ve seen in a long while (which automatically makes the movie a SEE IT for me). And I don’t say that because I like the Speed/Training Day feel they got going on, nor because I’m a die-hard House fan and love the idea of seeing Hugh Laurie on the big screen. The real reason I love this trailer is because of the music. It’s perfect.
And speaking of music, if you’re like me and you just have to know what songs are playing in a trailer, I’ll clue you in.
The song in the beginning is Lupe Fiasco’s “Put You On Game.” And the song at the end is RZA’s “Fatal,” from the Blade:Trinity soundrack.
Street Kings is rated R and opens April 11. (Official Site)
Oh, and as always, you can leave a comment here.


YES!!!!!!!!!!!
You can’t see it but I’m doing a happy dance for the new KR flick.
And kudos for the info on the music in the trailer. NICE!
im so excited for this too! Keanu Reeves and Hugh Laurie alone’s a done deal for me
Oh come on, you know you love Hugh Laurie. Don’t deny it.
Without a doubt. I was just saying that he wasn’t the reason I liked this trailer. But yes, I will definitely watch any movie that Hugh Laurie is in.
I 100% agree on the music… but the voice over talent, is a huge joy to me…
hugh anything anytime anywhere……keanu is just adorable icing on the sexy laurie cake…….
and the middle cue is Lupe Fiasco’s “Little Weapon”
Can someone please tell me from which song is the text “…I can never be brought down”.
I would be greatfull!
the first song is sick!!!!!!
I am a trailer maker and you clearly have no idea what you’re talking about. Before you’ve seen a trailer, it’s possibly gone through 10, 20, 30 different versions. You have to deal with many elements - from what the studio wants to how the trailer tests. It’s not just a few good songs, some flashy scenes and a witty line or two. See all those crappy fan-made trailers on YouTube for an example.
While I’m happy you like the trailer, I think it’s garbage. You get no sense of the story or who the characters are. And as a trailer editor, it’s clear to me you’re being duped into thinking it’s a more action and hip hop packed movie than it is.
Dave,
I’m sorry that you disagree with my post. Since you’re a trailer maker, I definitely think your opinion on the matter holds a lot more weight than my own. But just for the record, I don’t think that a few good songs, some flashy scenes and a witty line or two is what’s right for every trailer. It certainly wouldn’t be right for a serious drama, for example. But for a movie like this one, I think it was an excellent trailer (and if you peruse the internet, you’ll see that I’m not alone). And if it succeeded in “duping” me, then doesn’t that mean that it was a successful trailer? Not that I like being duped, but I think a trailer’s supposed to get you excited for a movie, and this trailer has certainly done that. If the actually movie ends up disappointing me, that’s the fault of the filmmakers, not the trailer people. I still say they did a good job on this one.
A Training Day copycat,but Reeves and Forrest should make it a good movie,plus there hasn’t been shit out in a while,I’ll take!