Storytelling tips from a master movie trailer producer

by joe golfer

Posted: 9 years ago 8 replies

COPY WRITING

Did you know movie trailers (in some countries known as movie previews) have their own Oscars? John Long is a master movie trailer producer, and he took time out from the Golden Trailer Awards to share some tips on storytelling.

9 (Short) Storytelling Tips From A Master Of Movie Trailers | Co.Create | creativity + culture + commerce

Here are the tips and my interpretation of how they apply to copywriting.

--Start fast, end big. Delete the preamble. Put me in the action.
--The mini-movie needs its own heart. Stories in your letters can be short, but make them complete with a beginning and end.
--Think non-linear. Use open loops to move rapidly between story lines.
--Tweak the three-act structure. Like Joe Sugarman, experiment with different forms and approaches.
--Exercise brutal efficiency. Pare it down and make every word count.
--Seek the defining moment. You can swipe all day, but strive for a fresh voice.
--Picking a road. Find the big idea and create a consistent point of view.
--Making a bad movie look good. The art is knowing what to leave out.
--Sometimes version one is best. Trust your instincts and make the first version "what do I want to see." Only then accept feedback.

9 (Short) Storytelling Tips From A Master Of Movie Trailers | Co.Create | creativity + culture + commerce

#master #movie #producer #storytelling #tips #trailer

wrcato2

9 years ago

Hey thanks for the tips and the video. Everything that you just mentioned is what is taught in all of the how to write copy books in one form or another. Syd Fields, a well known screenwriter actually details and goes really into depth on story telling for movie scripts.

Great piece though. I am getting ready to watch the video now.
Big thanks!

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MikeHumphreys

9 years ago

Originally Posted by wrcato2

One of the ways I got better at writing VSLs was studying screenwriting. We're trying to hold someone's attention for as long as 30 minutes on a VSL... screenwriters have to hold people's attention for an hour or more.

There's a great book on screenwriting available on Kindle called The Secrets Of Action Screenwriting by William Martell. Lots of great info in it for writing fast-paced scripts but my favorite part was his step-by-step breakdown and analysis of the movie Die Hard. It really drove home everything he talked about technique-wise for me.

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gjabiz

9 years ago

Originally Posted by joe golfer

--Start fast, end big. Delete the preamble. Put me in the action.
w.
--Making a bad movie look good. The art is knowing what to leave out.

Thanks Joe, I think it is great stuff. I watch at least a movie a day. Then, on Sunday's, race through them and take notes.

I had a hard time with Gravity, had everything I could do not to watch it on fast speed, but then went back and tried to see HOW (or if) they caught my attention)...what happens at around the 20 minute point and did they suck me in.

And opinions of movies are like many opinions, I guess in Hollywood, box office talks and losers get put into ... TV...HA! (no offense TV, it has never been better)...

I think Herschell Gordon Lewis has some great copywriting insights from his time in the movies. He got their attention with blood and gore, sort of like the TV news, if it bleeds, it leads.

Good tips, maybe we can write a thriller about the copywriter's forum...something like, Don't Touch Me Again? Or something...I think we have enough "characters" here to draw on.

gjabiz

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joe golfer

9 years ago

Originally Posted by gjabiz

Good tips, maybe we can write a thriller about the copywriter's forum...something like, Don't Touch Me Again? Or something...I think we have enough "characters" here to draw on.

gjabiz

How about making a heist film? We need to cast these characters:

The Brains.
The Loyal Lieutenant.
The Muscle.
The Explosives Guy.
The Wheelman.
The Safecracker.
The Computer Nerd.
The Weapons Gal.
The Loose Cannon.
The Inside Man.

Others outside the heist team:

The Elder who advises from afar.
The Quirky Druggie Guy who somehow knows everyone in the Mafia.
The Streetwise Joker who knows when the next shipment comes in.
The Doctor who can remove bullets in his kitchen.
The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend who knows Weapons Gal has her eye on Brains.

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gjabiz

9 years ago

Originally Posted by joe golfer

How about making a heist film? We need to cast these characters:

The Brains.
The Loyal Lieutenant.
The Explosives Guy.
The Wheelman.
The Safecracker.
The Computer Nerd.
The Weapons Gal.
The Loose Cannon.

Others outside the heist team:

The Elder who advises from afar.
The Quirky Druggie Guy who somehow knows everyone in the Mafia.
The Streetwise Joker who knows when the next shipment comes in.
The Doctor who can remove bullets in his kitchen.
The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend who knows Weapons Gal has her eye on Brains.

Joe, in fact a name from WF Copywritig forum popped into my head as I read the list. I like the weapons gal in a scene with crazy ex...pass the popcorn please, they're ripping each others hair out...I'm too engaged in the scene to move.

OH, its playing only in my head, DANG.
gjabiz