Fast editing techniques like fast pace and jump cuts are commonly used in thriller and supernatural trailers to build tension and engage the target audience. Flashbacks may be included to provide backstory for characters. The pace typically starts moderate to introduce characters and the plot but increases during intense or scary scenes shown in a montage to create suspense. Editing styles vary by genre with techniques like fade to black transitions often used in horror. Non-linear narratives and use of sound effects are cited as effective techniques the author wishes to employ.

1. Assignment 5: Editing in Trailers
Gelsomina De Lucia

2. What are some immediate editing techniques they use and
why?
• Fast pace – Fast pace is usually used in Thriller/Supernatural trailers because it
helps with the restrictive narrative.
• The fast pace creates tension which is a convention for this subgenre.
• As an overall effect, fast pace is used in the montage to show tiny parts of film
which would attract the target audience to want to watch the film.
• Flashback – Flashbacks are usually used in the storyline of the film to show the
characters past which has caused them to be where they are now.
• Jump Cuts – These are stereotypically used in a supernatural/thriller trailer at the
end because there is usually a jump scare at the end of a trailer.
• This is done to create a thrill amongst the audience which is a convention of the
thriller genre.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1YbOMDI59k – This is an example from Insidious
at 1:44-1:50
• Some supernatural/thrillers use fade to black as a transition as it fits in with the mood
of the genre.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T1Jj1inE8M – This is an example from Ouija.

3. How does the pace change and why?
• Pace is usually at a moderate speed so that the audience can take in who
the characters are and their background story and the location they are in.
• The pace increases to show shots of the film and build up tension and
suspense.
• These shots are usually of the most intense/scary parts of the film.
• The fast pace is a huge part of the montage editing in a trailer.
• Sometimes there is fast pace straight after the characters have found
something important out.
• The trailer for the film, ‘The Quiet Ones’ is an example of how pace
suddenly changes something about the film is revealed.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GNyQusclgw

4. What editing techniques are used in different genres and why? (What editing
techniques are conventional to specific genres)
Horror:
• Fade to black transitions are used in horror
trailers so that the narrative text can come in.
• An example of this is V/H/S/2.
Comedy:
• Montage is used to introduce the actors in
the film or show the funniest parts of the film.
• An example of this is the trailer ‘The Oranges’.

5. How does the editing connect/compliment the plot and
narrative structure?
• Fast pace creates a thrill for the audience. If there is no fast pace in the
trailer, it means that the trailer has been unsuccessful in its genre
purpose.
• If the editing does not compliment the genre then there will be a lack of
understanding in what genre the trailer is about.
• A trailer which is unsuccessful with its montage editing and the concept of
fast pace is ‘Episode 50’.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7avdbdztGk

6. What editing techniques do you find inspirational? (What editing
techniques would you like to use in your coursework and why)
• The editing technique which I find the most influential and am going to
use in my coursework is non linear narrative structure because it creates
enigmas and intrigues the audience to find out what happens next.
• Also, to use foley in the scary parts because sound creates more fear than
visually seeing something.
• An influential example is the trailer of ‘The Possession of Michael King’.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T1Jj1inE8M