This document provides instructions for editing a film trailer in 12 steps. It describes importing footage, adding transitions, adjusting audio, and sequencing shots to build narrative and tension. Key elements include a voiceover to introduce the story and characters, establishing shots of the protagonist's training and personal struggles, references to the film's themes and genres, and promotional text and company logos to generate interest in the full film. The trailer aims to quickly introduce characters, hint at the plot and challenges they face, and leave viewers wanting to learn more.

1. Editing of Film
Trailer

2. Step 1
 We used iMovie for the editing process of our
trailer. We started off by importing all the
footage we had had filmed into iMovie. This
method was very easy to follow and it had to
be done multiple times due to the amount of
times we filmed.

3. Step 2
 Our film trailer starts off with a ‘green screen’ which was downloaded from a royalty free website. The scene after
this is a birds eye view of the location that was filmed via a drone and this establishes the setting of the film and
gives an immediate idea to the audience about what the film is about. We used the tools in iMovie to enhance the
look of this scene. To do this, we used the enhance tool and reduced the sound completely as the sound wasn’t
needed due to the opening scene having a voiceover over it. The voiceover gives a narrative of what the story is
about. To As well as this, Sukhi and I decided to use a soundtrack called “we move lightly”, which was downloaded
from a royalty free website and this helps the audience feel the emotion that the character is facing. We lined up
the start of the shot carefully with the starting of the soundtrack by using the waves that is at located at the
bottom of iMovie.
 The following scene was of Reiss training. This scene was shot from his feet up to his waist as we wanted the
audience to have a proper introduction of the character early on in the trailer. The transition used between these
two shots was fade to black and this was used multiple amount of times throughout the starting scenes to give a
slow development of the protagonist’s story.

4. Step 3
 This next scene was particularly important as we had to portray the death of the protagonist’s mother. Sukhi and I
decided to take the filming to the graveyard and place flowers on his mother’s grave. This gave the immediate
assumption that Reiss was mourning over someone. This was assisted with the use of a voiceover that tells the
audience that Reiss’ mother always wanted him to be a boxer, and that is why he wants to achieve her dreams, this
indicates to the audience that it is Reiss’ mother that has died. As well as this the voiceover says that “it all started
from an early age”, so the audience will also be able to understand that the death happened when he was young.
Two different shots are used to show continuity; a long shot is first used of Reiss walking to the grave and then a
low angle shot from the grave. The flowers were dropped onto the camera to help us with the transition, which we
had already thought of before starting the filming. The colour contrast was played around with and a dull blue
type effect was implemented as this shows that this scene is upsetting and this effect helps create a unhappy
emotion for the audience. In the scene where he is in the graveyard we inserted the sound effect of church bells
from iMovie.
 The follow up of this scene was a black screen and a voiceover is placed over it to once again give a training as this
is a convention used in sport films because it shows the energy and the emotions the character has. The scenes are
filmed outside of a normal gym as we wanted to portray that he is not wealthy and typically of the working class.

5. Step 4
 A transition of a Fade to black has been used once again to go onto the next two scenes. These are of Reiss and
his girlfriend (Jorja) enjoying themselves in a park, this represents the relationship between the two characters. To
emphasise the happiness in these two scenes we decided to turn up the brightness and contrast so that it gives
the audience an idea that they are really close. Long shots are used to show the happiness on both of the
characters faces when they turn and look at each other on the bench, and when Jorja is being pushed on the
swings she looks back at him with a smile to show the spark between both characters.

6. Step 5
 Following this, we wanted to show the tragedy of the protagonist in depth and this was done by ending the first
soundtrack by using a sweeping bang noise that was downloaded from a royalty free sound effects website. This
was implemented at the start of the next scene, which is of Reiss drinking alcohol to portray his addiction. We did
this by displaying several bottles in front of the camera. A sound effect of a high pitch riser was implemented
through this and the next few scenes to emphasise the problems that the protagonist faces. There is also a
voiceover of Reiss saying “I had to face many challenges along the way”, emphasising his problems. To show this
as being a problem we used a black and white effect to really reinforce that he needs to overcome his inner
demons in order to achieve his aspirations.
 This follows onto a black screen that is enhanced with the use of the voiceover so that the audience can focus on
the narrative.

7. Step 6
 The next clip shows Reiss being by another character who is bullying him. This is shown here just to give an idea to
the audience of what problems Reiss has to face in the film. The original ‘chase scene’ clip was rather long so we
decided to split it into three sections. The rest of this clip is shown nearer to the end of the trailer, this creates
continuity.
 After this is shown, there is a clip where Reiss is punching a bag and this shows his strength and ability. Here, we
have used cross cutting as a method to build the intensity of the trailer as the sound effect gets louder. This was
done by adding in black screens for 0.1 seconds which was shown after 0.2 seconds of the clip, the fast cutting
added greater effect to the trailer. I’ve used the blue type effect on the clip to portray the intenseness of the
protagonist as he punches the bag in a fierce way.
 As soon as this clip finishes, we inserted a sound effect of “Bell Buoy” and this was effective as it represents the
genre of the film as it is similar to the bell at the start of boxing fight. This could also indicate to the audience that
he is ready to face his demons. This was followed on with a voiceover that says, “My name is Reiss and this is my
story”, so that the audience are aware of the protagonist.

8. Step 7
 After this, we wanted to show the companies involved in the film as this is a key convention used in film trailers.
This is because it adds a positive outlook to the film from previous successes that the companies may have had
from other films. We used the ‘crop to fill’ option for the three company logos as we believed that this should take
up the full screen as it was more important. The reason why we placed this here was because we had looked at
existing fast paced trailers and they’ve shown the production/ distribution companies in the middle of the trailer.
The film companies that were shown are: Film4, Lionsgate and our own production company, Ritzy productions.

9. Step 8
 Sukhi and I now wanted the trailer to pick up the pace as well as tension as it approaches the climatic ending of
the trailer. From looking at the multiple short shots below you can see the quick succession so the tension is being
built. Some shots at this stage are slightly ambiguous from looking at them at first, such as him being sent a text
message, but by the end of the trailer it makes more sense to the audience of what is going on.

10. Step 9
 We then showed trophies that Reiss had won from boxing which shows the passion he has for the sport as well as
the fact that he has potential to be successful. The shot we use here was a tilt and the speed was made slower to
enable the audience to view this scene properly. This clip was very shaky so we used our editing skills to make the
tilt shot more stable by adjusting the stabilize bar.
 As the trailer is starting to build towards the climax, we made direct references to boxing. We wanted to make sure
that this was maintained throughout so therefore making a references at this point was important as it kept the
continuity of the theme. We used on over the shoulder shot to show that w Reiss receives a text message on his
phone. The volume of the music was toned down so the audience are able to hear what Reiss says.

11. Step 10
 The sweeping slam is used again to change the emotion of the scene. To split the scenes we used a background
from YouTube off a channel named “cinetrove” who offer free footage that users can use and we took full
advantage of this. The reason we used this particular background was due to it looking rough and therefore
representing what the character is like. We added some text onto this that promotes the film. We used the font
style which is the same as the title used on the poster and magazine and the colour used was red.
 The text helps to promotes the film as it refers to a film that has been successful in previous years so the audience
are persuaded to watch our film. The transition for the title that was used was “reveal” as it has a fading in and out
feel and this makes it look professional.

12. Step 11
 The next two shots shows indicates to the audience that Reiss has drug issues and we have shown this by adding a
close-up of two character trading an item. We used fade to white transitions to have an effect on how this is
portrayed to the audience and this shows the impact it has on his life. Once again the two shots show a use of
continuity.
 A fade to white is used in this clip in order to show another problem that Reiss faces in his life. We also used a pan
shot to establish the setting as well as showing a two shot of both characters. The two shot is effective as it
connotes the break up is happening alongside the other problems that occur in Reiss’ life.
 During these two scenes we have used a soundtrack that creates suspense and during the break up the volume
has been toned down to enable the audience to hear what is being said.

13. Step 12
 The same background is used again, but this time the text is different as it says “this fall”, giving an indication of
when the film will be released. This links back to the cynical structure which would please the audience even
though they have come to the end, they still need to know the full story and would therefore would be persuaded
to see the full film. A sweeping slam was used again to change the emotion to make it fast paced again.
 To assist it this time, we have adopted a fast cutting editing technique. We have shown Reiss skipping at the
beginning of the trailer, but this time he has picked up the pace. This adds tension towards the end of trailer,
creating enigma for the audience to go watch the film.

14. Step 13
 The scene where Reiss is being chased has been resumed. This is at the end as of the trailer as it leaves the
audience questioning whether or not Reiss manages to achieve his aspirations as he has just been beaten by his
enemy. As the punch is thrown, the title of the film appears and the same background, font and transition is used
to reveal the name “12 Rounds with Life”. We ensured that we didn't’t give too much of the information away as
this encourages the audience to find out for themselves by going to watch the film.
 The music here becomes quiet and the same sound effect of “bell buoy” is used again to connote the end of the
fight.

15. Step 14
 At the very end of the trailer, the film title has been displayed with the credits and the production company logos.
This persuades the audience to go watch the film as it reminds the audience of the companies involved in
producing and distributing the film. This is the ending and this is emphasised with a boom sound effect from
iMovie.