1. Qualities to an Effective Video/
Trailer
Chloe Blake

2. Conventional to the genre
A video or trailer should include conventional
components to allow the audience to identify
the genre easily. This can be done by the use of
mise-en-scene, including the costumes of
characters, the setting of the trailer/video and
also any props that may work and contribute.

3. Camerawork
To ensure that a video/trailer is successful, the
use of camerawork should be planned in
advance. The composition of all shots should be
well thought out, whilst also considering the
lighting around you to ensure that the shots are
the best quality they could be. Try to ensure that
the shot types used are not too repetitive and
complement one another successfully.

4. The Rule of Thirds
With this grid in mind the ‘rule of thirds’ now identifies four important
parts of the image that you should consider placing points of interest in
as you frame your image.
It also gives you four ‘lines’ that are also useful positions for elements
in your photo.

5. Audio
Ensure that the sound within the filming is loud
and clear to the audience- use an external
microphone if possible. Also make sure that the
setting used for filming has no unnecessary
background noise that will cause any
interference in the video/trailer.

6. Editing
Editing can be a huge influence towards the
success of a video/trailer as long as it is
conventional to the genre. A selection of editing
tools are available to ensure that videos/trailers
are of high quality.
The 180 degree rule of shooting and editing
keeps the camera on one side of the action.

7. 180 degree rule
It’s important not to cross the ‘line of vision’ between two characters,
unless the viewer actually sees the viewpoint move across the line.
Otherwise the viewer may not be able to make sense of the scene.

8. Plan in advance
To ensure that your shots are of the highest
quality consider making a storyboard of your
ideas so they are well thought out and you are
faced with no issues along the way. Also
consider the mise en scene at this stage,
ensuring that the characters, costume, setting
and lighting are conventional to the genre of the
video/trailer.

9. Problems that may arise
Be careful when using hand held cameras and
zooming, as this can cause your film to look
unprofessional. Also when filming, try to avoid
facing the camera towards direct sunlight as this
could also make your video/trailer not be as
successful.

10. Small things that can make a big
difference - Camerawork
• Keep the camera still during filming.
• Do not use zoom when filming as it may cause
the camera to shake.
• Use simple shots, but vary them often.
• Use different camera positions.
• Watch out for interfering sound.
• Watch out for light.
• Use close ups instead of zooming.

11. Small things that can make a big
difference - Editing
• Get the pace of filming correct – not too long
to make the audience bored.
• Do not transitions unless necessary.
• Use important action, leave out anything that
is boring and unnecessary.
• Use fades and dissolves to show the passage
of time.
• Use sound to make editing smoother.