Editor’s Notes
Dear readers,
Welcome to the first Bonus issue of The Trailer Brief! I wanted to use the extra Monday in June to try something new.
This week, I’m turning the spotlight to other people making really awesome content about trailers. If you like this newsletter, you’re going to love what they’re putting out.
I’m also sharing some tools and editor plug-ins that you may or may not already know about — some I’ve seen in action, others I’m excited about but haven’t used. As always, though, be sure to connect with your content security team before installing and using anything.
I hope you enjoy this special edition of The Trailer Brief!
The Feed
Current trailer content and commentary.
This Week In Movie Trailers (TWMT)
Creator: Jonny Elwyn
Link: https://www.movietrailers.pro/
Jonny’s website is the best way to keep up with recent trailer releases.
What we like about it:
Every week, his database updates with new trailers. The free tier is an extremely valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date with the latest trailer drops. It’s full-quality, ad-free trailers in one user-friendly browser is the best watching experience I’ve found online. You can join the free mailing list to receive the top 10 trailers of the week sent directly to your email inbox.
The paid tier is only $2/month and unlocks analytics features and the full historical database of 18,000 trailers. You’re able to compare the weekly performance of trailers new and old, with the ability to save your favorites into playlists. It’s a great resource for editors and producers who want to save inspiring trailers from the past.
Trailer Tuesdays
Creator: Jules Levy
Link: Jules’ LinkedIn
Jules brings his industry knowledge and keen creative perspective to a themed weekly breakdown of trailers that caught his eye.
What we like about it:
Jules’ experience as a creative director and senior producer offers him such an informed look on trailer analysis. After reading his breakdowns, I feel smarter and more in tune with the craft of trailer making. The weekly themes are always so interesting. He’s able to connect trailers in unexpected, but seemingly obvious ways. The roundups always feature spots that flew under my radar. He highlights genuine art pieces and his commentary is concise and valuable.
This series of trailer analysis began as an internal resource for his own coworkers, but now everyone is able to benefit from Jules’ experience and creative mind. He’s a generous collaborator and someone I’ve grown to admire.
David presents trailer news, strategy, and history in mobile-friendly videos.
What we like about it:
David’s videos are incredibly well researched, and he covers topics you can’t find anywhere else. His 20+ years of experience as an editor make him an authority on the art and history of the trailer industry. You can tell he knows what he’s talking about. I love his deep dives into marketing materials of the past. He identifies trends and the campaigns that break the rules. The way he’s able to contextualize trailers in a short, engaging format is a blessing to the social algorithm.
The video-native breakdowns are an excellent compliment to the written breakdowns that are in my newsletter, and the ones that Jules is doing on his LinkedIn page.
Tools of the Trade
Tools and resources for editors.
Behind the Trailer
Creator: Kristopher McDonald
Link: https://behindthetrailer.com/
Kristopher has built a community for aspiring trailer editors and working professionals, complete with tutorials and mentorship opportunities.
What we like about it:
This is exactly the type of community that this industry needs. Kristopher has built a platform to raise people up and provide a way in for those who are interested in the craft. He’s identified a major problem in the industry: people who want to break in have no idea how the industry actually works. The solution is pulling back the curtain, and actually mentoring the talented people who want to make cool trailers.
His free resources are pointed at the people who are motivated to make their dreams a reality. There’s a discord server for aspiring editors to connect with working professionals. They share fan edits and get real feedback from professional creative directors and editors. The mentoring opportunities, plus the free e-book and video tutorials make this community the most valuable place for up-and-comers to be.
Knights of the Editing Table
Link: https://knightsoftheeditingtable.com/
This medieval themed plug-in library offers free and paid solutions to some of the most irritating editing processes.
What we like about it:
While I’ve never actually used any of these products, I discovered it while trying to find an easy way to break apart nested sequences in Premiere. Their product “Grave Robber” was seemingly the solution to this major headache. I never got it installed due to a delay in getting it approved by the IT department, but these products are always the first thing I recommend when someone asks me about plug-ins.
Check out their catalogue, and let me know if you use them. I’d love to hear how they actually are in practice.
EditingTools.io
Link: https://editingtools.io/
This plug-in library is already a staple in AE rooms around town, but if you didn’t already know, now you know.
What we like about it:
Probably the most ubiquitous plug-in around town is their “Listify”. It’s undoubtedly saved thousands of hours last year assembling cue sheets and shot lists. Their other tools are just as powerful, and their developers are extremely responsive. Be sure to check with your IT and content security teams before installing or using any plug-ins.
In The Headphones
What we’re listening to.
Host Corey Nathan documents the history of trailer making by bi-weekly interviews with the people who built and continue to shape the industry.
What we like about it:
Before I was lucky enough to be invited onto the show to talk about this newsletter, I admired Corey’s insight into the industry. Nowhere else can you find someone presenting this type of coverage on the trailer industry. Corey has become the de facto historian on the industry. The access he has to titans of the trailer world is unmatched. He has interviewed the founders of the most prolific trailer shops in town, and continues to amplify the voices of up-and-comers in the industry.
Corey’s interview style is conversational and easy to listen to, which allows his guests to put their guard down and open up about their inspiration and experiences.
Multiple times a week, Matthew Belloni keeps you in the loop with what’s going on around Hollywood.
What we like about it:
The easy to digest news coverage and commentary is perfect for a commute. Instead of reading the trades, you can tune in a couple times a week and feel informed on the state of the film industry. His guests are experts on every aspect of the business, making a very well rounded picture of Hollywood as a whole.
Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Outlet: Rolling Stone
Link: My Spotify journey
I’ve been working my way through RS’s countdown in an attempt to expand my music knowledge.
What we like about it:
I’ve broadened my musical horizons, getting through about 140 albums in the last 4 months. I’m still less than halfway through the list, but have already listened to so many amazing albums I wouldn’t have checked out otherwise. It’s such a fun project and I encourage anyone to take it on. While some of the early albums are genuinely terrible (in my opinion), the countdown continues to get better and better.
My playlist documents the journey. I pick one song from each that encapsulates the album in my mind. Follow along!
The Button
Closing remarks.
I hope you enjoy this special edition of The Trailer Brief!
I’m so happy I got to share the other sources of content that I thoroughly enjoy. Please show some love to everyone featured.
If you check out the plug-ins listed above, I’d love if you tell me how you like them! Also please share any other content/creators/plug-ins and tools you’re using for future bonus issues.
I’ll be back next week with a return to the original format.
All of the thoughts, insights, and opinions presented in this newsletter belong solely to the individual writers and editors of the Trailer Brief and do not necessarily reflect the views of their full-time employers