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How to Write a Script for a Movie Preview

Movie previews, also called trailers, are a compilation of scenes taken from a movie to entice moviegoers into the theater. In most cases, the movie studio compiles these trailers after a movie is made, and they are not scripted. In some cases, you may want to script a movie preview in advance. It will follow the same writing process as full-length features.

Things You'll Need

  • Screenwriting software
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Instructions

    • 1

      Outline the preview. Since it is not yet shot, you will create a mini-version of the screen story to attract interest from a producer, director or even a panel of judges at a screenplay competition. While the preview may only last 30 seconds to one minute, you should still think about a beginning, middle and end.

    • 2

      Select the best segments. In the short time you have, you want to write a preview that will show your main character in ordinary life, moving into a challenging situation and struggling to overcome the odds against him. Highlight specific scenes, depending upon the type of movie. A comedy preview should include some of the funniest moments. If you're writing a horror script, include one or two of the best scenes that will make the audience jump.

    • 3

      Write using scriptwriting software. That will do the formatting for you, leaving you free to concentrate upon writing. Since this is only a preview, it will contain little dialogue. Movie previews should highlight action. A good way to format a movie preview is with a series of shots or a montage. You can create any of these elements with any screenwriting software. A series of shots will look like this:

      SERIES OF SHOTS

      A) An airplane blazes as it careens toward earth

      B) Survivors of the crash make their way through the jungle.

      C) A lion the size of a car LEAPS from the jungle.

      END SERIES OF SHOTS

      The shot series is a great way to cover a lot of action in a little space. The difference between a shot series and a montage is that the shot series covers related shots, often in one scene, while a montage covers a wider time period.

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