Trailer Cutdowns 2023
In 2023, I worked extensively on trailer cutdowns for Amazon Prime Video, tackling a diverse range of titles across multiple languages and genres. These projects involved transforming full-length trailers into concise 16×9 formats and resizing them for various social media platforms, including vertical (9×16) and square (1×1) formats. The trailers were adapted for different international markets, ensuring they were visually appealing and on-brand across all regions.
Some of the standout titles included:
- Moonfall (German language)
- Angel Has Fallen (German language)
- John Wick: Chapter 4 (Spanish language)
- Marry Me (Spanish language)
- Dog (Dutch language)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (French language)
- Lieber Kurt (German language)
- Ángel Nieto: Cuatro Vidas (Spanish language)
These titles are just a taste of the many projects I tackled over the year. Each one required a sharp focus on storytelling, often squeezing a compelling narrative into just 15 or 30 seconds. From meticulous editing in Adobe Premiere Pro to incorporating branding elements like logos and CTAs, every detail mattered. I also designed custom text cards in After Effects to amplify the visual impact. After cutting so many trailers, I’ve become quite the expert at crafting intriguing snippets that highlight the best moments without revealing too much – it’s a bit like being a magician with a time limit!
One of the primary challenges was ensuring the trailers were adapted seamlessly for various languages while respecting the cultural nuances of each market. Unlike typical localization, these projects required aligning visual elements, pacing, and branding across different language versions without always having access to separate audio stems. This limitation required creative problem-solving to achieve the desired impact with limited resources.
Another challenge was implementing a new branding guideline across all titles, which involved consistent use of Amazon Prime Video’s updated visual identity. Additionally, resizing trailers for social media formats meant reconsidering the composition and flow of each edit to ensure they worked effectively in both vertical and square formats, without losing the essence of the original trailer.
Despite these complexities, the final deliverables met Amazon’s high standards, successfully reaching global audiences through both traditional and social media platforms.
