How to Make a Movie Trailer - Editing 3-Act Trailer Structure

Опубликовано: 08 Май 2026
на канале: Derek Lieu
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A key to making movie and game trailers is using a 3 act structure which takes the audience on journey which helps them understand the new story, understand the stakes, and get excited about it!

Read more about trailer story structure here: https://www.derek-lieu.com/blog/2017/...

And this post about the trailer line of rising action
https://www.derek-lieu.com/blog/2018/...

0:00 - Introduction
0:19 - The Line of Rising Action
0:44 - The Cold Open
1:29 - Act 1
2:17 - Act 2
3:18 - Act 3
4:31 - The Button
5:13 - Recap


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ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Derek Lieu and I'm a trailer editor who makes video game trailers! I got my start in the movie trailer industry as an assistant editor at a house which produced trailers for: The Matrix Trilogy, Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more.

Over many years I worked as an editor, and started making fan trailers for games until eventually I got jobs at game trailer houses in Los Angeles where I worked on games like Mortal Kombat X, Shadow of Mordor and lots of LEGO games. Independently I've made trailers for games like: Firewatch, Dead Cells, Subnautica, Ooblets and BattleBlock Theater.

I'm using this channel to teach people about the art of making trailers via video essays, tutorials, reviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at my own work. I think about trailers a lot both for work and fun, so I have A LOT to say about them.

I hope to shed light on this mostly unknown industry, and gather together a nice community of people who love to watch and make trailers!