Animation Studio · With Tek
How to make a movie trailer
This course teaches your kid how to make a 15-second trailer for a movie your kid made: show a little, hide the ending, and leave people wanting more. Tek hosts four short films, and your kid builds the trailer as a row of paper cards, times it, and performs it for the family. Plan about 4 minutes of films and 30–45 minutes of making.
How to make a movie trailer is part of Kubrio Learn: short courses that inspire kids to make things. Learn more
Watch all 4 lessons in the appWhat your kid makes
Your kid ends with a 15-second trailer made of paper cards: three shots, a question, a title card, and Coming soon. Your kid performs it for the family before the movie, and a grown-up can film each card on a phone.
- Ages
- 6 to 13
- Time
- 4 films, about 4 minutes, then 30–45 minutes of making
- You need
- Paper or index cards, pencil and markers, a timer, a movie your kid already made or plans to make
- Host
- Tek
The 4 lessons
Lesson 1. Your three best shots
A trailer is a tiny movie about your movie. It shows a little, not everything.
- Lay out your movie's scenes like cards
- Pick the star, the trouble, and the biggest moment
- Number them 1, 2, 3
Where: Paper
Lesson 2. No spoilers!
Never show the ending. Ask a question instead.
- Write your ending on a card and fold it away
- Write three questions about your movie
- Circle the best one: that's your hook
Where: Paper
In the app
Lesson 3. The title card
The movie's name, big, near the end, right after the question.
- Make a title card with big, thick letters
- Make a question card
- Lay out all five cards in order
Where: Paper
In the app
Lesson 4. Fifteen seconds
About two seconds a card, a big ending, then Coming soon.
- Time it to 15 seconds and cut a card if it runs long
- Add a big ending sound and a Coming soon card
- Show your family before the movie
Where: Paper
In the app
Lesson 1 transcript: Your three best shots
You made a movie! Now make people want to watch it. You need a trailer.
A trailer is a tiny movie about your movie. Fifteen seconds. It shows a little, not everything.
Here's Sam's movie, The Night Light Is Out. Lay out all your scenes, like cards on a table.
Now pick three shots. Shot one: meet the star. Here's Sam, in bed.
Shot two: the trouble starts. The light goes out! Shot three: the biggest moment. A giant shadow!
Put the rest away. Especially the ending! Three shots are enough. Number them. One, two, three.
Your turn. Lay out your movie's scenes. Pick the star, the trouble, and the biggest moment. Number them. Then press Next.
Free guides to practise with
Questions parents ask
Does my kid need a finished movie first?
No. A trailer works for a movie your kid already made or one your kid plans to make. Planning the trailer first often helps the movie too.
How long does it take?
The four films take about 4 minutes. Making and timing the cards takes about 30–45 minutes.
Does it need a video app?
No. The trailer is a row of paper cards your kid holds up and times. If you like, film each card on a phone.