What makes a great trailer/show reel?

[ono]

See also:

http://xixax.com/index.php?topic=417
http://xixax.com/index.php?topic=1893

EDIT: I originally used the analogy of trailer to show reel, which, in hindsight, isn't really necessary.  Hence, the thread title change.  The trailer discussion still interests me, too, though.

Those threads are mostly just lists of good trailers, with discussions of things NOT to do.  I'm more interested in theoretical discussion I can actually put into practical use.  Or is this something that you just can't quantify or qualify and, "you'll know it when you see it?"

I have very few thoughts, which is why I'm asking, and if I tried, I too would just go about listing trailers.  The only somewhat coherent thought I do have is it's a combination of the right music, footage, and how it's cut together to draw you in (manipulate you), and somehow elevate the material to a level where you just have to see it.  But still, that tells you nothing.

I guess this extends to other montages.  For instance, I have the challenge of condensing the breadth of what I've done into a 3:00 (max) showcase to apply for a particular grant.  I'm scratching my head at how to do this, which is why I started looking back at some great trailers, and am considering looking at my modest body of work as another movie to promote.  3:00, in a sense, would be too long, then.  But I digress.  So, thoughts?

[children with angels]

Rather than trailers, maybe a better thing to look at for this purpose would be all those compendiums of filmmakers' bodies of work that have become so popular on Youtube...? (e.g.: PTA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD7i3hWM6FU&feature=related / Tarantino: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvLBm6Hz9tE&feature=related).

Or, you know, other directors' showreels - I'm sure some filmmakers on the board must have made a couple...

[Pubrick]

So are you actually asking what makes a good showreel?

Cos that's not the same as a trailer. In fact the more general you make your question the less helpful your answer will be. In the end we will just be trying to describe what makes a good advertisement in general. That's a pretty huge topic with no right answer cos it depends on too many things.

Such as the fact you're trying to make a showreel and not a trailer.

[picolas]

yeah i think your question is more about showreels, of which barringer82 would probably be the master.. what i've learned from him (aside from the obvious, use every amazing shot you have) is to find themes or motifs that occur throughout the person's work and put them side by side, often underneath dialogue or music that highlights those themes. you can't really go wrong with that. there are always going to be interesting juxtapositions. like do 10 seconds of all the shocked faces your characters have made. or even something as dull as all the exteriors of buildings you've ever shot... when you mix them together with the right timing and underlying music/dialogue, it becomes cool fairly easily. and try to find actions or reactions that can be placed side by side from different pieces of work. like say some guy yells at someone, cut to another guy from another thing looking concerned or quiet.

[ono]

cwa - that link for pta's stuff was great as expected.  qt, too, I'm sure, but I'm trying to quit.
p (and pic) - Yeah, you're right.  It is more about showreels.
pic - I appreciate the detailed reply.  It's really helped a lot so far, so thanks.

[Stefen]

Editing.

I remember seeing the Magnolia trailer for the first time and seeing that black chick walking and looking and thinking that was a key part in the movie, a part that would make the movie. I couldn't wait to see THAT PART and when I did, it was just her walking and looking. It was nothing more but the editing in the trailer made it seem like so much more.