In this fascinating behind-the-scenes feature, acclaimed trailer editor Bill Neil unpacks what makes a trailer unforgettable. Drawing on decades of experience crafting previews for some of Hollywood’s biggest films, Neil walks us through the anatomy of a great trailer—how a single sound cue can change the emotional trajectory, why silence can be more powerful than dialogue, and how the best cuts are built on rhythm, not just story.

Featuring iconic examples from Mad Max: Fury Road, The Social Network, Jaws, The Shining, and Inception, this video essay offers an insider’s look at the precision and psychology behind the trailers that shaped modern cinema. Equal parts film school and love letter to the art of editing, it’s a must-watch for anyone who cares about how movies first hook us.