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BEHIND THE TRAILER

ACADEMY FOR ASPIRING TRAILER EDITORS

ABOUT
BEHIND THE TRAILER

Pulling back the curtain on how trailers really get made.

I’m Kris McDonaldCreative Director, Senior Editor, and founder of Behind the Trailer. After spending over two decades editing trailers for major studios and streamers—from massive summer blockbusters to indie gems...I realized something:

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Most aspiring editors have no idea how this industry really works.

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That’s where Behind the Trailer comes in.

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This platform is my way of giving you a backstage pass into the world of trailer editing. Not just the theory. Not just surface-level advice. Real tools. Real breakdowns. Real insight from someone who does this for a living.

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The trailer landscape is always evolving...and so am I. Behind the Trailer isn’t just a teaching space. It’s a place to stay sharp, grow together, and keep pushing the craft forward.

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On the YouTube channel and across social, you’ll find:

  • Deep dives into the latest trailers

  • Breakdowns on pacing, structure, music, and emotional rhythm

  • Technical how-tos and creative insights from inside the bay

  • Tips for building your reel, getting noticed, and breaking into the industry

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This isn’t just reaction content. This is hands-on learning for people who want to do this for real.

Whether you're fresh out of film school, self-taught and hungry, or just trying to get your foot in the door - 

Behind the Trailer is for you.

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Let’s learn by watching. Let’s get better together.


Welcome to the club.

READY TO BREAK INTO TRAILER EDITING?

Download my free eBook,

Making the Cut. Inside, I lay the groundwork for your journey into trailer editing—long before you even touch the timeline. From learning the rhythm of a great trailer, to knowing what gear you actually need to start, to creative ways to break into the industry—it’s everything I wish someone had handed me on day one.

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