Daisy Waite, A Research-Led Editing Framework for Film Trailers Tested Through Comparative Re-Editing

This research project, grounded in practical application, investigates the influence of trailer editing on emotional pacing, genre perception, and audience anticipation through a series of comparative re-editing experiments. By analyzing 70 contemporary film trailers, the project uncovers consistent patterns in structural escalation, emotional engineering, rhythm and sound manipulation, as well as narrative clarity. Utilizing footage from Wuthering Heights (1939), Wuthering Heights (2026), and Together (2025), the project generates various trailer re-edits to examine how editorial modifications impact emotional tone and genre framing. This work delves into the roles of pacing, sound design, montage rhythm, information withholding, and genre signals, viewing them not merely as stylistic choices but as intentional promotional strategies within the realm of contemporary film culture. Instead of regarding trailers as mere secondary marketing tools, the project repositions trailer editing as both a creative and analytical endeavor that actively shapes meaning prior to the audience's experience of the film itself. Through reflective experimentation, the artefact explores how current trailer conventions affect emotional engagement, narrative interpretation, and cinematic expectations.