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Kevin Childress and Craig Hagedorn, Award Winning Trailer Editors, on Storytelling, Sound Design, and Creative Collaboration

Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods

Release Date: 03/12/2025

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Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods

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On this episode, we sit down with Kevin Childress, award-winning editor, producer, and creative director, and Craig Hagedorn, editor and creative director at Wild Card Creative Group. Together, they explore the craft of movie trailer editing, from storytelling and music selection to navigating industry changes.

What We Discuss:

  • How Kevin and Craig broke into the trailer industry through unconventional paths.
  • The impact of early influences and collaborations on their creative development.
  • The importance of storytelling, rhythm, and music in crafting compelling trailers.
  • The challenges and opportunities in working remotely vs. in-office collaboration.
  • Behind-the-scenes stories on iconic trailers, including Memento, Detroit, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, King Richard, and Bike Riders.

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:00] – Kevin Childress’ journey from MTV commercials and music videos to cutting some of the most iconic trailers of all time.
[00:05:00] – How Memento's innovative trailer structure was developed, including the idea behind its unique graphic treatment.
[00:09:00] – Craig Hagedorn’s transition from long-form marketing content to trailer editing, including his early work at New Wave Entertainment.
[00:14:00] – The impact of working at Trailer Park and later Wild Card, learning from some of the best in the industry.
[00:25:00] – Advice for young editors: the importance of collaboration, learning from experienced creatives, and staying open to feedback.
[00:42:00] – The making of Detroit: how a minimalistic approach created maximum tension.
[00:55:00] – How King Richard’s trailer evolved with the addition of Beyoncé’s song, transforming the emotional impact.
[01:03:00] – The use of unexpected music in Amsterdam and how it shaped the final piece.
[01:04:00] – The process of discovering the perfect "button" for Bike Riders and why it worked so well.

Featured Quotes:

“We’re all in this together. Success for one of us is success for all of us.” – Kevin Childress
“Music is the rocket fuel of a great trailer.” – Craig Hagedorn
“Being in a creative space with others pushes you to think differently and get better at your craft.” – Kevin Childress
“The right music can unlock a trailer and change everything.” – Craig Hagedorn

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