Best Of — Robert Walker (Buddha Jones): Craft, Emotion & the Art of the Trailer

What does it mean to truly feel a trailer—and how do you translate that feeling into something that moves an audience?

In this Best Of Trailer Geeks & Teaser Gods episode, Corey Nathan revisits his wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation with Robert Walker, one of the most influential and respected trailer editors working today.

From his early experiments with cassette-tape collages and experimental music to shaping iconic campaigns at Intralink and Buddha Jones, Robert shares how a lifelong obsession with sound, rhythm, and emotion led him to a career defined not by formulas—but by feeling.

This conversation spans decades of trailer history, touching on legendary campaigns for Batman Begins, Cinderella Man, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Social Network, The Book of Eli, Out of the Furnace, The Harder They Fall, and more. Along the way, Robert reflects on mentorship, artistic risk, industry shifts, and why unresolved emotion is the most powerful tool a trailer editor has.

Whether you’re a trailer editor, filmmaker, marketer, or creative of any kind, this episode is a masterclass in why craft matters—and why the best work starts with intuition, not templates.

---

Key Takeaways

Emotion Is the Job

Robert explains that the ultimate goal of a trailer isn’t explanation—it’s feeling. A successful piece creates emotional tension that compels audiences to lean in and want more.

Childhood Roots Shape Creative Voice

From discovering Walkabout and Stockhausen records at the library to cutting cassette-tape collages, Robert traces how early experimentation laid the foundation for his editorial instincts.

Short Form, Maximum Freedom

Why trailers—rather than features—offered Robert the creative latitude he craved: non-linear storytelling, music-driven structure, and constant reinvention.

Learning Through Repetition

Cutting dozens of trailers at Roger Corman-adjacent companies gave Robert invaluable reps, sharpening both craft and judgment at speed.

Mentorship & Creative Friction

Stories from Intralink—including spirited debates with Anthony Goldschmidt—reveal how conflict, trust, and passion often lead to the strongest work.

Teasers Aren’t Ads—They’re Invitations

Robert reframes teasers as emotional groundwork, not sales pitches—particularly in franchise resets like Batman Begins.

Adapting Without Betraying the Film

From melancholy character studies (Out of the Furnace) to stylized genre pieces (The Harder They Fall), Robert discusses how to elevate a film while staying emotionally honest.

Timing Can’t Be Taught

Comedy, horror, action—it all comes down to rhythm, anticipation, and release. And sometimes, knowing when to stop tweaking.

Don’t Cut the Same Way Twice

Robert’s advice to emerging editors: vary your approach. Start with music, dialogue, story, or even the ending—just don’t get stuck in one process.

---

Notable Quotes

“The single most important thing we do is create a feeling—and leave it unresolved.” 

“If you’re thinking too much about how the audience will feel, you stop being emotionally open yourself.” 

“You can’t really teach timing. You know it when you feel it.” 

“Teasers aren’t always about selling the movie. Sometimes they’re about demolishing expectations.”

“If you always approach a piece the same way, you’re going to miss something.” 

---

About Our Guest

Robert Walker
Trailer Editor — Buddha Jones
Formerly Intralink Film
Known for work on Batman Begins, Cinderella Man, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Book of Eli, The Social Network (TV), The Harder They Fall, and more.

Robert is widely regarded as one of the most emotionally intuitive editors in the industry, blending experimental instincts with mainstream storytelling at the highest level.

---

About the Host

Corey Nathan
Host & Executive Producer — Trailer Geeks & Teaser Gods
@coreysnathan on all platforms

---

About This Episode

This episode is part of our Best Of Trailer Geeks & Teaser Gods series—encore conversations from across the show’s history that remain timeless, insightful, and essential listening for anyone passionate about entertainment marketing and creative craft.

---

Our Sponsors

Meza Wealth Management
mezawealth.com

The Golden Trailer Awards
goldentrailer.com

---

Join the Community

Like what you hear?

• Leave a rating and review wherever you listen
• Follow Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan
• Subscribe for new episodes and conversations with the people shaping entertainment marketing