Make a trailer for an animation with credits & music

All Activities

Create a short animation trailer with simple scenes, add music and rolling credits, then share your finished trailer with friends or family.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a trailer for an animation with credits and music

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to make a trailer for a short film

What you need

Paper, pencil, colouring materials, scissors, tape or glue, cardboard or stiff paper, free animation or slideshow app or website, royalty-free music clip, adult supervision required

Step 1

Pick a short idea for your trailer and write a one-sentence logline and a title.

Step 2

Draw a simple storyboard with six numbered frames showing what happens in each scene.

Step 3

Draw and color the backgrounds and characters for each of the six scenes on separate sheets or pieces of cardboard.

Step 4

Cut out any characters you want to move as separate pieces for your scenes.

Step 5

Arrange a flat, well-lit workspace and make a steady spot to place each scene so the camera view stays the same.

Step 6

Take a clear photo of each of your six finished scene pages in order.

Step 7

Import the six photos into your free animation or slideshow app or website in the right order.

Step 8

Set each photo to display for one to two seconds to create the pacing of your trailer.

Step 9

Add a short royalty-free music clip under the scenes and lower the volume so the music sounds balanced.

Step 10

Create rolling credits by adding a text slide at the end with names and roles and set the text to scroll up.

Step 11

Preview your trailer from start to finish and check for timing or spelling fixes.

Step 12

Export or save your trailer as a video file.

Step 13

Show your trailer to a friend or family member and ask for one thing to improve.

Step 14

Share your finished trailer on DIY.org

Help!?

What can we use instead of cardboard for drawing and cutting the backgrounds and characters?

If you don't have cardboard, use heavyweight construction paper, cereal-box cardboard, or thin poster board for the "draw and color the backgrounds and characters" step and for "cut out any characters" so pieces stay sturdy.

My photos keep coming out blurry or the framing shifts between scenes — how do we fix that?

To stop blur and framing shifts when you "take a clear photo of each of your six finished scene pages", secure the camera with a tripod or a stack of books, mark the camera spot with tape on the table, and keep the lighting consistent for every shot.

How can we change the activity to suit different ages or skill levels?

For younger kids, reduce the "draw a simple storyboard with six numbered frames" to three frames, use stickers or pre-cut characters for the "cut out any characters", and set each photo to display longer, while older kids can expand to more frames, add voiceover and sound effects in the animation app, and write full rolling credits.

What are simple ways to improve or personalize our trailer after the basic version is done?

Add a custom title card and record a short voiceover or sound effects to layer with the "short royalty-free music clip", create parallax by moving cut-out characters slightly between photos, and decorate the rolling credits slide with colors and specific roles before you export the video.

Watch videos on how to make a trailer for an animation with credits and music

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Simple Techniques to Create an Animated Film in Adobe Animate and Premiere Pro with Chris Georgenes

4 Videos

Facts about animation and video editing for kids

🎬 The first film trailers appeared in the 1910s and were originally shown after movies — that's why they're called "trailers"!

🎵 Editors often use "temp tracks" (temporary music) when building a trailer before the final score is written.

🎞️ Animatics (moving storyboards) are commonly used to plan timing and camera moves for trailers and animations.

⏱️ Most movie trailers are about 1–2 minutes long so they build excitement without spoiling the story.

🎭 Big animated films can have rolling credits that list hundreds of people — from voice actors to background artists.

How do I make a trailer for an animation with credits and music?

Start by writing a short outline and storyboard (3–8 scenes). Use a simple animation app or stop-motion setup to create each scene, keeping clips 3–10 seconds. Add transitions and trim to a 30–90 second trailer. Choose or create royalty-free music and lay it under the clips at low volume. Add rolling credits at the end listing creators and music sources. Export as MP4 and share privately with family or close friends.

What materials do I need to make an animation trailer?

You'll need a device (tablet, phone, or computer) with an animation or video-editing app (Flipaclip, Stop Motion Studio, iMovie, or Scratch), simple props or drawings, a tripod or phone stand, and basic lighting. Optional: a microphone for voiceover, scissors and glue for physical sets, and royalty-free music tracks. Make sure you have enough storage and a place to export the finished file for sharing.

What ages is creating an animation trailer suitable for?

This activity suits different ages with varying help. Ages 5–7 enjoy simple stop-motion or puppet scenes with adult guidance for filming and editing. Ages 8–12 can storyboard, animate short scenes, and add music with moderate supervision. Teens 13+ can plan, edit, add credits, and manage safe sharing independently. Adjust complexity, session length, and supervision based on attention span and tool familiarity.

What are the benefits and safety tips for making and sharing an animation trailer?

Making an animation trailer builds storytelling, sequencing, fine motor skills, and digital literacy. Children learn planning, timing, teamwork, and confidence presenting work. For safety, avoid sharing personal information in the video or filenames, use private sharing settings, and select age-appropriate platforms. Always check music licenses or use royalty-free tracks. Supervise younger kids during editing and online sharing to ensure privacy and respectful feedback from friends and family.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Make a trailer for an animation with credits & music

Create a short animation trailer with simple scenes, add music and rolling credits, then share your finished trailer with friends or family.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a trailer for an animation with credits and music

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to make a trailer for a short film

What you need

Paper, pencil, colouring materials, scissors, tape or glue, cardboard or stiff paper, free animation or slideshow app or website, royalty-free music clip, adult supervision required

Step 1

Pick a short idea for your trailer and write a one-sentence logline and a title.

Step 2

Draw a simple storyboard with six numbered frames showing what happens in each scene.

Step 3

Draw and color the backgrounds and characters for each of the six scenes on separate sheets or pieces of cardboard.

Step 4

Cut out any characters you want to move as separate pieces for your scenes.

Step 5

Arrange a flat, well-lit workspace and make a steady spot to place each scene so the camera view stays the same.

Step 6

Take a clear photo of each of your six finished scene pages in order.

Step 7

Import the six photos into your free animation or slideshow app or website in the right order.

Step 8

Set each photo to display for one to two seconds to create the pacing of your trailer.

Step 9

Add a short royalty-free music clip under the scenes and lower the volume so the music sounds balanced.

Step 10

Create rolling credits by adding a text slide at the end with names and roles and set the text to scroll up.

Step 11

Preview your trailer from start to finish and check for timing or spelling fixes.

Step 12

Export or save your trailer as a video file.

Step 13

Show your trailer to a friend or family member and ask for one thing to improve.

Step 14

Share your finished trailer on DIY.org

Help!?

What can we use instead of cardboard for drawing and cutting the backgrounds and characters?

My photos keep coming out blurry or the framing shifts between scenes — how do we fix that?

How can we change the activity to suit different ages or skill levels?

What are simple ways to improve or personalize our trailer after the basic version is done?

Watch videos on how to make a trailer for an animation with credits and music

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Simple Techniques to Create an Animated Film in Adobe Animate and Premiere Pro with Chris Georgenes

4 Videos

Facts about animation and video editing for kids

🎬 The first film trailers appeared in the 1910s and were originally shown after movies — that's why they're called "trailers"!

🎵 Editors often use "temp tracks" (temporary music) when building a trailer before the final score is written.

🎞️ Animatics (moving storyboards) are commonly used to plan timing and camera moves for trailers and animations.

⏱️ Most movie trailers are about 1–2 minutes long so they build excitement without spoiling the story.

🎭 Big animated films can have rolling credits that list hundreds of people — from voice actors to background artists.