Trailer Music Specifics, Music Healing & Crafting Game Trailers

Hello Friends,

Nathan here! From breaking down the nuances of trailer music to exploring how music impacts us on a deeper level, this week we’re diving into the craft, the strategy, and the power of sound—plus a look at what goes into crafting epic game trailers.

In the name of Biggie and Bone Thugs N’ Harmony… Let’s ride, let’s ride, let’s ride

PROJECTS

Hyped to share that Mystery Box by Denis Kaydalov is featured in this spot for Presence. Horror projects are always so much fun to work on. Big thanks to NEON for bringing us in on this one!

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Over the last few years, I’ve been giving more and more feedback to composers while managing an overwhelming number of requests. The reality is, most of the composers reaching out aren’t quite equipped for the world my team and I specialize in—trailers. This week, I break down the key differences between being a general film composer and writing for trailers.

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Turns out music doesn’t just bring back memories, it can actually change how we feel about them! A recent study found that when we listen to music, the parts of our brain tied to memory and emotion work together. That’s why certain songs hit so hard emotionally. But researchers took it a step further and found that music can actually shift the emotional tone of a memory. Meaning, a song might not just remind you of something, it could change how you feel about it entirely.

Pretty wild. Here’s a blog with more on the story.

For videogames, game trailer is usually the first thing people see, so it matters. Whether you’re an indie dev or part of a big studio, the goal is the same—get people interested. A good trailer isn’t just a preview, it’s an invite. It gives players a feel for the world, the tone, and what makes the game worth their time. The trick is showing enough to hook people without giving everything away.

The tough part? Too many cinematic shots with no gameplay, and it feels hollow. Too much gameplay with no context, and it might not land. The best trailers find the right balance and actually make people want to play.

Here’s a blog our team put together on what makes a game trailer work.

Stay safe out there and catch you next week!

-Nathan

Tools we use

I’ve shared this a number of times and wanted to mention it again as a few music and entrepreneur friends recently asked if I had any hacks for banking, and handling payments with Rareform. I can’t recommend Mercury enough. They bring modern tech simplicity to the world of banking. You can skip the in person hassle, random fees, and if you use our Mercury link and deposit 10k within 90 days you can receive $250.

Checkout Beehiiv, the service we use to power The Rareform Rundown

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