Producing a trailer for your FiveM server

11 min read4 sections · 4 questions answered
Short answer

Plan a 60–90 second structure (hook, world, jobs and systems, community, call to action) and a shot list. Record at high settings with OBS, and use a freecam or the Rockstar Editor for cinematic angles — FiveM supports Rockstar Editor clips via the recording natives many servers expose as commands. Stage scenes with your community, cut to the beat, use music you have rights to, and export a 16:9 master plus a WebM loop for the loading screen.

A trailer is the one video every server uses everywhere — YouTube, Discord, the loading screen, store pages. It does not need Hollywood production. It needs a plan: a clear structure, a handful of great shots, and editing that matches the music.

A 75-second structure

TimePartShows
0–5 sHookThe most striking shot you have
5–20 sThe worldCity, map, weather, custom locations
20–45 sSystemsJobs, businesses, police, custom scripts in action
45–65 sPeopleRoleplay moments, community
65–75 sCall to actionLogo, Discord link, “join now”

Capture options

ToolGood for
OBS (60 fps, high bitrate)Gameplay and staged scenes
Freecam / camera scriptsSmooth cinematic moves, drone shots
Rockstar EditorRe-framing recorded clips with editor cameras
client.lua — clip recording commands for staff
RegisterCommand('rec', function()
    if IsRecording() then
        StopRecordingAndSaveClip()
    else
        StartRecording(1)
    end
end, true)

RegisterCommand('editor', function()
    ActivateRockstarEditor()
end, true)

Restrict these commands to staff (true makes them ACE-restricted) — the editor takes the player out of the session.

Shooting tips

  • Pick the time of day and weather per shot (sync scripts or admin commands).
  • Hide HUD, chat and name tags.
  • Slow camera moves read as cinematic; shaky ones as gameplay.
  • Stage scenes with a few regulars — rehearse once, record several takes.

Editing and export

  • Cut on the beat; keep most shots under three seconds.
  • Simple text: server name, two or three key features, the join link.
  • Music you own or licensed — trailers get muted or claimed otherwise. See music and copyright.
  • Export a 1080p/4K master for YouTube and a short WebM loop without audio for the loading screen — see video backgrounds.

Common questions

How long should a FiveM server trailer be?

About 60–90 seconds; shorter cut-downs for social media.

Does Rockstar Editor work in FiveM?

Yes. Clips can be recorded with the recording natives (often exposed as a staff command) and edited in the Rockstar Editor.

What music can I use?

Only music you own or have licensed for that use.

Can I use the trailer on my loading screen?

Yes — export a short WebM loop, usually without audio, and host large files on a CDN.

Want a loading screen you never have to debug?

Build it in the browser, export once, and edit it whenever — no HTML, no re-uploads.

Start free

More guides