Well, the time has come for my book trailer debut. Talk about fun and focus. It's been a long time since I've focused to this extent.
First of all, I took my class from author Kris Tualla at SavvyAuthors and her instructions were excellent. They were step by step with nothing left out. The class was $25.00 and well worth it.
To put together a movie trailer, you need PowerPoint, text, pictures, and music. You're lucky if you're a photographer and have an abundance of beautiful people at your fingertips. I'm not and I don't. I love taking pics, but the one picture I took looks quite inferior in comparison to the ones I purchased. Please notice that beautiful blond hair on Miranda--just like my daughter's hair. :)
Okay, I purchased most of my pictures. I loved them so much, I purchased the ppt converter software to put the thing together. You do have the option of not purchasing anything but you'll have copyright notices/banners plastered across your product. When I recognized my handsome hero, banners across his face was not an option. Searching the pictures for your characters is a challenge, but when you find one that works well with a specific scene in your book, I promise you'll be soooooooo excited. :)
Once I found and fell in love with my characters, I didn't want to short-change them so I bit the bullet and spent the cash. My expenses (not counting the class) came to $102.65. You'll have to determine if it was worth it or not. I believe it was. I know you're asking, "Why? What's the point when you're book isn't even sold?"
Answer: Because I got to know my characters even better, and because I'm more enthusiastic about my book than ever before. I've always believed in my story--regardless of the rejections that come back with "...too much angst" or "too issue-driven." Creating this book trailer has motivated me to hang in there, find the right editor, the one who'll be as enthusiastic as I am.
Yeah, I know, it might never get published, but ... it might.
To me the most difficult thing about putting together a book trailer is selecting the music. Watch, read, listen ... to the very end ... and then tell me what you think.
12 comments:
I love it. It makes me want to buy the book. Totally awesome. Seriously. I have been out of pocket with company and what not, but I love trailer. It just might sell the book for you.
Looks good to me, Jess! Great job and good luck.
That is really good. I love the ending, the question, and the final "stab" so to speak. The music works well, especially with the kind of eerie clash at the end.
W-O-W! Like it a lot. Good job.
I thought it was really neat--very professional looking. I'm considering it myself. The font on yours bunched the words together a little--I thought the picture of the woman with glasses looking over the book was a little comical. Small details I know, just letting you know what I see. The video teases to a very interesting story--so I would say mission accomplished. Bravo!!
Hey, thanks for taking a look.
Carole, Wouldn't it be fun if a book trailer actually did the hard work of a query letter? :) Would LOVE that!
Angie, thanks for stopping in. ?This was an incredibly FUN project.
Charles, I love the ending and the music seemed to really fit. Of course, the timing is a little off when it comes to the last author promo. I just hate to go back in and fix it.
Thanks Jan. Now we need to work on you know what. Heh heh heh.
James! I guess you think after all that honesty I've dished out on your stuff, you can be honest with me, huh? :-) Well... you have a fine eye. I was disappointed that the font bunched some of the words together. I chose that specific font because it looked like real 'teacher print' on a blackboard. Also... you hit the nail on the head about the comical woman looking over the book. I considered other pics, but chose this one because 1) she had a book and 2)she wore glasses. A teacher look and the word framed. haahahah There's no rhyme to my reasoning. You nailed it though with your comments. So... I might have to twist your arm to give it a final read through. AFTER you get back from NY of course. :-)
Thanks everyone!
I like to read about people, who do what they like. God gave You the talent. I know the poet - very intelligent, cultural and interesting woman, who likes discuss with people in all ages (with young and elder) about poetry and art. Always I can learn from her very much.
Zimbabwe, thanks for visiting my blog. I love poetry and art--and poets and artists! I think they teach fiction writers how to paint with words. :)
Hi Jess,
I thought it was a great video. I hope everything goes well for you.
~Ron
I'm impressed Jess! Makes ME want to pick it up and read it. I keep telling my son that he'd be a great book cover, maybe I could use him in a book trailer instead...hmmm. Great job!
Ron - thanks for popping over to my place. :) It doesn't hold a candle to yours!
Cajunflair-you need to snap bunches of pictures of your son. And those pretty daughters of yours. You oould make a great booktrailer using your own kids!:)
Jess: I'm verklempt! You're diving in to your novel! So glad.
Great job on the trailer. I tried doing my own and almost bashed my own head with my laptop. The music works; it doesn't distract from the text and images.
While I liked the look of the font, I did think it made the text challenging to read in some place. Maybe just more spacing between the words?
Killer close...
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