Copyright Clancy Tucker (c)
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Quote of the day:
"The value and joy of life consists in
being taken up into something bigger than yourself"
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BOOK TRAILERS
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G'day guys,
Lately I have been involved in producing book trailers. An interesting exercise and one I thought I'd never be capable of doing. However, it's been heaps of fun and I'm happy with the results. Fortunately as a photographer, I can use my own photographs. What is a book trailer? Well, it's a very short video clip that tantalises readers ... or seduces them to buy your books. However, notwithstanding the technical aspects, one has to be careful not to tell a perspective reader too much ... what really happens in the story. I guess a book trailer is a visual book blurb - that 100 words you write on the back of a book.
How did I get started? Well, a former guest on my blog, Melissa Wray, kindly shared some information which you might find helpful. 'Windows Movie Maker' should already be on your computer. I used 'Photo Story for Windows'. If you do not have it, Google it and download - free!
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Introduction: http://kingdomelectlady.hubpages.com/hub/Create-Your-Own-Book-Trailer-Free
Music: http://www.music4yourvids.co.uk/
The instructions are easy to follow - just be patient. Here are a few points worth considering.
1. Prepare you images or messages before you start.
2. Number them in order of how they will appear on the screen.
3. Choose a soundtrack that suits your story. That is, one that gives your video and story some meaning - tension - build-up - drama - slow and peaceful?
4. Choose a soundtrack that will be long enough to cover all of your images as they appear. That is, you don't want the music to cut out half way through your video. I chose no more than 21 images which worked well.
5. Do not write too many words on one image. It will move too fast for people to read. Be succinct and sharp.
6. You can preview your work as you go through it, so do it!
7. Be patient. It's your name on the block.
8. Don't forget to give credit to the musicians who helped to make your video so delightful.
9. Put it up on YouTube with relevant information for people to contact you: blog and web address, email address etc.
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Here are two I made and placed on YouTube. Let me know what you think of them. One is for 'Gunnedah Hero' - a story based in 1910 Australia. And, because of the time period, I made most of my pictures in black and white or sepia to give it some authenticity - pictures I took after I finished the manuscript.
The second is a video about me as an author. Why did I make it? Well, most authors do a book trailer but they forget that many readers like to know something about the author - the 'face behind the words' as I put it.
Let me know what you think of them:
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'Gunnedah Hero': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPVEpan_Yxk&feature=youtu.be
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Clancy Tucker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B72Rd8IMN2I&feature=youtu.be
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Good luck!
I'm ...
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Soon to be published!
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