I was fortunate to get to take a wonderful workshop at Savvy Authors from author, Kris Tualla, on How to Create a Book Trailer. This workshop was hugely challenging for me since i'm not very techy and had never even used Powerpoint before. But I DID IT!! The results are shown below in my book trailer for Genetic Attraction which is now available from Loose Id.This trailer isn't very sophisticated compared to many, but i've gotten great comments on it, plus lots of questions on how to do it. I can't duplicate Kris's workshop here, so i would advise hopping over to Savvy Authors and seeking her out. However, i will outline the steps, so you have an idea.
- Tell your story in about 20 punchy, short lines. This is the critical step. Everything depends on getting this script right, plus it's great discipline because you should be able to describe your book in an elevator speech. Start with the setting (thank you Kris, for that great tip) and don't get caught up in the details!
- Select pictures and or video to go with your script. You MUST own these pictures, so go to a royalty free stock photo house. I got my great pix from 123RF for less that $1.50 each. It's good to find multiple pictures of one person who looks like your characters. In my trailer, i was lucky to find several photos of the same attractive red-haired woman and the same adorable young man.
- Put your script and pictures together in Powerpoint. If you know the application, you can use some of the tricky fades and wipes for transitions, but don't get too fancy. the key is the story.
- Find music that fits your story at one of the free music sites.
- Acquire music editing software like Cakewalk or Goldwave. You'll have to pay for this, but it's not too expensive. I found the music editing step the hardest. The application was difficult for me to understand, but through lots of trial and error, i finally got it to my satisfaction.
- Download free conversion (Powerpoint to video) software and put your music and PP slides together. You'll likely have to adjust timing on your Powerpoint screens to get the music to time just right. Keep at it!
- When you like it, upload it to YouTube and you're in the movies!!
As i say, this project was hard for me but completing it was oh so satisfying. I'm happy with the outcome and looking forward to making my next trailer for The Scientist and the Supermodel coming out in May from Loose Id. See what you think of my results:
10 comments:
Very nice trailer, Tara! I've thought about the trailers, too, but I'm not very visually creative, and I can never find pictures that look like the characters in my mind! (Which is one of the reason I love the headless models on my Loose Id covers!)
But I'm glad you posted where you got the photos. I usually use iStockPhoto, but it's nice to have another resource (for the few times when I bother with images at all).
Thank you for the comment, KC. I understand about the images. My heroes are so beautiful, no human can quite equal them. LOL, so i was surprised to even come close with Jake. The guy in the trailer is pretty cute, don't you think? : )
Very nice trailer! I talked about book trailers on my blog, but just the video kind, not doing it via PowerPoint - I'm glad someone else covered it! This is a great resource.
I'm also really intrigued by your novel! So, I guess your trailer did a good job of getting me hooked. It looks like we both have forthcoming novels with menage romances on the horizon! We should do swap reviews or guest posts in one another's blogs or something.
Here is my blog post:
http://jmfrey.net/2010/10/adventures-in-self-promotion-book-trailers-and-tax-reciepts/
(The trailer itself is down for some maitenence but hopefully should be back up soon).
Hi JM -- That is a great idea. I will be doing a blog tour in preparation and launch of the Scientist and the Supermodel, now tentatively scheduled for release May 31. When does your come out? I'll go check the blog.
: )
Great job on the trailer, Tara. But I have to confess, I seldom watch them. I'm more a text kinda of girl. :D
Hi Evanne -- I know what you mean, but after i did it and saw how people reacted, i realized how worth it it is to take the time! : )
Hey Tara! Great information. I just created my first book trailer for my Feb 15th release Wayward Soul. I posted it on my blog kimbowmanauthor.blogspot.com and I have gotten positive feedback there and on youtube. I can't believe the views I've already had on youtube.
KC, I can so relate to not finding pictures that look like the characters you have in your mind! It took me over a week to settle on pictures I liked. I finally quit worrying what they looked like so much as what they were doing in the picture and that helped, so I know what you mean about the headless model! LOL
Hi Kim -- Thanks for the great comment. Your advice about pictures is right on. We get so attached to out beautiful characters, it's important to know that in the trailer we need to compromise. Not worry so much and it will turn out great. : )
This is a great and informative post, Tara. I LOVE book trailers. I find them really relaxing to do. I don't know that they actually sell books, but the creation of them focuses in my own mind what the selling/appeal points of the book are, so they're almost a learning tool for me as much as a selling tool for readers.
Hi Josh-- Just saw your comment on my Book Trailer blog post. I agree! Creating the points for the script of the trailer is definitely a focusing experience. It helped me understand the heart of my story. Can't wait to do my next one. Thanks so much for your comment. : )
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