My Grand Experiment Back to Blog
For a while now, some authors have been using book teasers and book trailers to promote their books. Sometimes, I really like the trailers (I’ve enjoyed Christine Feehan’s), and sometimes, well, sometimes they make me wince. So, of course, in light of my mixed feelings for them, there is only one thing for me to do: Make my own trailer.
Ahem. Yes, I’m going to try and create a trailer of my own that I like and thus, will hopefully not make me wince.
I would try to get a professional to do this for me, perhaps Circle of Seven Productions because they’ve done some nice trailers. But, well, that would be too expensive for my current budget.
And, when things are too expensive for me, then I have to get creative.
Luckily for me, I’m married to a guy who knows quite a bit about technology and about making movies. Back in the day (God, I love that phrase!), Nick and his buddies Brad and Derek made comedy movies/shows and they aired them on our local cable access channel. One thing that always impressed me about those shows: They had great production quality. So, I can get Nick to help me with the filming of my trailer. And with all the post-production work as we get it ready to show on my website.
My good friend Ashley has agreed to play the role of my female lead in the trailer. Ooohhh…it is so nice to have friends that will do crazy stuff for you!
I’m going to try and come up with a story board for my book trailer (by the way, the trailer will be for The Wizard’s Spell) this evening, so I can show it to the guy I want to play my hero. He’s not quite as willing to jump in without any questions as Ashley is, so I have to show him my plan first.
Ah, yes, the plan. Really gonna try to get that going. So, stay tuned, and I should have a trailer for you in a few weeks!
Wish me luck–I really think I’ll need it!
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Cynthia, I’m writing an article about book trailers for the RWR . . . let me know when yours is up!
Allison
Hi, Allison! Thanks for visiting my blog! And I will definitely let you know when my trailer is up!
I hopped over to your website and I watched the trailers for your books–very nice! I think I might actually prefer the still-shot trailers to the acting ones that I’ve seen so far. I thought your trailers were particularly evocative of the tone of your stories.
Cynthis, that sounds like so much fun! I’ll be around to see what happens. Good luck!
I’m back again. I just read your blurb for THE WIZARD’S SPELL. Let me know when it’s out, please. I want to read it.
Good luck, Cynthia. That sounds so exciting! For another great trailer, also with still shots, you can go to http://www.brendanovak.com. Hers is great, and is done by the webwizard who is about to design my website, Justin Knupp of Stonecreek Media.
Edie, I think it sounds like fun, too–and I can’t wait to get started!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the blurb for The Wizard’s Spell. I should be finding out my publication date very soon for that one.
Hi, Michelle! I’ll definitely check out Brenda’s site. Right now, I’m thinking that I might do a book teaser with still shots and a trailer with live action.
Good luck on your website!
You can imagine my delight when I saw your post since I am the creator of book trailers and the CEO of Circle of Seven Productions.
I think it is a common misconseption that it is expensive to have them made. We have video that start at $500 (sometimes less when we have a special on mini teasers).
I was interviewed by Newsweek magazine today about the promotional opportunities, stats and future of book trailers. There’s so much you can do with them other than play them on your site.
Contact me at your convenience and I am happy to offer you some ideas about what to do with your video once you have it.
Cheers to you!
Sheila Clover English
CEO
Circle of Seven Productions
sclover@cosproductions.com
Sheila, thanks so much for your comment! COS is definitely an innovative company, and I think we are just seeing the start of this new marketing trend.
And I’ll look forward to reading that Newsweek article!
(P.S. Thanks again for the tips you sent me!)