A little hopping here: http://www.mommyonlyhas2hands.org
Check out my blog post here: http://www.womenontheverge.net
A picture is worth 1000 words, so the saying goes. When you have poured your heart and soul into
a 90,000 word book, how do you capture those words in pictures? You create a book trailer. Simple, you scan a few photos add some textand you have a book trailer.
Well unless you are me, your book happens to be the true
story of the random murder of your brother and you have had a vision in mind
since word 16,000. The vision in my head
had nothing to do with cheesy photos and text. My publisher would have provided a “nice” book trailer.
But I wanted my potential readers to “meet” my brother. To see him laughing, playing with his baby
and performing.
I chose a sentimental song. I searched for the music and found it was unavailable.
I was honored when a musician I do not even know offered to send the music to me. My husband’s great-niece
Caroline offered her angelic voice for the vocals. All I needed was a mini movie.
Unfortunately,video production companies are missing out on a great niche market. Most have no idea of the difference between a
book trailer and a TV commercial. Authors and publishers are not going to dish out $3500-$10,000 on a book
trailer. Like I said you can easily purchase a program and create a wonderful trailer for your book. Mine just HAD
to be more personal.
My vision had my siblings and me walking off into the sunset, looking up at heaven
and looking at photos of David with the beautiful music playing.
Enter J.C. from New Pace Productions. He was
honest and said he had never produced a book trailer before but he was willing to give it a try.
We went over my website, court documents and my photos. I explained I wanted to film in “The Victims
Memorial Arbor and Gazebo.” This special area is located in Core Creek State Park, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. It was created by the Network of Victim Assistance[NOVA] with help from Mothers against Drunk Drivers and so many other kind people. It also happens to be the very
spot where I took my brothers and my own children to play when they were little.
J.C. said that my sentimental music was not going to sell books. I was defensive, for a minute. I realized he was right. I had to remove myself from the marketing of this book. I was too close to the story. If I wanted my words to reach and help others I needed them to read the book.
I needed to trust the professionals.
In 2007, J.C. and Bill co-founded New Pace Productions. While working mainly with local clients, J.C. and Bill have traveled across the country as well as internationally, to represent the brand that “New Pace” has established. They pride themselves on being easy to work
with and I can tell you from my heart-they are a pleasure to know and to work with.
When I first saw the trailer for “BRISTOL bOYZ STOMP” of course I cried. There was my brother, David, smiling and
alive. There was David the way he is in my dreams, every single night. I was so grateful for that moment. Then I
realized there was a voice-over. I was so surprised Perry Elliot the best voice over guy in America lent his voice to
my project. What can I say, I was just so humbled and thankful.
As for that sentimental trailer; J.C. is still working on that one. I know it will be amazing. I am going to use that one as an invitation
to the book release party and as a gift for my family members.
So, do book trailers sell books? Do movie trailers sell movies? Of course I think the answer is a resounding yes. In my
case I believe the reader will see David as he was. They will see exactly who my family lost, senselessly, because a mob of young men had nothing better to do that night.
This week’s comment winner will be chosen from the “BRISTOL bOYZ STOMP” you tube comments!
Besure to stop by http://www.newpaceproductions.com
and check out some of their other work. I love the “Devon Horse Show” video.
And please be sure to stop by http://www.vocalcreations.com to hear the best voice over guy in America.
My favorite quote this week is: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no
variation or shadow due to change.
~~James 1:17
Have a positive and powerful week!
Doreen
