Promoting My Book with a Video

[j. d. worthington]

And, though I'm not an overly big fan of such, don't forget that CGI is another way to go with this; a few weeks ago I ran across such a video for a fantasy novel, and it was rather interesting. If you get someone who knows how to do such graphics, this may be a possibility, and all you'd need would be to find some people to provide voice acting. As for glitter being used as special effects, it's usually used in suspension, either in water or some slightly thicker fluid, and can, with double or triple-exposure, produce some very nice (and, depending on the lighting, speed, etc., varied) effects.

Good luck with it, Teresa, and keep us all posted on how it's going!

[Teresa Edgerton]

I don't think we have the time, the money, or the resources for CGI.

Whereas we do have considerable resources for a live-action video, in terms of props, costumes, etc.

But however we decide to go about it, I will certainly keep everyone up to date on how it goes. You'll probably all be sick of hearing about it before all is said and done.

[dwndrgn]

I think it is a wonderful idea and if nothing else you will have had the pleasure of making the video itself. It's a shame I no longer reside in the crazy state (okay, I do live in a state of craziness but no longer live in California...) or I'd help you out someway or how. Best of luck and do keep us informed.

[Justin Thorne]

I'm a musician and you're welcome to use one of my tunes for the score!

www.justinthorne.com or www.myspace.com/justinthorne

If any of the tunes take your fancy, let me know.

Best of luck, I love the idea...

[littlemissattitude]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

(Your mother would be very welcome to sit and observe. Although, if you brought her here to the house during any "studio" work ... I hope she likes dogs.)

Hmmm. I'll have to think about that. The problem isn't so much that my mother doesn't like dogs...she likes them, but doesn't like them touching her. Goes back to a bad experience she had when she was a child. The big problem is that dogs do like her, too much. A dog will come into a room full of people, and she's the first one it will go to, and not just go to, but try to get into her lap and snuggle. It's just uncanny.

Like I said, I'll have to think about that a bit. It doesn't change that I would like to participate in this project.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Well, we can always send the hounds of war next door to Megan's for a few hours. (Because our dogs are not at all the reserved and aloof type.)

[Lacedaemonian]

Alas I live no where near you mate. Would be good fun working on that project too. Not that I have skills.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Justin, that is a very kind offer. I will keep it in mind if we decide to go with contemporary music rather than classical or medieval (which is the way we are leaning now, but that could change).

*****

Meanwhile, after sounding just a bit lukewarm about the project in the beginning, John is getting enthusiastic. I thought he would, because he spends so much time editing together things he tapes at RenFaire and tournaments, and on vacation, and this will give him a chance to use some of the techniques he's been wanting to try out.

This morning he was going through some of his video software, and he actually has what he needs for some pretty nifty effects.

(Carolyn, the next time you come over you can see what we have available. Knowing what's already at your disposal could help in planning out your own trailer.)

[littlemissattitude]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

Well, we can always send the hounds of war next door to Megan's for a few hours. (Because our dogs are not at all the reserved and aloof type.)

Thanks, Teresa. That's very kind of you. I've always wished my mother was easier with dogs, because I love them. But, apparently, she was bitten or almost bitten when she was young, and she's been shy of them ever since.

[Brown Rat]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

(Carolyn, the next time you come over you can see what we have available. Knowing what's already at your disposal could help in planning out your own trailer.)

Yes! That would help, thanks.

One of my colleagues who is part of a chorale group is going to ask the teenage women in her group if one of them will sing a noncopyrighted song, pretending to be Lorelei, for my video. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I'll start fussing with test images and sound tomorrow, to see how Final Cut Express works. If you hear screaming, you'll know that I need help (in more ways than one).

[dwndrgn]

You're not the only one:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...DTL&type=books

[Teresa Edgerton]

Yes, that's the article that alerted me to possibility. Then Carolyn and I checked out the other book trailers at YouTube, and that's how we ended up discussing whether it was something we could do or not.

Except I think we're going to be able to do ours without spending a lot of money.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Well, we've had two meetings -- different people attending each one -- and they seemed to be very productive. Everyone seems quite keen on the project. We've cast five of the important roles, had many offers of costumes and armor, and we have some leads on possible locations. Two of the people who volunteered to help are stage magicians, so it looks like we might be able to come up with some interesting effects without CGI (which is naturally beyond us). John bought a plug-in so that he can do blue-screen effects with his video editing software, and he's been experimenting with that.

Megan and I have been all over the East Bay (OK, not really the entire East Bay, but it felt that way) searching for red fabric and we finally came up with 52 yards in the exact same shade. She's done a prototype for a costume worn by the Furiádhin (Ouriána's warrior/magician/priests). We dressed up her dressmaker's form with one of the costumes, a stuffed pillow case to fill out the hood, a Halloween mask, and a wig, just to get the general effect. It was apparently convincing enough to fool the two smaller dogs, who growled whenever we adjusted a sleeve or a fold and the figure seemed to move. (The big dogs simply looked at the thing with a cynical eye and refused to be impressed by our amateur efforts.)

Megan made an adorable costume for Jack, who is going to play the baby princess in the close-ups. We chose Jack for the role because he has the more expressive face.

[Brown Rat]

It sounds wonderful! You are making impressive progress!

[Teresa Edgerton]

Things are beginning to fall into place and it's getting exciting. We have people to play all of the major roles, various people with various talents and resources are also involved -- and weather permitting we're scheduled to film the first scenes this weekend.

I don't know if I am going to watch the film or not. I'd probably be a nervous wreck and drive everyone crazy. Probably I'll just help set things up and then gracefully retire to let John do his stuff.