Beneath Bone Lake Trailer

I started playing this afternoon with Windows Movie Maker, and before I knew it, I'd blazed through several hours. Here's me first attempt at making a video book trailer. If nothing else, I kept it short and to the point, which to me is all you want to capture a potential reader's interest. (Fingers crossed on that.)

If this actually works, let me know what you think. I'm a total novice, so your suggestions are welcome. Just don't suggest anything too complicated!

Comments

Shoot, Col - I can't get this to play. This is the second video that I can't get to play this week - and it's not my computer, cuz I get other ones.

I'll try again in a little while - can't wait to see what you came up with.

Linda
You fellow "T" author.
Okay - yay - just got it up! LOVE that music. Like the scene with the girl in the lake changing colors.... very atmospheric!

Linda
Thanks, Linda! I've been tinkering and will be re-uploading. I've figured out a few more things.

This is fun.
Anonymous said…
I'm already scared!
Suzan Harden said…
Way cool! Are you sure this is your first book trailer?
Anonymous said…
Cool, Colleen! I'm totally impressed. The only weird thing (other than the music itself, lol) is I got some kind of static underlying the music. It could be my speakers, but I don't think so. Anyway, I loved the video, can't believe it's your first one, and think you may have a future as a film maker. :)
Pat
Thanks so much, Tessy, Suzan, and Pat! I've looked at Movie Maker a few times, but this was definitely the first time I've made heads or tails of the thing.

Did anyone else get static on the music?
Joni Rodgers said…
No static on the music for me. And I want to know how you got it to play in this format. I struggled to do a little flash-doodle for my web site and gave up after it ate my brain for two days. Also the opening with the words in background and foreground looks cool. You've gotta show me how you did that.

Overall, I think it's quick, clean and to the point, which is so much better than the ones that ramble on and on.

Suggestions...hmmm...you might smooth out the transitions by crossfading. (Just insert "fade" on the transitions menu. Or there's a little page-turn thingy, but that gets cheesey if you overuse it.) And if you right click on the music bar, you can fade music out at the end.

I salute your techno-savvy.
Thanks for the suggestions. Once I finish galleys, I'm going to play with it some more. Once I have it where I'd like, I want to share it via my publisher and booksellers, so I hope to smooth out the rough edges.

When you're ready to share a file on Movie Maker, Joni, you go to the File menu, then "Save Movie File." Then click that you're saving it for web. As soon as it's finished, a link will appear allowing you to save a copy to your computer. That's the file I uploaded to Blogger and my Facebook profile. To my surprise, it worked on both.

Good luck!
Ruth said…
Colleen
That was great. I commend you, I tried using my movie maker to make a clip of my grandkids and gave up. I had no trouble opening it or hearing the music.
Ruth
You're a trailer pro now! :) Turning up the lights just because of the music... and it's eight in the morning. Great pics--great job! Unless there's real action, I think shorter trailers are perfect!
Kim Lenox said…
COOL! Perfect graphics and music. Very evocative.

(Hey, do you hire out?!) Lol!
Linda Warren said…
Colleen,
I'm so impressed. Everything came through fine for me and I have no idea how to slow down the words at the end.

Now you'll have to list info on how to do a trailer and still stay sane.

Linda
EmilyBryan said…
I like it Colleen! I've never been able to figure out MovieMaker. I use PhotoStory for mine (sort of the TinkerToys version of booktrailer creation!)

I'm impressed with your techno-saavy! And can't wait for the book!
Anonymous said…
Wow, Colleen, that was so cool! No static here, and I found it easy to read and follow. Very impressive! You are definitely multi-talented!

Kerry
Thanks so much for all the kind words and great tips! Can't wait 'til I get time to fiddle some more with it.
Gosh, Colleen,
What a great video. You make it sound so easy to make as well. I was going to have someone make a book vid for me, but maybe I should try myself first. The music is just right as well.
Helen
Thanks so much, Helen. It took me just a few hours, and it was fun to do.

Just go to royaltyfreemusic.tv and pick out a short loop. Cost me $10 for that, and then you'll have something to use on your website, Amazon, Facebook, and what have you. If you pay one of the better companies, they have much better distribution, but my budget cried uncle at the thought. :)
Anonymous said…
Colleen, there's just no end to your many talents! The trailer is great...a real attention getter.

I recently read The Salt Maiden and couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read Beneath Bone Lake as well. You're an excellent writer.
Temple
TJ Bennett said…
I loved it! You da woman. I love that it is short, sweet, and to the point. As Shakespeare said (I think it was him), "Brevity is the soul of wit." I agree with Joni, most book videos try my patience by being way too long.

I was just telling my webmistress/sister we needed to do a book trailer because I saw how someone on one of my yahoo loops suggested both the Windows Movie Media and Photostory thingies and I thought it would be easier than using all the complicated stuff she has available to her but never has time to learn.

If I ever get a few hours to myself (yeah, right), I'm trying it.

TJB
Temple,
So nice to hear from you! Thank you for the kind words on the video and The Salt Maiden. (I've been threatening to do a sequel called The Pepper Guy.) :)

TJ,
Once you figure out the basic idea, it's very doable. Talk to me about it later, and I'll tell you what you need.