Since I started writing my fantasy novel I have had to pick up quite a few things on my own. The latest being how to make a book trailer. Having a degree in film helps, but I was still unsure if it should be like a film trailer conveying scenes from the book, or something else entirely. So I went on YouTube and searched YA novel book trailers. There were many playlists to choose from. So I picked one and spent an afternoon watching trailer after trailer until I had an idea what to do.
I didn’t have to shoot scenes from the book, but I needed to write something that would give a hint as to what goes on in the book. I decided to shoot my main character describing the fantasy world where the book takes place. She does this in a voiceover. I know, a couple of weeks ago I went on and on about how horrible voiceovers are. But remember, I said commentary was acceptable. She is describing a fantasy world while walking through the real world. Towards the end there is a suggestion that the fantasy world isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I just used a regular digital camera to shoot it. I would have loved to have a HD camera to use. And a DP (director of photography for the uninitiated) to design the naturally lit shots. Because I didn’t have a fancy schmancy camera and matching lights, I shot this entirely outside. But it was perfect for the tone I was going for. I made sure to get multiple takes and angles of each shot. My lovely actress had never acted before so she was unfamiliar with the repetition. But I assured her it was best to make sure you got everything and got it right before you went home to edit. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to use every angle that I shot. But I wanted to have choices.
And it’s a good thing that I did get all of those angles because I needed each and every one. After shooting the scenes outside, we went inside to shoot the voiceover in GarageBand. Because I didn’t have a microphone (and we were recording in the basement) I got an echo on the voiceover. But I kept it because it went with the tone of the trailer. I edited in iMovie and got my music from makerbook.net (Thanks Mrs. Kaye Writes for suggesting this site!) I shot it, edited it, and uploaded it all in one day. Below are the fruits of my labor:
