How I Make my Trailers

I have had a few people ask me, both friends and bloggers, some of the specifics that go into making these. I had room on my tab bar, so I figured I would put a little something together. :)



Reading Supernaturally in the Bahamas. :)

 First I read the book. I almost always read the book before making a trailer of it. It's hard to decide what to put in a trailer, until I'm completely finished and have the whole picture in my head.

Second, I take notes. That might seem a bit silly, since I just read the book, but it's important to me to get as many of the details correct as I can.  When I put Lochan from Fordidden in his favorite green shirt, I know a first time reader will not notice that detail.. but they may remember while reading, or see the trailer after they have read it.. and think.. "ooh, she put him in his fav shirt. " It's attention to detail that makes me giddy.   Me = Nerd.  I know. lol




Cassia from Matched

 

After I have my notes, I start making my characters. This is where much of the magic happens. For the most part I design them based on how I pictured them reading the book. I look at my notes to make sure eye color is correct. If you ever see me tagging an author on twitter asking a dumb question like hair color, it's because I couldn't find it when taking notes. Sometimes there is a picture on the cover, and then I will model off of that.




Really not jello, I swear.

  Then comes the set Building..  That's really the most time consuming. In every set I have to have a green screen. Green screen is an awesome tool to use. It's what I use to do a lot of my special effects. Over lapping videos and such. here is a pic of what my green screen usually looks like. My cousin told me it looks like a big block of jello. lol I guess he's right.

Once I finish all that.. I start to film. That can be tricky. Sims don't always do what you want them to do, and sometimes I'll be filming and they will make a gesture I wasn't expecting, but looks so great for the film. For the most part, I tell them what to do. If  you have played the Sims, you know what I am talking about. There are only so many interactions you have to work from in the game, so I try to get creative and at least make it look like they are doing something, even though sometimes they aren't. They might just be scratching their head or something.

Now it's time to edit.. This is the best part! This is where it all comes to life! Now keep in mind, I have notes on the scenes I want, and an idea of how I want it all to look in the end. It doesn't always turn out how I first pictured.. some things just don't look right, so I have to improvise.  About 30% of the stuff I film, or take snap shots of, doesnt' make it into the finished product.

I had someone ask me what video editing software I use. I use Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum pro pack..  There is an 11 that just came out.. I plan on owning that by Christmas. *crosses fingers* It's a really great editor. It doesn't have as much lighting effects as it's more expensive partner, the regular pro edition, but I don't have an extra 600 bucks laying around.

I also use some videos I downloaded off media fire and stuff, for effects. If you search YouTube for " sparkles " you will get a ton of videos with links to download them.

I guess that's really it.. I edit the video together, then post it to my YouTube, and when I remember I drop the link into my goodreads review of the book.

So there you have it.... If you have any other questions, technical or even silly, just drop me an email and I'll answer you. :)

CLOSING STATEMENT.

I just want to say, when I first saw a Sims video online, I thought to myself, " I could never make something like that" 2 1/2 years later, I'm making them. Yes, it's a lot of work.. Especially the learning part. I have taught myself everything about filming the Sims... and video editing from watching tutorials on YouTube. It's amazing the info you can find online. Everytime I make a new video, even the one I just made and am posting today, I figure out a new trick. I'm still learning and having a blast doing so. I get excited and sometimes squeal when I figure something out.. <-------this proves to be quite annoying to the hubby. lol

I'm not trying to make a career out of this.. I'm very happy with my day job. There are people out there who went to school for years learning about video editing.. They are professional, and my trailers could never compare, but I will admit I do a good job. They get better with every one I make. Practice makes perfect..  and there are a ton of amazing books out there.. so I'm gonna have lots and lots of opportunity to practice. :)