Character Approach

Where The Poppies Now Grow – Hilary Robinson, Martin Impey

Character Approach, Children Approach, Fiction, Level 2, Plot Line Approach, Trailer

Lead: 10 Excite: 27 Amaze: 27 Direct: 29 This is a richly illustrated children’s book about two boys and their experiences in the First World War. The trailer shows a series of watercoloured paintings from the book always sweeping using a Ken Burns effect to give motion. Strong narrator with background music of a treble

Where The Poppies Now Grow – Hilary Robinson, Martin Impey Read More »

Out Of The Box – Julie McSorley and Marcus McSorley

Character Approach, Cinematic Approach, Level 3, Non-fiction, Trailer

 Lead: 30 Excite: 80 Amaze: 5 Direct: 18 Strong cinematic trailer for an “out of the box” book. The co-author Marcus McSorley is the protagonist’s son and a professional actor. His screen experience shows in the trailer. Marcus is confident and interesting. Although a non-fiction biography, the book is pitched like a novel. The

Out Of The Box – Julie McSorley and Marcus McSorley Read More »

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows – Alan Bradley

Character Approach, Fiction, Humorous Approach, Level 1, Plot Line Approach, Reputation Approach, Trailer

Two different trailers for the same book from the same publisher in United States and Canada. The content is basically the same message but a different approach was taken in each. The trailers are level 1 trailers with basic animation. Random House US Random House Publishing Group. Lead: 23 Excite: 18 Amaze: 10 Direct: 5

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows – Alan Bradley Read More »

Gangsta Granny – David Walliams

Character Approach, Children Approach, Fiction, Humorous Approach, Level 3, My Favourites, Trailer /

Lead: 5 Excite: 18 Amaze: 4 Direct: 13 Cute children’s book trailer. The animation and music/sound creates the setting. Pure character approach, no hint of plot line. It is difficult to do an effective 39 second trailer. This one does it admirably. Lead Analysis Lead Grabs you right at the start with animation of a

Gangsta Granny – David Walliams Read More »

Escape from Furnace Series – Alexander Gordon Smith

Character Approach, Fiction, Level 1, My Favourites, Plot Line Approach, Teen Approach, Trailer /

Lead: 6 Excite: 37 Amaze: 8 Direct: 14 While the Furnace series trailer is technically simple it pulls you in with hard images and pounding music. The target audience is clearly young males and the author has built a strong following in FaceBook. Very powerful lead that grabs you in six seconds. Extras Author interview.

Escape from Furnace Series – Alexander Gordon Smith Read More »

Monument 14 – Savage Drift – Emmy Laybourne

Character Approach, Cinematic Approach, Fiction, Level 3, My Favourites, Teen Approach, Trailer

Lead: 18 Excite: 72 Amaze: 7 Direct: 6 This is the third book in the Monument 14 series. The trailer begins with a title/image for each prior book. This engages viewers not familiar with the series and excites existing fans. The focus is the protagonist, Josie. We hear her story in the narrative and read

Monument 14 – Savage Drift – Emmy Laybourne Read More »

Blackbirds and Mockingbird – Chuck Wendig

Character Approach, Cool Approach, Fiction, Level 2, Mini-radio Drama Approach, My Favourites, Off-the-wall Approach, Trailer /

Explicit language Lead: 12 Excite: 87 Amaze: 35 Direct: 16 This is one of the most effective trailers I have seen, or should I say heard? The trailer is a radio drama to introduce the main character Miriam Black. The visuals are a playing of the dialog in words on the screen in an interesting

Blackbirds and Mockingbird – Chuck Wendig Read More »