Love Charms Book Trailer is Live + Interview with E.R. Womelsduff

I'm so thrilled to announce that the Love Charms and Other Catastrophes book trailer is live on both YouTube and Vimeo! The magic and charm of Love's favorite town shines through. I'm kind of getting a little emotional over here. Hold on. Lemme just dab my eyes with a tissue... okay. I'm good now. 

This book trailer would have never been created had it not been for the immensely talented E.R. Womelsduff. I sat down with her over the interwebs and asked her what it was like making the trailer because, from my side, it was like she was waving a magic wand over each new draft, more amazing than the last. Without further ado... 

INTERVIEW WITH E.R. WOMELSDUFF

What inspired you to get into the business of making book trailers?
EW: I'm a bit of a jack-(jill?)-of-all-trades. I started out as a copywriter and then got into making short films and commercials. I'd always wanted to learn how to animate and finally just taught myself. Making book trailers was a really fun, creative medium to work with, and authors make wonderful clients. They're so nice!

What makes a successful book trailer?
EW: Length, content, and execution. If it's too short, the audience may not understand the message. If it's too long, they'll get bored. The content also needs to be creative, but on-message. I've seen a lot of really interesting commercials where, at the end, I had no idea what the product was. On the other hand, I've seen commercials where I definitely knew what the product was, but the commercial was so boring or condescending that I actively wanted to NOT purchase the product. As for execution, it's making all the elements work together seamlessly: animation, music, sound design, text.
 
 How did you approach translating Grimbaud’s quirkiness and charm into trailer form?
EW: Well having the cover designs to work with was amazing. I was able to instantly understand the mood and tone of the book from the elements I was given. So props to the original cover designers! Being able to speak with Kim and hear her plan and vision for the trailer was also incredibly helpful. We were able to work together to try new things and end up with something we both liked.

What is your favorite part of the trailer? The most challenging?
EW: My favorite part is probably when Hijiri and her new boyfriend fly up into the night sky with the stars. I don't know why, but I think it's just a sweet moment. The most challenging would be a tie between making Hijiri's arm move (puppeteering is a new level of animation for me) and trying to make sure that the visuals told the story as well as the voice-over, in case people were watching the trailer without the sound on. 

What other services do you offer besides book trailers?
EW: Copywriting, screenwriting, and design. I write commercial scripts as well as television pilots and screenplays (including taking other people's treatments and adapting them into screenplays and pilots), I do logo design and create business cards, fliers, posters, infographics, etc. I also consult on creative projects and can edit creative or corporate documents. I also do live-action book trailers and kinetic text book trailers. If it's creative in nature, I probably do it.
 
How can you be reached?
EW: Through my website, www.NotAScubaDiver.com! 

GIVEAWAYS!

To celebrate the release of the book trailer, I'm hosting giveaways on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Spread the love about the trailer and enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Love Charms and Other Catastrophes! 

Details are, of course, located on the respective social media pages ;) All three giveaways will end on December 31st, 2016!