When I told some people I was filming a live-action book trailer (versus doing one with illustrations and text overlays - which was the teaser), I was met with a wide variety of responses, everything from "That's so awesome!" to "... Like a movie trailer? For a book?"
Yes, exactly like a movie trailer for a book.
As it is, we tend to respond to things much better when there are visuals. Like when a co-worker tells you all about a funny video they saw on YouTube. Their description of the video may be accurate but some, if not all of the humor is lost because you didn't see the video - you got the joke secondhand, and that's never good. If the co-worker just whipped out their smartphone and showed you the video, you would both be relishing in the hilarity together. Plus, when you see something you're more apt to remember it and share it with others.
For this, and other reasons, I had wanted to do a live-action book trailer from the start. I wanted to do something different that would show readers - in less than two minutes - what Seeing is going to be about.
Book trailers - especially ones showing actors in place of pictures and text - are gaining momentum. Doctor Sleep had one.
What I hoped to accomplish with the trailer when preparing it, and later directing it, was quickly establishing the story of Seeing in a modern setting. And in this single sequence, I wanted to put in hints that there may be something just a bit more grand happening here... The trailer consists of tiny moments stitched together that aren't direct scenes from the story but beats of what you'll find in the pages. I'm very happy with it, very proud of it, and feel I succeeded.
