Dear Readers,
Last stop before we arrive at the Launch Day terminus. Which is also a new beginning, the start of a new branch line in fact. But more of that to come.
Here is The Grange Trilogy Trailer. As with the Chapter 1 video, you can either cut to the chase and scroll down or jump straight to the action here, or … allow me to share The Making Of behind-the-scenes build-up.
‘Where Do You Start?’
For me, creating a trailer all begins at the end. The end?
Yes, the final slide, which I will already have created. It’s the full cover reveal image. That is my destination. What about the opening clip or image? It needs to be in good old film and TV makers’ tradition with an establishing shot where we set the location. In this case, 1950s London. Finding one of those in a stock library is not as simple as you might expect. Why?
Where Have All The Photos Gone?
Today, with the wonders of digital cameras and modern mobile phones, a photo is a matter of seconds and costs nothing but that brief moment.
Back in the 1950s, far fewer photographs were taken because cameras required rolls of film, development services and even flashbulbs. Plus, they were comparatively heavy and cumbersome to carry around. Every click would cost you money, so you made every one of them count, framing and adjusting settings on your camera with care.
But what of the photos that were taken? Because cameras were hugely popular and thousands of images were captured. Well, not all have survived and of those that have, not all have been scanned and transformed into digital media that we can enjoy on the internet.
Little Helpers?
How about AI, because, as you know, I do have my two little helpers, MJ (as I call Midjourney) and Dalle (DALL-E). They do well but don’t understand that you can’t have the Millennium Wheel or The Shard on the skyline of 1950s London. (Although I do now have a new helper but more of that another time) So, it’s all a bit of a hunt and some trial and error until you get the perfect image.
Now, ideally, I like to use clips, but those were even rarer. However, there is always a solution, and I hope you like the one I’ve come up with.
So, the route is establishing shot to final cover reveal image. In between, set the mood, the time, the mundane and, as this is a paranormal mystery, its inevitable hidden contrast. Trilogy gives me the number 3 to play with and soon we are there.
Magic Number?
This is the 10th trailer I have made in more recent years. Eight books in the series and this is the 9th, so how come ten? Because I had the pleasure of creating one for the launch last year of The Unhappy Medium series’ third volume, Wretched Things, by my friend and fellow author and the illustrator of the covers for the Amanda Cadabra series, Tim Brown. Curious? You can see it here.
This trailer that I have here for you today is different. It is the one of which I am the proudest. It is the tightest at 40 seconds, and … well, see what you think. And please let me know. And now … I hope that you enjoy the show:
https://amandacadabra.com/ac1-trailer/the-grange-trilogy-trailer/
Preorder
There is just time for you to get ahead of the curve and preorder your copy on Amazon, Kobo, Google and others.
The Free Book
As promised, I shall now deliver the title of the book that will be free for you to download on Launch Day:
Amanda Cadabra and the Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr.
Why that one? Because …. and here is the answer to the question I left you with back in the title reveal days … it is the one that introduces Philip Rayke.
Canada Day Special
When I was setting up the free day, I saw a message on Kobo saying that they would be closing from 30th June to the 1st July. Why? For Canada Day on 1st July. With apologies to you my dear Canadian readers for my previous ignorance, I am atoning (I hope!) by making the free day above extend to Canada Day in Canada only and just on Kobo for Amanda Cadabra and the Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr. Wishing you every happiness for your celebration of that day.
Next Time … Launch Day. Back in 2 days. Until then …
Happy viewing,
Holly
PS If you want to start the series now:
