How to Create Book Trailers on Mac

Create your own book trailer on Mac.

Much like the coming attractions previews during commercial breaks on TV, book trailers are a short clip of the book to get readers excited about its upcoming release. In most cases, publishers will create a book trailer for you before the book is available. However, if you're self-published or still in the editing process, book trailers are one way to gain feedback from friends and family.

Instructions

Create a Book Trailer With Imovie

1. Go to Apple's website and download the program called Imovie if you don't have it already. You can also use programs such as Adobe Premiere or freeware options available online for the Mac. To find what's compatible, type "video editing software for mac" in Google. Find one you like, then download and install.

2. Create a soundtrack, or hire someone to create it for your video if you're unable to do so. It should be no longer than two to three minutes. Any longer and you may end up sharing too much of the novel's storyline. If this video's just for personal entertainment, you can use a track you like from one of your favorite artists, just remember to credit them at the end of the trailer.

3. Choose a section of or idea about your book to share. Think of this trailer as being like the blurb on the back of a book at the store, only a little longer. Remember, you want to entice your readers without giving too much away. During this process, find images and video, perhaps from free stock websites that fit the nature of your book. If you aren't going to include the text of your blurb on top of these images, also plan where to cut between scenes so the text doesn't interrupt an important sequence.

4. Open your video editing software and create a new project. When saving this trailer for the first time, be sure your hard drive has enough space to save the file. These videos can get rather large depending on what media you decide to use.

5. Import your media from your computer and into your new project. Depending on the size of your files, the data import may take a few minutes. Both Imovie and Adobe Premier feature cells where you can place your media as well as rearrange it later on if there's something you don't like. The cells will merge together once the trailer is complete.

6. Add music, transitions and text to the cells by clicking on the appropriate buttons on your screen. Select the cell you want to apply the changes to and edit until you're happy with the result. You can also remove clips you don't like, shorten them and move them around.

7. Save your project once you've finished and preview the result. Make any necessary changes before uploading the video to sites such as Youtube.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're planning to use a program besides Imovie or Adobe Premier, scan the file for viruses. While freeware can offer us software similar to the big names, there are some that may infect your computer. Scan the file and your computer after downloading. Also, when placing your movie online, remember to give credit for the tracks you've used if you included music in your trailer. Some songs are inappropriate and will be removed from Youtube by the staff, so you may want to check and see what's acceptable first before working on your video.

References

• Apple: Imovie Tutorials
• Adobe: Premier For Macintosh