Celebrate USAF's Birthday with Showtime Book Trailers

Last week, hubby and I enjoyed a mini-vaca in the Boston area. We stopped by Hanscom AFB - my first assignment in the Air Force.  I've posted pictures on my travel blog at this link. Walking around the base brought back many memories, including many adventures with fellow Lieutenant, Laurel Kelly!  She is the creative force behind Showtime Book Trailers.  Laurel created a special trailer to celebrate the USAF's 67th Birthday on September 18.

Link to Birthday trailer

Laurel joins me today for a cozy chat ...

Kim:  Can you share a favorite memory from your time in the Air Force? 

Laurel:  My childhood was spent on military bases and I have such fond memories of those times! In general, I just always recall feeling so safe, like nothing bad could happen to me on a base! One of my favorite memories is the huge 4th of July celebration that was always held on "the oval" on the old base side of Plattsburgh Air Force Base. To me, it seemed like a huge night time picnic and the fireworks themselves were truly top-notch!

Kim:  What are some of your favorite books that you enjoyed throughout your travels with the Air Force?

Laurel:  Early on, my Mom taught me to read and from there I always loved books. At every base, I would immediately pester my Mom to bring me to the library so I could get started exploring those wonderful shelves. I remember actually winning a book reading contest at Mountain Home Air Force Base; and I think I read something like 200 books in a quarter - I still have the medal I won. My parents also told me years later that the librarian called them up to see if it was OK for me to start reading select adult books, because I'd read everything in the children's and young adult section. My all time favorite author is Stephen King - especially his early stuff. I also enjoyed Dominick Dunne's work, and Philippa Gregory's books almost always hold my interest - when I was younger, Jean Plaidy and Victoria Holt were favorites as well. Oh, and I also read everything I could get my hands on that had to do with Greek mythology. :-)

Kim:  I know you are a movie buff - what are some standout film scripts and/or actors?

Laurel:  I do love film, and find inspiration for my book trailers in my favorite movie moments. Some of my favorite movies are:

Ben Hur
Excalibur
Last of the Mohicans
Tootsie
Animal House
No Way Out
Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
Julia
The Greatest Story Ever Told
Star Trek (the prequel movie helmed by JJ Abrams) - I am a big original Star Trek series fan

Kim:  Tootsie !  I watched in "on demand" on our flight from Korea to China last summer. The Asians were curious as to why I was laughing out loud.   Back to our interview ... how do you transform a book blurb into a book trailer?

Laurel:  In addition to film, I also love movie soundtracks. So, when I am initially approached to create a book trailer, the details from the consultation almost immediately bring imagery and sound to mind and harken back to my film roots and I think something like...I see a sweeping "Age of Innocence" type scenario, with ballgowns swirling by and Regency type music with horns and piano. Additionally, I look at the title of the book and author's website or logos, and try to come up with depicting the branding in a new way. For example, I did a trailer for a client who had the word "secret" featured prominently in the branding. I found a video image of a treasure chest that knocked around like something was inside it before it opened up to reveal a darkness. From this darkness I caused my client's "secret" to emerge. This was just the opening for the trailer, but it led to inspiration for what was to follow.

Each one of my book trailers to me is like a little piece of art. I always wanted to be a movie director, and creating these mini-movies of my clients' work allows me to fulfill that creative need that burns within! I LOVE making them and making my clients thrilled at the knowledge that through my work, their readership is very likely to increase.

Mahalo, Laurel, for your service as an AF Brat and an AF Vet! I also appreciate the USAF's birthday video and sharing how you make book trailers.   I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite movies and/or soundtracks.  From Laurel's list, what's not to love about Animal House?!?   Simply classic.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 20, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winners on Sunday, September 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Laurel and Showtime Book Trailers at showtimebooktrailers.com.