Yeah, a series of shots of people who are really good looking but aren't doing anything except having the wind blow their hair doesn't tell us much about the book. The video is definitely somewhat at odds with the audio. Also, that kind of character display is getting really common--because AI is better at that than at action scenes. For instance, there's a trailer on YouTube that explores what a Justice League trailer would have looked like in an earlier era. It's mostly famous actors standing there in superhero costumes, displayed one at a time. (In other words, it's not like any real trailer for a superhero movie would have been, ever.)

The only remotely murdery thing in the visuals is the bloody handprint at the very end. It may be impractical to do a genuine action sequence, but maybe someone lurking in the shadows or something. Or people looking actually worrying instead of looking like they're posing for a photo shoot.

The voice sounds a lot less mechanical than it would have sounded even a few years ago, but honestly, it still needs a little more emotion, particularly at the point where the speaker reveals that his friends are being framed and that he knows whodunit.


The text itself is great. I'd buy the book based on the text, which does make the good sound like a great read. But if I didn't know you, the video would make me want to take a pass.

Bill,

This is good feedback, something I can use to improve the trailer. 

A piece of marketing data that may change your thoughts about the video is that I used the faces to create a "that one looks like me" vibe. This means that if someone sees something that strikes them as familiar, they will be more likely to continue viewing it.

That given, I may add something ominous to the faces or shorten their duration. 

R.C.

Yeah, a series of shots of people who are really good looking but aren't doing anything except having the wind blow their hair doesn't tell us much about the book. The video is definitely somewhat at odds with the audio. Also, that kind of character display is getting really common--because AI is better at that than at action scenes. For instance, there's a trailer on YouTube that explores what a Justice League trailer would have looked like in an earlier era. It's mostly famous actors standing there in superhero costumes, displayed one at a time. (In other words, it's not like any real trailer for a superhero movie would have been, ever.)

The only remotely murdery thing in the visuals is the bloody handprint at the very end. It may be impractical to do a genuine action sequence, but maybe someone lurking in the shadows or something. Or people looking actually worrying instead of looking like they're posing for a photo shoot.

The voice sounds a lot less mechanical than it would have sounded even a few years ago, but honestly, it still needs a little more emotion, particularly at the point where the speaker reveals that his friends are being framed and that he knows whodunit.


The text itself is great. I'd buy the book based on the text, which does make the good sound like a great read. But if I didn't know you, the video would make me want to take a pass.

I guess I shouldn't laugh, but those blackmail emails saying the extremely talented hacker has taken control of my computer's camera and microphone always make me chortle. That computer doesn't have a camera or a microphone.

But I know there are some confused people out there whose computers also don't have cameras who imagine that this "extremely talented hacker" can install a camera, anyway. Angled at their--ahem--private parts.

It would indeed take extreme talent to get a nonexistent camera to do that.

It's always tempting to reply back and offer double what they are asking if they send proof they have the video.   

I did do that with a customer once who had returned an order unopened and demanded a full refund to their credit card immediately.  I responded and told them I'd pay them double if they would send a copy of their credit card statement or other proof of the charge.  I wonder if they frantically went searching through their credit card statements?  The item was free so they were never charged anything.

I'd recommend you mix in more lake forest scenes between the characters. In some ways, I think only showing characters detracts a bit from your summary.

Also, if anyone is interested, I created a process document with the tools I used while learning the tools and process.  I can reprint it here if anyone is interested.

R.C.