This Is How You Lose the Time War
BOOK TRAILER
GOAL
Create an experimental mixed media book trailer for This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Capture the character's desperation and connection.
RESEARCH
To start this project, I re-read the book and pulled inspiring quotes. I then created character profiles for Red and Blue. To deepen my understanding and further my world-building, I created a playlist and a mood board.
DESIGN STRATEGY
I decided to use a mixed-media approach to reflect the book's vast yet intimate feel of the book. The range of media provides variety, yet the limited colour palette and handmade elements provide a more personal ambiance.
Research and Ideation
“I want to meet you in every place I have ever loved.”
“Tell me something true, or tell me nothing at all.”
“Listen to me, I am your shadow.”
“I want to be context for you, and you for me.”
“At the end as at the start, and through all the in-betweens.”
Storyboards
Planning and Set-up
Approach
COLOUR: I used red and blue as the sole identifiers of the two characters. This allowed me the freedom to represent them in many abstract forms and to represent their fluidity. I used a limited colour palette of red and blue, alongside grayscale, to allow the mixed-media textures to shine. The shades of blue and red are also intentional; in the montage sequences, the more the characters get to know each other, the more shades there are.
TYPE: Throughout the trailer, I used a consistent type treatment and typeface. I chose to do this because there are many textures and movement. The only variance in the type is the colour; this indicates who is speaking: Red or Blue.
SOUND: The audio treatment will enhance the video's pacing and provide auditory support without taking over. I initially had a lone piano as the audio; however, I think that the strings fit the piece better, creating a subtle romantic feel.
Medium: In this piece I am being very intentional with the mediums I am using. Using analog techniques when we are viewing Blue’s point of view, digital techniques when we are viewing Red’s point of view, and both as a neutral point of view.
