Historically, the relationship between our eyes and books was a simple one. Our eyes scanned printed pages producing symbols for our brain to work with. We read.
Somewhere along the line book design added another visual component to the mix through cover art and dust jacket design. This change was so profound that today most people who are browsing in a bookstore for something to read rate the cover art as the most important factor when purchasing a book.
Now we are at the next visual intersection.
Videos and books.
Lets start with this one from YouTube. A video by lestyoubejudged showing off books from her library accompanied by the Beatle’s song “Paperback Writer”:
A novel idea for sure but then the magic spreads.
This link will bring you to the 28 video responses to the video above.
So not only are we getting a visual trip through the books that are important to each reader but we are also getting a sound component. Books-Video-Sound. A blending of the senses that until now have rarely mingled together in this format. It is impossible to know where this will lead but the certainty is that the boundaries between these elements have been shattered.
Then there is the new fad of video trailers for books. Not as utilitarian as the book videos above because of the involvement of the publishers but nonetheless a new marriage. Did you know there was already The Book Video Awards!
Here is one definition of these videos from BookShorts:
Short films based on books — averaging 3 to 5 minutes, released with a suite of behind-the-scenes screen features about the book, author, and filmmakers. They are broadcast on television, the Internet, in bookstores, festivals, live events.
Visual cliff notes for the tv generation. This will clearly be a growth area for publishers and advertisers and is sure to siphon advertising and marketing dollars from the print world. Another quiet storm.
Two other sites in this genre worth a peek:
Book Trailerpark
Vidlit while you’re here don’t miss “Santa Lives” by Ellis Weiner. I have no idea how it relates to the book but it was an enjoyable couple of minutes.