One of the things our publisher does is have each of their authors create a short video about their book. A movie trailer of sorts – but for a book.
Artisan suggested we hire a little film/editing crew to do it, but like true DIYers we took it as a fun challenge to see how much we could do ourselves. So we came up with an outline, wrote a little script, hired a local video genius to shoot it for us (who also happens to be our brother in law) and edited it ourselves in Final Cut Pro back in March. And now that we’re two months away from the official book release date (Nov 6th, aka Election Day) we’re finally allowed to share it! Wahoo.
We had to finish the video so early because our publisher needed it for a spring sales conference in March, so as soon as we got back from Hawaii the pressure was on (see how bare the trees are in this pic?). Thankfully all of the projects were already finished for when we shot all of the book photography over three weeks at our house in February, so one day of shooting video and setting up little impromptu vignettes wasn’t too tricky. It was actually really fun.
The funniest thing is that we handed in our outline for all of the projects in the book about a year before this video was shot, so finally seeing the projects in real life in a polished format like this (since it was well before we saw any final book proofs) was kind of surreal. I guess it’s akin to baking a cake for a year or two and finally getting to taste it.
The weirdest part by far was recording our nerdy little voice over (while sitting in a closet using our iPhones) and layering that in there. Allow us to share this reenactment so you can picture it (Burger was playing the role of “Supervisor”):
And for those of you at work who can’t watch videos, here are a few still shots (there are a lot more sneak peeks of various projects in the video though):
We’re so relieved to finally be able to reveal some of the projects in the book – even if it’s only a small portion for now. Thankfully in less than two months the book will be out (you can pre order it here) so all those kitties will be out of the bag. Can’t wait! Free the kitties!
Have you guys ever written a video script and attempted to make a somewhat polished little YouTube ditty? It’s kinda fun, right? The clothesline concept was all John’s – and we love how it allowed us to squeeze in a few bonus project peeks. I’d say previewing 15 projects in a little over a minute is pretty speedy, indeed. You know we like to cram stuff in there (slash are terrible secret keepers). Woot!
Laura Broder says
So cute!!!!
Tara H. says
The book looks great!!! Come on Nov!!! So cute you two are and very creative!
Jamie says
YAY! I think it’s actually more exciting to see several projects like that all at once because it gets you super excited to do at least one, kind of like pinterest…so many options!
The video was so cute, too. I love that it is true to who y’all are with all your personality and quirks. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca says
Pinning away over here!
Alex R. says
Awesome video! I can’t wait for the book release! Come to Dallas for the book tour!!!
Jos says
oh-em-gee. it’s like you guys read my mind. i have been thinking about doing an ombre effect on an old baby blue dresser i own and was thinking of using a grey color scheme (since i have some leftover paint from my walls). yours is exactly what i pictured. can’t wait to get my grubby hands on your book to read all about it and whatever other ideas you magiced from my mind. congrats!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jos!
xo
s
Hannah says
Love Love Love It!
Can’t wait for the book to come out! I just watched the video back-to-back three times. Going to watch it again to spot the projects on the clothes line.
You two deserve an enormous pat on the back for all this hard work! Sheesh.
Sarah says
Love this!
Why’d I get so nostalgic when I saw you clip your first den makeover on the clothesline?!? Seriously. I’ve been a LONG time reader and you guys are the best. I pre-ordered the book the first day and I can not wait to own it! Congrats on all your success!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sarah! That room always gets me all sniffly too. That was our favorite spot in that house and I always picture tiny baby Clara in there with us, all cuddled on the sofa.
xo
s
Alison says
I find it amazing that you find the time to do everything that you do. Plus answer so many comments. I pre ordered the book quite a while ago (to get the cheaper price!) Now that the book is done, maybe we will see more live house projects! Congrats on your success.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Alison! Our joke has been that we’ll sleep next year. 2013 is the year of sleeping again. Haha.
xo
s
annabelvita says
Isn’t 2013 the year of the second book? Ha!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha- maybe 2014. We’re learning that they take a while to “birth”…
xo
s
Alison says
Sleep is good…
Lauren says
My fav sneak peak was one of the clothesline photos… your built ins with what appears to be some awesome wallpaper on them rather than their normal paint! whoa!
I CAN’T WAIT for the book to come out! Congrats you guys!
David W. says
Well Done Young House Lovers!
Your first book is definitely on my Christmas Wish List (assuming I can wait that long).
Jane says
I am so excited for you book to get here..preordered it a while back! But I am sort of sad that I may not be able to come to any of your book signing. My first baby is due on Nov 13th!! Do you have any dates for New jersey yet ?
Or if you see a huge preggo about to go into labor , that would be me !
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so funny! We do plan to be up your way, but no dates are finalized yet. Will keep you guys posted for sure!
xo
s
Leila says
The video is adorable, cant wait to get the book. Are you guys releasing it as ebook as well?
YoungHouseLove says
I think we are, but we’ve heard that real books are usually formatted a wee bit better than ebooks, so it might not be as cute :)
xo
s
Elise says
You guys are so stinkin’ cute, I can hardly stand it! :) Can’t wait for the book!
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
This came out so cute!!! It gives your personalities another dimension… if that makes sense
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Rebecca!
xo
s
Tamara says
I just pre-ordered the YHL Book on Amazon! I absolutely love your blog and can’t wait to see all the awesome projects!!!
Caroline says
LOVE IT!!!! Can’t wait to get my already-pre-ordered book!
Laura @ Chaotic Domestic says
So excited! Can’t wait to read it!
Kristen | Popcorn on the Stove says
I watched the video on silent and it is so cute! I can’t wait to get the book (I’ve asked the hubs to get it for my birthday!)!
ErinY says
I’ve been waiting to pre-order since you announced it was available until we move into our new apartment. The time is this weekend! So glad to see this little video! As awesome as it is to see some amazing sneak peeks I think it’s adorable to see the two of you together in the video. It makes me so happy to see great things happen to such awesome people. I know it’s not what the book/video are about but I totally feel the love between you guys and it melts my little heart! Congratulations-so cool to see your hard work pay off!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Erin! You guys are all so sweet.
Best. Readers. Ever.
xo
s
Shunta says
Aw man!! I was about to say can I put dibs on that beautiful gray dresser!!! Love that!! guess I’ll just have to figure out how to make my own when my book arrives!!! So thrilled for you two!!…make that four! Can’t forget Burgs and Clara!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Shunta!
xo
s
Jessie says
Oh my book was preordered as soon as you all announced that it was there for the taking!
I can’t wait!
And nice job on the video! :)
LOVE IT!
Kim says
Can’t wait for the book. We have been using your blog as inspriation for projects at our (new to us 45 year old) house.
Oh and PLEASE come to Milwaukee on your book tour!! Pretty please with sugar on top.
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s hoping! We can’t wait to get that stuff finalized and share the schedule!
xo
s
Hannah says
I second Milwaukee! But I’m crazed enough to go to Chicago if that’s the closest you get. SUPER EXCITED!!!
Brooke @ Inside-Out Design says
You guys are adorable! I loved it!! Ahhh can’t wait for the book!!! Def adding it to my Christmas list this year!!
ashley says
That’s AWESOME!! Love it!
Hannah says
Had to come back – how impressive is Burger?! He could be a little filmstar! Did you have a treat to beckon him with?
Just getting my head around you guys scripting this video. So much creativity. Just love that opening scene and how you drop the projects in. And teaching yourself Final Cut Pro?!?
CANNOT wait for the book.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes, Burger’s so good at doing things for treats. Haha. I think he’s the star of this show.
xo
s
Michelle Kersey says
Yeah. I love. That. Dresser. Consider me inspired! Can’t wait for the book! (Oh, and I totally watched the video more than once so I can look closer at the secret projects! Can’t wait! Congrats you all!!!
Kelli @ LittleCottageofMIne says
Wow! Soooo cutie patootie!!!! I love it!
Jen says
Sooo cute! I needed to smile after watching the news this morning! Good luck – you guys deserve it!
Karen F says
Yeah!!! Can’t watch the video yet (I’m sitting in a car dealership) but I can’t wait for the book! The projects look awesome and very original. Love!
YoungHouseLove says
Oooh, hope that means a new car in your future. That’s exciting!
-John
Trisha says
Holy Bananas! Love it.
Karen says
Great job on the video, I’m even more excited to get the book now! I think Eminem would be jealous of your mad book “music video” skills. He may be calling his old pal Sherry up for some script writing tips!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, that’s hilarious and ridiculous. I love it.
xo
s
April says
Wow! Yay! That video is seriously professional! If I were you guys I would be playing it over and over again. How exciting!
Shauna says
Love it! Great job! Totally made me wonder why I haven’t preordered your book yet. ;-) Off to do that now!
Melissa says
SO cute! You guys should be proud of yourselves!!
Maria says
Love this so much! Am going to do that state-art thing for our new home.
Amanda Carson says
Can’t wait to get my pre-ordered copy to do some of the ideas I saw in the video. Love the gilded lamp idea!
Deanna says
How awesome!!!!! Can not wait for the book!! BTW Nov. 6th is also by “babies” 15th birthday!! Maybe I will get her the book for one of her presents!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cute! Happy birthday to your girl!
xo
s
Cindy says
You guys are so freaking adorable I can’t stand it! Off to pre-order my book.
Randa says
What a totally great video!!! Seriously, this “commercial” should be on TV! :) So much fun.
Pre-ordered the book a little while back, so now I’m super-excited to get my grubby little hands on it!
Gabriella @ Our Life In Action says
So fun! Although I am sure it was tons of work you guys look like you had a great time putting it all together. Again I say – great work gang!
Macy says
I just pre-ordered my copy and one for my sister for Christmas. We’ve lived in our house since February and nothing is on the walls yet. Your book and blog inspire me to tackle things one at a time. Thank you for making DIY and decorating not so intimidating to those of us with no aesthetic sensibility! I’m so excited!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Macy!
xo
s
E.D. Rambo says
It looks awesome! And you guys are too cute! Can’t wait until the book comes out!
JILL says
can’t wait! what a great little teaser :)
Sarah K says
AAHHHH!!! So exciting. I LOVE the video. You guys are so cute! I cannot wait for my book to ship. I pre-ordered it from Amazon forever ago!
ris says
Such a cute video! And I love love LOVE that you use a serial comma. I’m a dorky copywriter, what can I say.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, dorks for life!
xo
s
Aimée says
okay, I clearly spend too much time visiting your blog when I should be working (I seriously hope our office IT censors don’t pick up on my little obsession)
Anyways, I was feeling all smug-proud of you both and even felt a little bit of welling up action after watching your video! (which is a bit weird, right, since I don’t actually know you)
Really looking forward to the book – now I have an added pressure to find our ‘Perfect Home’ in time for the book release as I know will be desperate to start putting some of your ideas into practice!
Well done guys!
Aimée
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Aimée! Thanks so much.
xo
s
Sarah says
You guys are too cute and crafty for words! Love the video and cannot wait for your book – it looks beautiful. I look forward to reading your blog ever day and pulling inspiration for my own home as we remodel the entire thing! Thanks for doing what you do :)
Kara says
Did you repaint your guest room or is that how the color looks in real life?
I was excited for your book before, but now I am JONESING for it.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kara! That’s the regular old color of the guest room, it just reads a little differently on video I think. In person it’s more greeny-blue… like a dark teal.
xo
s
Lauren says
Yay! I am so excited for you two :) You really deserve this!
And I meant to say this yesterday…I totally hear Mila.