Book trailer takes bronze at global awards
Released: Friday 18th May 2012 at 15:05
SUNDERLAND media student have picked up an international award for a movie-style book trailer they produced to promote the launch of a new novel by an acclaimed North East author.
The final year University of Sunderland students, who set up their own production company called Contrapunto, have won Bronze at the prestigious 33rd Annual Telly Awards, which attracted nearly 11,000 entries from across the US and other countries.
The awards annually showcase the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.
In September 2011 Contrapunto were commissioned to produce a trailer for an upcoming novel, The Zombie Room, a psychological thriller based around the drugs and sex trafficking industry and written by Newcastle author, R.D. Ronald.
A current phenomenon in the US, book trailers have only just been introduced into the UK, with many publishers utilising the success of promoting books through visual means. Contrapunto are one of the first production companies in the UK to produce the cinematic book trailer. Filming wrapped in November 2011 and the trailer was released in April 2012.
A prestigious judging panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the awards, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents.
“The Telly Awards has a mission to honour the very best in film and video,” said Linda Day, Executive Director of the Telly Awards. “Contrapunto’s accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production.”
Contrapunto Producer, Amy Swan, said: “Working on The Zombie Room book trailer has been an invaluable experience for us and we are all extremely proud of the final product. The dedication from the actors and crew has been astonishing.
“As a new company, and soon to be graduates, winning this award can be nothing but positive for us all and I look forward to our future.”
R.D. Ronald added: “I approached Sunderland to help with the project because of the university’s reputation as being one of the best in the business, and I am delighted with the results.
“It's fantastic that all of the hard work and combined efforts have already been recognised by an international award committee. A huge pat on the back for the crew and everyone else involved. Well done.”
To produce the trailer, the team had to source more than 30 actors and 20 locations across the North East, as well as creating props and costumes which would highlight the book’s plot, without giving away too much of the story. The trailer also forms part of the students’ final year projects for their degree courses.
The Contrapunto team is made up: Amy Swan (Producer), Adam Gerber (Director), Marie Ferrie (Cinematography), Josh Rafé Coles (Assistant Producer), Luke Garnham (Assistant Director/Gaffer), Lewis Bonner (Editor), Lucy Richards (Sound), Neville Glean (Camera) and Nehir Glean (2nd Assistant Director).
The team are also hoping to pick up another award for their work at this year’s International Movie Trailer Festival Awards, providing a platform to get their work showcased to a global audience.
The Zombie Room is due out in July, and is available to pre-order now from book shops and online.
To view the trailer log on to Contrapunto’s website: http://www.contrapunto.co.uk/
For the trailer, to become a success at the International Movie Trailer Festival Awards it needs support and votes! You can help now by voting here: http://bit.ly/HRBcnS
Watch an interview with Director Adam Gerber and Josh Rafé Coles online: http://bit.ly/HP4lPP