Erica Goss evaluates book trailers for poetry collections over on Connotation Press’ site in a series on video poetry. She used the following criteria in her October post:
A video poem meant to promote a book of poems, literary fiction or non-fiction, however, is often a complete work of art, its connection to the book somewhat tangential.
This quality of a video poem/book trailer allows us to evaluate it using two criteria. First, does it accomplish the aim of creating interest in the book from which it is derived, and second, does it qualify as a separate work of art?
She includes several examples of book trailers for poetry collections from Robert Krut, Annie Finch, Adrian C. Louis, Sandra Beasley, and a book about haiku.
I love poetry book trailers, so I figured I’d try out evaluating one according to Goss’ questions above. Here’s “She Has a Name- Book Short (1)” for Kamilah Aisha Moon’s debut collection with Four Way Books:
She Has a Name – Book Short (1) from Kamilah Aisha Moon on Vimeo.
Does it create interest? I would say so. Everything from the videography to the look on the dancer’s face stuns. The video cuts back and forth between a little girl dressed as a dancer and a woman who is dancing and it makes me want to understand their connection.
Is it a separate work of art? I’d say this trailer is several works of art–the music, the dancing, each shot is gorgeous and packed with meaning. It’s a mini art film.
What are some of your favorite poetry collection trailers or video poems?
