Book I Can't Wait for in 2011- Debuts

So sad to see that 2010 is mere hours away from going bye bye as we welcome the new year. Fresh and shiny new year that is sure to bring shiny and fresh new books.

Here's a few boks I can't WAIT for! Do you see the drool?

Best 2010 YA Books

Since I don't review anymore and barely get to read as it is, I'd thought at least highlight some great reads of 2010.

2010 has been a crazy and wonderful year and the books have just been getting better and better. Here's a few of my favorite books of 2010.

This book blew me away. Don't let the fact that I got to touch this and read way early and even do do the trailer deter you. Holly has a way of weaving secrets and clues within her books that leave you very surprised at the end. Not to mention great pacing, enticing plot and oh so dark cast of characters. OH, and a swoony bad boy, Cassel, is so worth the read. So glad the paperback shows him off in all his glory!

I can't say enough about this book. Absolutely captivating with a twist of sinister. When reading it reminded me greatly of THE GIVER by my all time favorite authors, Lois Lowry. Which says a lot. Mark my words: Classic in the making.

PLAIN KATE is a rare gem everyone should read. It's such a heartfelt story full of old world magic reminiscent of gypsies and folklore. It's got a magical talking cat and what's not to love about that? Oh wait, a strong and powerful main character who overcomes the impossible. Seriously.

I rarely read contemporary realistic fiction. Even YA. But the allure of this book was felt all over the blogosphere and I couldn't resist its siren call. I couldn't help picking it up especially after Maureen Johnson, Cassandra Clare and John Green raved about it. And I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. This books was swoony, full of some teen angst, European allure and once again totally dreamy lead guy. World, meet Etienne St.Clair. With a name like that how can you NOT be totally gorgeous and sweet and caring and considerate and... *cough*

Go read it.

I remember reading this early and having to message K&M almsot at the end of every chapter with what I call "s*** bombs." What are those? Well when you read something and your only reaction is "Oh, S***!" I was shocked and surprised at every turn.

A few of my other favorites are as follows:

Cirque Du Soleil- OVO

My love for Cirque Du Soleil stems from my obsession with circuses. Who isn't fascinated by the pretty lights, colorful costumes, the music and the acts? I am in awe of anyone who can contort their body so their legs and arms are parallel. Or those who go flying through the air, only to land safely in their partners arms.

A few years back, Varekai was touring and sadly I couldn't make the show but what I could afford was a DVD of it and you bet I bought it watched it a few times and FELL IN LOVE.

Varekai is the story of Icarus but Cirque Du Soleil style.

Pretty boy, no? Icarus, ladies and gents.

But what Cirque does Oh so well, is make a magical experience with every show. They combine the acrobatic acts with characters and story, then pair that with gorgeous costumes and lights then sprinkle it with truly original and captivating music and you get Cirque Du Soleil.

Last night, at OVO I noticed that even the musicians area was roped off in pretty metal work. Who sees the musicians? But no, their attention to detail is impeccable and no wonder, with 25+ years of shows they know what is magical to the viewer and they give us just that.

I will admit that in my mild obsession with Varekai I learned what every creative person will drool at: Cirque goes out, finds talent that excels at something cool and then gives them free reign to come up with a cool act. Did you hear that, creative freedom? The acrobats and talent are there from the start of a production's conception to come with acts, the props involved, and therefore the story of the show.

So last night's OVO.... It was no different. A wonderful experience of colors and lights and flying, moving creatures. Loved the costumes that resembled bugs. And loved every single act, especially the ants (and their feet) and the loose rope walker. Yes, I said loose and by gosh darn it, he was amazing!

There were a few times, especially at the fabric-butterly act, where I found myself needing to grab my camera and start shooting away. The lights with the movements were a feast for my eyes. I couldn't get enough.

But with that said, I will say the one negative I had: the story was lacking. Previous shows had a plot that moved through and with the acts but OVO was just not quite all there with the concept. In fact, I had to come home and search what the meaning of the OVO- or egg was. I didn't see its significance and wished there was more of that magical storytelling the way Varekai and Kooza and others before it conveyed.

Despite the fact that even my mother and brother weren't impressed I was still completely impressed and enchanted and would go see it another dozen times if I could. In fact, I will see every show they ever put on and will one day make my way to Los Vegas to see the famous "O" production.

But don't take my word for it, check out some clips and the trailer for this production.

Cirque Shows coming to Atlanta soon:

Dralion

Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour

Inspiration Tuesday #1

I thought I'd start sharing some cool snippets here and there of what I've come across that inspires me. Sometimes it might inspire a certain project, shoot, or what have you and if I can I will share. Sometimes it's just something pretty or unique that I want to share.

If there's anything that has inspired you, send me a link below or post it on your blog and send me a link to that.

This week's inspiration comes in the form of this truly innovative video that combines intricate paper cutouts, animation and stop motion. I am in awe!

Enjoy this unique short film by Leo Bridle called "Train of Thought"!

Beautiful Darkness stills... as promised.

I realized I usually post stills from the trailer shoots but I had forgotten to post some from the Beautiful Creatures trailer.

So I have a few pictures to show but I'll start with the yummy John Breed. If you've read the book, you'll know what I mean. If you haven't, read it!

A cute pic of Ethan & Lena

Ridley:

And some of my faves:

And me playing around trying to do a little photo manip of Serafine:

So long those cold days...

You wouldn't believe the crazy that's been happening here. I am gearing for a fabulous shoot for an equally fabulous book coming out this spring. I am itching to tell you all we have planned but you'll have to wait!

I know, am so cruel!

I recently finished shooting for Cryer's Cross and Desires of the Dead and Bloody Valentine and I can't wait to share all that with you.

Bloody Valentine trailer came out this week and I had taken a few minutes outside of the shoot for the trailer to capture some pretty pictures of my gorgeous model!

Also, did the same with Cryer's Cross because I can't resist a pretty photo. What do you think?

OH! And I havent gotten a chance to share this yet, but I took some pics while in Charleston a few weeks ago and here's some prettyness from that day.

Funny at how these pictures look so nice and warm yet it's been FREEZING! But then again, Georgia weather is quite unpredicatable!

It's kinda bittersweet that the year's almost ending and I can't believe ALL that's happened this year. I still pinch myself. But more on that another day.

So what do you guys think?

Vote for your favorite book trailer of 2010!

Here's some trailers you have all voted for. Watch, then go to the bottom and vote.

You can vote for up to TWO trailers. If ther's any that didn't make the list you have untill Friday at midnight to add entries to the comments below. (Please leave link to enusre I add the right one)

What's your favorite YA book trailer of 2010?online surveys

Bloody Valentine Book Trailer is HERE!

I am so excited to share this trailer with you all! It was so much fun to plot and translate from Melissa de la Cruz's new book coming out Dec 28. Just you wait till you read it! It's lovely and one of my fave books! It's swoony and we thought a swoony trailer would be best match! Don't you just love the song?

Thank you to my editor, Diabolical Toy and my awesome and GORGEOUS model, Fletcher! You rocked it, girl! See?

So without further ado, for those who didn't catch this already on Twitter...

BLOODY VALENTINE Book Trailer

I NEED YOUR HELP! TropFest 2011

So I found out there's thing called Tropfest in Australia (and other international cities), a contest for filmmakers. For the hell of it I just decided 10 minutes ago to enter this....



Needless to say, while I can take pictures and shoot video, all my videos are based on other people's stories, because let's face it... I don't write. Tried many times. So I want your help...

I am having a contest. Write a short story that includes a key. Can be any kind of key. Can be a small detail or the main focus of the story as long as the story is short. the video cannot be longer then SEVEN minutes.

In addition to me filming your story for this entry, I will send you prints galore from the shooting and have your name all nice and shiny big in the credits. And probably other goodness I'll think of later.

This is a challenge for me since I haven't really done anything like this but figured it would be fun. So I can't do it without you! Let's make something awesome together!

Entries for the contest end December 20th.

Send in submissions to Vandsmedia[at]gmail.com