Help with AuthorViews

Help Getting the Videos to Play

Interview Tips & Instructions

To ensure the highest possible quality and a superior experience, our videos are all created using the QuickTime video format.

The AuthorViews videos are linked so that they can be launched within your computer's web browser. However, certain file formats can only be viewed, or are best viewed, using a plugin for your browser. For example, Quicktime files have a .mov file extension and are designed for viewing in Quicktime software. Recent versions of the Quicktime software include a plugin file that will enable your browser to display these files from within your web browser without having to launch the Quicktime software program. This plugin file is installed with the Quicktime player software. Once installing Quicktime, your computer should be set up to view any .mov file that you click on. If you are missing the Quicktime software you will not be able to view the video content on our site. Links are provided below for you to download software to view the video files appearing on AuthorViews.

Download Quicktime 7

Our Videos require Quicktime 6.0 or laterIf you are trying to view a Quicktime video (the ones that end in .mov) you need to make sure that you have Quicktime version 6.0 or higher.  If you don't have 6.0 or higher, you can download the latest version (Quicktime 7)here.  Windows users can check which version they have by opening up Quicktime, clicking on the "Help" menu, and clicking "About" View this photo.  Mac users need to open up Quicktime, click on the "Quicktime" menu, and then click "About Quicktime"  View this photo.

If you are trying to view a Windows Media Player video (the ones that end in .wmv) you need to make sure that you have Windows Media Player version 9.0 or higher.  If you don't have 9.0 or higher, you can download it here.  Windows users can check which version they have by opening up Windows Media Player, clicking on the "Help" menu, and clicking "About"  View this photo.    Mac users need to open up Windows Media Player, click on the "Windows Media Player" menu, and then click "About Windows Media Player"  View this photo.

QuickTime Troubleshooting

Here are some hints on troubleshooting QuickTime problems.

1. You can check your QuickTime installation at the Apple QuickTime Installation Check site at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/qtcheck/

2. The Apple web site has a Live Streaming Check to check for problems (e.g. firewall problems), see http://www.apple.com/quicktime/troubleshooting/streamingcheck.html

3. Perhaps you are having trouble just with our videos?  You can try viewing other videos, for example, try viewing one of the movie trailers from the Apple web site at http://www.apple.com/trailers/

4. Still having trouble? You can see the QuickTime Support page at http://www.info.apple.com/usen/quicktime/ .

For Older Systems

Some older systems are not capable of running the latest version of Quicktime, below is a list of the requirements with links to download for some of the previous versions.

System requirements for QuickTime 6.1

Macintosh

• A PowerPC microprocessor-based Macintosh computer.
• At least 32 MB of RAM
• Mac OS 8.6 or later; or Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later

Quicktime 6 for the Mac is preinstalled with your operating system software, if you are running an older version of quicktime, you can download an update by going either to your Software Update control panel in Mac OS 9 or choosing Software Update in your System Prefrences if you are using Mac OS X.

Windows

• A Pentium microprocessor-based PC or compatible computer
• At least 32 MB of RAM
• Windows 98/NT/Me/2000/XP
• A Sound Blaster or compatible sound card and speakers recommended
• DirectX version 3.0 or later recommended

Download Quicktime 6.1 for Windows Here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120250

Version 6.1 is the latest version of Quicktime that is available for Windows NT.

For further technical assistance, e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Be sure to include a detailed description of the problem you are having, including any error messages. This will allow us to better understand what might be going wrong and enable us to continue to provide the highest quality experience.

Interview Tips & Instructions

How Does It Work?
- After a few minutes of prep time, you will be interviewed for about 20 minutes. Our goal is to create an emotional bond with the viewer. We will try to get you to light up. When you do, we'll build the 2-minute clip around that moment.

What Questions Will You Ask?
- We will ask who you are. For authors, we'll ask what your book is about. We usually ask about process: how you write or do whatever it is you do. We often ask obscure questions, such as, If you book was a snow globe, what animal would be inside? We do this to make you smile and to catch you in an unguarded moment. Viewers love unguarded moments.
- We may interrupt you and force the interview if we are not getting the content we need. Sorry. We only have 20 minutes and we need to get to the heart of the matter.
- You may provide us with a couple questions. Don't over do it, please, or the interview will feel stale.

Should I Look at the Camera?
- No. Look at the interviewer. Pretend you are having a nice, relaxing conversation in your living room and try to forget about the camera and the lights. Connect with the interviewer and you will connect with the audience.

I Have Stage Fright. What Should I Do?
- Calm down. We are here to make you look good. You can stop and restart any time. We are not journalists searching for truth, we are publicists trying to make you look fantastic.
- If you take medication for anxiety, be sure to come to the interview medicated.

What Should I Wear?
- You should dress in a manner that projects the image you want the audience to remember. If you're promoting a business book, don't dress like a schlub -- unless, of course, your book is entitled "How to Dress Like a Schlub and Still Get Ahead in Business."
- Image should be your first consideration, comfort comes next. It's hard to "be yourself" if you're dressed up as someone else. If you need to dress down to feel relaxed, maybe you should dress down?
- Avoid tight stripes. Pretty much any other pattern is okay. Avoid all-white shirts or jackets. Pretty much any other color is okay.
- Mostly we film the head and shoulders. With rare exceptions, we never film from the waist down. Your gorgeous shoes will probably not be seen in the video.

Will There Be Makeup Available?
- You shouldn't count on it. We usually have a mirror and some powder. Many people need powder to keep from glowing too much under the hot lights.
- If you normally wear makeup, consider an extra dose. While you may look like a tart in the mirror, you'll look normal on the video.

Do I Need to Bring My Book -- or Any Other Props?
- We like it when an author brings a copy of his or her book for us to take home -- and then signs the book over for our collection. We might show the book in the video, so make sure the cover is not too beat-up.
- You can bring anything else you want, as long as it's not too dangerous. In the past, authors have brought animals, pots & pans, song & dance routines...

Can I Do Two or More Books?
- It usually takes about 20 minutes to get enough raw footage for one great video. We have tried to do two books in one interview and it usually does not work well -- both videos suffer.
- You can bring two books and, if we have time, we will try to interview around both of them. Once again, this is not recommended.

Will I Get to See the Video Before it is Released?
- Yes. When the video is edited -- which can take months -- we will send you a link to preview it. If you like it, we put it in the queue for release. If you don't like it, we throw it away. At the present time, we don't offer re-editing services; either you approve it or we trash it.

What Happens After the Video is Released?
- We will send you a notice when your video is released.
- The video is released copyright-free -- that is, anyone may use it, copy it, display it, or do whatever they want with it as long as they do not alter the content.
- Sometimes, the AuthorViews team will upload the video to online video archives, such as iTunes, YouTube, Google Video, and Yahoo Video. Usually we charge a fee to syndicate the video.

Can I Have the Video Removed at a Later Date?
- Sure, we'll take it off our web site. But since the video is released copyright-free, we have no control over, or responsibility for, how other people use your video. Once you approve a video for release, it becomes nearly impossible to stop the video from circulating online.