The Making of Inferno

The Making of Inferno, A Book Trailer
by Todd Riemer

“Author, Todd Riemer delivers a must-read visionary novel. Dive into a rich world of human seduction, suffering and ultimately redemption. A dark imaginative narrative that takes the reader into the depths of human emotion. A highly recommended read for adults!”
–USA Book News

I independently published Inferno in the Spring of 2010, debuting it at the LA Times Festival of Books. Dystopian in genre, Inferno serves to show a possible destination, a possible vision of where we are heading as a society. Set in a post-apocalyptic future ruled by the despotic Magistrates, the hero, Blum, quests to overthrow their authoritarian regime in order to avenge the death of his lover, Isabelle.

I partnered with Devin Ford Photography to develop the high production book trailer, starring actor / model Anderson Davis (who also starred in Katy Perry’s music video Thinking of You).

Inferno is a gut-wrenching book filled with incredible visions and sensations. I wanted to make a splash with the book release and so, with a lot of help from my team, created a trailer that embodies the emotion, sexuality, darkness, and thrilling nature of the novel. I believe that film is an incredible medium to extend my artistic reach into and it so vividly brings my imagination to life.

The trailer itself was shot in one very long day. We arrived at the Linda Vista Community Hospital, which had fallen into disrepair, before dawn. I could not have dreamed up a better location to shoot a dystopian piece. The halls of the forgotten hospital were defiled, victim to age and neglect. Medical equipment, rusting pipes, and debris littered the floor. In some rooms great sheets of paint were peeling of the wall as if a fire had ripped through part of the building. The building itself has been the subject of much paranormal investigation.

To create a dystopian world, I literally subjected my cast and crew to a dystopian world. We did not see any ghosts ourselves, but they probably were entertained watching as we enacted passionate kisses, frenzied sprints down echoing hallways, and the ominous presence of the Magistrate as he commanded from the chapel lectern.

Inferno has gone on to win the USA Book News “Best Books of 2010” Award in the categories of Cover Design and Visionary Fiction as well as the New Covey Awards for Most Intriguing Book Trailer and Cover Design. Burning for more? Inferno can be purchased at ToddRiemer.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Booksamillion.com ($14.95). It is available for all e-readers including Kindle, Nook, and iBooks ($9.99). The audio book is available for download at the iTunes store ($9.99).