I’m a director and copywriter

Featured Project

The Jackbox Party Pack 8 Trailer 2021

CHALLENGE

Jackbox Games held a contest with the goal of creating a new trailer for their upcoming Party Pack 8 to be released this Fall. The trailer needed to effectively describe all five games within one minute and showcase a good amount of “Jackbox flare.”

Update: We were declared the Jackbox Playtest Contest Winner and our trailer was featured on their social media! Thank you for the incredible opportunity and to everyone who voted. This was so much fun to make! You can check out our unboxing video of the Jackbox Playtest Package we received in addition to getting to playtest the new Jackbox games!

PREPARATION

Before diving into my own trailer, I took a look at all seven previous trailers that Jackbox made over the years. I discovered they had found a good formula for describing each game and there were some additional details crucial to mention in the trailer:

• An intro that immediately states the Party Pack number and acts as a summary card by featuring the icon of each game within the pack

• How to play: use any phone, tablet, or computer as a controller

• How many people can play and how many can play in the online audience

• Tone: clever, playful, silly “bad” puns are appreciated

• An ending tagline

EXECUTION

Once I knew the pieces necessary to make a Jackbox trailer, I put together an outline and wrote a simple script. I also gathered and created all the necessary graphics and recorded the voice-over. After putting together my initial draft, the trailer was running 1minute and 15seconds, so I went back in and identified some jokes that, while fun, were not crucial.

OUTCOME AND TAKEAWAYS

I was very pleased with the final outcome of this trailer and loved adding the final details, such as including the pug that appeared in several previous Jackbox trailers and polishing all of the subtle animations.

I would have loved to have had more access to Jackbox Games’ graphics suite so I could use higher resolution images, especially the animation of Jack coming out of the box in the beginning, but I was able to work with what I had access to.

Thank you again to everyone who voted and helped us win the Playtest Contest!

When you need your story told, I make it easy to listen:

CHARACTERS:
Riley. A man in his mid-twenties. His thinning hair represents wisdom beyond his years. He always has an idea brewing and a willing smile.

Client. May be any age. They have a problem they need solved.

Riley
Nice to meet you.

Client
Nice to meet you too. Can you give me a quick summary of what you do?

Riley
Of course. I’m a professional director and copywriter in Portland, Oregon. I have experience working in both freelance and agency settings, and I love working with a team. In addition to my design work, I’m the founder and artistic director of BlinkingEye Theatre. I love teaching acting and leadership lessons where I get to challenge my students to be their best. BlinkingEye is currently streaming online game nights with theatre professionals on Twitch. Here’s my resume.

Client
Thank you. What have you been working on recently?

Riley
I’m currently the Marketing Associate at Lakewood Center for the Arts where I write and design for the Spotlight Magazine. I also edit videos for social media and design show and event images. What project do you need help with?

Client
Tell Riley about your project.