Showing posts with label video production. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video production. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Repurposing older videos
Recently The Video Editor had the opportunity to work with a Power Generating Company with multiple plants throughout California. AES Southland needed their safety video updated with newer images/video and to make the narration also available in Spanish. The Video Editor went on-location to several plants and picked up shots of newer equipment and videotaped the company president giving a welcoming message. These new shots replaced older outdated video. Creative video editing and new graphics also gave this tired video new life. We re-voiced the video with English and Spanish narration.
So with very little money and time The Video Editor was able to gave that safety video a much needed face-lift. Sometimes video production is really just a simple update. What about your older media assets that you paid dearly for a few years ago, could they use a few cosmetic updates?
Simple Low cost changes can give years of new life to those safety, training and marketing videos.
So with very little money and time The Video Editor was able to gave that safety video a much needed face-lift. Sometimes video production is really just a simple update. What about your older media assets that you paid dearly for a few years ago, could they use a few cosmetic updates?
Simple Low cost changes can give years of new life to those safety, training and marketing videos.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Why video on the web must be SHORT.
As a people we have been programmed to watch television and the cost of admission to the entertainment or news program was commercials. Advertisers know that they only have seconds to grab your attention and inform, educate, entertain and give a call to action message. We have come to tolerated 30 seconds and expect all our interruptions to be that short or less. You are the new advertiser: we are expecting (inviting) our viewers to watch our video among other things so we need to be respectful of their time or they are going elsewhere in a heartbeat.
During my time with major U.S. networks we learned that the viewer is the boss - and the boss wants to know what's in it for them, they want us to get to the point and to be quick about it.
See my homepage video as an example.
http://www.thevideoeditor.com/
I can't tell you the number of people that have echoed my exact sentiments about marketing and being respectful of viewers time and attention.
Keep your videos short and sweet and leave the viewer wanting more.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Typical Production Process
Today is it possible to shoot a high quality video at nearly half the price you would pay just 10 years ago. This allows clients to get more bang for their buck! While each video production is significantly different, the following guidelines are the basic production steps in creating a successful project with The Video Editor. Call us concerning your particular project; we will set up a meeting and carefully construct a solution that fits your exact needs and expectations. Until then, take a look at the typical production steps of the video creating process.
1. Client consultation, we discuss intended audience and how to best convey the message points. You or we will begin writing the script.
2. Pre-production planning. This is one of the most important steps in the production process. The shooting schedule is planned; we discuss how the shoot day will happen and when. This pre-planning is where potential pitfalls are averted. Proper planning is were we save customers times and money.
3. Production day-we efficiently shoot all the elements of the production.
4. Post production begins. First we edit a rough cut of the production to show the client how the video is coming together. After approval is given we proceed to the final edit where we polish the project up with the addition of music, titles and other special effects if necessary.
5. We deliver you the final product in the format of your choice. DVD, CD, Web, videotapes or other formats, you name it! Typical completion cycle takes from 14-30 days.
Contact The Video Editor today to get started on your next video project.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Video Planning
Planning for a video is the best investment of your time you can make. If you are appointed to produce a video, ask questions! Ask management, what do they want from a video? Some may want the video to accomplish a specific goal and others may want to accomplish something on a totally different side of the spectrum. Form a consensus of opinion and stick with one objective. Trying to achieve several goals from one video will end up not achieving any clear goal or message.
Next consider what is the best way visually to achieve your objective. What do you want to show, or more importantly what does your customer, client, or viewer want to see? What's in it for them? Answer that question as you design the video and you'll have an effective structure to build on.
I am a big fan of comparing other videos and competitor brochures to see how they approached presenting their video. I might find myself integrating an idea or two from several others. Remember it's all about the client and what they want, so tailor the video towards them.
Next consider what is the best way visually to achieve your objective. What do you want to show, or more importantly what does your customer, client, or viewer want to see? What's in it for them? Answer that question as you design the video and you'll have an effective structure to build on.
I am a big fan of comparing other videos and competitor brochures to see how they approached presenting their video. I might find myself integrating an idea or two from several others. Remember it's all about the client and what they want, so tailor the video towards them.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Questions to Ask a Video Production Company
Choosing a video production company can be a difficult process. Remember you are trusting them to represent your company brand, owners, and employees when making a corporate video. Here are some questions to help you choose the best company for you.
1. Clarify what you want to accomplish with the video with your team. Are you trying to impress, educate, motivate, train, sell or market? How will this video be used? Ask them what their suggestions are and the most cost effective way they could accomplish this.
2. Establish background credentials, is the video company new? How much experience do they have? How many projects have they produced, shot, and edited? Do they have any references or samples of their previous work?
3. You should have final approval of the script before the project begins. The script is the map the entire video that follows so make sure to ask for a wording agreement that this happens.
4. You as the client should have ultimate creative control, you should approve the music, narrator and the look and feel of the video. It is after all your brand that you want to promote and protect. Ask for wording that states that.
5. Re-write and re-edit. A professional company will have allowances for client script re-writes, reviews, and re-edits of the video with your feedback.
6. Does this video production company offer their services in house or do they use outside vendors? This can affect the quality and timeliness of work. Many so called companies are nothing more than a clearing house and never do the actual work themselves. Instead they subcontract the work out to multiple sources. The disadvantage to that can be poor communication of exact needs which leads to false timetables resulting in delays for the client.
7. Does the production company offer a guarantee? One that guarantees that you get the video requested on-time, on-budget, and at the quality you expected?
8. A professional company should give you a no-cost quote with a line by line budget.
1. Clarify what you want to accomplish with the video with your team. Are you trying to impress, educate, motivate, train, sell or market? How will this video be used? Ask them what their suggestions are and the most cost effective way they could accomplish this.
2. Establish background credentials, is the video company new? How much experience do they have? How many projects have they produced, shot, and edited? Do they have any references or samples of their previous work?
3. You should have final approval of the script before the project begins. The script is the map the entire video that follows so make sure to ask for a wording agreement that this happens.
4. You as the client should have ultimate creative control, you should approve the music, narrator and the look and feel of the video. It is after all your brand that you want to promote and protect. Ask for wording that states that.
5. Re-write and re-edit. A professional company will have allowances for client script re-writes, reviews, and re-edits of the video with your feedback.
6. Does this video production company offer their services in house or do they use outside vendors? This can affect the quality and timeliness of work. Many so called companies are nothing more than a clearing house and never do the actual work themselves. Instead they subcontract the work out to multiple sources. The disadvantage to that can be poor communication of exact needs which leads to false timetables resulting in delays for the client.
7. Does the production company offer a guarantee? One that guarantees that you get the video requested on-time, on-budget, and at the quality you expected?
8. A professional company should give you a no-cost quote with a line by line budget.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Center for New Medicine
Steve Kosch, owner of The Video Editor, spent several days videotaping 10-15 medical staff members from the Center for New Medicine to introduce the unique medical center to the public.
The Center for New Medicine specializes in combing modern scientific medicine with natural healing traditions. The company will use this video on the web and interviews with the doctors and medical support staff will also be available.
The Center for New Medicine specializes in combing modern scientific medicine with natural healing traditions. The company will use this video on the web and interviews with the doctors and medical support staff will also be available.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tips and Tricks of Online Video
Creating successful and engaging online video is difficult. Here are some tips on what to avoid during your online video production process.
1. Keep It Short.
Promotional videos are meant to be short and sweet. “When is the last time you watched a five minute promotional thing on the Internet?” asks Tim Plum, the owner of Plum, a video production company based in Chicago, IL. “I bet the answer is never.” If the videos go too long viewers don't get hooked and will click away before your message is delivered.
2. Remember Your Production Values.
If you disregard the importance of production values, your videos end up looking unprofessional and turn the viewer off. Cheap looking videos can distract viewers from the message you are trying to convey. Make sure all aspects of the video are professional looking such as lighting, sound, camerawork, and backgrounds. No one is going to take a video seriously if it looks like it was shot in back of someone's garage with a shaky camera with a built-in microphone.
3.Hire a Professional.
If you are hiring a video production company, think twice about going with the cheapest choice. You might save a couple dollars but your video could end up suffering. These companies often have poor taste in font choices, colors, narration, or music and the finished product will reflect this. "You want your video to look fresh and cool" Plum says, "not hacky and slightly wrong."
4.Stay on Topic.
Keep in mind what you want your viewers to feel and think after they watch it the video. Do you want them to take action or remember anything in particular? "Clients tend to want to sneak in a lot of other messages", says Plum. Don't overload them with too much information. Keep to information that supports the goals of the video instead expanding on every little detail about your company. Make it simple and don't go off topic.
5.Viral Isn't Always Right.
Often time companies try to go viral but don't realize it is extremely difficult pull off successfully. "It’s easy to make a bad viral video" says Plum. Feel free to try something crazy and different but make sure your goals are clear. Although viral videos are "cool and hip and mind-blowing", you can still be a hit without being "the next viral video".
Resources:
Dreier, Trou. “Five Online Videos Don'ts.". 20 July 2010. OnlineVideo.net.
1. Keep It Short.
Promotional videos are meant to be short and sweet. “When is the last time you watched a five minute promotional thing on the Internet?” asks Tim Plum, the owner of Plum, a video production company based in Chicago, IL. “I bet the answer is never.” If the videos go too long viewers don't get hooked and will click away before your message is delivered.
2. Remember Your Production Values.
If you disregard the importance of production values, your videos end up looking unprofessional and turn the viewer off. Cheap looking videos can distract viewers from the message you are trying to convey. Make sure all aspects of the video are professional looking such as lighting, sound, camerawork, and backgrounds. No one is going to take a video seriously if it looks like it was shot in back of someone's garage with a shaky camera with a built-in microphone.
3.Hire a Professional.
If you are hiring a video production company, think twice about going with the cheapest choice. You might save a couple dollars but your video could end up suffering. These companies often have poor taste in font choices, colors, narration, or music and the finished product will reflect this. "You want your video to look fresh and cool" Plum says, "not hacky and slightly wrong."
4.Stay on Topic.
Keep in mind what you want your viewers to feel and think after they watch it the video. Do you want them to take action or remember anything in particular? "Clients tend to want to sneak in a lot of other messages", says Plum. Don't overload them with too much information. Keep to information that supports the goals of the video instead expanding on every little detail about your company. Make it simple and don't go off topic.
5.Viral Isn't Always Right.
Often time companies try to go viral but don't realize it is extremely difficult pull off successfully. "It’s easy to make a bad viral video" says Plum. Feel free to try something crazy and different but make sure your goals are clear. Although viral videos are "cool and hip and mind-blowing", you can still be a hit without being "the next viral video".
Resources:
Dreier, Trou. “Five Online Videos Don'ts.". 20 July 2010. OnlineVideo.net.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Get your message out to the world...
Did you know that over 1 billion users from around the globe surf the internet every month? That is equivalent to over two hundred fifty million users a week! Video on the web creates an image, drives traffic, boosts conversions, and adds the personal touch to your business!
Grab the users attention with engaging web videos with help from the experts at The Video Editor. Web videos can help businesses successfully sell, market, communicate and brand their company and are accessible to customers all over the world.
Grab the users attention with engaging web videos with help from the experts at The Video Editor. Web videos can help businesses successfully sell, market, communicate and brand their company and are accessible to customers all over the world.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Video on website
In the next 5 years video on websites will grow and GROW! Think about this more and more text listings are showing up for your keywords which makes it tougher and tougher to rank high organically. In comparison videos are far and few between. Lesson learned: Place keyword rich videos on your site and you could easily find your video on page one ranking naturally. Call us for advice on how to do it!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tips to Producing Corporate Videos
When planning for a corporate video there are a number of questions to ask yourself before you start the script writing.
1) Who is the intended audience? What do they look like, male, female, age, education etc. How will they receive a video? Perhaps a brochure or a one on one is a better training tool. If you are still convinced that a video is the best way to proceed then ask yourself the next question.
2) What does your audience need to know? People will always ask the question what’s in it for me? So if your audience senses that watching a video and learning from it are important to their job, career, or livelihood; they are vested and will listen and watch intensively. Remember, it is not what you want to say or show in the video but it is really all about the viewer.
3) What format for the video is best for my audience? The format can be constructed in many ways. Interview style, news format, a tour, an overview of reinforcing bullet points and recaps. What is popular these days on the internet is realistic, almost clandestine amateur looking video. Most advertising gurus know this and have actually produced some highly effective amateur looking video; made to look natural like some regular guy shot it, but of course the power of Madison Ave. is behind them.
Once you have answered the above questions and understand the planning phase of a corporate video, the next step involves the scripting phase
4) Now you can move to the scripting phase. I always suggest to my customers to jot down concepts on a blank sheet of paper [Here is an idea for educating bank tellers how to count money: take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle of it on the right side is where the script or the ideas are written down; on the opposite side is where you would write down what you want to show when those words are being said: a video shot showing teller in front of client counting money.] It is best to quickly write down your ideas, the actual words of the script can come later. Try to get others to contribute ideas and concepts that should be covered in the video.
5) Prioritize those thoughts. simply number in order, then begin the scripting phase. You can do this yourself or you can hire a professional who does this all the time. The difference in the script will be amazing, and could be the difference if the video is effective or not. An option our company suggests is that the client writes the script and then let our wordsmiths clean it up and add the polish needed.
6) Remember every script (video) must have an objective. What do you want to accomplish? In our bank example we want to train tellers the proper way to count money. How will we be able to tell if the video is effective?
Follow these guidelines and you will have the bases of a great video.
Steve Kosch, President The Video Editor, Inc. Newport Beach
1) Who is the intended audience? What do they look like, male, female, age, education etc. How will they receive a video? Perhaps a brochure or a one on one is a better training tool. If you are still convinced that a video is the best way to proceed then ask yourself the next question.
2) What does your audience need to know? People will always ask the question what’s in it for me? So if your audience senses that watching a video and learning from it are important to their job, career, or livelihood; they are vested and will listen and watch intensively. Remember, it is not what you want to say or show in the video but it is really all about the viewer.
3) What format for the video is best for my audience? The format can be constructed in many ways. Interview style, news format, a tour, an overview of reinforcing bullet points and recaps. What is popular these days on the internet is realistic, almost clandestine amateur looking video. Most advertising gurus know this and have actually produced some highly effective amateur looking video; made to look natural like some regular guy shot it, but of course the power of Madison Ave. is behind them.
Once you have answered the above questions and understand the planning phase of a corporate video, the next step involves the scripting phase
4) Now you can move to the scripting phase. I always suggest to my customers to jot down concepts on a blank sheet of paper [Here is an idea for educating bank tellers how to count money: take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle of it on the right side is where the script or the ideas are written down; on the opposite side is where you would write down what you want to show when those words are being said: a video shot showing teller in front of client counting money.] It is best to quickly write down your ideas, the actual words of the script can come later. Try to get others to contribute ideas and concepts that should be covered in the video.
5) Prioritize those thoughts. simply number in order, then begin the scripting phase. You can do this yourself or you can hire a professional who does this all the time. The difference in the script will be amazing, and could be the difference if the video is effective or not. An option our company suggests is that the client writes the script and then let our wordsmiths clean it up and add the polish needed.
6) Remember every script (video) must have an objective. What do you want to accomplish? In our bank example we want to train tellers the proper way to count money. How will we be able to tell if the video is effective?
Follow these guidelines and you will have the bases of a great video.
Steve Kosch, President The Video Editor, Inc. Newport Beach
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