CinemaCon has taken all the Vegas freelancers! #CinemaCon, #freelancelife
I think CinemaCon, along with a few other projects in the Vegas area this week has exhausted the supply of freelance ENG camera operators and audio techs. I only remember a few times in the last five years where every single freelancer I call is booked up. This is really good because it means the Vegas production community is working and that's always a great thing. This is bad because at this moment I needed some good freelance operators and I couldn't find any. So a big thank you to CinemaCon for keeping us busy and it looks like we'll have to expand the freelance list a little bit in the near future.
Training Videos & Visual Learning, #trainingvideos, #learning, #videoproduction
Did you know up to 70% of the population are visual learners. They learn better by watching, by seeing things done rather than learning through reading or being told. Even with all of the technology available to companies and businesses, most training is still done by a handbook, by written material in hard copy or taught verbally by an instructor or teacher. This means that most training is being done inadequately and inefficiently.
What does this mean? It means money is being wasted. That is something that haunts all businesses.
Video training can not only describe how to do something, it can show it as well, making the connection for trainees that much better. Better yet, have the video available to them on-line and they can return or re-watch sections in order to make sure to get it done right. The cost is up front in the production and that's what managers and owners tend to see. But what is the cost of retraining someone or the cost of man hours needed to correct a mistakes or potentially losing a customer because it wasn't done right the first time due to ineffective training procedures. Ouch.
Everyone should take a look into video training to see if it's a fit for their business. Chances are, not only will it help the bottom line in the long run but new employees will hit the ground running instead of tripping over themselves.
By the way, we do great training videos and somehow make them all a whole lot of fun.
How to Use Video at a Convention #corporatevideo #videomarketing #videoproduction
Convention Videos, we know these well. Las Vegas is the king of conventions and it's an ideal atmosphere in which to capture video. There are dozens of reasons we're called upon and I'll just descirbe a few.
Capture a keynote speaker or a CEO presentation - how often can these corporate videos be used internally to help companies understand what they are all about and where they are going. Many times these videos are archived but they can be very effective if used in the appropriate situations.
Capture Product Demonstrations - many conventions have exhibitors who are doing none other than exhibiting products. Usually the best people, who know the product inside and out, are on hand to help describe and convey what the product is capable of doing. Is there a better time to capture a product demonstration video? You have the product, the people and the customers.
Capture Customer Testimonials - Many conventions are put on for partners and/or customers of corporations. This is the one place where you will have a good selection of customers in one area, at one time and at your disposal. Get a room, set up a camera and fill up time slots. The customer testimonial video is a great marketing tool.
Show off - conventions take resources, they take a lot of money and a lot of time. There is no reason why they shouldn't be documented and captured on video and then shown off through social media and internal channels. Everyone should see what's going. Highlight convention videos will be popular with everyone, attendees as well as those that didn't get to go.
Learning - conventions usually have breakout sessions where learning takes place in a field of expertise. The class is going on and only the few who are there can attend. Why not capture it on video and re-use it for everyone, the content doesn't change once it's on a video so this is a no-brainer. Breakout session videos can be captured in bulk and are very helpful later on.
These are just a few ways videos can be used in convention settings. We do these all the time in Las Vegas and just thought you might like some ideas on what you can do to help capture the moments that should be shared and not forgotten.
Conference Call in Real Life - A very fun and orginal video, @trippandtyler, #corporate, @leadercast
Conference calls - we've all been on them, we've all had our issues with them but they are a necessity when putting things together. Usually they go fine but sometimes when you get too many people involved it becomes a circus. I was recently shown a video that I'd like to pass along about such circus events. My guess is if you haven't already seen it, some of the personalities are going to hit home. From Tripp and Tyler sponsored by Leadercast, check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ
Non-Profit Video Production #videoproduction #storytelling
There are a great number of charitable and non-profit organizations that rely heavily on donations in order to exist. These organizations are budget conscious on everything they do, this includes costs on sending out their messages and costs on achieving the missions. With these limitations, I see them come up with some truly unique and inventive ways of spreading the word on what they do and what they would like to achieve. Normally, these solutions don't involve too much video, the perception is that it is too expensive.
But that's a perception. What I believe non-profits are missing out on are storytelling social media videos. The public loves non-profit organizations but much of the time they don't really know what they do. They can read about the missions and values and some achievements but what's left out is the story on whom they've touched, to whom they have made a difference. These storytelling pieces that don't have to be more than a couple minutes long can be shot in a day, and edited in a day and give a tangible story for people to relate to and hopefully reach out to help with time or donations.
Video can achieve these connections better than any other media. These stories will increase donations as people connect with the non-profit business and want to be a part of what they are doing. Production companies like us here at FiveSix Productions also help out with special pricing or bulk pricing on videos for non-profits since we know there are limiting constraints and we want to be a part of their missions. We hope all production companies do this as well so that these businesses can thrive and make our communities a better place.
non profits - they have a message to give - they are some of the nicest people - theyhave a bunch of audiences,theyareasking for donations - need facetime for that - we have specail pricing -
High End Real Estate Videos #realestate #videoproduction #realtor
We've all heard of the virtual tour, we've all seen and probably taken dozens of them. They are wide, boring and show off a place that may or may not be picked up, cleaned, or shot in the best light. Yet, they are standard practice now for realtors in order to try and sell a home. So, the virtual tour used to set you apart, now if you don't have one, it sets you back. But every time something becomes common place, as with virtual tours, how do you distance yourself from the crowd, how do you get noticed and gain that edge once again?
The high end of real estate has found an answer and it is something that is starting to catch on. High end real estate videos spare no expense when shooting luxury homes. They use the best cameras, like the Canon C500, RED Epic or ARRI Alexa. They use the right tools like a dolly, slider, jib and even drones are now getting in on the action to show an aerial view of the property or even the neighborhood. They use professional lighting and crews and take the time to do it right.
What this does is it makes the video an experience, it makes the viewer have to go see this home. The high end real estate video isn't meant to just show you a property, it's meant to make you feel a property. They give the video great music, a color treatment and emotionally try and connect the viewer to the space. This eventually equals more visits to the home and more potential buyers.
This high end treatment isn't for every home, though we wish it could be. The home has to be luxurious and have a high price point or it wouldn't make sense to produce a costly high end video. Even with that said, it wouldn't hurt to have a professional crew shoot any home for sale instead of having a guy with tablet shoot some video and post it. The look and feel will translate to more buyers.
We'd like to see more of the real estate industry take advantage of what production company's can offer. If they have a bunch of homes to shoot, I'm sure there's deal that could be struck that benefits everyone.
Making a Viral Video - On Demand #viral #viralvideo #videoproduction
I got an idea, let's make a viral video. We hear this a bunch. It's a noble endeavor, I too want to make a video that is so compelling it gets shared and viewed millions upon millions of times garnering publicity and spreading an effective message while all the while providing entertainment. Much more difficult to do than to say. Very few viral videos start out with the idea, let's make a viral video, don't get me wrong it happens but more often than not, the phrase let's make a viral video shouldn't be the starting point.
The starting point should be, let's make a video that serves a purpose to us. Do we want to spread a message to our customers? Do we want to spread awareness around an issue that isn't being served? Do we want to just be funny and show all our friends how clever we are? To start out saying let's make a viral video is akin to writing a book specifically to make money. If that's your ultimate goal, it's probably not going to go very well and perhaps you shouldn't be writing a book.
Make a video to serve a purpose. If it's done well, it will be shared within the circle you meant it for and I would consider that a viral success. Now, one thing that blew my mind is when I heard that there were a couple instances where some video production companies charged viral rates. Huh? How does that even work?
Our viral video prices start at the same place as our regular prices, we use the same cameras in our viral videos as our normal videos, such as the C300, PMW 300 and HPX 500 oh and the most versatile viral camera, the Go Pro Hero. Our viral editing rate is the same as our regular editing rate and we edit on the same AVID system. Nobody can deliver a viral video on demand....yet. We're working on that.
When thinking about a video, please be sure the purpose isn't to go viral. In the case that it does, it should be a very pleasant side effect.
Green Screen - Perfect for Corporate Video Production #greenscreen #videoproduction
St Patrick's Day, almost over, but I thought it might be a good time to talk about green screen. The video equivalent of a blank slate oozing with imaginative possibilities. Appropriate? When most people think of green screens, they think of big budget movies where the actors are flying around, destroying things or doing unbelievable super acts in fantasy worlds. They're used for that but they are used far more often in corporate video production and corporate storytelling than most people realize. We do a good amount of corporate video production and there aren't too many weeks that go by where we aren't either shooting with a green screen or sending out an estimate for green screen production.
In Las Vegas, there are so many conventions coming through town and it's a great place for corporations to either show off products, grab customer testimonials or gather together executives to speak on camera. Instead of using a boring convention room with blah coloring and no dimension, a green screen offers so many more options, it's tough to pass up. We key out the green and boom, you're creativity runs wild but mostly simple wild, nothing crazy. We have a few on hand from a simple pop out 6x6 to a paper roll 10 foot wide to a full on 10x20 wraparound fabric. These can all be taken on location and built to whatever specs the client is looking for. It's an effective and creative solution.
Green screen is not out of anyone's budget. That's another misnomer that people tend to have. It's an additional cost for sure but the quality and flexibility of post production because of it is far more valuable than saving a few dollars. If for your next production you haven't thought about it, ask us about green screen and you'll be glad you have fun options to play with down the line. If all else fails, you can always put the CEO talking about EBITDA in the middle of a corn field.
Now, in honor of St. Patrick's Day I leave you with one of my favorite themed commercials, even though it's a couple years old.
Saying Goodbye to the HDX 900 & HVX 200 #panasonic #cameras
We're saying good bye over here to a couple of our old workhorses. Just sold a Panasonic HDX 900 and a Panasonic HVX 200 and we'll be sending them off this week. It's tough to see those two cameras go, we haven't had much call for them recently but they both made some incredible pictures and captured hours of great video.
The HDX 900 is still in use in many television productions as some old companies still prefer tape based archiving. It's much more difficult to erase a tape they say.....I agree if you have no idea how to use a computer. But that's for another conversation. I understand it's a great camera but I think the time to upgrade to some of the more technologically superior formats. We held onto it as long as we were getting calls but that time seems to be over.
The HVX 200 was a game changer when it came out. It held up all these years and is still in use for indie productions all over the world. We haven't had the calls for it due to upgrading our camera gear to the Panasonic HPX 500, Sony PMW 300 and Canon C300. However, it was a valuable piece of equipment and no doubt has been for countless other individuals and companies.
So, thank you to Panasonic for these two great cameras and we're looking forward to more in the future. They are going to good homes too!
Local Car Commercials - Time to Change it Up #changethegame #creative
Is there a shadow agency on-line somewhere that has a monopoly on the creative for local car dealership TV commercials? Ever since I have been viewing television, there has been little deviation from certain themes.
The owner must be on screen at some point if not the whole time. Whomever is talking must speak louder than the surrounding commercials. The word 'big' is either said multiple times in a row or is flashed as a title at least once. They must be shot with Beta SP or an HVX 200. They must have a deal going at the time (I guess they can't believe you would come in for any other reason). They have no individuality that separates them from their competitors other than a name at the end.
If anyone has seen a truly unique, dare I say fun or cool, local car commercial anywhere in the country, I'd love to see it. I'd also like to see these business owners put a little more effort into their TV commercials than the regular circus act. I think they would be surprised if they moved away from what worked in 1987.
We've got some ideas over here....