Category

Video Production

Sep 06
Love1

History of the Camera, Part 1

By Corporate Video Production, For the Crew, Tips/Techniques, Video Production

Intro to the Camera For incoming interns and new students of corporate film and video, we cover the basics of the camera and answer questions such as “what is progressive scanning?” and “what’s the difference between component and composite video?” and more. Brief History of the Camera Cameras were created in the 19th Century by utilizing glass to focus light onto a chemically treated surface.  As technology improved, glass got better and the chemically treated surfaces were improved.  By the early 20th Century, the cameras had become somewhat standardized.    Then motion picture cameras came along.  Same principle- but instead of taking one frame or picture, now a motor was created to speed the chemically treated surface (film) through the housing to enable taking many pictures each second.  This started by hand cranking the film through (resulting in variable speed– notice…

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Sep 02
Love1

Houston Harvey Aftermath

By Corporate Video Production, Tips/Techniques, Uncategorized, Video Production

Houston Harvey Hurricane With the exception of one fast food worker in Fort Worth, most people have heard about what the hurricane Harvey has done to Houston.  We’re reporting today from Houston where we’ve spent the last few days doing some filming and lending some helping hands. Driving Down The drive from Fort Worth Dallas was pretty much a non-event.  On Thursday morning when we left, there were some gas stations in the DFW area that were closed.  So we drove with the philosophy of refilling when we got down to 3/4’s of a tank.  But we never had any issues.  As we neared Houston, we still couldn’t see any of the devastation we were seeing on the news.  And fuel was fine and actually cheaper than DFW prices. As we headed to our clients headquarters near the NRG Stadium,…

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Aug 30
Love2

Shooting Video at Tradeshows

By Corporate Video Production, Tips/Techniques, Uncategorized, Video Production

Video Tradeshows One of the calls we get a lot, is to see if we can shoot video at tradeshows.  Because companies and corporations drop a serious investment in tradeshows.  The cost of attending, with travel. The exhibitor fees.  And the booth construction.  With all this investment, businesses want to make sure the marketing pays off.  And that’s the bottom line: Sales. So video at the tradeshow extends the reach of that investment.  Whether video is used to grab the attention of potential customers walking by or used as a broadcaster on social media, video at the tradeshow can magnify the marketing and multiply the results. Tradeshow Video’s 4 Components Usually this has four components: Pre-shot and edited content to be displayed at tradeshow Video coverage of the tradeshow, both the booth and the tradeshow itself Interviews and testimonials with clients…

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Aug 29
Love3

Dallas Area Can Help Houston

By Corporate Video Production, Tips/Techniques, Uncategorized, Video Production

Here in the DFW area, many of us have friends, family, clients, loved ones in the Houston and South Texas area.  While it’s good to donate to national organizations, I like to see help at the local level… where the rubber meets the road.  If you live here in DFW, one of our partners Encore Live, is actively taking steps to help.   Here’s what they write: Encore Live will be headed to Houston later this week to help with the cleanup from #Harvey – we will be taking donated goods to various Houston based charities seeking help. If you have supplies listed below you would like to donate, please drop them by our office at 1635 Rogers Road Fort Worth, Texas 76107 between now and Wednesday at the close of business. The supplies they list include: • Canned goods • Non-perishable food…

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Aug 28
Love3

The Corporate Video Documentary

By Corporate Video Production, Tips/Techniques, Video Production

The Corporate Video Documentary There are many different styles to use when crafting a corporate video.  Some might be news-style– a “reporter” or spokesperson talking directly to camera.  Others might be conceptual– recreating scenes out in the sales environment or such.  But out of all the video styles in use in corporate America, the documentary is probably the most common.  The Documentary Style This is the video that is interview driven, what people call talking heads.  Some might view this style as boring or flat.  But it all depends on how you approach it. The talking head, documentary-style video can be highly effective.  There’s a reason it’s the most common style of corporate video out there. The Power of BRoll To make it more engaging, the key is to cover the interviews with footage about what they’re talking about.  This…

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Aug 25
Love3

Aerial Video- Drones, Helicopters and Airplanes

By Corporate Video Production, Tips/Techniques, Video Production

We are often asked by our clients for aerial video.  And with the latest technologies for drones, this has made aerial photography much more accessible and led to higher production values.  But what are the different methods for aerial video? A lot of people are purchasing drones now a days, I found the best 3dr solo review. I have decided to get myself one for events. Helicopters and Airplanes Today, it’s easy to point at the drone.  But an important tool in the aerial arsenal, is the helicopter or fixed wing platform.  For many years, this was the only way to get the aerial shot.  And when you shoot from a helicopter or airplane, there are several different methods.  At the top of the production value is the remote controlled, enclosed gimbal camera.  This is inside a housing hanging off…

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Aug 23
Love2

Why Video Tape a Corporate Conference?

By Corporate Video Production, Live Event, Tips/Techniques, Video Production

Corporate Conference Video All the sales people from all around the country are gathering at a hotel in the big city.  An agenda is set– you’re going to hear from the president and CEO.  VP of Sales.  The marketing team might present their plan for the new fiscal year.  A motivational keynote speaker inspires the troops.  The national team goes into the city for a dinner cruise on the river.  And the top producers in the company get awarded. Your Story Why are they gathered?  To hear your STORY.  The company STORY.  And if you don’t tell the story, someone else will.  Your competitors.  Or your colleagues.  Or someone who doesn’t tell your story accurately.  Your story your way. Your STORY can live longer than the moment it was told by using video.  You spend all this time, resources and money on…

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Aug 21
Love3

Top 4 Tips for Freelancers in Video Production

By Corporate Video Production, For the Crew, Tips/Techniques, Video Production

The Top 4 things every Freelancer needs to know about Video Production History of the Freelancer The word freelancer comes from medieval times– when a fiefdom needed an extra lance or two for the defense of their city or for the attack on someone else’s city, the would hire an extra knight or two to bring their sword and lance along.  A “free lancer” did not belong to anyone or any fiefdom.  Today, a freelancer is usually not employed, but works job to job, gig to gig.  And they usually make more money for working less days than someone employed. And it’s easy to start a freelancing career in corporate video.  You can begin at the entry level– a production assistant.  And this goes all the way up to directors and producers.  How you set yourself apart will determine how…

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Jul 26
Love2

Best Strategy for Making a Viral Video

By Info, Tips/Techniques, Video Production

Viral Video– We all watched Charlie bite his finger.  We’ve seen cute cats and dogs and squirrels doing cute things.  We’ve watched, laughed and cried at what we’re seeing on the internet through youtube, vimeo and facebook.  But what is the key to making a hit viral video?  How can you make a video that will go viral?  What we’ll talk about here is the viral video for corporate marketing– not just the everyday guy that wants his fifteen minutes. Viral Video Defined First off, let’s define what a viral video is.  To be “viral,” a video must be passed around.  Someone sees the video and then posts it on their page, or tweets it to their followers.  And the numbers must be high.  YouTube monetization doesn’t really make a difference until you’ve got over 25,000 followers or a million…

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Jul 24
Love3

The Industrial Video Shoot- Have the Right Tools

By Corporate Video Production, Info, Tips/Techniques, Video Production

The Industrial Video shoot comes with it’s own unique challenges.  And by industrial, I’m referring to a corporate video that is manufacturing/construction based.  As with any job, having the right tools can make the job significantly easier while increasing quality.  Try painting the outside of your house with a tiny brush.  Or no brush at all.  But have the right brush– or step up to a sprayer or power roller, and the job is completely faster and with better quality.  Tools are everything. Industrial Video Tools The tool box for the industrial video begins with the camera.  Most video professionals will use the camera and the tripod, and use it for most of their shooting.  It’s like the screwdriver.  Whether the job calls for big screws, or little screws, they might try to make the single screwdriver work for everything….

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