presentation video

First of all, if you need to enlist outside help to produce video content for your business, you need to be sure to find the right fit for your company, because their efficiency will largely dictate how much time and money you save. As a Single Person Crew (“SPC”) I make it a point to make your project economically feasible, but even for more complex projects, I know how to bring them in on time and at or under budget!

I’ve been doing video production in Southern California for a while now, so take it from me, by following a few tips, you can save precious resources in the planning and execution of your next video project.

Don’t ignore or overlook the essentials.

There are many reasons to make a corporate video and there are many different ways to save time and money depending on the reason. Are you creating a customer testimonial to showcase your customer service and products’ effectiveness or are you attempting to recruit new employees?

Perhaps you’re creating a how-to video to showcase your expertise. The point is, you need to decide, first and foremost, if you’re selling, promoting, or raising brand awareness, among other things.

But no matter what kind of video you’re creating, if you neglect the basics, which include having a firm understanding of your audience and their interests, preferences, questions, concerns, etc., it can turn into a waste of time (read: $$$).

You will want to decide, early on, where you intend to post your videos to connect with that audience. Will it be on your website or on social media? Both? It does make a difference, both in terms of compatibility and tone.

Give yourself a thought starter or two…watch other corporate videos to see if there are any particular elements you like or dislike and then share that information so I’ll have a few visual references. It’ll speed up the process and the same goes for any brand assets like logos, fonts, and specific colors that you may want woven into the video. But here’s a hint: Don’t try to create a $5,000 video with a $1,000 budget. Be honest with your video production company, and yourself, and you’ll be able to create something you’ll both be proud of.

Start scheduling…NOW!

Corporate video shoots often entail shooting at the workplace or using employees as subjects, which makes scheduling a critical component. If shooting testimonials or interviews of your customers or outside personnel in general, taking their logistics into consideration makes this point even more compelling!

Getting everyone in the right place at the right time can be like herding cats, so the best bet is to schedule the production as far in advance as possible.

Trust me as a longtime video production expert, if you can start scheduling the shoot before the script is even finished, do it. The sooner, the better.

Appearing on camera can be difficult for some people and some simply won’t be comfortable with it, so you need to make sure to lock down the key members of your company that need to be a part of the video as quickly as you can to avoid unexpected issues slowing things down later on in the process.

Carefully consider sight and sound.

As mentioned earlier, corporate video production often requires the use of the actual workplace, especially if part of it involves showcasing your company culture or giving viewers a look “behind-the-scenes.”

Nothing is more awkward than showing up for the project, only to discover that the space you’ve chosen to shoot in won’t work. Size will matter! You’ll need space to accommodate equipment, the crew, etc., and an attractive background, of course.

You also must think about the sound environment of the space. You’ll need peace and quiet to shoot because the last thing you want is to capture some incredible shots only to find out later on in the editing room that the sound quality is terrible. Pay particular attention to flooring as wood and/or tile surfaces can be particularly meddlesome, and windows are not necessarily effective sound buffers!

Talk to your space’s maintenance department to ensure they’re aware of the situation, just in case they need turn off the air conditioning or something of that nature. Make sure no major construction is going on in the area. And if the filming location is near an airport, you may find yourself juggling the shoot between aircraft coming and going! John Wayne Airport is near lots of places where I shoot, so I am keenly aware of this one!

Having said that, if the shoot is taking place in an industrial environment, some of that sound is relevant to the workplace involved and should, thoughtfully, be included.

The point is, you don’t want to waste time (remember…$$$) trying to find a new space on the first day of shooting, nor waste post-production time by making your editors have to cut out unwanted noise later. The best way to avoid most—if not all—of these challenges is to schedule a “location audit” so a full evaluation can be done.

Keep communication channels open.

Needless to say, it’s important to share any and all information that could help me better understand how you envision the project beforehand. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t say anything once production gets rolling. I encourage asking questions, voicing concerns, and making suggestions.

Here is where I want to advise caution. Nothing will spin a budget out of control faster than making large scale changes once I arrive to shoot. Remember, you enlisted help for a reason and it’s important to allow for creative freedom, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to catch a problem before it leads to tons of wasted time during production or afterwards.

Don’t spend time and money on anything that’s not absolutely necessary.

There are plenty of other ways to conserve time and money spent during a corporate video production. You just need to think carefully about what your production truly requires. Ask yourself how many actors and locations you really need, and how much equipment?

The bottom line is, every little thing adds up, so be sure to invest all resources on elements that will help give your video the greatest possible impact!

Action in 5…4…3…2…1!

First Impressions Video is “COVID-19 Certified” and ready for your next project! Contact me…STAT to book your next video! This is an annual certification, so hopefully, a year from now I won’t need a renewal! In the meantime, call, write, email me or “Request a Quote” on this website!!

As of this writing, it has been sixty days since the Coronavirus was declared a global pandemic. Needless to say, commerce, as we know it, came to a near-screeching halt! And now, here we are two months later, just barely starting to kick-start the economy. Despite our best desires, we can’t just flip a switch and be back to full stride; this is going to take some time.

Hopefully, your business hasn’t taken too much of a beating and if you’re in a category deemed “essential,” you may be doing OK. That being said, no matter your current status, you will want to communicate an effective message to your customers and video can help!

For example, one of my clients provides carpet, upholstery, and tile cleaning services. We’ve shot several videos together and a couple of weeks ago, I created a “COVID-19 tag” for one of them that alerts his customers that the business is an essential service, delivering their services consistent with CDC and EPA guidelines. Their customers can feel confident that when the need arises, this company is on top of the situation.

Another client has two fitness equipment outlets: one a large warehouse and the second more of a retail-type location. His business has literally exploded when the pandemic hit, and folks couldn’t go to their local gym or fitness center. Suddenly his business was flourishing, in part because we had recently placed 32 equipment demonstration videos on his YouTube channel!

The pandemic has had another impact. People are dealing with a lot of anxiety these days and seeking support through traditional channels (therapy, counseling, etc.) can be prohibitively expensive – especially right now! This client took a unique approach by providing online training sessions that offer specific tools to help deal with the debilitating effects of anxiety. We produced 72 sessions together and we wrapped them and placed them online, just as the Coronavirus was grabbing hold of the US population. This was a very timely endeavor! The name of the course? “Overcoming Anxiety!”

The point is that you could produce a comprehensive series of videos, or just shoot one that talks about how you are prepared to help your customers while in the midst of the pandemic, while doing so in a safe manner. Or, you could have me create either a graphic that informs, or use a voice-over to do it, or both! However it’s accomplished, make sure your audience knows what you’re doing and how you can help them…now and going forward!

Happy New Year!

Posted by Terry Wall on January 1, 2020

Posted in: Advertising, Broadcasting, Business, Corporate Videography, Drones, Event Videography, First Impressions Video, Fox Sports, Funeral Video, Heritage Videography, Internet Marketing, Interview Video, Legal Videography, Life Story Video, Marketing, Memorial Video, Product Launch, Product Marketing, Real Estate, Real Estate Video, Sports Video, Story Telling, TV Sports, Video for Health & Wellness, Video for Non-Profits, Video Marketing, Video Production, Video Resume, Videography. Tagged: advertising, biographical videography, business marketing, corporate videography, Costa Mesa Videographer, Costa Mesa Videography, event videography, explainer video, funeral videography, heritage videography, marketing video, marketing videography, no second takes, presentation video, video production, videography. 1 Comment

2019 was a great ride, and now it’s time to “drive” right into 2020! Need a Videographer, Director of Photography, Director/TD, Cinematographer, or just a good ol’ Camera Operator? Give me a call!

To all of my clients, freelance colleagues and friends, my sincere thanks and a tip of the hat you you all!

I hear that question a lot. Unfortunately, there are a number of elements that affect the price of a video. No, that’s not a dodge, it’s the truth. What would you say if someone asked you this question:

How much does an airplane cost?

In thinking about the variables in play to answer this question, you begin to get the idea there are a lot of things to consider! I know my way around aircraft and there are easily thousands of questions, like, “are we talking about fixed wing or rotary wing (helicopter)?” So let’s dump the airplane metaphor and get back to video. Let’s start by posing a few questions that should be addressed before we answer “that other question.”

Rate. Often described as hourly, half-day and day rate. Many videographers don’t price by the hour and some only price on a full day-rate basis. Hourly averages range between $25 an hour from that film school grad you know to $250 an hour for a top-flight video veteran. My hourly average hits just under the center: around eighty-five bucks an hour. Which lends me to…
Equipment. Sure you could whip out your smartphone and shoot away, but is that really the look you’re going for? If so, stop reading! Otherwise, continue. There are $20,000 cameras out there (don’t forget lenses!), $2,000 microphones, and lights that weigh as much as a Volkswagen, but is that really necessary? Is there a line item charge in the project budget for equipment? I have professional level gear that you may not see Spielberg using, but it will produce corporate video that will resonate with your audience and you won’t need stockholder approval to shoot! Oh, and my rate includes the aforementioned pro-level gear! Cameras, mics, lights, sliders, tripods, gimbals…oh my! Only if I have to create a specific effect might extra equipment fees enter the equation. I don’t have a drone, though I have access to one through an industry colleague, and this is considered specialized equipment.
Personnel. I started my business as a single person crew (“SPC”) to be able to deliver quality work at an affordable rate. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be multiple cameras, mics and lights…it does mean that I know how to be efficient in the deployment of this hardware (including setup and take down) by myself. And in those instances where it just makes sense to have a grip, 2^nd camera op or sound person along, I have a rolodex full of these folks that can be called in. Also in the category of personnel: talent. Does the project require professional acting talent or will we be shooting personnel from the company being filmed?
Time. How comprehensive is the project? Can we do it in a day? A few hours? What will be required to edit the acquired footage? When is the project due? And by the way, just because the finished deliverable is “only” 5 minutes long doesn’t mean that hours, and sometimes days of production didn’t go into what is ultimately seen on screen.
Post-production. Because this is a future article all by itself, I’ll be brief here. Post-production includes the components that help make the video “pop.” Editing, music selection, titles, graphics, animations, voice-overs, special effects. A word of caution here: less is often more.

So there you have just a few of the key elements of a video. Truthfully, anyone who would just throw out a “ballpark” quote without reasonable consideration of the variables I’ve shared here is asking for trouble. I would much rather take a modest amount of time to talk about those elements so I could provide a quote that would be meaningful for all parties involved. I may miss out on a few jobs taking this approach but I’m as professional in my business methodology as I presume you are in yours. Consultations are free, and the result will be a production that achieves its desired results at a rate everyone finds acceptable.

Reinforce Brand Identity

When people know what you do and why you do it, they’ll understand and trust your brand more. Video reinforces your brand identity and values by showing people your mission, not just explaining what you sell.

Training

Training is expensive and it never stops. Whether it’s new hires or keeping your team up to date on the latest advances in your field, video is a cost-effective way to better manage training costs down and keep teams happier.

Recruit Ideal Candidates

You can’t build a great team unless you have qualified candidates to choose from. Video can increase the number of applications you receive from new recruits and give you more qualified applicants to choose from.

Stand Out At Events

Ever been to a noisy event filled with competing companies vying for prospects using any means necessary? Of course you have! Video cuts through the noise and helps you stand out. Make it a key part of your next event to see the difference it can make with gathering new leads.

Educate Your Customers

When you want to educate consumers, there’s no other form of communication that conveys as much as video. Try it, and you’ll move customers through the funnel in record time.

Boost SEO Performance

More than 76% of marketers say that video has helped them increase traffic to their site. Video is great for increasing dwell time and bounce rate while improving time on site. All important SEO factors.

– So says Wyzowl! (source: wyzowl.com)

Takeaway? Call First Impressions Video for your next corporate video! 714-979-3850, or request a quote here.

**REBROADCAST** 3/14/19

So the last few months have been a blur, but I’ve been crazy busy. And that’s a good thing! Questions that do continually come up have to do with how to go about hiring a video production company (now we’re being called “content creators”!). So I am sending this out again as it’s never a bad idea to have these questions answered. And if these comments are of any help, please give me a call. Remember: Great video doesn’t have to break the bank!

# # # # # # #

So you wanna make a video… but where do you start? Well, one of the first things you’ll likely do is hire a video production company or videographer, and that can be a mind-bending task. How do you know who to hire? What can you expect to pay? To get you started, here are a few things to consider.

**1. When preparing your job description, please be specific.**

The sky is the limit when it comes to producing a video. There are so many variables that the possibilities are endless. Understanding your vision and what you’re trying to achieve will be critical in requesting a quote. Provide as much detail as you can about the services you need. Some of those questions would include:

How long should the video be?
Do I need more than one cut? (60 second, 30 second, 15 second)
Do I need more than one video? (i.e. Think “episodic” TV)
Where will the video(s) be used? (website, on-air, social, etc.)
Is there a specific date this needs to be shot? What is the final deadline?
Other than shooting, what production elements need to be considered? (editing, scripting, voice-over, location, casting, etc.)?

Answering these questions will help me to fully understand what you want and can, therefore, provide a more accurate quote. When possible, it’s a good idea to provide a few reference videos that illustrate the type of video you’re looking for. This is an easy way to set expectations and provide a target result. Explain what you like about them and why.

2. When reviewing portfolios, find someone who has produced work at the level you want for your own video.

A person’s portfolio and work samples will give you the best indication of what your video will look like. If you want something you don’t see, refer to point #1 and be specific what you want. First Impressions Video has shot a wide array of projects, so there should be no problem meeting and exceeding your objectives.

3. In general, you’ll get what you pay for.

As you start to get quotes back for your project, you may be tempted to go with the cheapest option. After all, everybody likes to save money, right? My advice is to take an honest assessment of the project and ask yourself what is the result you want for your video. If you’re happy with the look and feel of the cheapest option, great! But what you’ll generally see, is that the more money you’re willing to spend, the better the end result. Pick an option that satisfies both your budget constraints and your expectation for quality. The last thing you want, is to pay for the cheapest option, then not be satisfied with the result and have to do the whole thing over again with someone who can produce at a higher level.

Unfortunately, too many times—especially with first-timers, I’ve observed something like this:

What the client has in mind…

but what the budget says is this…

As I have shared, there is a lot more that goes in to making a quality video than meets the eye. What First Impressions Video will do is offer options so that you can determine which are best for you, given your budget and time constraints.

Parting thoughts.

Whether it’s your first venture into video or you’ve done a few, the process of finding and hiring the right video pro can be a bit tricky. The goal of this essay is to provide solid insights, so that businesses small and big can feel like video is for everyone—not just those with big budgets and lots of experience! And if you have a question, First Impressions Video is but a phone call or email away!

terry@firstimpressionsvideo.com
714-979-3850 – Office
714-608-4495 – Mobile

It’s been said before, but bears repeating: Every video should tell a story! Even 15 second commercials do this, so it stands to reason that anything longer should be a no-brainer, but it often isn’t.

So, let me point out that the nucleus of any story should have three main points:

Beginning…Middle…End.

Yeah, I know it’s simplistic, but this is the cornerstone of any story “arc.” Having spent 30 years in marketing, there is another way to look at it:

Problem…Solution…Benefits.

If you do this right, there’s one last three-point metaphor:

Wash…Rinse…Repeat.

Any questions?

Note: for those interested in delving into the full complexity of story development, there are hundreds of books, blogs and videos that will expand your horizons. I just wanted to keep it short and simple today…lots of projects in the workflow !

~TRW

Yesterday was August 1st. On that day in 1981, Music Television, or MTV, was launched. It was a somewhat shaky start with cable television still trying to catch traction. Fast forward to today and there are hundreds of cable outlets, with dozens of other streaming and online options for viewing content. But along with music videos, MTV also launched something else: the creation of the “logo bug” that now appears (usually) in the lower right corner of most of the programming we see today! Even video producers like this writer “bug” their videos, which I chronicled in a post back in 2015! http://wp.me/p2YaU5-8Y

If you want to place a lasting impression on your productions, be sure to “bug” them! Thanks, MTV, for an iconic idea!

This has been a crazy summer…crazy busy, that is. And that’s a good thing! That said, Vidyard produced an excellent article and companion clip about the value of video in a product launch, and I wanted to share it with my audience. If you’d like a quote for your next product launch, one that respects your budget, go to my “Request A Quote” page and fill in the form. I’ll contact you back promptly!

http://bit.ly/2uaCyGO

Sincere thanks, with full content acknowledgment to Vidyard, and to Jesse Ariss, the presenter in the video.

First Impressions Video

"…because you never get a second chance…"

All posts tagged presentation video

Save Time and Money on Your Next Corporate Video Production!

COVID-19 CERTIFIED!

What to do about video during a pandemic?

Happy New Year!

“Can you give me a ‘ballpark’ quote?”

Why Use A Corporate Video?

3 Considerations When Hiring a Videographer

**1. When preparing your job description, please be specific.**

2. When reviewing portfolios, find someone who has produced work at the level you want for your own video.

3. In general, you’ll get what you pay for.

Parting thoughts.

Three Points to a (Video) Story

The beginning of the “bug”

Use video to give YOUR next product launch a KICK!

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1. When preparing your job description, please be specific.

2. When reviewing portfolios, find someone who has produced work at the level you want for your own video.

3. In general, you’ll get what you pay for.

Parting thoughts.

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Search

Logo

Society of Camera Operators

Thumbtack THREE-Time Award Recipient

Thumbtack Reviews

Bark.com

Archives

Categories

Meta

Search

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**1. When preparing your job description, please be specific.**