Different Accessories Needed on Set

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To create the best outcome possible in your video production, there are a few tools or accessories that will make the process easier. Some of these accessories can also help increase the quality of your results. There are so many different kinds that you can find and use to create successful videos, but we are just going to touch on a few notable different accessories that may be needed on a video production set.

Lighting

You already have your camera to film on, so what else are you going to need to create an awesome video? If you are shooting inside, a lighting kit is super useful. Typically a three point kit will create the lighting you need within the studio. These lights will help the quality of your video significantly increase. The best part of the lighting? It doesn’t have to be expensive. You can get these types of lights for pretty cheap.

Microphones

On a video production set, microphones are a necessity. It is one of the easiest ways to separate the experienced from the ammeters. Microphones help to produce a super clear sound. If you happen to be filming a group or a crowd, have a mic boom is super useful. It will allow you to pick up the specific voices and noises you want from the crowd.

Camera Lenses

Did you know there are hundreds of different kinds of lenses you can use on your camera? There are different lenses you should use in different situations to get the best result. For example, you can use a wide angle lens if you have a lot of things to fit in. Or you can use a macro lens if you need a close up shot. There are even specific lenses you can use for different lighting.

Green Screens

Green-screens can be important on your video production set if you need to digitally add a background. Like the lights, green-screens aren’t too expensive. They can transport your set to literally anywhere in the world.

Fun Stuff

If you are looking to splurge a little bit on a fun accessory for your video production set, things like drones or go pro types of cameras can create great content. These tools are not needed on set by any means, but they can be really fun if you are looking to step up your video production.

Accessories on video production sets aren’t always necessary. They do however help to create even better videos and can make the filming process easier on you. They can help to add to your video and make you stand out as a videographer. There are endless numbers of different kinds of film accessories and they are constantly coming out with new ones. Try out a few new accessories today to see if you can see a difference in your videos.

5 Video Production Tips for Beginners

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If you are starting your video production journey, there are probably some things you don’t know or just aren’t quite sure of. There are a lot of things to learn and remember when making a video, so looking at production companies can be intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. Here are our top five production tips for beginners to make it a little bit easier for you.

Plan, Plan, Plan

One of the biggest tips we can give for beginners is making sure to take the time to plan out before filming. A few of the things you are going to want to plan out are your goals, what audiences are you are targeting, what specific things you want to be included, who you want in it and more. There are really no limits on how much you can plan, and the more you plan, the more likely your film will turn out the way you want it to. Production companies are always emphasizing the importance of planning, with good reason.

Backgrounds are Important

A lot of beginners don’t really put much thought into the backgrounds they are using for their videos. There are actually two different kinds of backgrounds used in film production. You can use real backgrounds like living rooms and parks or fake backgrounds like green screens and curtains. If you are using real backgrounds, it is important to make sure only the things you want to be shown are in the background. If you want to use a green screen but don’t have one, production companies are often willing to rent them out to you.  

Don’t Use a Camera Mic

This tip may seem like an unnecessary one to beginners, however, it is actually a pretty big deal. Using a real external microphone will make the sound you produce a thousand times clearer and overall better than using the simple microphone that comes with your camera. Again, if you don’t have an external microphone, production companies can be a good resource to look to for rentals.  

Lighting is Everything

This tip is no joke- lighting can make or break your film. If you are filming outside, filming on overcast days, an hour after sunrise, or an hour before sunset are some of the best times to do so. If you plan on filming inside, choosing a room that has good natural lighting is a great option. If natural light isn’t available for you, using film lights like those at production companies is the best way to achieve the same look.

Film in Small Segments

Filming in shorter clips is great for multiple reasons. It is a lot easier to remember enough stuff for a short clip rather than for a huge one. By filming short clips you can also make it easier on yourself or whoever is going to edit your film. This makes it a lot easier for editors to make smoother less choppy cuts and therefore creating a better overall end result.

Sources:

http://blog.visme.co/video-tips/

5 Traits of a Successful Video Production Team

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When it comes to hiring a successful video production team, it can be tough. There are so many different teams to choose from! What makes a good and what makes a bad production team? Here are the five traits of a successful video production team you might want to look for before deciding on your production team.

Reliable

The first trait you will want to have in your video production team is reliability. You don’t want a team that is going to bail last minute, start late, and maybe even not finish the project by your deadline. You want a team that you can trust 100 percent. All of your time and work you have put into your project should be rewarded with a team that is going to put their all into it and makes you a priority.

Full of Ideas

Coming into a production set with your own ideas is great, in fact, it is preferred. However, If you have a video production team that offers no input at all you should have a few red flags go off. Production teams are experts when it comes to making videos. So having a team that offers no new ideas or alternatives shows that they either aren’t qualified or aren’t fully interested in your project- both negative things. You want a team that is going to use your ideas, but if they see a better or easier alternative they are going to speak up and share their expertise with you.

Passionate

When hiring a video production team, passion should definitely be something you keep an eye out for. Hiring a team that is passionate about not only film but about your project specifically will help to create a great end product you will be proud of. Passionate teams will be will to work late or take the time to re-shoot certain scenes if needed. They are willing to put the work in to get the result you deserve.

Team Players

Teamwork is beneficial in every single aspect of life. This is no different when it comes to video production. Though some filmmakers can create amazing products by themselves, when they work as a team with other people it offers a different pool of ideas, skills, and results. It can also help the filmmaker be less stressed and able to create higher quality content in a short amount of time.

Creative

One of the last important traits to look for in a video production team is creativity. Again, you can come in with all the ideas in the world, and they can be really good ideas! However, having a pool of other peoples perspective and creative ideas can come together to create a result you could have never imagined! When it comes to video production, the more creativity, the better.

 

Sources:

http://blog.mitchcommgroup.com/jamesonsheppard/five-qualities-of-a-great-video-producer

The 5 Pre-Production Stages

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Pre-production; sounds like a pretty broad step in the whole video production process, right? The word itself tells you that it is what happens before you actually start production and filming. But what exactly do you need to do before filming that is so important it requires this whole step? Here are the five stages of pre-production that need to be completed before filming.

The Script

This step may seem obvious. You can’t really film if you don’t have a script and a plan of what you are going to say and do. Creating a script can be a pretty long process, especially if you are including all of the drafts and re-writes you are going to do. Video production teams are there to help you write the script too. It is important to solidify and perfect your script before you move into the production phase as it will save you time and money to do so.

The Crew

Choosing your crew is a big part of pre-production too. You’ll have to make sure you choose a video-production team that have desirable traits, reviews, and that you are comfortable around. Choosing your cast is important as well. You want to select people that represent your brand and products the right way. You will also want a cast that you get along with to make the production phase a lot smoother for all of you.

The Location

Where you decide to shoot your film is a huge decision. Inside or outside? Studio or house? Morning or evening? There are endless options of where and when to film, which can be overwhelming. Your video production team should be willing to help you make the right decision. Once you decide where you want to film, you will have to figure out what kind of equipment you will need in that specific place. For example, if you are shooting inside you may need lights, and if you are shooting outside you may need camera covers to in case the weather changes.

Budget

Though this may be one of the least exciting steps of video production, it is easily one of the most important. Budgeting sets the tone for both the production and post-production stages of filming. Doing so ahead of time will make sure you don’t accidentally spend more than you have, which is very easy when it comes to film production.

Rehearse

The last stage is video production is rehearsing. This step also can take a long time, it depends on the length of your video. Scheduled rehearsals along with individual ones are some of the best ways for everyone on the team to learn their lines. Having everyone be confident and prepared when it comes to the production phase makes it a lot easier for everyone.

Sources:

https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/9-stages-of-pre-production/

Different Stages of Your Video Production

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You are ready to create the film you have been envisioning for months. The only problem you face is how you can even start this process. What do you do to start filming a video? Film production is more of a process than some might think. Though there are a ton of small steps taken to create the end result, we can normally group all of these into three main steps- pre-Production, production, and post-production.

Pre-production

Pre-production is everything you do before you actually start filming. In this stage, some of the things you do are first meeting with producers and production teams, researching, writing your script, casting, re-writing your script, hiring all the crews you need, and so much more. For film productions, pre-production is a super vital step to the success of your film. If you don’t have a successful or at least useful pre-production time, it is likely that your film won’t end up the way you want it to. Putting in the time here is how you get the good results at the end. This stage can vary in length big time. Some big factors of how long pre-production will take is how long of a film you are trying to produce and if you are trying to incorporate a lot of effects.

Production

Production is when all the pre-production work and planning starts to come to life. This is when the director finally shouts “action” and you get to film. Camera crews, casts, lighting crews, directors, and producers all have to work together in this stage. If they aren’t communicating or working together, the film probably won’t turn out well. The film production stage can take anywhere from a day to a few months to complete, depending on what type of video you are filming. Though it seems like the biggest stage of video producing, it is typically one of the quickest.

Post-production

Post-production includes everything you do after filming is over. One of the biggest steps in this stage is the editing of your film. Depending on what type of video you just made the editing process can take different amounts of time. Music, visual effects, sound effects and other graphics being added are just a few of the things editors will do. Post-production will also include clean up of the set which can be quite the task depending on your set size. Post-film production can be a longer stage, but it is also one of the most exciting stages because your film is almost done.

Film production stages and steps can vary based on different set teams and films. These three stages, pre-production, production, and post-production are the three umbrella stages though. It is the most effective way to get your film scheduled, planned, filmed, and edited. Now that you know the steps to create a successful film production set, you can get started on creating your dream film.  

Hiring a Film Production Team

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You may think that saving money on your next production by doing it yourself is a great idea, but sacrificing quality isn’t always worth it. Film production companies are full of experienced video marketing professionals and choosing to “hire” your friends over people who do video for a living is like trying to eat a steak with a spoon: it just won’t cut it. If you really want to create the highest quality video available, you should look into film production companies. They will help bring your vision to life, without sacrificing quality.

Here are some of the reasons you should look into hiring a film production crew as opposed to trying to create something professional on your own.

You’ll Be Working with Professionals in Each Role

By hiring a production crew, you’re going to find that you won’t be stressing about having to do everything on your own. Film production companies have crews that consist of multiple professional individuals who cover everything from directing to styling. Rather than trying to juggle operating the camera, microphones, set up lighting, and still getting in front of the camera, you’ll have a professional for each role.

You’ll immediately notice the difference in energy if you choose to hire a film production crew; you won’t feel as stressed about multitasking, and you won’t be as worried about your video quality being poor.

Professional Equipment

Along with working with a professional crew, film production companies also offer professional equipment. It’s important to film with equipment that can create the highest quality of content that will look great plastered all over the internet. If you’re wanting to cut on the cost of hiring a crew, talk to the company and see what you really need in terms of equipment. This can vary depending on what type of project you’re trying to shoot, and sometimes you may end up needing less than expected. Talking with the production company and trying to figure out what will work is better than not using them at all.

A Film Production Crew is Dependable

Sometimes, friends flake, and it sucks. While your buddy may text you last minute to tell you that he won’t be able to make it to the shoot, you won’t have to worry about that with film production companies. These professionals value your time and hard work, so they will be there when you need them.

Hiring a film production crew is the best way to ensure a high-quality video. Don’t hesitate to do your research on film production companies if you need help shooting your next projectyou won’t regret it.

Targeting Your Audience Using Video

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When it comes to marketing, you have to have a specific audience in mind for your content to be effective. You can’t just go out and shoot a video without knowing who you’re shooting it for, otherwise you won’t see any results; you will have wasted your time, energy, and resources creating something that won’t even be watched. Film production companies know this, of course, which is why they always have a plan before they begin producing their next video project.

Whether you’re trying to promote a service, product, or you just want to get your companies name out there, you have to know who you want to target to avoid a video marketing disaster. Here are some questions you should be asking yourself when it comes to establishing a target audience.

Who is This Service or Product For?

If you’re trying to promote a service or product, you have to be able to identify who will be using it the most. Film production companies aren’t strangers to creating commercials, and these commercials have to appeal to the specific group you’re trying to target. One great way to uncover your audience is by running surveys or focus groups. Through these practices, you’ll be able to look at results from groups of people who took the time to review your product to see what age group is most interested in it.

Speak Your Audiences Language

Once you’ve figured out who your main audience is, you will want to implement their lingo into the scripts you write in order for them to better relate to your message. If your are targeting the millennial generation, for example, you will likely use modern idioms and pop-culture references that are commonly used today. However, if you’re targeting a more mature audience, you may want to stick to a more professional tone.

The way your dialogue is written plays a huge role in how your audience will react to your video. Film production companies are great when it comes to writing in different voices.

Shoot Videos That Will Entertain Your Audience

Another major factor when it comes to targeting your audience is shooting something that they won’t get bored of watching. If you want to truly engage your audience, you’re going to have to keep them interested in your video long enough for them to soak up all of the information that you’ve put in your project. Using different camera angles, incorporating music, and including things like motion graphics and infographic text are great ways to make your video dynamic and engaging. Film production companies know that if they don’t put the necessary effort into their projects, they won’t reach their audience as well as they need to.

Targeting your audience is all about making sure that they feel a connection to your content. If you’re in need of a professional advertising agency to help you with your video production needs, look no further than us here at Fusion 360 Studios. We have a a staff that understands both young and old consumers and what content will work best for your audience.

Vine: Building a Brand In 6 Seconds or Less

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In just a couple of years, Dom Hofmann, Rus Yusupov and Colin Kroll—the original creators of Vine—have proven that being long-winded isn’t necessary to get a message across. Seriously, it only takes six seconds or less. Still not convinced? As of April of this year, Vine—a short-form, video-sharing smartphone app— had managed to attract over 40 million registered users.

With upwards of 12 million Vine videos being uploaded to Twitter and other social platforms each and every day, it’s hard to argue against the strange, yet successful amateur video production outlet. Sure, it’s fun to watch miniature videos of house cats making fools of themselves or young, unsuspecting fathers taking a wiffle ball or two to the groin, but is there any real video production or social media marketing value with Vine?

Seeing as how more than half a trillion Vine loops run annually, the answer to the aforementioned question is a positive one. With that in mind, however, there are certainly better, more approachable methods for making Vine an effective tool for brand building. The following are a few of the more prominent strategies:

Product Demos

Nowadays, it seems that most people prefer online shopping over having to actually get up and go to a nearby store. While true, it’s much harder to purchase an item without the luxury of having it right in front of you. Simply put, digital buyers want as much information as possible made available to them so that they can shop smart.

Vine videos, coupled with a bit of video production magic, do an excellent job of highlighting a product’s most defining characteristics. When viewed in action, people—without physically being present—are much more willing to invest their hard-earned cash in whatever you’re selling.

Keep Things Light and Entertaining

Nearly 23 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds are active on Vine from a mobile device. Truthfully, few social outlets rival Vine for targeting Millennials through video production. There’s a reason for that: entertainment. Honestly, there aren’t many young people who consciously care about product reviews or brand history.

Instead, they prefer to enjoy social media while laughing and that’s exactly what Vine does for them. Regardless of the industry that you represent or how funny you may or may not be, make certain to provide your followers with Vines that’ll keep them coming back for more. That being said, there’s a fine line between what’s pleasantly hysterical and the compromising of brand values.

Company Culture on Full-Display

In past decades, it’s been near impossible for companies to develop meaningful relationships with their customers. Through social media—in this case, Vine—that’s no longer the situation. If you’ve seen MTV’s hit show “Catfish,” then you’re more than aware of such a reality. Being in the same room is no longer necessary for genuine dialogue to develop. For example, consider creating a handful of videos that focus on the subtle ins and outs of your business’ culture.

Though it’s unlikely that potential clients be drawn to you because of your insane ping pong skills or ability to beatbox by the water cooler, when it’s time for a buying decision to be made, they’re more likely to remember your social and video production presence than the minute specifics of your competitors’ product or service rates.

Social Engagement

Engagement is the real beauty behind social media. Think about the last time that you were at a retail store and the sales clerk hit you up for your email address to add you to the store’s “system.” Unbeknownst to most, this is a pathetic attempt at B2C interaction. Sure, if you toss your personal email address their way, you’ll probably receive a couple of promotional coupons.

But before you’ve even made the decision to open a promotional email, you’ll have already registered their account as spam. Ya see, when social media—more specifically, social media with a video production twist—is made a mainstay of a marketing, consumers aren’t interrupted with information; they voluntarily pursue it and are met with more than they’d originally expected.

Maybe you’re experienced with social media; maybe you’re not. Perhaps you’ve dabbled in a few beginner video production projects; on the other hand, you might not even known how to work a basic camera phone. In spite of your experience—or lack thereof, for that matter—to survive as a digital marketer in today’s fast-paced environment, adaptation is key. Vine, along with a host of other social channels, isn’t so much of an option as it is a necessity.

2 Reasons for Why Videos Generate More Marketing Leads Than Anything Else

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These days, the importance of video production simply can’t be understated. Regardless of industry, people prefer to view videos about information that interests them, as opposed to consuming written text. Through video production, things as mundane as employee biographies, emails and testimonials can quickly turn into client-led conversations.

Basically, when video production is combined with both social media and proper website design and development, potential customers begin to pay more attention. Why? Well, as a direct byproduct of any and all published content videos, people have a better idea of who a brand really is and what it stands for. In a roundabout way, it’s a direct reflection of where a customer’s hard-earned dollars might be going.

If you’re still not convinced, the following two reasons should help to better solidify the importance of video production in today’s digital age of advertising, marketing and public relations:

1) People Love Good Storytelling

When was the last time that a friend or family member told you about a particular person of interest? The individual in question could’ve been a stranger, friend, coworker or someone of romantic involvement. Whatever the case, as the listener in such a scenario, it can be difficult to hear little more than description. Adjectives don’t properly paint the proverbial picture of a person’s character and all is quickly forgotten.

However, when a story or interaction is presented—the more shocking, the better—every last detail is remembered. Truthfully, depending on the entertainment value of what’s been shared, you might actually take things a step further and tell that same story to another person with whom you converse on a regular basis. This, when all is said and done, is the innate value of storytelling. Video production does more than just force-feed information; it tells a story, while also adding to the experience through visual enhancement.

2) The Social Impact of Video Production

Once brand videos have been created, it’s time to share; more specifically, it’s time to share through social media. Be it Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest, social media—in recent years—has greatly facilitated the digital marketing game. The real genius behind social media is the exponential potential behind every post, tweet or pin. Says Anne Jones, a blogger with TacomaJones.com, “Once you’ve made a video and showed your authentic self, the great part is it’s not a one-shot deal. Content, if done right, can work for you around the clock.”

For example, once a video were to go live on YouTube or any other similar site, it will be there infinitely. Those who engage with the video can go back and view it whenever they like. If all goes well and a video production project is shared, retweeted or repinned at an alarming, uncontrollable rate, it’s said that said video has gone “liquid.” At that point, the digital marketing takes care of itself and all that’s left for you to do is sit back and watch.

In the this, the digital age of communication, people want to consume as much information as possible in very little time. What was once a battle between brand journalists has now become one for graphic designers and video production specialists. If you and your business are looking to get involved, there’s nothing quite as effective as Internet videos to make the pushing of a certain product or service a complete and total success.

Breaking Free From YouTube: The Other 3 Best Places to Publish Content Videos

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Regardless of whether you’re a video production specialist with years of experience or merely a few months of practice, it’s important that all digital content be uploaded to a place where maximum exposure can occur. Most of the time, this sort of desire leads people to publish their videos through YouTube.

While there’s certainly little wrong with YouTube, the World Wide Web does present a number of other options for those looking to branch out. The following are three of the best places to share video content—outside of YouTube—which promise to bring success:

1) Veoh

Veoh, much like YouTube or any other video hosting site, is an Internet television station of sorts which focuses on two different types of user content: independent productions and user-generated videos. With a Veoh account, a user can upload videos of any length. Once uploaded, they can be pulled from Veoh and easily posted on an individual’s personal website or blog.

What separates Veoh from it’s competitors is its extensive community. From fashion and sports to cooking tutorials and video game reviews, there’s a community for everyone to rate, comment and view interest-specific videos.

2) Metacafe

Though YouTube is clearly the king of jaw-dropping user statistics, Metacafe is more than able to hold its own. Each month, the site lays claim to over 40 million unique visitors. Like most video hosting websites, Metacafe offers users a wide variety of video categories. However, what’s most attractive is the site’s special ranking algorithm which, in the words of FreeMake.com, “ensures that the uploaded videos are of the highest quality.”

Even more impressive is the fact that Metacafe refuses to host duplicate videos. Lastly, if you’re videos do at least moderately well, Metacafe is willing to fork over a bit of cash. Once 20,000 views are reached, Metacafe will gladly pay $5 for every 1,000 views. Though not much, it’s certainly an added incentive.

3) Vimeo

Vimeo, more than just about any other video hosting site, has managed to rival YouTube in the ways of traffic. Though the view counts are nothing short of impressive, what’s most important for the founders of Vimeo is that true video production quality be put on full display for all of the site’s visitors to enjoy.

Whereas YouTube is loaded with hundreds of dead and duplicate videos, Vimeo allows for only professional-grade visual projects to be published. Free video creation and hosting is allowed on Vimeo; however, if your specific video production projects involve professional filming and editing, a premium account might be more alluring.

Whatever your specific video production needs might be, it’s never a bad idea to think outside the box and explore other publishing mediums. Yes, YouTube is clearly the best video publishing platform that the Internet has to offer. That being said, with other up-and-coming sites, it’s necessary to explore additional outlets. Who knows? In only a matter of time, YouTube may become nothing more than a thing of the past.