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Branding and Logo Design: Angel City Games

Eight years ago our Creative Director, Ian Barrett, was sitting at a patio bar in Los Angeles to...

Read More

5 Filmmaking Blogs to Follow

In this post, we've rounded up our top 5 filmmaking blogs to follow. We catch up with a lot of...

Read More

Tony Awards: What You Can't See on TV

Did you know you can actually buy tickets to the Tony Awards? It’s true, I did it! My friend and...

Read More

Where to share Video: 4 Tips

Now that you've invested in Video Marketing, it's time to take the steps to get the best ROI for...

Read More

7 Dos and Don'ts of Video Marketing

The question is no longer if you should invest in Video Marketing. The question is when. Cisco's...

Read More

6 Helpful Interview Tips for Your Next Video

It’s Not What You Do. It’s The Way You Do It.

Imagine you scored a 20 minute, 1-on-1 interview with...

Read More

7 Must Have Videos for Every Content Marketing Strategy

You know that your marketing strategy isn't complete without a comprehensive content marketing...

Read More

10 Inspiring Quotes from Our Favorite Filmmakers

Great Quotes from Great Filmmakers

When we're in need of inspiration we draw from our favorite...

Read More
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Lighting_Tips_for_Video.png

4 Lighting Tips You Shouldn't Shoot Without

4 Lighting Tips for Great Video

Occasionally, you may not have the luxury of hiring a professional...

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Future Features of Social Media: Q&A

Q: Who?

A: Twitter.

As a Social Media Manager I spend most of my day on Twitter, so I have noticed...

Read More
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    Content Creation Blog

    Filmmaking and Content Marketing Tips From the Field

    Branding and Logo Design: Angel City Games

    MediaBoss Television June 19, 2015 Production, Content Marketing, Design Leave a Comment

    Eight years ago our Creative Director, Ian Barrett, was sitting at a patio bar in Los Angeles to kill time before his flight home to Boston.

    While he was enjoying his beer he couldn't help but overhear the conversation going on next to him between a husband and wife. They were discussing their toddler boy and a possible upcoming surgery their son needed. Ian slid his chair over and said 'Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear ...'

    That's how Ian interrupted an anniversary dinner and made life-long friends with Clayton Frech and Bahar Soomekh.

    The trio talked for hours at the patio bar about Clayton and Bahar's very active little boy, Ezra.

    Ezra was born with one finger on his left hand a leg without a knee cap and fibula. He needed surgery to remove the lower part of his leg so that he could be fitted with a prosthetic leg. Ultimately, he underwent the surgery (at Boston Children's) and the doctors were able to take the big toe from that leg and give him a thumb on his left hand.

    Fast forward to today and that active little boy is a very well spoken 9-year-old and talented Adaptive Athlete. Ezra Frech has an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Show, an interview with Laura Ling and a numerous speaking engagements under his belt.

    In January, Clayton reached out to us because he had decided to launch California's first Adaptive Athlete competition, Angel City Games, this year. The competition's mission is to raise awareness and promote competition for Adaptive Athletes.

    They needed branding guidance and logo design. Could we design and create logos for the umbrella brand, Team Ezra, as well as Angel City Games? 'Of course!', we said.

    Could we lend our expertise and guide their messaging? 'We'd love to!', we said. After several creative meetings with the team, we guided them to the concept of the the True Athlete. It's an inclusive term that aligns with the mission of their games. It's a sound bite, perfect for media consumption and speaking engagements. It's a short hashtag that can be used across their social channels.

    The first ever Angel City Games will be held at UCLA today. To learn more about the games and more about Ezra, visit their website. To see the assets we created, scroll on.

    If you'd like to talk to us about branding, logo and graphic design, contact us here.

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    Angel City Games Logo

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    Team Ezra Logo

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    Sponsor Banner (Step & Repeat)

    ANGEL-CITY-SPONSOR-WALL

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    Athlete T-Shirt

    ACG_Athlete-Tshirt

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    Volunteer T-Shirt

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    ProductionContent MarketingDesign

    5 Filmmaking Blogs to Follow

    Erin Hayes June 18, 2015 Production, Tips & Tricks Leave a Comment

    In this post, we've rounded up our top 5 filmmaking blogs to follow. We catch up with a lot of content throughout the day but it's the following 5 filmmaking blogs that we wouldn't want to live without!


    Philip Bloom

    "Philip Bloom is a British DP, Director and Filmmaker known for his DSLR filmmaking, blog and workshops."
    If you pride yourself on being up-to-date on the latest and greatest in film equipment, Philip Bloom's blog is a must-read.

    The world-renowned filmmaker also shares in-depth tutorials. His education section includes how-to videos covering subjects from Lighting to Editing to Workflow.

    We love the accessibility of Bloom's blog. It's a fantastic trouble-shooting resource and a must-read for gear inspiration.

    No Film School

    "We post the latest tutorials, interviews, short films, and gear news to help all of us become better filmmakers — “no film school" required."

    No Film School is an online resource for amateur and professional filmmakers alike. Their blog covers work-flow hacks for all stages of production and provides tutorials on a wide variety of software platforms.

    The scribes at NFS also cover the latest news in film gear technology. It's a great place to look if you're hoping to hear about a sale or limited-time deal. And best of all, they feature long-format interview pieces from Hollywood heavy-weights.

    Their feed is our morning paper.

    Hurlblog

    "Create. Innovate. Educate. A trusted and innovative learning authority for experienced and aspiring filmmakers globally. "
    Hurlblog is the brainchild of cinematographer and passionate storyteller, Shane Hurlbut. He and his team of experts share an incredible amount of knowledge on his blog.
    His tutorial videos cover the How-Tos of filmmaking in detailed but consumable packages.
    You can expect to learn anything from lighting tips to DIY options and efficiency hacks to camera tricks.
    This is a go-to resource for new filmmakers and seasoned veterans of the industry, alike.

    MakingOf

    “A gathering place and resource for filmmakers and fans of filmmakers alike.”

    MakingOf is a YouTube treasure trove for filmophiles. It features behind-the-scenes b-roll packages from Hollywood’s biggest productions and intimate sit-down interviews.

    The interview segments feature conversations with big names like Ron Howard, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Natalie Portman.

    And the b-roll packages are really fun to watch. They give you a fly-on-the-wall look at the production of films like “3 Days to Kill” and “Lego Movie.”
    Definitely binge-worthy content.

    The Black and Blue

    The Black and Blue’s tagline says it all:
    The site includes a blog and camera guide section. The Black and Blue boasts access to 30 camera pocket guides. Their intention is to help their readers shoot with whatever camera their production chooses. The fee to buy all 30 is quite affordable.

    But it’s their blog that keeps us checking in for more. Posts include a hilarious GIF-ticle post titled “The Life as a Camera Assistant As Told Through GIFs” and “How to Prep a Camera Package with David Elkins."

    --

    “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
    – John Wooden

    We're passionate about our craft. If you looking for a video production partner, we'd love to talk to you about your project. Contact us here. :)

    ProductionTips & Tricks

    Tony Awards: What You Can't See on TV

    EricaLeBlanc June 12, 2015 Creativity, Social Television Blog Leave a Comment

     

    Did you know you can actually buy tickets to the Tony Awards? It’s true, I did it! My friend and I spent $334 each (including fees, no shame) to watch the 69th Annual Tony Awards from seats in the third from last row of Radio City Music Hall.

    We all know the flow of an Awards Show. The witty hosts; the build up to an award; the acceptance speeches; the seated celebrity cutaways.

    I wanted to share what happens when the cameras aren’t on during a live awards show.


    First: Arrival

    RedAfter getting all dolled up at a friend’s apartment in the middle of the Bronx, we took an Uber to Radio City Music Hall. As we were not “officially” deemed celebrity status by the “people who matter”, we got out of the car at the end of the blocked street.

    We were a couple of hours early so we grabbed dinner in our black tie attire at a convenience store. Then attempted to spot celebrities on the red carpet.

    Both my friend and I (despite heels) are height-challenged. We are short. Because of our vertical disadvantage, it was through the raised screens of others' iPhones that we caught glimpses of Kathy Najimy, Debra Messing, and Dame Helen Mirren as they exited their cars. This brought a new meaning to “live television” for the both of us.

    We entered through the back entrance of the Hall with the other plebeians who had spent an exorbitant amount of money for the experience of watching tourists wonder why we weren’t important enough to be on the red carpet.

    Then: The Pre-Show

    PreshowAs ticket holders, we knew the doors closed at 7:00. What we didn’t know was it was due to the pre-show beginning at 7:05. Luckily, my friend and I made it to our seats just in time to hear the 5 minute call. This was after a trip to the bathroom with someone I swore was P!nk, and paying $15 for a glass of wine. It was not P!nk. It was wine.

    The pre-show consists of the presentations they show clips of after commercial breaks.

    “Earlier tonight, we presented the award for this category you should care about to this person you should probably know.” Also: “This is what the people who run this event had to say.”

    So think about this. When an awards show runs a half an hour to an hour long, the theatre audience has been sitting there for an hour longer than you have. Those awards also continued during most commercial breaks. This year, the presenters of these awards were the 2014 winners for Best Featured Actor and Best Actress in a Musical, James Monroe Iglehart and Jessie Mueller.

    There was a mysterious man on the God mic (the microphone used to address the whole theatre). He announced the amount of time before going live. When the 45-seconds-to-go mark would hit, one could watch a scramble of seat-fillers trip over each other to make it to their seats in time. At five seconds we were all instructed to clap and the lights rose and the show began.

    Next: The Tonys

    The King and I

    Watching the show with a production perspective was impressive.

    It was clear how much the crew had rehearsed to guarantee a smoothly run show. There were five steadi cams that roamed the floor for close-ups during nomination announcements. One of those also covered the stage. During performances this camera operator would sprint from the floor, up and over into the pit. Then he'd run onto the stage, and back into the pit with the help of his back spot. They all always knew where to be and where they were going. I assume they had earpieces telling them this info, but rehearsal notes were definitely studied.

    There were three jibs. Three giant jibs. Two were hanging from the third mezzanine in front of us so the plebeians were not seen on television. The third one stayed on stage. It rolled out from behind the curtain to capture performances. During presentations it stayed hidden behind the curtain.

    The stage was divided into several parts. Part of the stage was lit for award presentations and bits from the adorable hosting duo, Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth. The other parts had cameramen and crew running around setting up for the next “scene”. In fact, when Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale were presenting for Best Featured Actor in a Musical you may have seen Rose Byrne laughing and looking away from the camera. Maybe you assumed she found the bit Chenoweth and Cumming did dressed in gender reversed roles from The King and I, amusing. Well folks, I'm here to tell you what really happened. While exiting the stage, Cumming’s dress got stuck. Chenoweth tried her best to pull him off stage by his arms, but it was a man in the audience that reached up and freed the dress. This is what live theatre is all about, people.

    Finally: Personal Wrap Up

    TODAY’S SPECIAL-

    Although we were physically there, a part of me still felt like a spectator in the same way I do when I watch it on television. We were so far away that there were only two ways to tell who was talking on stage. Through the announcement of their names or by looking at the big screens on either side of the stage.

    But this awards show is not designed for the entertainment of the 3rd Mezzanine patrons, is it?

    It's purpose is to celebrate those who have accomplished amazing feats in the world of theatre.

    It was this detachment that humbled me. I'm a theatre junky and I've never felt as fortunate as I did witnessing my heroes' achievements recognized. Even if it was through a second screen.

    I mean, I was in the same room as them. The. Same Room.

    Nothing could beat celebrating the triumphs of the Broadway family in a room - and mezzanine - filled with fellow passionate theatre people.

    This year Broadway had more patrons than all the major New York sports teams combined. The Award for Best Book of a Musical went to an all female writing team. The first Excellence in Theatre Education Tony went to a performing arts teacher from North Carolina. And the Award for Best Musical went to a show about a young lesbian growing up with her gay father, Fun Home.

    It was an experience I am grateful for - and hope to never pay for again. #TonysInviteErica2016

    Below is a poor quality clip of what it was like at 50 seconds before going live after a commercial break. Please excuse the lady who was leaning forward in her chair expecting to see more that way.

    [video ogv="http://mediabosstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/lsp_img_50Seconds_090615-081635.ogv"][/video]

    [starbox]

    CreativitySocial Television Blog

    Where to share Video: 4 Tips

    Erin Hayes June 10, 2015 Video Marketing, Tips & Tricks, Content Marketing Leave a Comment

    Now that you've invested in Video Marketing, it's time to take the steps to get the best ROI for your completed, perfect video.

    How do you do this? You publish it and promote it!

    Not sure where to start? Here are 4 quick tips on where to share video.

    1. Landing Pages

    In previous posts we’ve discussed setting clear goals for your video before you start production. Creating a landing page to help focus your goal is a good idea.

    In fact, according to a recent study by webDAM, landing page conversions increased by 86% when a video was included in the content.
    If you aren’t sure how to create an effective landing page, check out this resource:

    • The Ultimate Guide to Creating Effective Landing Pages

    2. Email

    Did you know that the ROI on email marketing averages $1 to $44.25?
    Email marketing is also 40 times more likely to snag customers than Twitter and Facebook.

    Now, combine email’s strength with the engaging power of video and you’ve got yourself a great way to reach out to your prospects and to stay top of mind with your customers.

    In fact, a report by Eloqua found that including video in an introductory email reduced the number of subscriber opt-outs by 75%.

    Here are a couple more fun statistics:

    • Including a video in an introductory email increases click-through rate by 96%
    • Subscriber to lead conversion rates increase 51% when video is included in an email marketing campaign

    Tip: It’s important to note that your emails need to be mobile friendly. If they aren’t mobile friendly you’re leaving a lot up to chance. According to comScore, just as many people read emails on desktop as they do on mobile. If your emails aren’t responsive then a large segment of your subscribers won’t be able to read your message.

    3. Social Media

    Video and social media are a match made in heaven. Video sees 12 times more shares on social media than their text and link counterparts!
    Social media is an opportunity to create a few custom, shorter videos to lead to a larger video and broader campaign. Think about posting a 7 second teaser to twitter with a link to your landing page or a 15 second teaser in Instagram.

    And if that’s not enough to convince you that you should share your videos on social media, check this out:

    • Shares of Facebook videos increased by 43% in the first three months this year.

    4. Blog

    There’s no question that your business should make blogging a priority.

    The next time your team is stuck for topic ideas, look through your video library. Publish your videos on your blog with written context.
    You could write a quick synopsis of the video; include the transcription; or you could write an engaging behind the scenes break down of how the video was shot. After all, 1 minute of video is worth 1.8 million words!

    Here’s a good read:

    • The Why: 12 Distinct Goals for Business Blogging

    ---

    Know you want a video but aren't sure where to start? Check out our Guide to the 7 Must-Have Videos for any content marketing strategy. 

    7 Must Have Videos MediaBoss

    Video MarketingTips & TricksContent Marketing

    7 Dos and Don'ts of Video Marketing

    Erin Hayes June 04, 2015 Tips & Tricks Leave a Comment

    The question is no longer if you should invest in Video Marketing. The question is when. Cisco's latest reports indicate that video will account for 69% of all consumer Internet traffic by 2017.

    We've put together a list of Dos and Don'ts for marketing your products and services through video.


    Do Hire a Professional

    There are some good arguments for learning a new skill on the fly. But would you apply these arguments to a case that saw you rewiring your home?

    While there is an initial cost to hiring professionals, in the end you save money and your time by getting it done right the first time.

    A video is a sum of its parts and if one part is wrong, the entire video misses its mark. When it comes to getting your message out there you want it to look good. Your viewers want it to good look too. Your investment in great video will show your investment in your company and in them.

    Don't Hire the Cheapest...or the Most Expensive

    Hire the company that shows they can be your creative partner and deliver you the best quality video on message and on time.

    We understand that video may cost more than you typically spend. But many times hiring your cheapest option isn't better than doing it yourself. You may find you'll have to redo the video because the footage doesn't look great or the audio is off or the lighting is terrible.

    But that said, the most expensive option isn't always the best either. Big agencies have all the right equipment and the right people working for them. They also have A, B and C crews to help them manage their time and their clients' varying production budgets. If you meet with a bigger agency and love them, make sure to ask who will be producing your video. If it isn't the people you met with and felt really understood your message, you should ask why.

    Do Have a Goal

    Like most things in life, you will be more successful if you identify a goal and make the work focused on attaining this goal.

    Once you identify the buyer persona you are targeting, decide what action you want the video to compel them to take.

    (I mention the buyer persona because if your video attracts the wrong people no one wins.)

    Are you driving them to download a product? Would you like them to sign up for a webinar? Are you hoping to grow your email list, your social media following or your blog subscribers?

    Whatever your goal is, make sure your video's message, tone and visuals all support it.

    Don't Focus on Views

    Your video could get 10,000 hits but if only 5 viewers watch to its completion and just 1 person followed your Call to Action, would you consider the video a success? Probably not.
    If you only concentrate only on the number of views your video receives you miss out on measuring another important metric: viewer engagement.

    Viewer engagement is the buzz phrase that identifies how people interact with your perfectly crafted piece of content marketing.

    So, how do you measure engagement with video?

    1. Check the analytics on your hosting site.
    Most hosts have analytics available to show completion rates.

    2. Use Custom URLs for your CTAs.
    If your goal is email sign-ups, put tracking in place so you can see who signed up from your video.

    3. Pay attention to the comment field.
    Are people asking for more information about your product before they take action? Are conversations between leads and customers happening organically?

    If you want to dig deeper in this direction, check out this recent post by Marketing Land. They interviewed CMOs on what video marketing metrics they measure to determine the success of their video. (And please, watch the Baby Mudder video. You won't regret it.)

    Do Promote Your Video

    Congratulations! You've invested in video and you're now ready to share your company's carefully crafted visual message with the world! But your work's not done. Now you need to promote it.

    How? Well, we'll tell you how not to first.

    Don't Publish it Once

    This is akin to printing out a flyer for an event and only posting it only at your favorite coffee shop. You know, the place that never gets too crowded but makes a fantastic latte?

    In other words, not stop your publishing strategy at your website.

    Your website is fantastic. Your product or service is the best. But chances are not everyone in your target audience frequents your website often enough to notice your shiny new video.

    You may not hit your goal with this approach. Instead, try this:

    Do Publish it Across Platforms

    Remember your buyer persona? The one for whom you created a targeted message? Where do they like to hang out on the Internet?

    If your audience likes Instagram, post a 15 second teaser of your video that points them to the full piece. If it's Facebook, post the video there and allow them to comment on your video through their Facebook accounts. Are they twitter users? Create a Vine that leads them to your video. Are they heavy snapchat users? Take a page from Madonna's book and post the video there and direct your superusers to it.

    There you have it. Our 7 Dos and Don'ts of Video Marketing. what would you add?

    Oh, and if you're looking for ideas for what type of video you should produce, take a look at our 7 Must-Have Videos for inspiration.

    Tips & Tricks

    6 Helpful Interview Tips for Your Next Video

    Erin Hayes June 02, 2015 Video Marketing, Video, Tips & Tricks Leave a Comment

    It’s Not What You Do. It’s The Way You Do It.

    Imagine you scored a 20 minute, 1-on-1 interview with one of the hottest talents in your industry. Now imagine they’ve said yes to having it filmed. This is an opportunity that could make or break your career.

    How do you prepare?

    A bit of background:
    For five years in my 20s I had the opportunity to interview some of the most talented people in the world for a Boston newspaper. I had the chance to talk to big names from Former Vice President Al Gore to screenwriter/director Nora Ephron. Some of the interviews I’m proud of (Mr. Gore told me I was his most entertaining interview!). Others haunt me (Nora Ephron had me tongue-tied).

    My mistakes helped me develop 6 interview tips to guarantee a great end product and a great experience for me and the interviewee.


    Here are my 6 Interview Tips for Video:

    Interview Tips: Do your research MediaBoss

    1. Do Your Research

    Spend an entire day pouring over every article, video, online resource you can find on your subject. But remember to fact check the sources you find against other articles.

    Search TED Talks. Look up their LinkedIn, SlideShare, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Get to know the type of content they choose to share. This practice will open a window into their personality. It will give you insight into how they like see themselves and inspiration for what your portrayal of them could be.

    i.e.
    The Person Behind the Myth or The Person with No Myth.

    Personal experience:
    I interviewed Tommy Lee Jones for a film he directed in 2005, The Three Burials of Melquaides Estrada. I had done plenty of research on the production of the film, the casting and his personal impetus for taking on a project that dealt with border issues between Texas and Mexico. However, I missed one crucial piece of information: Tommy Lee Jones is bilingual. I don't remember exactly what I asked him in regards to speaking Spanish, but to be frank, he was not impressed. Lesson learned.

    Interview Tips: Know Your Goal MediaBoss

    2. Know Your Goal (Story Arc)

    Don’t skip this step. It’s the step that many people overlook, my former self included. Take the time to sit down and write your Interview Treatment. Think of it as your Show Bible.

    Too many interviews are open ended ramblings. This awkward for you, awkward for them and confusing for your viewer.

    Plot out your storyline by combining the research you’ve completed and your own spin on the insight you’d like to glean from them.

    This. Is. Critical. When you have a clear goal you are more relaxed and when you are more relaxed, your subject is more relaxed.

    This step serves as the scaffolding from which candid conversational points will grow. It will serve as the structure your end product will need for success. When you are in the editing room, you won’t have to back into the story. It will be neatly laid out for you (and your editor).

    Interview Tips: Get the Bite MediaBoss

    3. Get the Bite

    Sound bites are key. They are important for written pieces but they are crucial for video. They make your video stand out and perhaps even more importantly, they make it repurpose-able. Think blog series, video series and 15 second social promos (videos 15 seconds and shorter are shared 37% more than their 30 second counterparts).

    In your head, make a list of 5 simple phrases that you’d like to hear them say so you can get your video done.

    "Working at Good Will has been the greatest satisfaction of my life."
    "The single most important day of my life was the day I met Bill Gates."
    "The most transformative book I've ever read was Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

    You get the idea.

    Now that you have a list of bytes you need, set your subject up to say them. Write pointed, passionately phrased questions. And this leads me right into Number 4.

    Interview Tip No. 4 MediaBoss

    4. Be Innovative

    Don’t regurgitate interviews you’ve seen with this person. Don’t start listing off their achievements. They’ve lived through both, and you’re blowing an opportunity to create compelling content.

    You’ve done your research, you know your goal, you’ve got this.

    Imagine this talent has been the CEO of three successful startups. Imagine you know from reading the forward of his autobiography that he/she loved building with legos when he was a child. If it was important enough for him/her to share, there must be a story behind it.

    Come to the interview with a lego set and present it to him or her.

    'I read that you enjoy legos. Is there anything that you loved doing as a child that translates into your present career trajectory?'

    I guarantee you that you'll get a smile and an answer you (and your viewers) haven't heard before.

    Personal Experience:
    I had the opportunity to speak with writer/director Robert Towne during his Ask the Dust film press junket tour. Ask the Dust is a book by John Fante that Towne adapted to film. Now, I'm a John Fante fan. A geeky, geeky John Fante fan. But somehow the fact that I had poet/novelist Charles Bukowski to thank for the knowledge of Fante eluded me until I sat down to do my research.
    My first question was "How would you thank Charles Bukowski for giving you the opportunity to work Salma Hayek?"
    He laughed and thanked me for not asking what it was like to work with Colin Farrell (who played the lead and Salma's love interest). We went on to have a great conversation about his friendship with Bukowski.

    Interview Tips: Make Eye Contact MediaBoss

    5. Make Eye Contact

    Engage your guest. You are there to have a conversation with someone who has generously agreed to give you their time.

    I know it’s tempting to check your questions while they’re talking. But while doing so may ground you, it disengages your subject. They were having a conversation and then suddenly, they are talking to the top of your head. Their entire demeanor will shift. At best they’ll follow your lead and look down at their feet or off-camera. At worst they'll sigh or roll their eyes in frustration.

    It’s a great idea for any interviewer to engage their interviewee. To keep eye contact, to smile, to encourage their responses with facial expressions. But it is absolutely critical to do this for video. Your subject could say all the right things. They could hit every one of your must-have bytes, but if they aren’t engaged with you, they could gaze off camera. They could look around in the room or in the wrong direction and then it doesn’t work in the shot. You need to take an active role even if you are off camera.

    Think of yourself as the host of a two-person party. Your job is to make your guest feel at home and appreciated. You wouldn’t welcome party goers into your home only to retreat into your bedroom to read a book; don’t invite someone to sit down and have a conversation with you and then not pay attention to their physical cues.

    Personal Experience
    I'm an Eye Contact Ninja and I've been one since I was a child. I'll tell you why: my auditory comprehension speed is sub-par, to be polite about it. If I'm not looking at you, I'll need seconds to figure out how I should react based on what you said. I'm terrible on the phone. If I am looking at you, my understanding is instantaneous. I'll be able to tell how you hoped I'd react to your statement and give you encouraging facial cues before my brain catches up to speed.

    You don't want lag-time during an interview. Even a second of incomprehension can lead to visible frustration. These brief looks will render your footage unusable. Do not look at your notes mid-answer. Don't do it!

    Interview Tips: 10:1 Rule MediaBoss

    6. Keep Your Questions Short and Sweet

    Think 10:1. For every 1 word you say, you should hear 10 words from your subject. In short, your questions need to be short.

    When you sit down to compose your innovative questions, slap the writer and/or marketer in you on the wrist and remind them that writing and speaking are two very different mediums. You will not get points for complex thoughts and a large vocabulary in an interview setting.

    Get to the point, and get there quickly, one, short question at a time.

    The reason behind short and to the point questions is the same reason you put just one call-to-action on a landing page. If your questions are 2, 3 or 4 part-ers then you run the risk of confusing your interviewee about how you want them to respond and you get a convoluted answer that doesn’t effectively answer any of your points. And your editor will grumble about you under their breath.

    Interview Tips In Summary:

    • Do your research and fact check
    • Know your story arc
    • Get the bite
    • Be innovative
    • Make eye contact
    • Keep your questions short and sweet

    Bonus Interview Tip:

    If you won't appear in the video with your guest and are asking the questions off-camera remember to ask them to repeat a part of your question in their reply.

    Example: When did you know you wanted to become a submarine commander?

    Answer: I knew I wanted to become a submarine commander the first time I heard The Beatles song, Octopus's Garden.

    Now, what would you add to this list? What tip(s) has/have helped in your interviewing process?

    [starbox]

    Video MarketingVideoTips & Tricks

    7 Must Have Videos for Every Content Marketing Strategy

    Erin Hayes May 21, 2015 Production, Video, Content Marketing Leave a Comment

    You know that your marketing strategy isn't complete without a comprehensive content marketing plan. There are countless studies that show your visitors are looking for quality content before they make a purchasing decision and we all know that Google prefers real content to keyword-stuffed content.

    Video Content Marketing Stats

    Video marketing is a critical part of your business's content marketing strategy. Video is considered to have the second highest ROI (51.9%) in marketers content strategy according to a recent survey by eMarketer. They improve engagement rates, increase product knowledge and, according to Digital Sherpa, a whopping 1/3 of all online activity is spent watching video.

    And these stats won't be decreasing any time soon. According to the KPCB Partners report, 74% of all Internet traffic will be video this year. And Cisco projects that global internet traffic from videos will make up 80% of all Internet traffic in 2019.

    But video production can seem like an intimidating process to some and we've all heard sad stories of video investments gone wrong. Like all content, videos need to be vetted. They need to have clear goals and proper execution from pre-production to distribution.

    Bad content can be worse than no content at all.  In fact, 62% of consumers are more likely to have a negative perception of a brand that publishes poor-quality video.

    Over the last decade we've produced marketing videos that have helped launch companies, get startups sold and have innovated blue chip businesses.

    In that time we've developed a tried and true suite of video we recommend to all of our clients:

    The 7 Must Have Videos for the Most Effective Content Marketing Strategy.

    But we just call it the 7 Must Have Videos.

    We've created a SlideShare for the quick hit, but for more in-depth advice read on below.

    NO. 1: THE COMPANY OVERVIEW

    Think of this video as a virtual introduction; it's the smile, eye contact and firm handshake of your website. It should give the broad view of what your company does and why it does it. The language should be simple and easily digested.

    [Note: This isn't an Explainer video. An Explainer video gets down into the specifics of your service or product. Explainer videos are critical to your content marketing strategy but we'll cover that in a minute.]

    The goal of this video is to welcome your viewer and entice them to learn more about how your company could simplify their life. It's a great home page or landing page video.

    Landing pages with video see an 86% increase in conversions according to a study by WebDAM solutions.

    A good length of this video is under 2-minutes.

    Now, how do you boil down your incredible company in under 2 minutes?

    Our Advice:

    • Brainstorm the 3 key takeaways about your company.
    • Write 1 page, double spaced.
      • Break the page down by:
        • Intro paragraph
        • Key takeaway 1
        • Key takeaway 2
        • Key takeaway 3
        • Closing paragraph

    It may seem tough to try and get 5 pounds of sugar into a 2 pound bag, but all you need to do is boil it down and it will all fit. Promise.

    Content Marketing Offer

    NO. 2: THE TALKING HEAD (or THOUGHT LEADERSHIP) VIDEO

    The Talking Head video puts a face to a name and it's a great opportunity for you to leverage the insight of your C-Level execs while branding them as experts in your field. The more people you have out there talking about you, the more people will find you.

    Now, why should you produce a talking head video when you have a white paper that reflects the insights of your C-Level Exec? Because Humans Like Other Humans.

    In fact, according to Forbes:

    "The Fusiform Facial area makes us pay attention to faces - this is an actual brain function that hard-wires us to use the human face as a gathering point for information and believability."

    Also, there's this fun fact from Digital Sherpa: Videos increase consumers' understanding of a company's product or service by 74%.

    Also, tapping into top internal talent will show your company's dedication to its customers travels all the way to the top.

    Our Advice:

    • Write a script, and then write it again.
      • Then, share it with the video production experts you hire for their feedback on language, too. Writing for the page and writing for video are two different animals and everyone has a different speaking tone. If you can say something with one word, don't use three. Try to be kind to your speaker and don't put 'X' sounds next to 'C' or 'S' sounds.
    • Use a Teleprompter.
      • Most video production houses will have one. If they don't, they should because Teleprompt + makes a great app for the iPad.

    NO. 3: LAUNCH VIDEO

    A launch video can help build excitement around your launch and encourage social sharing.

    Launches are major milestones for every company. Whether it's a company launch, a product or a service launch, it takes months of hard work and long hours to make sure you've got all your ducks in a row.

    Maximize your promotion effort and produce a video to introduce the subject of your launch and tell the world why it will be a better place now that you are here.

    Did you know that videos are shared 12 times more than links and text posts combined?

    Ok, so people share video, but will that translate into leads? According to Entrepreneur.com, yes. After viewing a video, 75% of users check out a marketer's website.

    Our Advice:

    • Keep this video fun and under 2 minutes.
    • If you have the budget, consider hiring professional talent or animating it.

    NO. 4: CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL

    You know your product/service is the best on the market, but anyone will tell you that this sentiment carries more weight when shared by your customers instead of your VP of Sales.

    Written Case Studies and Customer Quotes are fantastic, but in today's visual world it's important to include a video in this content marketing package.

    If you scroll back up to No. 2 in this list you can re-read the factoid about the Fusiform Facial Area. Humans like to hear from other humans, plain and simple.

    According to WebDam Solutions, Customer Testimonials have the highest effectiveness rating for content - 86%! And the marketing mavens at Econsultancy report that 70% of consumers trust the opinions of unknown users.

    So, reach out to your happy customers and ask if they'd be willing to sing your praise on video.

    Our Advice:

    • Come prepared with a single sheet of questions.
    • Keep eye contact and smile when you're asking questions.
      • This will help your customer feel at ease and smile back at you, and more importantly, the camera!

    NO. 5: ANIMATED EXPLAINER

    If a picture tells a thousand words, then an animation will tell millions, right? Right. 1.8 million words per minute.

    We love animations, and we know we aren't alone. According to Unbounce, Animated Explainer videos increase conversion rated by an impressive 20%.

    Animations evoke emotion. Nearly every child grew up reading illustrated books or watching Saturday morning cartoons. This emotional charge entices us to click or push the play button when we see an animated thumbnail.

    And then there's this:

    93% of communication is nonverbal and individuals process visuals 60,000 times faster than text (ETC Web).

    This makes sense when you consider that civilizations have been sharing information via illustration for literally thousands of years. Tap into this universal form of communication and explain your product or service with a custom 2D or 3D animated explainer.

    Our Advice:

    • Give yourself some lead time with this project. Animations are time consuming and you don't want to incur a rush charge.
    • Keep the video between 60 and 90 seconds (about a page of double-spaced text).
    • Get creative with it!

    NO. 6: PRODUCT OVERVIEW

    Product Demos are immensely helpful to guide prospects through the buyer's journey. They help prospects become leads by familiarizing them with how to use your product; they create customers from leads because they show you'll have their back should they have questions; and they help create happy customers because your customers know they can count on you for support.

    Product Demos also simplify the lives of your sales team and technical team. If your company has a robust resource page of videos, they can reference them during support calls and include links to them in their customer emails.

    Speaking of email, did you know that an introductory company email that includes a video receives an increase click-through rate by 96%? (Digital Sherpa)

    A Product Demo - or an Animated Explainer for that matter - make fantastic additions to introductory emails.

    Our Advice:

    • Write a script and a corresponding shot list.
    • This will guarantee you get the shots you need whether you are producing a video with a host or voice over driven video.
    • If your product is software based, plan on running a screen capture while you host the demo.

    Bonus tip for screen capture: Keep your mouse still until you need to use it.

    NO. 7: SOCIAL VIDEO (or 'VIRAL VIDEO')

    Produce a video that will inspire your audience to share your message organically. Easy, right? Well, with the right production partner and the right expectations, it doesn't have to be impossible.

    The 'Social Video' is the savvy marketer's way of harnessing the elusive Internet Unicorn, the 'Viral Video'.

    Hubspot recently wrote blog consisting of a compendium of data on how to produce a viral video. Laughter was an important factor (so was having a kid say something unexpected, but that's the problem with Viral Videos; they don't necessarily speak to people who could turn into leads).

    Burst Media reports that comedy is the most popular form of online video content among all viewers, regardless of age, at 39%. And, it gets better. Posts with videos attract 3 times more inbound links than plain text posts.

    Most importantly, people fall in love with video.

    We'll leave you with this excerpt from an Entrepreneur.com article by contributor Lizart Margalit, PhD, a resident psychologist at ClickTale:

    "When we watch a video, we become immersed in it and create an empathetic connection with the screen. If you want your visitors to fall in love with your content, it makes sense to deliver it via video. That’s because it’s much easier for us to become emotionally attached to something we watch in a video than something we read in an article.

    Emotions are mediated by automatic physiological (motor-sensorial) reactions, which can be explained through a process called mirror-neuron mechanism. A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires not just when we ourselves perform an action, but also when we watch someone else perform that same action. Our brains mirror what’s unfolding before us as if we were part of the scene, even if we are just sitting passively on the sidelines."

    Let people fall in love with you and your brand and include these 7 must have videos in your content marketing strategy.

    ProductionVideoContent Marketing

    10 Inspiring Quotes from Our Favorite Filmmakers

    Erin Hayes May 19, 2015 Creativity, Quote Leave a Comment

    Great Quotes from Great Filmmakers

    When we're in need of inspiration we draw from our favorite creatives.

    To that end, we culled a SlideShare document of 10 inspiring quotes from 10 of our favorite filmmakers. So if you're feeling like you could use a fresh perspective, take a look - and if you're in a hurry, we've written the quotes below for an easy skim.

    http://www.slideshare.net/MediaBoss/inspiring-words-from-our-favorite-filmmakers

    "A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it." - Alfred Hitchock

    "When people ask me if I went to film school I tell them, 'no, I went to films." - Quentin Tarantino

    "The Secret to the movie business or any business, is to get a good education in a subject besides film - whether it's history, psychology, economics, or architecture - so you have something to make a movie about. All the skill in the world isn't going to help you unless you have something to say." - George Lucas

    "There's nothing creative about living within your means." - Francis Ford Coppola

    "Be conscious of the filmmakers that speak to you. Be shameless about stealing from the. Oddly, your own voice comes out." - Nancy Savoca

    "If there's specific resistance to women making movies, I just choose to ignore that as an obstacle for two reasons; I can't change my gender, and I refuse to stop making movies." - Kathryn Bigelow

    "There's nothing quite like the idea of failing spectacularly to excite a film maker." - Mike Figgis

    "A film is- or should be - more like music than fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what's behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later." - Stanley Kubrick

    "Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there, And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of woman." - Nora Ephron

    "A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet." - Orson Welles

    [starbox]

    CreativityQuote

    4 Lighting Tips You Shouldn't Shoot Without

    Erin Hayes May 14, 2015 Creativity, Production, Content Marketing, Gear Blog Leave a Comment

    4 Lighting Tips for Great Video

    Occasionally, you may not have the luxury of hiring a professional production company to shoot your video for you. Maybe there's a last minute opportunity to interview a star customer and there isn't time to schedule a crew (though you should still give us a call to see), or maybe there's a syngeristic moment that presents itself at a trade show. Or maybe, you want to do something creative after work and shoot a web short.

    Whatever it is, you'll want to make it look as good as possible.

    So you should go out and buy a top-of-the-line video camera for these moments, right?

    Wrong.

    The key to great video is not the camera. It is the lighting.

    What?

    Yes. It's the lighting that can make or break a video.

    Are you familiar with a guy named Stephen Spielberg?

    Don't get us wrong; we aren't arguing that he shoots with cheap cameras.

    He absolutely does not.

    But his films' distinct looks have everything to do with a man named Janusz Kaminski. Kaminski is the Oscar-winning cinematographer who has been behind every Spielberg film since 1993. His lighting is world-renowned and emulated by the best in the business.

    DOWNLOAD

    In fact, you know that incredible shot in True Grit - the shot that introduces Jeff Bridges's character for the first time in the court house, backlit and bathed in sunlight? Cinematographer Roger Deakins credits Kaminski's influence for that scene. (Read more about that here).

    Now, we're not proposing that this blog post is a master class in lighting, but we do have 4 practical lighting tips that will help you shoot a great looking video. For our visual learners - check out our SlideShare below.

    http://www.slideshare.net/MediaBoss/5-lighting-tips-you-shouldnt-shoot-without

    No. 1: White Balance, Please.

    Please white balance. Forgetting this simple step can ruin a video right out of the box. No kidding. Clients ask us to 'fix' their self-shot footage every once in a while and many times we are able to accommodate this request. But if they did not white balance before shooting, the process becomes tricky. And costly.

    How to White Balance:

    First, RTFM.

    Then, keep a plain white card in your kit. If you forget your plain white card, see if you can grab a piece of blank printing paper somewhere.

    Point your camera at the white card and then press your camera's white balance button you read about in the manual.

    But, what if my camera doesn't have a white balance?

    If you are using a single chip HD camera then you have no control of the white balance settings because it's on full-time auto. But don't fret. There are ways to make sure you are getting the best out of your camera. Just make sure you are dealing with only ONE type of light at a time.

    Open the shades and turn off the flourescent lights and you will have the control you need. If you're shooting in a windowless office with Fluorescent lights, make sure you turn off any desk lamps. The desk lamps are most likely Incandescent lights and Fluorescents and Incandescents do not mix well.

    No. 2: Use the Sun.

    Because, sometimes the best things in life are free.

    The first major source of light is also the best source of light. The sun has a full spectrum of light and it renders color well.

    A Few Tips:

    Position your subject one of two ways:

    Film them with the light shining directly in their face (if they are comfortable and don't need to squint too much), or film them at an angle so that one side is hot and one side is not.

    Try not to shoot at noon. The shadows come from above and are difficult to get rid of. Early morning and afternoon has softer light with a more golden tone and fills your subject better.

    No. 3: Add an External Camera Light.

    When the lighting comes from a source above, like a gym or an office or outdoors at midday, a camera light is excellent for filling in the annoying shadows that appear on your subject's face.

    There are literally hundreds of different options. We like our LED light panels, but there are less expensive options. You can find perfectly adequate external lights for $30.

    No. 4: Use a Light with a Stand

    A light on a stand is an important upgrade to your production rig for a couple of reasons.

    1. They give brighter light over a larger area

    2. They allow you to move the camera angle without moving the lighting set up.

    Bonus Tip:

    Take care to isolate your light sources.

    i.e. Close or open your shades, turn off office lights, etc.

    And Remember:

    When you mix light, your primary source needs to be the brightest!

    We hope these tips help you out on your next production. If you think we missed something important, let us know in the comments!

    CreativityProductionContent MarketingGear Blog

    Future Features of Social Media: Q&A

    EricaLeBlanc May 11, 2015 Creativity, Social Media Marketing Leave a Comment

    Q: Who?

    A: Twitter.

    As a Social Media Manager I spend most of my day on Twitter, so I have noticed the recent updates Twitter has made. For instance, quoting a tweet had been such a pain in the past (see what I did there?), not enough characters, weird short links, basically a poor feature with good intentions.

    The new format is fantastic. A quoted retweet is essentially posted as an interactive image, using significantly fewer characters while allowing one to easily access the original tweet.

    Q: What?
    A: See Friendship

    The next step for Twitter is to take a note from Facebook (yeah, I wrote it. Facebook.)

    There’s a feature on Facebook called “See Friendship”. If you’re unfamiliar, log onto Facebook (in a separate tab to keep this page alive, please, this is all I have), pick one of your friends and click on the ellipses over their cover photo. In the drop down menu, click on “See Friendship”. The feature allows you to see your Facebook history with a person - events attended together, photos taken together, mutual friends, likes, and posts. Feel free to explore…I’ll wait.

    Q: I'm back. How?
    A: Welcome. A Twittership

    Now, think about applying this concept to Twitter, but in a slightly different way. Since you are able to easily follow and communicate with those who don’t necessarily follow you back (i.e. celebrities, major corporations), the ability to “See Friendship” should apply to those relationships as well. You can already see what followers you have in common, but there’s no way to see previous tweets you have directed at other users and visa versa. This application, which I have termed “See Twittership” (yes, I just graduated college), would allow you to see previous Twitter interactions including tweets/replies, favorites, and common retweets.

    That way you don’t have to take a screenshot when a celebrity interacts with you cause that’s lame. Who does that, what? Hello?

    RachelDratch

    Q: Hello. Will Twitter pay you for this idea?

    A: They absolutely can - @Twitter.

    Q: Does writing “@Twitter” while not on Twitter mean the company is automatically notified you have said something to them?
    A:
    …No.

    Filed under: Socially Awkward

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    CreativitySocial Media Marketing

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