Jun
2010
Produce Video Without The Producer
Hey, this is Chris from VisibleGains. When people think of video now they think of really expensive cameras and hiring really expensive people to create their videos. That’s not the case anymore. Cameras are getting smaller and easier to use all while capturing HD video. If you’re having trouble figuring out what you need and where you can shoot I’ve put this video together to show you what you need to do to get your shoots running quickly and easily.
If you need equiptment, you can purchase a Starter Bundle by clicking here. This Starter Bundle includes, a camera, memory card, microphone, and tripod. Here are two documents that cover everything in the video for you to use offline. You can download:
Scouting For A Location – Download
Setting up Your Shoot – Download
Just Grab A Camera And Go!
Chris, in your video and the two downloads, you offer a wheelbarrow full of useful tips! I think two of them are especially important: 1) make sure there’s a good amount of light illuminating the subject’s face, especially the eyes and 2) clear sound is even more important than a clear picture. We can tolerate a somewhat crummy image, but it’s really a turn-off if you’re struggling to hear what someone is saying.
By all means, follow all the tips that Chris lays out and then – when you’re viewing your footage and it looks and sounds horrible and doesn’t communicate any coherent message, don’t forget about using Google to search for an actual *professional* video producer. They’ll most likely be able to salvage the mess of a video you’ve produced using your Flip, etc. and will be happy to charge you more to fix it than if you’d hired them in the first place. I speak from experience – time after time after time.
Sorry for the sarcasm, but even with the amazing quality gains in consumer level equipment, there’s still a reason to hire a video professional; just as there’s a reason to hire professionals in any industry when you want it done right. Yes, you can save a few bucks by doing it yourself, but don’t be surprised when your end product – in HD or not – looks amateurish.
I think it is important to note that not all video needs the same level of production quality. This is true in the consumer world as well as the business world. We would never advocate that customers do their homepage video with a Flip Cam, for example. However, the portable cameras expand the breadth of videos that can be produced by a business. These include “on the spot” customer testimonials, promotional teasers for eBooks, whitepapers, and events, and “meet the team” type of videos.
Since video as a medium allows more senses to be involved in the exchange, all video, even ones that are not professionally produced, can have a positive impact on the communication or exchange.
Believe me, I can understand the sarcasm. I too professionally produce video and know what a pain it is to sift through hours of poorly lit, improperly set headroom videos that you can barely hear, or have nothing but buzzing on one or both channels because the mic wasn’t grounded. Don’t even get me started on properly wrapping cables.
We’re not here to say producers are a thing of the past. We work with producers today depending on our client needs and feed work directly into MediaMobz for clients looking for local producers. We’re just helping people figure out what good enough is. Our clients want to be self servicing and get something done as quickly and inexpensively as possible, and if someone can use something like a flip cam/Zi8 or a VHS camcorder to get their message delivered on video for them to post anywhere and it meets their expectations then it’s a success.
You might find this article interesting on Good Enough Trends. The first story covers the failure of the digital throw away camera, which gave birth to what we now know as the Flip Cam:
The Good Enough Revolution: When Cheap and Simple Is Just Fine
We’ve already got plenty of clients that shoot their own video for event promotions, webinars, client testimonials and although they don’t look like a feature film, they know how to get decent lighting, setup good headroom and get clear audio with a mic.
I’m not saying having people run around with pocket cameras is the future of professional video, but then again, the Blair Witch Project was a pretty popular movie.
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Hi Chris,
thought you might be interested in a video course I’m putting together
jules
http://www.pocketvideopower.com
Thank you soooooo much. I was just in need of some tips as I need to create an audition tape for my daughter who does some acting and I was clueless. I am also definitely going to give the Constant Contact trial a spin.
Thanks.
Carolina