Go Green!

We’ve got a question for you — How can a national company, which has many employees and offices throughout the United States, produce a corporate video that interviews and presents its associates to appear to be talking in the same place? They’d either have to spend a fortune to fly everybody to the home office, and then film and edit everyone at one central location. OR, they could go green!

Late this spring ZS Associates, a Chicago based firm, decided to produce a video of their associates from all over the country. They hired Skillman Video Group (SVG) to shoot (cameras only ) some of their top Boston area employees. We went to their office, brought along our green screen, and were set up for the day in their conference room. The lighting was a bit tricky, as light and sound in office spaces often need a professional touch to get things just right. Key staff members in the office were interviewed sitting before the green screen, so that the post-production editors could edit-and-paste the same background behind every subject.

What really sets this project apart for us is that throughout the day, right there in their conference room, we were able to send sample clips to their post-production house in Chicago. We were able to do retakes and make adjustments based on their real time feedback. By the end of the day they had all the footage so their post-production crew could do their editing magic. And all it took was a day and a very green screen.

The SEO Guru is Returning!

You can hear it in the wind. You can feel it in the earth. You can read it in this blog post. The SEO Guru is returning…

If you’re new to Skillman Video Group and what we do, then you might not know that alongside our production work, we are skilled in the art of search engine optimization (or SEO for the tech savvy). Yes, I said art. SEO is oft maligned as a dubious means of attracting internet traffic at best, and a soulless manipulation of rehashed tag words at worst.

Like all tools, however, the true usefulness lies in proper implementation. SEO and strong online content work in tandem; optimization helps draw people in, but it won’t matter if you don’t have something worthwhile to draw them in towards. Likewise, by creating strong content, you get a better sense of which words and phrases to focus on in your SEO.

But don’t just take our word for it: here at SVG, we practice what we preach. That’s why in the next few weeks, you’ll see an example of content that feeds into the type of SEO work we’ve been doing. And it all starts with the Guru…stay tuned!

SVG Does Live Event Video Production Work…Internationally!

Skillman Video Group was recently hired by the Rwandan government and the President of Rwanda to film an event held at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. President Paul Kagame gave a speech about the horrors of genocide, and spoke to the public about his countries experience.

The Rwandan government needed a production company that would be adaptable and willing to edit on the spot in order to send the footage back across the ocean to be aired on Rwandan news. In order to maintain maximum flexibility, SVG used a crew and post-production team of exactly one. The event was recorded with professional results, and successfully sent along to be broadcast internationally.

This is a service that Skillman Video Group is willing and able to provide – flexible and professional live event video production work. Whether you need a small team (or even one person) to capture a speech, or a full-fledged crew to work on a concert, SVG has the know-how and experience to provide top-notch service. As the event in Hartford shows, we are even able to do on the spot editing in order to give your footage the final touch it needs before being sent out into the world.

If this is a service you or your company might be interested in, contact Skilman Video Group today at info@skillmanvideogroup.com.

Do-it-Yourself In-House Video Training

Companies, large and small, often want to produce their own videos but don’t know where or how to begin. Some productions need the guidance and expertise of a professional video production company, but other simple, more straight forward, projects may be done internally with the right equipment and training.

In order to help companies navigate the complicated and fast changing waters of professional video production, Skillman Video Group (SVG) has developed a new service to assist qualifying companies and organizations produce their own videos, while benefiting from our professional expertise and knowledge.

Companies are offered a variety of services, which they can utilize according to their needs:

• The Equipment Package
SVG will first carefully take inventory of your available equipment (camera, light, sound, editing computers etc) and research the latest video production equipment available on the market. Next our producers will craft a budget/proposal based on what is best suited to your production goals and submit for your approval. Video equipment can be very complicated and expensive so it is very helpful to have professionals (who do this all day every day) take a look at what you have, what you want, and what you really need.

• Media Training
Ever get nervous when speaking on camera? We can help you with scripting your videos (planning out what to say) and train you how to speak before a camera – looking like the knowledgeable, competent professional you really are!

• Video Production Training
Once the equipment has been purchased, SVG staff will train you on your new equipment (i.e. not our own) and help you coordinate your sound, lighting and editing equipment to make sure it is all working seamlessly as it should. Lastly SVG will train you to shoot your own videos in a variety of “real world” settings, staging various scenarios that production teams face on a shoot every day. We can teach complicated professional techniques, from the visualization to the completion of videos, and make them simple and easy for you to apply. From shooting to editing we will work with you step by step through the entire production process.

Contact SVG now for more information, and to see how media training can work for you.

Tech News: Are We Ready For 3D?

Let’s face it – 3D isn’t new technology. It’s been around for a long while (think back to those cheesy looking red and blue paper glasses) and for a good period of time, it seemed like 3D was just a quirky little addition to old school B-Movies. Of course, as of about a decade ago various studios began releasing movies in a “new” version of 3D. The key difference: depth perception. The film was shot and edited carefully to tweak the presentation of objects on screen to the viewer by tricking the eye into believing objects were either closer or farther away (very different from the original version of 3D, which only allowed images to “pop out” of the screen). This iteration of 3D gives a much more dynamic presentation, and when used correctly, can add an extra bit of flair to a new movie (ie. Avatar, Hugo, Spider-Man, Brave, etc.).

 

But are we ready for that? Does 3D actually add anything really substantial to the film? I’ve personally had this argument with numerous groups of people and it usually gets divided into two categories: 3D is amazing and more movies should be like this, and 3D is campy having little to no effect on the overall impact of a piece.

 

 

 

Okay, sure: these are personal opinions, but when you think about it…what does 3D actually add to a production? It definitely adds a bit of a “wow” factor – which is great for kids movies and maybe dynamic action flicks. But does it impact the story? Is there anything concrete about 3D that simply makes it the new “must have” technology for films? Here at SVG, we utilize the best technology to deliver expert results. With this trend in 3D films, and the rise of cameras soon able to shoot “3D like cinema quality,” it’s entirely possible that in the future, more projects will become 3D. Till then, this local Boston based production company will continue to deliver the best possible quality for every production we work on.

 

Is 3D the next big thing, or do you think it’s just a trend? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!

 

Mobile Editing Tools – Tablet Based Editing

For the past week or so we’ve been discussing the importance of strong post-production (audio and video editing) skills here at Skillman Video Group. While skills in the editing room are definitely an asset, technology plays a big part in the equation for a solid video. In a field where the technology is constantly growing, let’s take a look at newer form of video editing – with the use of a tablet/iPad.

 

The biggest push for the use of tablet based editing has been with the introduction to mobile versions of Apple’s core programs: iMovie, Garageband, and iPhoto. Granted these are entry-level programs for basic edits, these programs still have a great deal of potential. In fact, all projects from these applications can later be migrated to their professional level counterparts (Final Cut X, Logic, Aperture). It’s becoming progressively more common to see simple edits made on site with iPads, then later shifted over to Final Cut for more expertly achieved editing. In terms of quick assembly, the product is phenomenal. Practical application is limited as of now, but with the introduction of Chromebooks and the Windows Surface, of which developers argue rival the power and functionality of the iPad, could spell the introduction of tablets being implemented in multiple phases of productions. Programs like Avid, Premiere, and Photoshop (which already has a powerful mobile application for iPads) could become more common on set.

 

Ultimately, a good editor can utilize the application he/she is most familiar with to produce a professional result…but who’s to say the medium they achieve said result on couldn’t be a tablet? Just think: only a few years back the idea of editing an entire feature film on a laptop was ludicrous, but today many indie filmmakers produce multiple projects from just a MacBook Pro. Perhaps a few more years down the road, it’ll be commonplace for editors to work on set, with nothing but a tablet in their hands. Regardless of the situation or time, Skillman Video Group will continue to use the best level of technology suited for our productions.

 

What do you think about the growth of Tablets & Editing? Leave any comments or questions below!

Skillman Video Group Wraps Production on Internal Marketing Video!

“And that’s a wrap, folks!” – Skillman Video Group recently finished the production phase of our internal marketing video! Despite minor setbacks with recent weather (ie. Hurricane Sandy) and other small factors, Skillman Video Group can now move into the next phase of creation for our production: The post-production phase.

As mentioned in previous posts, this is particular phase of production is where all the wrinkles get ironed out. We carefully and meticulously take all of the raw footage and audio, synch up all the appropriate portions, examine and adjust color, and add effects and titles as needed. In a more traditional sense (if this video were for a client rather than for ourselves) we can then move onto create various versions of the marketing video using just the footage we have provided. These samples or “rough-cuts” are then presented to clients to give a general idea of how the editing is going. It also gives the director, producer, and client the opportunity to discuss potential changes and the overall direction of the production. After a few more series of edits and re-edits, the video will be complete! Stay tuned for more updates from Skillman Video Group!

Skillman Video Group Shoots New Marketing Video

It’s always nice to take a little time and revisit our roots – focus on us for a moment, collect our thoughts and reflect on the past. This past weekend Skillman Video Group did just that; we shot the first portion of a new marketing video for us. Utilizing a Cannon 7D, shoulder mount, Lowell light kit, camera dolly, and a clever idea, we made a new marketing video to promote our services as a local video production company. What better way to see what we have to offer as a production company than by producing an example?

Pre-Production for this shoot started with a concept about three weeks prior: a way to quickly and effectively market our services. We wrote up a few different drafts for scripts, elected a final version, and then got to work. After a few changes to the production, casting our actors, and selecting a location, we moved to the next phase.

Production was surgical; we came in, shot exactly what we needed (with deft expertise), and headed out – all within three hours. Precision and skill are two qualities of Skillman Video Group that stays true with all our productions.

All that’s left now is the post-production phase, in which we will edit the video, color correct, adjust audio, and finalize the video by posting it online.

The Many Phases of Production: Pre-Production

It’s no surprise that creative and effectively produced videos are effective marketing tools for small businesses. But creating the right video takes time, planning, and patience. This can be broken down into three main phases of production: Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production. Today we’ll take a quick look at how pre-production works.

 

Pre-Production is all about the planning. This is the phase in which all preparations for the shoot are being made in advance. The concept is being established between a producer, director, and client. Many different drafts are reviewed in an effort to establish not only the best possible message, but also the best delivery of the message. Once the core concept has been established, a final script is printed and organization around it really takes flight. Locations are locked in, actors (talent) are casted, equipment is rented or set aside, and storyboards are made. Good pre-production helps prepare a shoot for optimum success, essentially planning for every possible need of the shoot. It also helps to prevent any potential problems down the road (ie. A shoot calls for a coffee shop, but we are shooting in a bakery). Once everything is locked down, a schedule is finalized and the next phase of production can begin.

 

One of the many benefits of working with Skillman Video Group is knowing that every detail of a production is planned ahead of time, setting the shoot up for success. Contact SVG today for your next video project!

Traveling with Classical Pursuits: The Pursuit of a Great Video

Skillman Video Group had the pleasure of traveling to Key West Florida with Classical Pursuits, a travel group that shares the unique experience of learning about the culture of a place from the locals, and developing a dialogue based on books relevant to that culture. SVG was hired to produce a promotional video for the travel company during their most recent trip to Key West.  This particular group discussed books in several settings, including outside at the famed literary hotel, La Concha, the lush Audubon House downtown, and a sailboat at sea.

We moved around with the friendly group while they trekked down the bright streets of Key West, getting to know the local cuisine, historic landmarks, theaters, and hidden gems. Famous for its authentic connection to the local people, we joined the Classical Pursuits group at a friend’s home. There, we set up our tripod and camera for video testimonials in which members spouted off their favorite things about Classical Pursuits trips, like: the comfortable environment, the inspiriting book discussions, and the wonderful new friendships that blossom.

As we captured the Classical Pursuits Key West travel group’s most intimate thoughts and activities, we felt a part of the adventure. Our video production company’s attention to detail and careful appreciation for a client’s mission produces tour company travel videos that are compelling and beautiful.  Please watch the final video below and contact us today how SVG can produce a promotional video for your company!

 

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