The only tricky part for this Live webcast for me was walking backwards without tripping or shaking the camera too much.  Shout out to colleague Karen Cole for operating the LitePanels Lykos light and keeping me from bumping into anything!

Watch the replay here.   By the way, that huge Christmas Tree you see in the opening scene is real, as are several other trees in the Georgia-Pacific Center lobby.  If you’re in the area, you should stop by and check out the trees.  You can grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate from the coffee shop too.

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DP Brad Hinton showing some moves in GP Studios, Studio A

We filmed entirely in GP Studios, Studio A, located in Georgia-Pacific’s headquarters.  A 2600 square foot space with a 3 wall hard cyc so we were able to get the nice, neutral white limbo for the backdrop.  Camera was the Sony FS7 set up for 4k, 23.98.   We put out an open casting call for any and all employees at GP HQ to come on down in intervals over a 4 hour period.

Using the storyboard for a guide, I had most of the talent perform most of the lines and scenes so we had lots of options in Post for the assembly.  With the huge space of Studio A, we were able to let the employees cut loose with the basketball and got some great moves on camera.  The GP Dubuque facility makes pizza boxes, so we incorporate that into the piece and it was hilarious watching the employees try to spin a pizza box like a basketball.

Believe it or not the hardest part of the entire shoot was getting a vertical stack of 26 Dixie cups to stay in place.  The tallest basketball player ever was 8 foot and 1/2 inch.  I wanted to visually show that height with the cups.

The original idea was to scotch tape them together, but the tape would not stick to the Perfect Touch outer shell.  DP and Director of Studio Operations, Brad Hinton rigged a tall pole into the lighting grid.  We used the lids as an interlocking device, you can see the dark strips at every second cup.  Very thin strips of white gaffer’s tape to the hold the stack to the pole and voila!  We had a stable stack of Dixie Cups.

I cut the piece in Adobe Premiere Pro and did the color grade using both the Adobe Lumetri tool and Red Giant’s Magic Bullet Color Suite to really give the piece a punch.   The piece recently premiered on GP’s Facebook Page.   Enjoy the spot and Happy March Madness everybody!

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Mueller Systems Launches mobileRDM with Infographic from BCM

Infographic spot designed for multiple applications.

June 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA; – Biscardi Creative Media (BCM) has completed full production on a new infographic inspired spot to launch the newly revised mobileRDM tool from Atlanta based Mueller Systems.   BCM provided full script to screen services on this spot designed to very quickly demonstrate the simplicity and efficiency of mobileRDM.

BCM Principal, Walter Biscardi, Jr. worked directly with Mueller’s Communications team to develop the storyboards and animation. “The Mueller Communications team worked as a partner with us throughout the entire project which is how we love to work with our clients,” said Biscardi. “It’s a much more efficient process and ultimately the end product is so much better when we work as partners instead of ‘the production company dictates, the client listens.’”

The spot had to quickly demonstrate what mobileRDM does and be able to be used in a lot of different applications from the web to trade shows to one on one demonstrations.  Biscardi designed an infographic style spot utilizing very simple, iconic graphics that quickly move the viewer through the functionality of mobileRDM.  The emphasis was on keeping the graphics very simplistic so the emphasis remained on Mueller and their product and not on the slickness of the animation. While music was used as a bed, the spot can be enjoyed and understood in locations where the music can’t be heard such as a trade show or convention.

“When we develop marketing products for clients, we always want to fully understand all the locations where the video might show and how it might be used.  This allows us to create a presentation that works in more than just one location for the client,” notes Biscardi.  “We also want to make sure the client’s message is front and center, so people aren’t just watching our work ‘because it’s cool.’  I’m really happy with both how the spot turned out and how well we worked with the Mueller team.”

Hilary Murdock, Mueller Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, agrees.  “Biscardi Creative Media far exceeded my expectations and delivered a product infographic that was concise, attention-grabbing and fun.  The entire BCM team was communicative, creative and very easy to work with.  I’d highly recommend them for any scale project.”

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To learn more about Mueller Systems visit http://muellersystems.com/index.html

BISCARDI CREATIVE MEDIA is a full service digital media production company near Atlanta, Georgia with services that include Video Production, Sound Production, Sound Mixing, Graphic Design, Animation, Post Production, Video Editing, Color Grading, Finishing, Digital Asset Transfer, Digitizing and Archiving. Quite simply we’re the people who make video and media production easy for you.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.  Office and production space is also available for short and long term projects.  www.biscardicreative.com | 770-271-3427
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BCM Completes PSA with Victoria Stilwell for Fix Georgia Pets

BCM teams up again with Dog Trainer Victoria Stilwell.

June 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA; – Biscardi Creative Media (BCM) has completed post-production on two Public Service Announcements for Fix Georgia Pets featuring world-renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.  The PSAs remind all of us the importance of spaying and neutering our pets to help cut down on animal overpopulation.  This topic is near and dear to our hearts at BCM with our own Molly the Wonder Dog being a rescue.

BCM Principal, Walter Biscardi, Jr. and Victoria’s production team talked through the PSA before principal photography.  “We’re thankful that Victoria and Van got us involved in pre-production because that is so important to communicate prior to photography,” said Biscardi.  “This is especially true when working with lower budget projects to make sure we all are on the same page and we can provide the client with the best possible message in the production time we have to produce the spot.”

Producer Van Zieller and Biscardi also discussed the style of spot prior to photography wanting to avoid something overly ‘depressing.’  “The problem with a lot of these animal rescue / welfare spots is that they are just so depressing and beat you over the head with super sad imagery that you tune away immediately,” notes Biscardi.  “That completely defeats the purpose of the spot if our audience won’t watch.  While there’s no way to sugarcoat what’s happening to these animals in shelters, we made creative decisions in the music and the pacing of the piece to make this a spot that is built on hope, not despair.”

Van and his crew spent a day at a local shelter photographing both the animals, some adoptions and the workers.   Biscardi utilized a combination of Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects and Rampant Design Tools to drive the look and feel of the spot.  “I had to turn this spot around basically in one day, but still create a unique style to keep the spot moving.  Production mattes from Rampant Design gave me a lot of movements options without needing to keyframe and allowed me to achieve a pretty unique look for a spot of this type in a very short amount of time.”  One line in particular about one dog potentially resulting in 60,000 puppies over 5 years drove the use of the animated mattes to create a unique look for the spot.

Both a 30 and 15 second version of the spot was created both for broadcast and web based use.   The spots are the latest in a long running commitment by Biscardi Creative Media to support causes through our work.  We appreciate the opportunity to help tell these important stories.

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You can learn more about Fix Georgia Pets at www.fixgapets.org

BISCARDI CREATIVE MEDIA is a full service digital media production company near Atlanta, Georgia with services that include Video Production, Sound Production, Sound Mixing, Graphic Design, Animation, Post Production, Video Editing, Color Grading, Finishing, Digital Asset Transfer, Digitizing and Archiving. Quite simply we’re the people who make video and media production easy for you.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.  Office and production space is also available for short and long term projects.  www.biscardicreative.com | 770-271-3427

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Walter Biscardi, Jr. directing an original television pilot on location.

Understanding The Grey Nature of Video Production

Video production is one of THE most subjective services on the planet.  We work squarely in shades of grey, far FAR more than 50 shades.  There is absolutely no black and white descriptors on how we do what we do.  If you ask us to create a training video for your team, we don’t have a “training video manual” with step by step instructions on what your video should be.  If you ask for a commercial campaign, there’s no book with “Step 1, Step 2, Step 3” to making a commercial.  There’s no formula to anything we do in video production that if we add up all the elements and it equals “X” then we know we’ve done our job correctly.   It doesn’t exist.

The quality and success of a video production rests solely on the video professional understanding your exact needs and then producing something that exceeds your expectations.   You alone are the judge of whether the video production company has “succeeded” or “failed” in their work.    Everything we do is subjective, we’ve done our job when you are happy and the project is effective to meet your needs.

Heather using a camera slider on location for a corporate process video.

What Have You Done Lately?

The easiest way to start your search is to look at demonstrations from the video professionals you’re considering for the job.  Everyone should have video samples online.  Have they done work that is similar in scope to what you’re looking for?  If not, but you like what you see otherwise, reach out and see if they have any examples that might not be online.   There’s no better way to get a quick gauge on the quality and range of video production by an individual or production company than to look at their samples.

What Am I Comparing?

Generally one of the first things that jumps out at you is the quality of the lighting and sound in a project.   Projects that are well lit in a very natural way or in a way that enhances the storyline and message will stand out as “more professional” or “more cinematic.”   If the lighting is flat or overdone, it has a “corporate” or “talking head” feel to it. A great way to really see the difference for those of you with Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime is to watch an episode of a sitcom or drama shot in the 70’s or 80’s.  Look at how bright and flat the sets are because the cameras back then couldn’t work in lower light.   Now compare that with just about anything shot today and you’ll notice just how natural and often how dark the sets are because today’s cameras and digital formats allow a lot more latitude in lighting and finishing.  “House of Cards” on Netflix is an extreme example of using a lot of darkness in scenes.

The sound quality and mix is something you may not consciously pay attention to, but it does affect your perception of the finished product and message.  In fact audio is generally FAR more important than video when it comes to your video project.  The audio is what distinguishes really good messages from “ok” messages.  Quality music, sound effects and sound elements, mixing the sound to the proper levels all greatly influence the viewing experience and the audience perception of your message.   Music Libraries especially distinguish video production companies as it’s an easy area to ‘go cheap’ to save money on project, but going cheap on music generally leads to less than desirable cuts of music.  Quality video professionals pay a lot of attention to detail to the sound mix so as you compare production companies listen to the sound mix, the music and the extras that make the messages stand out above the others.

Walter Biscardi, Jr. editing an original web series at Biscardi Creative Media, “Arson Dogs” for Victoria Stilwell

What Should I Know Before I Call?

Good creative video professionals can start out with the proverbial blank canvas.  However, one of the best pieces of information that helps in planning out a project is knowing who your audience is going to be and how the video is going to be displayed.   A video designed to be played in a noisy convention center during a trade show needs completely different considerations than a safety training video to be played in a classroom.  A television commercial designed to launch a new product during the biggest football game of the year needs completely different considerations than a marketing campaign designed to roll out on mobile devices.  A independent film aiming at national film festivals needs different considerations than an original television pilot.

So at the very least, ‘start from the end’ of ‘this is how we will use the video and this is how we will display it’ and that allows the video production company to design and shape your project to best deliver your message.

What Am I Listening For In Our First Meeting?

When meeting with the video professional, either via phone/video conference or in person, are they asking you a lot of questions?   As a video production company, we have to come to you with a lot of questions to fully understand not only what you’d like us to produce, but also how you’re going to use and display it.  This greatly influences how a project will be produced, the type of equipment & personnel we’ll require and how the finished product will be created.   For example a project created for mobile devices will generally require the primary graphics to be a bit larger due to the smaller screens vs. something that is created to play back on a 50″ or larger screen.

If the video professional is talking a lot about the equipment, the technology and generally filling the conversation with technobabble, that is generally a sign that they have a pre-conceived notion of what they want to produce for you.  They ‘understand video’ and talking about all this technology with the latest cameras, aerial gadgets and such  is serving to impress you with their vast array of “stuff.”  But are they actually listening to you?   The project you are asking for is unique to anyone else and the project should be produced as such.

The time to talk technology is only what something particular is required to serve the needs of your project.  In the first discussion with a video production company, the discussion should center around you and your needs.  Not what we, as a video production company, have already pre-determined for you before we even meet.   You can spot the pre-determined projects right away when you look at those demonstrations and samples on the various production company websites.   Do multiple projects for multiple clients look very similar?   Are they produced in what appears to be a “cookie cutter” style even using the same music and graphics style?  Those companies came in with a “here’s what you get” mentality.

A true production partner comes in and listens to you, THEN builds a plan around what you really need.

Michael mixing the sound at Biscardi Creative Media for the original PBS television series, “This American Land.”

Can They Deliver?

There’s no better reference for video production services than word of mouth.    Look at the testimonials on the websites but then go beyond that and ask the companies for references you can talk to.   Preferably someone in the same type of industry or field or need as what you are going for.   All video production companies are swell when you first meet with them, but what are they like to work with during the project?   How did they handle change and revisions?  Did they deliver the project on time and on budget?  If not, how were the budget changes handled?

Most importantly, have you or would you work with that company again and why?   We’re in a creative and sometimes very stressful field.  You want to make sure that the people you’re going to work with are both professional and pleasant to work with.  And that they will actually deliver what they promise.

What’s This Going To Cost?

Many video production companies and video professionals have pre-set packages for simple projects.  Particularly on the lower budget scale.   But for the most part, what’s created for you is going to be custom priced based on the needs of your particular project.

$1,000 – $10,000 is the general range for simpler videos that involve 1 – 2 days of video production either on site or in a production facility, a few days of editing and some graphics, music and sound mix.   Generally you have a very good idea of what you want, there is minimal scripting (or possibly no scripting) to be done and you probably play a more active role in the development of the project vs. bringing in a writers and other creative team members.

$10,000 – $50,000 is the general range for more complex projects that require more time to develop, possibly additional days of video production or larger crews, and more time in the post production process of editing, sound and graphics.   Generally more creative is brought into the pre-production aspect of the project such as writers and such.   You’re still overseeing this project, but more of the overall design and execution is handled directly by the creative team.

$50,000+ is for projects that are larger in scope or require much more creative direction such as national commercials, indie / feature films, product launches and marketing campaigns, live events or major trade show events.   A lot more creative becomes involved in the early stages such as writers, creative designers and more.  Video shooting often gets more complex and the post production and finishing is generally much more refined.

As with anything else, the more time and money you have to put towards a project, the more the project can be custom tailored to meet your exact needs.  Sharing your “not to exceed” budget with a production company up front can yield a much better project from the start.  If the video professional knows your top dollar budget going in, the project can be designed around that budget.   Otherwise a completely unrealistic budget may be presented and then you have to start over designing something completely different.

This happens often as many people simply don’t realize all the costs involved with the production quality video projects.   Even providing a range of budget dollars is of great help to move the production process forward more quickly.

Good luck and have fun!

WALTER BISCARDI JR is a Creative Director in the Atlanta area who has been creating original stories and branded content for clients across the globe including Food Network, CNN, The Weather Channel, Home Depot Racing, Bridgestone Golf, Georgia-Pacific, IBM, Ping Golf, Kroger, The Carter Center, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and many more.  Quite simply he’s the guy who makes media messaging and campaign simple.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.   Contact me today to discuss your next project.

The post Hiring The Right Video Professional For Your Project appeared first on WalterBiscardi.com.

The Venue.  

Let’s start here because this is the actually THE most important thing to consider.  If this is a trade show, you’re probably in a convention hall or possibly a large hotel ballroom.  The larger the space, generally the more overall background noise in the room.   The larger spaces also tend to “suck up the sound” so what sounds like a nice volume back in your offices is barely audible in the cavernous space.   So unless you have a small “theater” space to isolate your audience and sound,  passerby are not going to hear your audio well unless you play it at an annoyingly loud level.  And that’s not going to stop anyone, they’ll just avoid your booth altogether.

Lighting is generally terrible at trade shows, either too dark or too bright.   Will you build a roof or put any sort of fabric coating over your booth to control the lighting?   Not necessary but something that needs to be taken into consideration when designing your media for the show.   Lights reflect off screens and they can wash out dark elements in the media making them appear milky rather than sharp.

How big is your booth / space?  If you’re a “big player” in the space with a large booth expecting heavy foot traffic, your media message could get lost in the space.  40″ and 50″ displays look plenty large in offices but can look like a mobile tablet in a large venue booth.   Consider larger displays or multiple, strategically placed displays.  If it’s a smaller booth, we need to consider not only where will the display(s) be but also how will you support it?   Display screens are heavy.

Where is your booth?  Where you are on the show floor and what’s around you will impact your media presentation.  Being next to a “big player” is a great thing because you are guaranteed a lot of foot traffic in your area, but also a bad thing because you could be obscured by the big player.   Being in the back means we need to draw people through the room to your booth.  How your booth is set up and what it faces plays so much into how your media and message are developed.  You need to draw attention to yourself and the further “off the beaten path” you are, the harder it is to get people to notice you.

Oh and by the way, if your booth is along the wall, near the bathrooms, you’re in prime territory.   Bathrooms obviously attract a lot of people at a show, if you’re near them, you should always use that to your advantage.  Be sure you have some significant media or signage facing in that direction.

so what are we doing?

So given all that I’ve presented above, what exactly is the media designed to do?   The obvious answer is to help market your product or services.   The less than obvious answer is HOW do we achieve that?   You’re in a noisy space with less than ideal lighting conditions, competing with a thousand or so of your best friends for the attention of the attendees.

So again, “What EXACTLY is your media designed to do?”   Are we going to tell a full story or are we simply trying to stop people long enough so you can introduce yourself?    That’s pretty much your two choices.

Telling a full story is possible if you have the space or a dedicated theater / presentation space to do so.  Multi-screen displays can really be effective when they are used together to form a single storyline.   Usually you do this visually as it’s hard to hear much in a booth.     If you do have the theater space and we can create a dedicated story with full sound, keep it to 2 minutes maximum.   Go beyond that and folks start to get restless.  If you have a theater space you are generally going to have a live presenter as part of the presentation, so let the video set up whatever they are going to talk about.

If you have a small booth or table, well then we’re probably working with one screen.  If we’re dealing with one screen, will it be fully visible at all times or will it be set up in the back of the booth with personnel standing in front of it to sell your product / services?   If that’s the case, well we really can’t tell a full story on the screen because it will be continually blocked by people.   So don’t go for the story telling if the screen will be partially blocked most of the time.

More often than not, you’ll be using media to both draw people to the booth and give you enough time to say hello, shake hands and pull them in to hear your pitch.   This is THE most effective use of media in any trade show.  Just get people to the booth, let your sales team take it from there.  A good one-on-one interaction with your potential buyer is the still the best sales tool at any trade show.   So think about media as a tool to bring people into your booth.

It’s very important that whatever media you create represents your company and your brand.   Good media  presents your brand, your colors, and incorporates your message into the presentation.  “I just need a video” generally produces some haphazard ‘thing’ that might look cool but has absolutely nothing to do with your product, service or brand.  That just creates confusion.

“Oh so you sell this thing?”  “Um no, that’s just a super cool video we had produced, but we DO sell this other thing.”  “Oh, never mind.”   

What’s the point of that?  A super cool video that has nothing to do with your services or products is something the video production company can use on their reel but doesn’t really help you in your trade show.    We as a video production company need to listen to YOU and ensure that whatever we do, will draw your prospective buyer into your booth.

Very clean visuals, properly sized and fonted graphics, and best use of the space available will make for the most effective presentation.  Huge video screens and video walls offer a lot of real estate that should be filled with stunning videography, photography, animation and can utilize both large and very small fonted graphics.   Smaller screens should again have stunning imagery but the graphics fonting must be properly sized to ensure your audience can see the key words and message.

Two effective Examples

Small Tree Communications predominately sells Media Servers and High Speed Networking equipment.  Not the sexiest things in the world visually; a big metal box full of hard drives or a big metal box with a whole bunch of ethernet cables coming out of it.  However their products are used to create incredibly visually impactful projects by allowing media production companies to store and access massive amounts of data to create video, animation and film projects.

Location was the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas, one of the largest trade shows in the US in the largest convention center in the US.  Their booth was only 15 x 15, halfway back their particular hall, along the left side wall, in a sea of massive booths by the “big boys.”   A standard ceiling sign would be barely visible among the clutter of so many other hanging signs.    Small Tree was literally going to be lost on the show floor due to their small booth size and location.  Only people who were seeking out the company would be able to find the because they were off the beaten path with not much hope of “stumble upon traffic.”

Solution: Hang a flexible video screen, approx. 10 feet tall, above the booth in the shape of a cylinder.  Small Tree actually came up with the idea of the screen, then it was up to us to figure out what to put up there to draw people in.

We created a 40 second video to play in a loop showcasing scenes from projects created by production companies using Small Tree products AND keep their logo up on the cylinder the entire time.   Video elements included Blue Angel jets, running cheetahs, snowboarding and more.  Moving and exciting action shots.  All framed correctly for the tight horizontal aspect of the screen with the Logo used to cover the video seams.   The video also continuously moved left to right giving the illusion that the cylinder was spinning.    The video could literally be seen from just about everywhere in South Hall.  It stood out even amongst all the static and spinning signage suspended from the rafters and drove foot traffic to a very out of the way booth.

High Road Craft Ice Cream is a premium ice cream brand created by chefs for chefs and foodies.  Once people taste, the flavor sells itself.   Incredible product that has to stand out among hundreds of other options vying for both the public and wholesaler attention.  What sets the company apart is that they pretty much make every ingredient for their ice cream and many of the processes and cooking are still done by chefs, by hand.  They have a full commercial kitchen that feeds out into the main ice cream factory.

Location is multiple food and retail centric trade shows throughout the United States.  They don’t have a booth per-se, more like a serving stand that’s the width of their ice cream service cart and just deep enough for two people to stand and serve.  So maybe 6-8 feet by 4 or 5 feet is their entire footprint at any given trade show.  High Road wanted to remind buyers that they are truly the ice cream of chefs, for chefs and foodies.

Solution: We created a video presentation that emphasized the heart and soul of what goes into each batch of ice cream.  The people, the cooking process and many of the fresh ingredients used in the product.  Documentary style close ups and beauty shots of fresh ingredients being prepared and cooked; hand mixing ingredients into the ice cream base; the attention of the chefs to what their doing; and we added a live ice cream demonstration to show the fun behind the brand as well.    Because the space is such a small footprint, we made sure to keep the High Road logo dominant at all times so the screen serves as both an enticement to stop and taste the ice cream and as a sign with their brand name.

The entire video runs approx 8 minutes cut very loosely to music with three distinct scenes.  Fresh food preparation, fresh ice cream preparation, a low country boil party featuring ice cream.   Because the photography is so stunning we allowed the scenes to play out longer rather than just cut quickly to music that the audience may never hear in a trade show.  In order to appreciate the work that goes into a fresh product, we wanted to allow the audience time to see each shot and each scene clearly.   The video turned out to be doubly effective.   First it helped to entice people to stop and taste a flavor. Secondly people lingered watching the video and they tried additional flavors.

Two examples of effective use of media targeted towards specific uses and specific audiences.  Both designed to attract additional buyers to the booths, yet both done in completely different styles.   When planning media for your next trade show, give it some serious thought, team up with a creative team who actually listens to you and your needs and be sure to create more than just “I need a video.”  [hr]

BISCARDI CREATIVE MEDIA is a full service digital media production company near Atlanta, Georgia with services that include Video Production, Sound Production, Sound Mixing, Graphic Design, Animation, Post Production, Video Editing, Color Grading, Finishing, Digital Asset Transfer, Digitizing and Archiving. Quite simply we’re the people who make video and media production easy for you.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.  Office and production space is also available for short and long term projects.

The post Using Media Effectively at a Trade Show appeared first on WalterBiscardi.com.

A couple of months later, Heraeus asked BCM if they could shoot still photos for the global company magazine — a shot of the team for a page within the magazine, and a portrait for the cover.

BCM editor Kylee Wall, also a semi-pro photographer, stopped by the Buford Hereaus location to take the shots. Not every editor can say they’ve shot the cover of a magazine, but the talents of our team are diverse.

Heraeus’s Team Work magazine is definitely an example for corporations in the industry to follow. It’s distributed across multiple countries and features unique news about the company’s business and stories of the people who work there.

And if you need still photography, you can call on BCM for all your portrait and candid needs.[hr]

BISCARDI CREATIVE MEDIA is a full service digital media production company near Atlanta, Georgia with services that include Video Production, Sound Production, Sound Mixing, Graphic Design, Animation, Post Production, Video Editing, Color Grading, Finishing, Digital Asset Transfer, Digitizing and Archiving. Quite simply we’re the people who make video and media production easy for you.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.  Office and production space is also available for short and long term projects.

The post BCM Shoots International Magazine Cover! appeared first on WalterBiscardi.com.

Our Google Hangouts are on-air broadcasts that allow us to share with others knowledge, secrets and tips of film and video production.

This post features our hangout on Post-Production and Delivery, the 3rd and 4th phases in the Production Process.

BISCARDI CREATIVE PRE-PRODUCTION (PART 3 of 3) | In this series, Biscardi Creative Founder, Walter Biscardi, Jr. “demystifies” the video production process.

VIDEO SUMMARY

Below is a high-level summary of what is discussed in this week’s hangout. But definitely take time to view this 30-minute interview for detailed explanations.

Time codes are included below so that you can skip ahead to the topics that interest you the most.

• Interviewee: Walter Biscardi, Jr., Biscardi Creative, Founder & Creative Genius
• Interviewer: Nicole Wright, Biscardi Creative, Director of Sales & Marketing

What is Post Production? (1:00 – 2:35)
It’s the bringing of all the elements together into a final product. Even though it’s called post it may begin as early as the pre-planning phase (with the creation of graphics, animation etc.)

What is the cost of Post Production? (2:45 – 4:30)
Post production can be 2, 3, 4, 10, 20 or 30x the cost of production. Watch podcast to find out why!

The main components of Production 

Editorial (4:30 – 6:00)
An editor is the person that takes all the raw elements and threads it into a story.
This section of the podcast includes screenshots and examples of what a one-hour show can look like when being created by an editor.

Sound Design (6:15 – 11:00)
Sound can be done by an editor or by a sound engineer. It may include the cleaning up and smoothing out of sound levels, adding sound effects and placing elements for surround sound. It’s a very important storytelling tool.

There is an amazing example of how sound design can affect the feel of a project – You HAVE to check this out! Go to 11:20 in the podcast.

Graphics (14:20 – 17:25)
Simple lower thirds (on screen identifiers), motion graphics, animations with thousands of layers of materials can all fall under this category.

Original Music (17:25 – 23:00)
In this section we discuss the different types of uses for original music and what other options to original music are available. We also talk about why you can’t just use the $0.99 iTunes song you downloaded.

Color Grading (23:15 – 27:00)
Again some great visual examples are used in this part of the interview. It shows how mood and emotion can be driven visually through color grading techniques…even during a simple interview.

Delivery (27:00 – End)
How your file is actually delivered. Meeting network and broadcast standards and more.

Examples of previous and upcoming topics:

• The Production Process (3 part series)
• Integrated Marketing Strategies
• Knowledge is Power: Educational Training Videos
• Out of the Box Video Marketing: Series and Webisodes
• Wedded Bliss: Marrying Social Media with Visual Media
• Painting a Clearer Picture about the Importance of Color Correction
• Production Budgeting
• Location, Location, Location
• Script-writing
• Staying Legal
• Latest Technology Series: Aerial Videography
• Latest Technology Series: What is 4K?

Connect with us on Google+, sign-up for our monthly Newsletter, or subscribe to our YouTube channel to get instant access to these informational pieces.

Lastly click here to learn more about Biscardi Creative Hangouts and how you can participate in our Live Shows![hr]

BISCARDI CREATIVE MEDIA is a full service digital media production company near Atlanta, Georgia with services that include Video Production, Sound Production, Sound Mixing, Graphic Design, Animation, Post Production, Video Editing, Color Grading, Finishing, Digital Asset Transfer, Digitizing and Archiving. Quite simply we’re the people who make video and media production easy for you.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.  Office and production space is also available for short and long term projects.

The post The Video Production Process: Post-Production {Part 3} appeared first on WalterBiscardi.com.

One of the questions we’ve regularly been asked by corporate clients is whether or not their videos will be welcome on some of these personal/social type platforms. We’ve always said YES, if you can make your story engaging. And now there’s some recent evidence to support our claim! According to a recent article by Unruly “forty percent of the 1,000 most shared Instagram videos last month came from brands.” That means if you create an engaging video – your audience will do the heavy lifting for you and market you by sharing your video with their network.

With stats such as the above continually being released and some of the SEO benefits of video (i.e. Google preference for YouTube participation), every business regardless of size needs determine not if, but how it’s going to incorporate video production and video marketing into its overall marketing initiatives.

Don’t be afraid to step into the digital playground. Your audience and future clients are out there and ready for you.

Questions or Inquiries? Contact Biscardi Creative Media |  770.271.3427

BISCARDI CREATIVE MEDIA is a full service digital media production company near Atlanta, Georgia with services that include Video Production, Sound Production, Sound Mixing, Graphic Design, Animation, Post Production, Video Editing, Color Grading, Finishing, Digital Asset Transfer, Digitizing and Archiving. Quite simply we’re the people who make video and media production easy for you.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.  Office and production space is also available for short and long term projects.  www.biscardicreative.com

The post Video Marketing for Business: Welcome to the Playground appeared first on WalterBiscardi.com.

“Combining story-based content in a problem/solution context increased conversion rates by 46 percent for a B2B marketer of enterprise software.

Including customer videos and testimonials within story-based content increased conversion rates by 53 percent for a B2B marketer.”

First let me say that I loved those numbers! As a marketer who wouldn’t? Secondly, I loved seeing further validation for something that we regularly educate people on when we host video marketing seminars and discuss effective corporate video strategies.

A business stays in business because it provides a solution to a problem. As a result, one of the most effective ways to connect with a potential client is to show that you understand their problem – sometimes referred to in the sales world as “pain”. You then show them how you can solve their problem and reduce or eliminate their pain.

In today’s world the proliferation of information means that we have come to expect and even prefer 3rd party/unbiased feedback. For example, when going to a restaurant, I like to review the ratings and comments on Yelp. I also regularly read reviews for hotels on sites such as Tripadvisor. To be able to provide that to your audience today is essential. It is definitely why you may notice an increase in testimonial videos i.e. having your customers give examples of how you’ve helped them in the past.

To pair problem and solution storytelling with testimonials, is truly powerful messaging.

What I love about video production and video marketing is that it is a medium that can incorporate so much more than words. A corporate video can include still photography, graphics and text, animation, music, and video. The varied stimulation provided by these elements when implemented correctly can invoke strong emotions in your audience that lead to brand awareness and whatever your call to action may be. Over the years, we’ve helped many of our clients incorporate the above techniques through video production and our video marketing services. Whether the medium is a commercial, online video etc crafting a compelling story is essential. The next time you get ready to take on a video based project be sure to see how you can incorporate storytelling and testimonials. Our clients have seen success and we know you can too.

About the Author

Nicole Wright is the Director of Corporate Development & Marketing for Biscardi Creative Media. Nicole oversees new business development, client retention and growth. When working with clients she helps them to conceptualize and implement a marketing strategy that effectively and efficiently incorporates video production for today’s visual-based society. She is also responsible for the marketing of Biscardi Creative Media as a world-class video production and post production studio that employs some of the best and most talented storytellers in the industry!

Source List

Columbus, Louis, “10 Strategies for Improving Content Marketing Analytics.” GigaOM, http://pro.gigaom.com/report/10-strategies-for-improving-content-marketing-with-analytics/, (September 5, 2013)

BISCARDI CREATIVE MEDIA is a full service digital media production company near Atlanta, Georgia with services that include Video Production, Sound Production, Sound Mixing, Graphic Design, Animation, Post Production, Video Editing, Color Grading, Finishing, Digital Asset Transfer, Digitizing and Archiving. Quite simply we’re the people who make video and media production easy for you.   No technobabble.  Just clear, concise and creative content delivered where and how you need it, on time and on budget.  Office and production space is also available for short and long term projects.  www.biscardicreative.com

The post Video Production: Using Problem and Solution Marketing appeared first on WalterBiscardi.com.