Video production Archives - Page 3 of 6

Steve Stockman In Video Marketing, For Pros, Your Questions Answered

Should You Be a Film Major?

I am an aspiring film director from the UK. I have always been passionate about storytelling, and was part of countless productions in school. Although I decided that performance wasn’t for me, two years ago I began to develop an interest in filmmaking. There is no better feeling than when you come away from a film with an emotion, feeling or thought playing on your mind. I read your book over summer and it has given me so many new perspectives on filmmaking and creativity as a whole.

Next year I go to University and I am currently deciding on

… Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Teaching and Training, For Pros, Your Questions Answered

Video Boot Camp Lesson Guide– Free Download!

It’s the start of the school year. Coming up: a year of student video projects. And hours of misery for viewers. If only there was a way to make student video better. Hmmmmm….

Wait– I’ve got it! How about this free 5 hour lesson plan to help your students do better video? Teachers and trainers have been downloading it in droves, and why not? It’s free! Nothing to buy, no email address to leave.

If you’re a teacher or trainer, or know one, check it out. And if you HAVE used the Video Boot Camp lesson guide in your classroom … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Tips and Tricks, Video Marketing, For Pros

Just Don’t: 6 Ways NOT to Shoot Video Interviews

I’ve written a lot about how to shoot video interviews (here, here and here, for example) but not a lot about how NOT to shoot video interviews. Here are some advanced “don’t do this” tips for you to go out and not do immediately:

1. Don’t tell them what to say. In commercial focus groups a few years back, we showed two different sets of “testimonial” type spots. One set featured absolutely real people, who said real things about the product. The other featured people saying more positive things about the product, but they were actors, and … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Tips and Tricks, If you’re new to video, Better Home Video, Your Questions Answered

Story as a Magical Organizing Force

I have a brain that likes things logical, nicely ordered and in line. You follow the rules, you get the result. I can’t get my head around the order of shots, stories and putting it all together.

Once a week we go to the grandparents house for dinner. We have a niece and nephew, 4 and 1 respectively, who come over as well. It is a good time had by all and I want to capture the moments as they learn and grow. I just can’t figure out what the story is. I get that I should take short shots

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Steve Stockman In Tips and Tricks, Teaching and Training, Your Questions Answered

Can a Teaching Video tell a Story?

How can I better use storytelling techniques for teaching science? Does numerical data contribute to the story, or is having a data table in a video a sure recipe for having viewers click away?

By the way: your book is awesome. In the video I’m working on now, I keep counting to make sure I’m not violating the 10 second shot rule!

–Glenn Wolkenfeld

Nice job, Glenn. This is a fast-moving, clear, well-produced teaching video covering a bunch of cool stuff about surface area. For those of you to whom it did not occur that there was a bunch … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Video Marketing, Teaching and Training, Feature Film, Television, For Pros, Your Questions Answered

Get Serious to Attract Actors

I have an idea for a short film. I have a camera, I have a story, and I have a job, so filming and money aren’t a problem. My problem is that I have no idea where to find a cast that can make the film what I want it to be.

Any advice on where to find actual actors/actresses who will take my project seriously and listen to what I tell them?

–Jack

The way to get actors to take your project seriously is to present them with a serious project. That may seem simplistic, but it really isn’t.… Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Tips and Tricks, If you’re new to video, Better Home Video

Checklist: 20 Questions to Make Your Video Great

Since everyone alive today has been watching film and video from birth, we all have some idea of what bad film and video look like. It’s that stuff you click out of instantly on your browser or your remote, often within 15 seconds of starting it.

“I know bad video when I see it” works great when you’re the consumer, but not so well when you’re the creator. Creators not only need to know bad video when they see it, they need to know bad video before they see it. Ideally even before they start shooting it.

How do you … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Video Marketing, For Pros, Press

Respect the Process Podcast

I just discovered commercial director Jordan Brady’s podcast, Respect the Process. I discovered it when he invited me to be on it, but it turns out I’m late to the party– he has a ton of subscribers and some really great guests.

The podcast is now up. Jordan’s beat is creativity and (surprise!) process in film, video and entertainment, which I’m always happy to talk about and learn more about. We covered a lot of information– about shooting video, how to get started in unscripted television, and how he once shot a spot in my garage.

You can see … Read the rest