video tips Archives - Page 2 of 4

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

Two Videos, Same Business. But Only One Intrigues

It’s not often we get a chance to compare two videos purporting to do the same thing for the same business, but thanks to my friend Andy Goodman, we can. Andy publishes a great bloggy-kind-of-newsletter for non-profits, and has kindly given me permission to steal some of this month’s cover story.

Lifelines for Youth is a non-profit that helps formerly-incarcerated youth. Naturally they are interested, as are all non-profits, in raising money. They commissioned a video to help. When it didn’t help enough, they commissioned another one.

Take a look at the videos below– you only need about … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In If you’re new to video, Teaching and Training, Press

Audio Book Out Now– Get Your Copy Free!

Were you lucky enough to get a new video camera or smartphone for Christmas? Are you itching to get out there and give them a go?

Luckily for you, How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck is now an audio book. Load it onto your smartphone and you can listen while you shoot video. How cool is that? Distracting, yes, but also cool.

It turns out the most interesting part of narrating your own audio book is that one forgets what one has written, and then is pleasantly surprised when it turns out there’s some good advice in there. … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Feature Film, Television, For Pros

Five Tips to Deal with Reviews and Reviewers

Part II of II. Read Part I here.

Every artist faces critics. And every artist faces choices about how to deal with them. Some claim to never read their reviews (Show of hands if you believe them. Nobody?) Others wallow in the bad reviews, ignoring the good. (Show of hands again– Everybody!)

Assuming that you (a) can’t stop yourself from reading your reviews and (b) don’t want to wallow, you might use these five tips to process reviews or other critique:

1) Pay attention– or not. You have the right to ignore critics. Even if you can’t stop reading … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In If you’re new to video, Video Marketing, Your Questions Answered

How to Deal with Disappointing Reviews, Part 1

I’ve been a really crap video interviewer over recent months– shooting live at events, editing and uploading to YouTube same day– with no previous experience (‘always bite off more than you can chew’ is my motto.) But here’s the question:

How do you deal with the disappointment when you get poor reviews?

–John from the UK

I was all ready to go with a long post about disappointing reviews and reviewers, and how artists are free to ignore criticism, and why should we have to put up with bad reviews when it’s hard enough to create, and…

…and then I … Read the rest

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

How to Shoot Graduation Video that Doesn’t Suck, Part 2

Graduations: An opportunity to be with family and create memories, Graduation video: An opportunity to, if you’re not careful, shoot some of the most boring footage ever. Read on for more tips on how NOT to shoot graduation video that sucks (Did you miss part 1? It’s here):

4) Think in Shots: Short shots involve viewers more than long, rambling video. Don’t run the camera continuously. Just because you can shoot for 2 hours on your camera doesn’t mean you should.

5) Find Your Hero: Every shot in a video should have a hero—the person or thing … Read the rest

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

How to Shoot Graduation Video that Doesn’t Suck, Part 1

The big day is almost here. Your little boy/girl is about to take that first big step into the real world and graduate from Grad School/College/High School/Middle School/6^th Grade/Kindergarten/Preschool.

Graduation, the event that used to happen only once or twice in a lifetime now seems to happen every time you turn around. It’s become a much-celebrated family Event. That’s “event” with a capital “E”, which means you have to be there, and you have to have your video camera.

Here’s how to make Graduation videos that work:

1) Plan a little “when” and “where”: Pre-school graduation is kind … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Video Marketing, Teaching and Training, For Pros

Intrigue In Action

Following up on last week’s post, my friend (and storytelling/marketing expert) Andy Goodman sent me this spot and the message “Get a tissue before you watch.” It’s powerful, emotional and beautifully done.

It’s also a brilliant model for creating intrigue. The film pulls viewers in by getting us to play two different guessing games as we watch.

The first game is “What am I seeing?” We’re shown a face that intrigues us, but we don’t know who it is. We wonder, trying to make sense of each headline as the video gives us more clues– and then, finally … Read the rest

Steve Stockman In Tips and Tricks, Your Questions Answered

Too Shy to Shoot Video?

In about a week and a half I have to go to my sister-in-law’s baby shower. I’m planning on shooting some video. I’m somewhat nervous about it since I want to do some fun shots but I don’t want to overshadow the event.

I read in your book that most people are used to phones and point and shoot cameras being around. But I still feel that getting some of the good shots might feel intrusive. Help!

–Billy