Author Archives: SVG Producer

Being The Third Eye on Set

How Many Cameras Are Too Many Cameras?

When it comes to filming events, interviews, and even short films, there is never too many angles that you can cover during a video production shoot. Last week, Skillman Video Group had a live event to shoot over at MIT Sloan. The program is for most prestigious and intelligent scholars that do research in hopes of changing the world with their discoveries and teaching at universities. The camera crew used three cameras during the shoot: two Sony 4k cameras, and a small mirror-less 4k camera. We used three cameras so that it can help the editor during the editing process. The two Sony cameras were used to get different angles of the presenters a wide shot, and a mid shot, while the small mirror-less camera was used to film the slides during the presentations.

Live Event Production

The great thing about having more than one camera during any shoot is variety. With one camera, you can always shoot what you need to film, but with two, you are able to get different angles. That is
because shooting in 4k allows you to zoom into a subject and still get that crisp clean look when editing the shots. But even if you are shooting in 4k, it’s still important to have another angle. Video Producers always need a way to keep the viewer engaged and interested. By having three cameras, the number of variety shots that can be done is limitless.  If a director already has planned shots ahead of time, with a third camera, it can always be used as a back up if one of the cameras runs into an issue. In most cases, having a third camera can help film extra b-roll and any shoot angles that you wouldn’t on the other two cameras to help progress the story of what is being filmed.

Boston Video Production Services

Overall, it by having a third camera to film, you aren’t losing any quality, only gaining more. By adding more shots that add verity, having extra audio if the other two main cameras run into problems, and just being to have back up.

Skillman Videography Group LLC specializes in video production Boston. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

Tips For Interviews

How To Film an Interview

Last week Crown Visual reached out to Skillman Video Group to produce a corporate video. Christina Skillman Interviewed the owners of the company asking them all kinds of questions from the history of the company to the cleaning process.  So, What are the necessary steps you need to take when conducting an interview?

Top Interview Tips

Interview Location: 

When filming an interview, one of the most important factors of  is it the location. Depending on the location, it can make a video interesting, it can help set a mood, and even help tell the story. By shooting b-roll of the location, it can also help the viewer get a better understanding of a company and how it runs. Even if a location isn’t great, it’s always good to prep the room to make it more interesting for the viewer.

Camera Setup for Interviews

One of the most important things you need to have when shooting an interview is two angles on a subject. Although we only filmed with one camera for the Crown video shoot, it’s helpful to have two cameras because it allows different angles and shots. It can not only make a video more interesting but it can help establish the story.

Lighting and Audio Tips

To get the right shot, one thing you need to think about is the lighting. For a film, it’s important to know what 3 point light system is. The 3 point light system is a standard light set up often used for interviews. It is a system that allows light to focus in on the subject. It can make a difference in your video for it puts your subject in better focus. For audio, you can have something look great, but if you don’t have great audio, you won’t have a great video. Audio and visuals go hand in hand. You need to be able to hear the subject clearly and make sure that the audio levels are just right. You don’t want to film something and then have the audio levels way too high or too low. There needs to be a balance. Audio can make or break a video, without crisp sound than you are already losing the quality of your video.

Next time you have an interview to film, think about these steps to have a great outcome on your video!

Skillman Video Group LLC specializes in Boston video production. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-014

Editing a Brand Video for SVG

How To Edit Videos

The most important aspect of post production is effectively and accurately communicating the narrative. This can be done through the shot progression, and the composition of voice over and any other dialogue. When editing a corporate video, it is imperative to keep in mind that the representation of the company is the first priority, and portraying them in a professional light needs to be depicted through the editing process. While gathering enough footage and dialogue is necessary, the way that it is subsequently organized is ultimately what makes the finished product an overall success.

Top Video Editing tips

For my particular corporate shoot, I had enough B-Roll and voiceover footage to make a video that depicted SVG’s brand in a personal light. I edited on Premiere Pro CC, making sure to back up any drafts of the project in more than one location (i.e. my hard drive and on another computer). There is one track for the visual component, and three tracks of sound, one for the music, one for the voice-over, and one for the room tone – which establishes a consistent background of sound to the dialogue. With the interview I had done, I was able to get plenty of information about SVG’s origin story, the next step was to edit the words into a coherent description. For this, the greatest challenge was knowing when to change the subject, and making the words flow naturally. Ultimately, I kept in mind that telling the story superseded any other feature, allowing me to effectively reach my goal.

Video Editing Techniques

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After the initial sequence was composed, there were a number of final measures I needed to take in order to finish. In post, the details are what make or break the video, which makes paying attention to them essential. This included raising the dialogue’s volume, making sure the music was at an appropriate volume, color correcting the shots that may have been overexposed or dimly lit on the day of shooting, and adding SVG’s logo to the end. Video production, regardless of the content’s length or subject, is difficult. However, when the finished product meets the expectations, the process (and every obstacle met along the way) is worth it.

Skillman Videography Group LLC specializes in Boston video marketing. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

Our Most Recent Corporate Video Shoot

Top Corporate Video Production Shoot

Last Friday, SVG was on set to film a corporate video in collaboration with Wells Fargo. SVG was hired to shoot a series of videos for the company’s “Customer Business Stories,” which is meant to advertise the small businesses that Wells Fargo represents. For this particular video, the set was at a Boxborough veterinary clinic, where we interviewed the founder and owner, as well as shot extensive amounts of B-roll to layer over the footage. In order to produce a successful video, SVG brought in the help of a professional Boston video crew.

Professional Video Equipment

There were two Sony FS7 cameras set up, one for a wider shot, and one for a closer shot of the talent. They were the two primary cameras used on set. Then, in order to shoot the B-Roll, the professional videographers on set used shoulder rigs and mobile tripods to get shots of the animals at the clinic, the facilities, external shots of the building, and the doctor performing various actions, such as lecturing, performing checkups, and brushing the pet’s teeth. One of the plans for B-Roll footage was to attach a GoPro to one of the dogs in order to get a POV shot.

The Audio Equipment

For the audio setup during the interview, a shotgun microphone was placed above the talent just outside of the shot, which made sure that her voice was picked up clearly and in a reasonable decibel range. For extra coverage and clarity, a lavaliere microphone was attached to her clothing. An audio booth was set up towards the back of the room so that the crew member, with the use of headphones, was able to gauge the varying levels and clearness of the talent’s voice. Moreover, the audio had to be directed three ways, which is called a video village. The audio had to be sent to the two FS7 cameras, and then to the actual audio recording device.

Lighting for Production Shoots

For this particular interview, there was an extensive lighting setup. Several LED lights –Lite Softboxes — were used to counteract the backlight, which was coming in through the window behind the talent. The key and fill lights were strategically placed so that the interviewee was evenly lit, which gave the video a professional look. Since LED lights are quite harsh, it was important to diffuse some of the light and reflect it elsewhere. For the B-Roll, there was a battery powered mobile LED box, which was used as needed when moving around the hospital.

In order to produce a successful video, every element of the production process has to be harmonious and planned with great detail. While the set had not been seen until the actual day of shooting, and while there was some troubleshooting with regard to positioning certain lights, there was still a cohesive plan that coordinated with the schedule. Every member of the crew was aware of their respective on-set roles, which made for an incredibly adept day of filming.

Skillman Videography Group LLC specializes in Boston video marketing. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

My Brand Video Shoot at SVG

As a Film and Television major at Boston University, most of my assignments include video planning, production, and editing. However, producing a video for SVG is different because I must always keep in mind that I am speaking on behalf of SVG’s brand, and not my own vision. When I saw the work that previous interns had done, I was struck by how they were able to combine wit, humor, and professionalism. In the weeks leading up to shooting, I was struggling to figure out how I could also incorporate these elements, until I decided to take a more personal route.

The discovery process for this project consisted of a Q&A discussion about SVG’s history and brand identity. While I have been on a few shoots, and have witnessed the discovery process firsthand, doing it myself asserts its importance, and how much efficiently a project can be completed when there is a pre-existing communication between the subject and the producer. The answers from the interview are going to be a voiceover over various shots of the city, in order to emphasize SVG as a company centralized in Boston. On the actual day of shooting, which was last Friday, I gathered about half of the B-Roll that I plan to accumulate, so that it can be playing simultaneously with the voiceover. While the voiceover provides the information, the B-Roll presents nice visuals which make SVG’s message real and tangible. This brand video is a good example of how video is used to tell a story, and how it can convey a message that attracts a wider audience, one that people are able to relate to.

By optimizing the video, I can finally grasp the importance of SEO and social media marketing.  Disseminating the video through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, it has a high chance of reaching our primary audiences, as well as potential clients who are drawn to SVG’s history and overarching message – which is explicitly stated in the video.

 

Skillman Video Group LLC is a Boston video production company. Call us anytime at 800-784-0140.

What Should Be In Every Videographer’s Bag?

Video Production Equipment List

For every professional videographer, there are a few tools that are instrumental to the production of a successful video. Aside from the camera, which is the most important part, there are supplies that stabilize the equipment, adjust the lighting, and make the set a maneuverable, overall safer place for the crew. Regardless if it is a corporate video shoot or a music video, here are the pieces every videographer needs to have in their bag:

Tripod

In addition to making a shot look stabilized and professional, a tripod also makes the camera’s movements smooth and precise. Keep in mind that there are tripods for photography and shooting video. A video tripod has fluid pan and tilt head features that allow the camera to move in various directions, while a photography tripod is stationary.

External Microphones

Most video cameras have internal microphones that picks up sound from all directions, but the best quality will only come from what is placed directly in front of it. The best way to record clear audio is to have it close enough to the subject, which is to record is separately from the camera. There are several options which are specific to the type of audio that is needed. The most common and useful are shotgun microphones and lavaliere microphones – which can be clipped onto the talent to get the cleanest sound possible.

Headphones

For videographers, the best headphones are able to block out external noise. While the talent is being recorded, it is necessary to listen to what is being said in order to determine which take was the most successful.

Lighting Reflectors & Diffusers

LED lights, which are most used on set, are extremely bright, which makes the talent look overexposed and washed out. Bounce cards and sheer cloths can be used to diffuse them, and can even de-intensify any natural light from the sun that might be too harsh. Professional reflectors are flexible, circular, and and have silver or gold sides. They are the most common forms of light reflection, and can be placed on the opposite side of the incoming light to shine it onto the talent.

Gaffer’s Tape

From taping down cables for maintaining the crew’s safety, to hanging a diffusion gel, gaffer’s tape has a variety of uses. The bigger the roll, the longer it lasts. This type of tape is specially formulated to easily unstick if necessary.

Audio

Batteries & Chargers

Most cameras require batteries in order to function. Having more than one battery, as well as their chargers, is a way to ensure that the camera can record for a long period of time.

Power Strips & Extension Cables

Sometimes, depending on where the shoot is taking place, there are not enough power outlets to account for the camera and lighting tools. Power strips contain several outlets which can power up to 4 or 5 pieces of equipment. Extension cables are also necessary in order to power lights from a great distance.

Skillman Video Group LLC specializes in video production Boston. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

Our Recent MIT Shoot

Live Video Shoot

On Friday, July 20, SVG spent the day at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where several students were able to discuss the acclaimed TIES program, or Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management. TIES allows students to explore commercialization and technology-based innovation, as well as the establishment of technology-based businesses (MIT). While some of the interviewees gave insight into their own dissertation processes, others expounded upon how the program paves the way for a successful career.

Video Shooting Tips

SVG Shoot

MIT Shoot Jul. 20, 2017

The shoot took place in the Sloane School of Management, which had an excellent view of Boston and the Charles River, as well as plenty of natural light. Pre-production consisted of holding phone calls with everyone who was interviewed in order for their deliveries to sound and look natural, as well as to overall improve the video. Call time was at 8, and the production crew had to work quickly in order to light the space and set up the shots. The typical lighting strategy is to light the talent from three separate sources, also known as key, back, and fill. For this shoot, the natural light came from the windows, taped over with a gel in order to diffuse the harsh sunlight. Additionally, a trio of LED lights with various diffusions were used to supplement the key and fill. For most corporate video shoots, LED lights are the most cost effective and manageable choice, especially when factoring in color temperature and light control.

Live Sound Mixing

Sound recording is one of the most important aspects when it comes to shooting. A shotgun microphone was positioned in front of the talent in order to clearly pick up their voice. Also, a lavaliere microphone was attached to their clothing – therefore providing additional sound coverage, and also allowing the crew to record room tone, or ambience.

Top Video Production Company in New England

The shoot operated on a tight knit schedule, with each interviewee being given approximately thirty minutes to speak. The ease and comfort with which they spoke highlights the importance of the pre-production process, and how necessary it is to establish a direct line of communication. With the help of a professional videographer, a production assistant, and the director & producer being present on set, the shoot was a definite success.

Skillman Video Group LLC specializes in video production Boston. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

My Pre-Production Process

What is Pre-Production?

For any video, the pre-production process is inherently unique to every individual. As an intern at SVG for the summer, I have been given the opportunity to make a video that depicts SVG’s message in an original fashion. As a Film and Television student at Boston University, I could not be more excited, because this is the first time I will be producing content for a company, rather than for a class or personal project.

Pre-Production Planning

For this particular endeavor, I want to make sure that my style as a content creator is apparent, and the first step is establishing the message that I want to communicate, and then figuring out the most creative or captivating way to achieve that goal. After developing a few ideas, I decided to shift towards a personalized direction, in which SVG’s story is told from an intimate perspective. I believe that every business has a story, and touching upon the moving and engaging aspects that they are built upon brings to light the values, traditions, and hopes that are not always visible to a general audience. The video’s format will be interview-like, and some of the talking points are as follows:

  • SVG is a Boston Video Production Company, why was this business started? Why Boston?
  • What makes video the most important medium of communication? Why is it so impactful?
  • What are the biggest obstacles SVG has faced? How have they contributed to our success?
  • What story do we want to tell as we help others tell their own? What is the most important aspect of running a business?

Why is Pre-Production Important?

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Once the idea is developed, the next step is organizing shoot dates, gathering equipment, and recruiting people to help on set. Even though this is a corporate video, the equipment will be relatively simple – a DSLR camera and audio equipment that I will use to record voiceover and any other sound effects I might need. The shoot should take a full day, and will take place in mid to late July, in time for the editing process to be finished by early August. In addition to having a developed idea, maintaining organization both on and off set is essential. For anyone producing a video, an extra measure to take is making a call sheet to give to the talent and crew, which accounts for starting and wrap times, weather, location, and any other important details.

Skillman Video Group LLC specializes in video production Boston. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

The Importance of Backing Up Footage

For any professional video crew, backing up footage, or, saving it in more than one place, is an important step in the production process. In doing so, it ensures that in the event of an emergency the footage that is irreplaceable can be salvaged by saving it someplace else. There are several things that can go wrong with a computer, including:

  • Hard drive failure
  • Theft
  • Physical damage to the computer
  • Infection from a virus
  • Computer crash

A normal backup is creating a duplicate copy of all the footage, which is especially useful if the original becomes damaged, corrupted, or lost. There are several examples of backup devices, but since video occupies so much data, the best option is to invest in a more extensive option. The price depends on how much space is needed, but even the most expansive options are relatively inexpensive. The three best examples are as follows:

Canon EOS 650D

Canon EOS 650D

  • An SD Card is the first form of protection. When footage is recorded, it automatically saves to the SD Card. For the entirety of the post-production process, it is wise to keep the footage on the SD Card in case something goes wrong. As a last resort, the original footage can be found on the card, and the editors can start from scratch.
  • Flash-Drives often hold megabytes of data, a good choice for sound footage, music, and footage for smaller projects. A flash-drive can be distinguished for each project, or each component of a video, therefore allowing for easy organization. A flash-drive’s contents can also be accessed through most computers, truly a portable and lightweight necessity.
  • For video production, an External Hard-Drive is the most thoughtful option. It has the capacity to hold terabytes of data, a very important feature, due to the aforementioned fact that video takes up a lot of space. An external hard-drive can hold footage for several projects, which is beneficial because they can be accessed in one place, but risky because if the hard-drive is lost, so is all of the data. For this reason, many video makers invest in several hard-drives.

Another option is online backup, a service that is offered through services such as Google Drive, iCloud, Raid, and BullGuard Internet Security. The benefit of utilizing the internet to save data is that it is accessible from any device, and it provides the option of backing up fully or in increments. Saving fully should be done prior to any modification to the footage, as well as after a full day of editing to make sure the latest changes have been saved. Saving incrementally should be done hourly during the editing process. A computer crash can occur at any time, and it pays off to be prepared.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when keeping footage safe is to be organized. Keeping track of data is just as important as backing it up. The more devices that are utilized, the more that maintenance is required, especially for an important project.

Skillman Video Group LLC specializes in video production Boston. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

Jobs of a Crew Member in Corporate Video Production

One of the most important components of a video production crew is teamwork. In order to achieve a productive workflow on set, and in order to lessen the possibility of a stressful environment, it is important for every member of the production crew to know, understand, and execute their role to the best of their abilities. This is especially important when working with a deadline, or for a client who is expecting their brand to be portrayed in a professional light.boston production company

Regardless of the scale of the production, there are a few key members that are part of every video crew. They include:

The Director is in charge of the video’s creative aspects, and has input on its plot, tone, and the actors’ performances. The director also has a say in the video’s lighting, camera composition, and possible soundtrack, as well as location and maintaining an organized set environment. The director has a direct relationship with the producer, and oftentimes the responsibilities of each overlap, which is why open communication is so important.

The Director of Photography manages the camera crew, lighting equipment, and grips. The director relies heavily on the DP in order to execute the perfect shot, especially because the DP controls and chooses the camera, lenses, filters, shot composition, and light design. All this is done in order to ensure the director’s vision is carried out, and to produce a successful, professional video for the client’s brand.

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The Sound Engineer records sound on set and mixes the audio footage accordingly in post production. They are responsible for developing a clear, audible video that allows viewers to hear every word. Sound is one of the most important features of a video, as an audience must be able to hear what is taking place in order to understand the overall message.

The Gaffer controls the lighting. It is important for a corporate video crew to have an AC in order to ensure a clear image and a visually successful video. The room’s temperature must be taken into account in order to film in the correct setting, and the aperture, white balance, and level of exposure must also be modified according to the set’s appearance.

The Hair and Makeup Team is responsible for making the video’s subject look appropriate and put together, which establishes professionalism and a businesslike tone. In order for a video to resonate with an audience, the talent must look proficient.

The Production Assistant assists other crew members on set with any additional duties. Usually, they are there to learn about the dynamic of a set and crew relations, and are responsible for making the shoot run smoothly by accommodating any requests that may come about.

The Teleprompter

Every video shoot is different, and depending on its scale, several members may be assigned the same role. A professional crew can be as little as 1 or 2 members, or as big as more than 10. Nevertheless, it is important for every person to know what their job entails in order to produce an outstanding video.

Skillman Video Group LLC specializes in video production Boston. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.