Category Archives: Boston video production services

Shooting a Live Event

Live Event Video ShootSkillman Video Group did a shoot on Wednesday, August 15th, for a medical malpractice insurance company called Coverys. Coverys is a consistent client of Skillman Video Group, and continues to be a client through the years. We filmed a talk for them during a live conference. And now, I am here to tell you all about what happened during the shoot, and what I learned from it.

Video Production Lighting

Lighting during live event shooting for Boston video production can be tricky. During the shoot for Coverys, the lighting was not very good. The lights on the ceiling for the room were not very powerful, but the light coming in from the half-covered windows was ridiculously bright. This resulted in some very interesting shadows on the speaker’s face whenever she would walk to the left side of the stage. However, we were able to adjust the camera settings so that the actual footage was not that bad. So if you plan on shooting a live event, be aware of the lighting in the room. It could make or break your video.

Audio for A Live Event

When filming a live event, sound is kind of a problem. You can’t use your own sound feed from your camera, because it would be picking up the entire room sound and everyone watching the speaker, as well as the actual speaker. Basically, the sound would be messy and awful. For video production Boston, it’s important to make sure the venue of the event can provide the sound feed for you. That way you can hook up the microphone on the speaker to your camera, which is what we did, and the sound will be a lot better.

Location of the Camera

Funnily enough, the location of the actual camera during a shoot for a live event is more complicated than one might think. Because guess what. The shoot comes second to the live event that is going on. Which means that you can’t just put your camera in front of the stage and block everyone’s view, even if it means you’ll get a better shot. And you can’t film from the audience, because the angle that the speaker would be being filmed at in video production companies Boston would be absolutely awful. So we put our camera on a riser platform at the very back of the stage. That way nobody is being blocked by the camera, and the camera can get a lovely eye-level shot of the speaker. I recommend that if you are filming a live event, you make sure your camera is on a riser platform as well.

I learned a lot from participating in a live event shoot, and I hope you learned something as well!

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

How to Treat Lighting

Boston video production servicesOn Set with a Production Company

When working on set for a video production company, there will be a lot of different lighting equipment that you will work with. It is important to listen carefully to your Boston Videographer when they tell you how to set something up. Handling equipment is an important roll for anyone working on set. Lighting is a big part of a shoot set up or take down. Making sure to put care into the set up of a lighting system is the best way to ensure everything will run smoothly.

Lighting Set-Up

Boston Video Production works hard to prepare sets that are high quality for videos. There are many ways to set up the lighting system when it comes to your different video shoots. One of the most used lighting set up for our corporate video ideas is the three-point lighting system. This system requires three lights, and you want to make sure you are careful with each one with placement and setup. Three point lighting is a triangle set up that places the subject in the middle to help illuminate them for your Boston Videographer.

3-Point LightingHow to Avoid Shadows in Interviews

Working to create a shadowless shot is all about placement and angling toward your subject. You may also be using a corporate video idea that includes shadows or silhouettes, which can be created from where you place the lights. Make sure to use the natural light as you can, but also angle the lights you use to detract from any harsh lighting. Set up is a crucial part of the shoot date. The video production services all revolve around the quality of the shoot, and with the right lights and set up you can get great footage. 

What is a Gaffer?

Some of the shoots that you go on when working in Boston Video Production will have a gaffer. The gaffer works only with lighting. Helping to set up and create beautiful shots is the main goal for this person on set. Your Boston Videographer and Gaffer will work together to place the lights around to create the best view. Sometimes you may wear gloves to keep the equipment clean, and not disrupt the area where the set is being built. 

Set up and take down is one of the most important parts of the video production services and a way to secure a successful shoot. No matter what your corporate video ideas will lead your company to create, lighting will be a necessary source of success. Working in Boston Video Production company will allow you to learn more about all aspects of a video shoot. Keep track of everything you learn, and soon you will be creating videos on your own!

Skillman Video Group LLC is a Boston video production company. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

What to Bring with you on a Video Shoot

New England video productionTop Tips for a Video Shoot

Working on a film set can be exciting, exhausting, and hectic all at the same time. There are so many things to set up, to fix. So many people you need to ask about what goes where and who needs to be here or there. However, having what you need to make the video production shoot go by as smoothly as possible is a huge bonus.

What Should I Being to a Video Shoot?

1.First rule: bring lots of water. It is easy to get dehydrated by standing around all day handling the hot lights and the heavy equipment. Bring a refillable water bottle so you can keep the environment safe and stay as hydrated as possible throughout your long day of shooting.

2. Make sure you have a phone charger. It is likely you will barely be using your phone at all, but just in case you forgot to charge it the night before and need it for directions on your way home, it is always better to be safe than sorry. However, don’t forget to turn your ringer off. Don’t be that person on set who’s phone goes off in the middle of a take.

3. Bring extras. Of everything. Whether it be SD cards, gaffers tape, or lens caps, bring more than one. Sometimes things get lost, and it may not even be your fault. So don’t forget to bring more than one of everything, just in case. It can only help, and odds are you won’t even need them.

4. Take a backpack with you. Backpacks can be extremely helpful during a shoot, and not just because that’s where you can store all of your belongings. You might need to transport the equipment to another area, and having a backpack with you could be a huge benefit to the crew.

Top video production company

Steady Camera Suit

When working on a video shoot, it is important to always come prepared. It makes you seem professional, which is always a good thing. The last thing you should always have with you is a good attitude. It sounds cheesy, but everyone around you silently thanks you for it.

Skillman Video Group LLC is a Boston video production company. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.

video production interview set up

What to Pack in Your DSLR Camera Bag

video production companiesWhat to Pack in Your Camera Bag

Take a look inside the bag of any Boston Video Production companies and you will find similar things. Each year with technology advancing, some equipment becomes more out of date and requires an upgrade for your camera bag. There are many essential pieces of equipment needed for a video shoot, and each year there is always a newer version coming out. Every professional videographer will have their own selection of favorite equipment that can be found in their bags. There are a lot of things that you want to remember to pack in your bag for your next shoot. Depending on the person, you may have different brands or style equipment but they all have similar equipment. 

  1. DSLR Camera

Whether you are a Sony or Canon person, you want to make sure you have a reliable camera for your shoot. DSLR cameras have made lots of waves and are great for shooting video. Now that the camera quality is at 4K level, it is easy to get great quality shots on your DSLR. Whatever camera you choose, we would suggest full frame like the Sony a7r mark 2. It is the perfect camera for all your shoots. 

2. Camera Lenses

It is always a good idea to bring a few different lenses with you when shooting on your DSLR, just to be sure you can get every angle. The go-to lens that most Video Production Companies in Boston would suggest is the 35mm 2.8 prime lens. The prime lenses have a great sharpness and focal length. It also is good when you don’t have to worry about zoom, because you can do that in post. A few other lenses you may consider are the 16-35 f4 for a wider shot or the 55 1.8 if you are looking for more zoom. Another thing that will help with your shoots is a ND filter, which will help soften an harsh lights when you are shooting.

3. Tripod

Working with a DSLR or any camera, one of the biggest worries is shaky hands. It is very important that you pack your tripod to keep shots still. It is nothing to worry about if you have shaky hands, every professional videographer will use tripods. When choosing your tripod, you want to make sure you think about weight and height. You want to have a tripod that is not hard to carry and easily to transport. K&F Concept has great tripods that fold down to fit into smaller bags and are light weight easy to carry. 

4. Professional Lighting

Boston video production servicesIt is always a good idea to add light to your shoot in order to better illuminate the subject or products of your video. When you are working on your own instead of with a professional video production crew, it is better to think small. A simple light that can be attached directly to your DSLR is a great piece of equipment to bring with you for a shoot. A 176 LED light is a powerful source that can be perfect for all your different shoots. With an easy way to add in diffusion, it is a very user friendly light set up. 

Professional Videographers Bag

Every professional videographer’s bag will look different from one another because each person has there own special touch. Doing shoots on your own or for beginners it is a great idea to look into different pieces of equipment that we have listed above. The video production services are changing each year but there are main pieces of equipment that some people will hold onto for a long time. Find those things that work best for you and start making magic. All video production companies Boston started from something small and have only grown bigger so keep on recording!

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

Video Production Services: Handling Video Equipment

Top Phrases to Know On Set

Boston video production servicesTop Video Production Phrases

Every person that works in Boston Video Production, and shows up to a set each day, should understand what is being talked about. There are many terms used to describe different actions or things on a video production set. Knowing what all of those terms are referring to will allow you to move about the set easier and work more efficiently. If you know all of these production terms you will be fitting in on every set of video production companies Boston.

Abby Singer “the Abby”

When you hear this on a set they are telling everyone that this is the second to last shot of the day. This term is named after Abner Singer, who was a professional Production Manager in Hollywood.

C-47 

You may think they are talking to you about a big plane, but they are actually just referring to a clothespin. It is said this term was coined to make a bulk order of clothespins sound more important on production bills.

C-Stand

This is a metal stand that holds mostly grip products. Your Boston Videographer may have it hold diffusion in place in front of the light sources.

Fly in/out

This term is meant to be used when bringing something on or off the set. “Let’s fly in an extra light” “Let’s fly out that chair” these could be phrases that you hear on the video production companies Bostonset.

Magic Hour

Lighting is a big part of a shoot, and natural lighting is a great source when you can get it. The magic hour is right before sunrise or after sunset and usually lasts around 20 minutes. In that time is when the sky is partially lit.

Martini Shot

Coming after the Abby Singer shot, the martini shot is the last shot of the day. It is called this because they said the next shot comes from the glass. 

video production companiesPicture’s Up

This is what the Boston Videographer will say when the camera is almost set, which means shooting will be starting soon. 

Running Cables Clean

This is just to make sure that the cables are neat and tucked out of the way.

Stage

If your Boston Videographer asked you to stage something, it means he/she wants you to place it somewhere out of the way. 

Stinger

This is the term used for an extension cord. Someone may ask you get a stinger if an extension cord is needed on the set of your Boston Video Production.

There are many more terms that you will want to be familiar with when working on a video production companies Boston set. If you are able to understand the production lingo, you will be more helpful on set. It is important to know your way around the set and equipment, especially as a production assistant, because it will make you more likely to get your next shoot lined up in Boston Video Production.

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

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

Details of a Music Video

Video Production Services in Boston

Our first music video as a New England video production company was a fun adventure and a great learning experience. One of the things that made this day so successful was the team that fulfilled the individual roles to see the project through. When it comes to video productionMusic video production, Boston video production, video marketing companies, New England video production services, every detail matters. That’s why a wise, adaptable and talented team is the greatest asset a video production company may ever possess. When it came down to it, it was the individual roles working together that made this crew able to successfully finish the project.

Do I Need Makeup on Set?

Like we said, every detail counts. Perhaps no one knows this more than the stylist and makeup artists on set. We were lucky enough to have a wonderfully talented team of women in the Music video production, Boston video production, video marketing companies, New England video productionNew England area to dress and primp our models to perfection. With each shot, came a new hair style, a new makeup look, and a fresh outfit. If the models hair wasn’t positioned right, the scene was paused and our stylists repositioned it to minimize distraction on camera. It was tediously and methodically planned out so that in every scene our models were on camera they looked their absolute best.

Music Video Production Services

Arguably though, the most attentive to detail is the cameraman and his lighting assistant. For this shoot, we were fortunate enough to have Jake and his lighting assistant to take charge of this aspect of the shoot. In order to create well-lit subjects, we needed to utilize artificial lights and they had the eyes and patience to appropriately light every scene to perfection. Before the recording button is turned on, everything needs to be on the right setting and positioned correctly. It takes a lot of time and discipline to move the stands, set them accordingly, and position them for every scene. But trust us, it is worth it.

Music Video Producers in Boston

And even still, perhaps the most speculative and observant of even the most minute details is the director. Our director, Christina, was keen with every movement, stance, and facial expression on the models and the lighting, background, and framing of every shot. If it wasn’t perfect or wasn’t capturing the right mood, it was re-done. Was that kiss too long? Let’s re-do it, but this time make it shorter. That facial expression didn’t look right, can we try looking a bit more Music video production, Boston video production, video marketing companies, New England video productionmysterious and not as in physical pain? Can you keep your hand this way instead of that way? It may seem tedious, but when it comes to producing a drama on camera, you absolutely have to be tedious. The littlest things are often times the most distracting.

Top Music Video Production Company

When it comes to video production services, the best teams are the ones that know which details matter. There really is no limit to the things that can be re-done or distracting. What is key is to have a team knowledgeable and disciplined enough to know what needs to be either brushed up, lit differently, reposed, etc. For our first music video as a New England Video production company, we consider it a success because of the incredible attention to detail and our ability to change them as they needed to be.

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

 

Boston video production services

How to Get 5 Shots Out of 1 Room

Video Production Set Up

We arrived at Carlisle & Company, Thursday the 16th at 9:00 am. The video shoot would be the start of their Video Production Marketing Strategy. The first task our Skillman Video Group production team had, after unloading all the equipment out of the car, was finding the right room to shoot in. We had five different interviews to shoot for their video, and wanted to make sure we had a room that could be transformed to give each shot a different background. It is important to make each scene of your video different. It can be very repetitive to watch 5 different people talk in the same spot. A video becomes more interesting if you are able to switch up the background and allow the viewers focus to change. Once we made it to the office they had given us for the shoot, it was time to set up. For all of the different shots we used the 3-point lighting setup, which is best for interviews. Video Production Services makes sure to find what is best for your shoot, and make the best of what you have to use. Check out how we turned one office into five different shots!

Thought Leadership Interview #1

Corporate Video Production ServicesFor the first shot, we worked with the original setup of the office. We had the interviewee chair placed right next to the edge of the desk. We thought it would look nice if the interviewee wanted to put their arm up on the table, but not have too much of the bulky desk shown. We had to shift around some of the background items to create an appealing look. Due to the fact that Carlisle and Co. is part of the automotive industry, we did our best to add as many vehicles as we could. The four cars in a line on the back desk made a nice prop to make it clear what industry they were speaking about. For this shot we also had to switch out some of the pictures so they would look more natural in the shot. The blue poster was switched in to replace a white one that was not as long, and looked weird in the shot. Outside the weather was cloudy to start the day so we used the back light, to make a nice light as if the sun were shining through. This helped bring better light to the background of the shot.

Thought Leadership Interview #2

interview shot 2 video productionThe second shot, we only made slight adjustments to the lights and where the chair was placed. Our main focus was changing up the background of the room. We moved the chair about 2 feet away from the desk, so we could work with the posters on the side wall. There was a line of catalogs that we removed from the side desk, and replaced with the red car. The picture frames were moved slightly to put them at a better angle for the camera. One of the pictures was taken off the desk because it was a headshot that stood out too much behind the interviewee. The picture frames were switched back, so we did not have the same in two shots. The last thing we moved was the podium. In the earlier shot, we had moved it out of the shot completely. Whereas, in this second shot it was moved back to take away from the white of the walls. The sun started to come out at this point of the morning, so we used the back light to lessen the light from the window by facing it more toward the window.

Thought Leadership Interview #3

video production processAfter lunch it was time to move onto the third interview of the day. We decided we would try to get more of the desk in this next shot. The chair was moved back toward the desk, and placed in front of it. We did not have to change any of the posters on the wall, because we had not seen this angle before. It was just moving stuff around on the desk to make it a more appealing background. We did not want the desk to look too packed or busy behind the interviewee. There was a big printer on the desk that was just a big block in the back of the shot. It was simple to pull the printer out and keep it on the ground for this shot. We made sure to tuck the cord back into the desk, so they wouldn’t show up. Other than that, it was mostly little things on the desk that we had to move around. The computer was slide over to be more in the shot and take away from white walls. There were two construction trucks that we placed on the desk to fit the theme of what he would be talking about. The sun had once again gone behind the clouds, so the light streaking across the wall and posters came from our back light.

Thought Leadership Interview #4

Types of video marketing interviewsThe fourth shot was more difficult to make different. We had used a lot of that one side of the room, but we were going to get one more. We slid the chair about two feet in the opposite direction we did for the second shot. We wanted to use the wall art and table from this angle. There was this stand with three levels, where the cars we placed in the first shot came from. Putting the cars back on that stand made for a cool aspect of the background. We also slightly adjusted the cars that we had on the desk from the third shoot to make sure they would be seen. In Addition, the cars helped block some of the wires from the computer. The posters on this wall had also not been in a shot yet, which made it easier that we did not have to switch them out. Small things on the desk were slid around; such as the computer, a few mugs, and a cup of markers. The back light was placed to face the posters and wall behind the interviewee because the light from the window was not shining in.

Thought Leadership Interview #5

Top Video Production ServicesBy the time we were ready to setup for the last interview, we had used up as much of the one side of the room as we could. We decided to flip the chair so that it was facing the other way. The reason we had not done this sooner, was due to the big cabinet in the back filled with binders. It was not the best look, so we had to use some things to spruce it up. Instead of using the stand of cars like in the last shot, we used a chair to take out some of the white wall space. We worked to cover some of the binders by using hub cap that was in the office. The conference table was pushed further from the wall so that only a small part of it would be in the shot. We did not want it to be taking up too much room and look bulky. Because it was a different side of the room, there wasn’t anything that we had to switch on the wall. The last thing we added was a nice plant to bring a better vibe to the shot. We had not used any plants yet, so this was a good addition. The back light made the perfect streak against the wall to make it seem like sunlight was coming through.

It is very important to work with what you have around you. In a situation like this video, when you have multiple interviews, you want to make sure that it isn’t very similar and has some change throughout it. A video could be more boring it is the same scene with a different person in the chair. It is an important part of the shoot for Video Production Company to keep track of the little things to make everything perfect. The smallest change can make the biggest difference. We made the best of our room by creating five different shots in the same office.

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