Tag Archives: best boston video production companies

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.

Writing a Script for a Video

 

How to Write Script for Marketing Videos

Part of the work of a summer intern at Skillman Video Group is to create a video for YouTube that you write, direct, and edit all by yourself. Now, this can seem pretty simple, considering it’s jShooting video on a DSLR, video production companyust a five or six minute YouTube video depending on whatever topic you choose. But no, this is just simply not the case.

Creating an Idea for a Marketing Video

If you’re interested in making a YouTube video, you should choose whether or not you want it to be funny or serious. Personally, I chose to make a funny video. You could also decide to make something serious, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Lots of amazing videos and short films are serious, but I personally would rather make something fun. Something that makes everyone laugh…hopefully. You also need a concept: a topic for your video. I decided to make my video an SVG-themed parody of a popular reality tv show called “The Bachelorette”. I picked this because most people know what it is, and it’s extremely easy to make fun of. Sometimes important sacrifices have to be made when it comes to Boston video production humor.

How to Write a Script

Next, if you want your video to be the least bit successful, you will need to write a script for it. This is the hard part. You have to make sure your story makes sense whilst creating characters, jokes, and ironing out all the details. You need to be thinking about locations you can use, people who can play your characters, and what is funny and what isn’t. Writing the script for my marketing video took a while because I had to figure out which contestants could be funny yet sensible options for my parody show. However, since the show already exists, I basically just followed the layout of a typical Bachelorette episode, which made my job a little easier.

Video Concept Ideas

Coming up with a concept for a video is easier said than done. However, once you come up with one, turning that into a script is a lot more complicated. We didn’t even discuss what shooting and editing one is like! But once you have all of your details ironed out,  you will have created something you’ll be proud of for a long time. Forever, actually, since once something is on the internet it never really goes away.

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

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

Editing Process on our DIY Series

At SVG each round of interns are asked to create a video project of their own. For this current Boston video production, video production services, DSLR video productionseason while on the Boston video production team.  As this current round of interns, we decided we wanted to make something that would be useful for current followers of SVG’s blog and for DIY/DSLR videographers. By creating something with these two audiences in mind, we hoped that we would be able to instruct current followers with their own personal projects while attracting a new audience towards SVG through DSLR video production. One thinBoston video production, video production services, DSLR video productiong we learned about video production services is that the processes before and after shoot day both play major roles in the projects. In video production services, a major portion of the work comes after and before the shooting day. The video editing process is half of the creation process in video production.

 

Editing a video requires a close attention to detail, imagination, and practice. After trying to begin learning the programs of video editing, it was clear that this expertise deserves its credit- things are complicated and extremely technical in this stage. With this in mind, one of our videos used iMovie as the main editing program since it allowed a much more user-friendly interface as it doesn’t possess the intense technical abilities like other programs such as Adobe Premiere. With a smaller project such as this, the editing program didn’t require such complicated tools, so we stuck to the more familiar and amateur friendly, iMovie.

 

One aspect of the editing process that took us by surprise was how effective clipping and trimming some of the footage made the project. Most of the video is an interview style setting. In these takes though, some of the dialogue and pauses went on for too long. After seeing the takes in order in full, we knew that we needed to trim. After beginning the trimming process we started seeing a clearer and more refined product. In the end, it created a more streamlined and entertaining piece.

 

In video production services, the editing process has proven itself to our interns as a dominant influence in the success of any video project. It is easy to assume that the main work and creative vision happens on the shoot day, as we quickly learned, this is not true at all. The work and creativity begins at collaboration and strategizing and continues all the way into the editing process.

 

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

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 Videographer

Packing for Success: Video Production Shoot

Video Production Services in New England

When it comes to video production services, nothing demonstrates professionalism and trustworthiness quite like a prepared team. It may seem like old news but no one can overestimate the importance of saving multiple copies, bringing spare batteries, emptying memory cards, and of course, the old faithful gaffers tape to keep those bulky and uninhibited cords out of sight. Throughout the years of providing video production services in the Boston area, these are a few of the essential items and habits SVG has found to be both necessary and heroic to accomplish our corporate video ideas. Skillman Video Group considers these few and often overlooked items to be present at all of our Boston video production shoots:

Top Boston Video Production CompanyTop Video Production Essentials

The biggies: Yes, we mean bring the camera, tripod, lights, and audio equipment. Do a quick checklist before leaving for the shoot to ensure all of the necessary pieces are there to make your corporate video ideas come to life.

Bring spares of everything (Memory cards, light bulbs, batteries, mics, etc.): Running out of space on a memory card can delay a team heavily or disallow a project to meet its full potential. Bring spare memory cards with ample amounts of storage. Bring extra light bulbs and batteries to spare everyone the embarrassment and frustration of powerless equipment. A video that is well lit for a minute, while the other 20 seconds are not, will distract the audience and can delay the editing process. Bring spares of spares. And while you’re at it, make sure the vehicle has its spare tire.

  • Chargers: This one is fairly self-explanatory. If it doesn’t require batteries, make sure it can be charged before the equipment, laptop, phone, etc. veers to 0% and is rendered useless.
  • A hard drive/laptop to save work to immediately: Nothing is quite as defeating as hearing the words, “It’s gone” in the Boston video production scene. One can never save their work too many times or on too many hard drives. Bring a hard drive to save work onto immediately. The team is taking a ten minute break? Save. Lunch time? Save. About to leave for the day? SAVE! We recommend the Seagate hard drives for external memory.
  • Gaffers tape: It truly is a hero. Cords are hazardous with so many moving feet, a trip or a fall can be dangerous. On top of this, tape tells actors and interviewees where to stand or walk to, making any bit of sequence much easier to map out.
  • Cables: Extension cords, HDMI, etc.

Video Production Packing List

Boston video production services require many moving pieces. And so, even though a team may think to bring the bigger items (camera, sound recorder, tripod, lights, etc.), it can be easy to overlook the little pieces that allow the larger equipment to actually turn on. A video production team may have the expensive equipment, but bringing the extras, spares, and being tedious with precious content and footage, is a characteristic of the production team. At SVG, we understand the importance of this and is another reason that sets us apart from the rest. When it comes to catering to peoples already tight schedules, missing a shot, a line, misplacing memory, or dealing with faulty equipment due to unpreparedness is unaffordable. When in the business of providing video production services, one needs to be prepared for everything. And so, to accomplish those corporate video ideas and anything in between, SVG makes sure to check, save, and always bring a spare.

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

Capturing Views and Dealing with Window Light

Boston Video Production Services

This past week, Skillman Video Group was asked to create a corporate training video for Coverys, an insurance company specializing in medical malpractice insurance. We knew that we wanted to use the expansive views of downtown Boston from their conference room on the 14th floor of the financial building. As an experienced Boston video production team, we knew that shooting with window light, especially when a subject is facing away from the window, would require Boston video production, Downtown boston, corporate video shootsome extensive light manipulation. For the shots, we used multiple lights, c-stands, and adjustments in order to create well-lit scenes.

Corporate Training Video Production

Before arriving, we anticipated having to use ND (neutral density) gel for the windows. When we got there, we realized that the windows already had a tainted green finish on them which would contrast the gel in an uncomplimentary way. We chose to forget the gel and utilize artificial lights as the main manipulators.The interviewees each had their back to the windows, and so the camera faced direct light from the outside. To battle this, we positioned two light stands and a light reflector around the subject to create a well-lit scene on the opposite side of the window.

Training Video

Each interview was shot from a different window in order to portray various perspectives into the expansive downtown views of Boston. It took a lot of assembly, maneuvering and adjusting to light each subject favorably while not white-washing the background. As the interviews continued, we had a forest of cords, gaffers tape, and c-stands sprawled throughout the conference room making walking a bit of a cautionary task.

We knew that working with the window light and the positions of the subjects would require extra time and attention, but the background visuals of downtown Boston were too good to not utilize. When it comes to Boston video production, having the equipment, patience, and adaptability to utilize each setting to its fullest potential is a crucial aspect of getting the best finished product from each project. For Coverys and this particular corporate training video, we were happy to put in the extra effort and time in order to make the most out of that environment and those downtown views.

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

Our Recent Pomona College Shoot

Best Boston Video Production companies

Skillman Video Group took part in a short shoot for Pomona College at M.I.T. last week. They heard of our Video Marketing Company through our long standing relationship with M.I.T.. We were given a conference room in the Sloan Laboratories for Friday the 20th. Once we maneuvered our way through the construction to our room, it was time to start setting up. It was going to take some work to make this small blue walled room look more intriguing for the camera. With the shades down, there was one nice streak of sunlight coming through against the blue walls that was perfect to enhance the plain blue walls.

Video Production Lighting Setup

setting up the diffusion and key light

holding the diffusion sheetThe setup process is a lot of choosing and moving things around to make sure it is in the right place. Once we decided where the interviewee was going to sit, which was right in front of the nice streak of sunlight, we started to place the lights around the chair. The key light was placed to the right of the chair in front of the windows. To soften that light we used a 42×42 inch diffusion sheet. Not knowing what the interviewee was going to look like when we first arrived, it was hard to choose how to best set up. Our job is to make them look their best through the camera. Which is why we chose to use the diffusion, because it is best to soften the light for interviews. The Fill light we used was a high quality LED from Denmark. It helped reduce the contrast of the room. We had two microphones set up, one attached to the interviewee and the other on a stand in front of him. We wanted to make sure his voice would stand out over the construction going on outside. That was also the deciding factor of where the microphone stood, because we didn’t want to catch the noises from outside.

There is a lot that goes into setting up for a shoot, and you have to be prepared for anything. Which means you have to have everything with you that you may need. Chuck, our awesome Boston Videographer, has a bag, quite like Mary Poppin’s, that he keeps everything he might need in. It is better to show up with way more than you need, than forget an important piece. As a Top New England Video Production Services, we want the best for our clients and to make sure we come prepared!

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