Tag Archives: Boston video marketing company

Shooting a Live Event

Skillman 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.

Preparing Equipment for an Upcoming Shoot

Equipment for a Video Production Shoot

Are you planning a video production Boston shoot? Do you want to know all about how to find and/or use equipment for the shoot? Well lucky for you, I am here to provide that information!

Video Cameras

When creating a video project, you will definitely need a video camera. There is absolutely no question on this matter. Now, if you are doing this project for school, it is probably fine to use a smartphone. However, I would not recommend that method, as smartphones fill up storage quickly and the video quality is not as good as it would be on a regular camera.

Personally, I would either borrow a camera from a friend, or depending on the importance of the project vs. how many more videos you will have to take, invest in a nice beginner camera. Learn about DSLR Cameras

While preparing for my video shoot for Skillman Video Group: a Boston video production, I decided on using my Nikon D3400, even though the sound quality is terrible. The video is perfectly decent, and I was going to use an external microphone anyways.

Lighting Set Up

Making sure you have good light quality in your video is important. You don’t want your video to look like you took it in a dark cave in the middle of the night, so make sure your lighting is decent. Using natural light can be tricky in video, because of the sun changing and clouds. Overall, the sun is very fickle sometimes. You could be filming and then all of a sudden have to stop because the sun went behind a cloud. Or maybe you started filming when the sun was behind a cloud, but now the sun is shining in everyone’s faces and creating a glare on the camera. You can make natural light work, but artificial lights are always helpful. A couple soft box lights here and there would be a good idea if you’re planning to film indoors especially.

Audio for Video Production

Unless you have a professional video camera, like production companies Boston do, you might want to think about the sound quality on whatever camera you’re planning on using. Investing in an external microphone could be important if you’re going to be filming with a beginning camera like myself. This is especially important if you’re planning to film outside. With background noises whipping everywhere, having a microphone that can focus on the sounds you need in your video will be vital in ensuring that your video turn out good.

Preparing your equipment for a video shoot may be stressful, but as long as you think of everything you possibly could have and you stay organized, you’re all set!

Skillman Video Group LLC is a Boston video production company. 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

Jobs of a Crew Member

The job of all crew member’s on a Boston video marketing company set have a very specific skill set and importance to the video production method. Though it may seem like there are a lot of people walking around and directing just to get 30 seconds of a commercial completed, each person hired for the day of production is needed to ensure a professional and effective film. There are several categories that make a video production shoot run properly and none can be omitted if the project wants to run smoothly.

Starting with the camera department, while working with any video production services there clearly needs to be a camera operator. This person physically works the camera during filming and controls the shots framing and camera movements as instructed by the director of photography. Who is the D.P.? Well the director of photography is in charge of the visual look of the film as seen through the camera’s eyes. This person is not only in charge of what the camera needs to get but also the crew, lighting design, and communicating with the gaffer.

On the production side of the job, there is the director, producer, production assistant, Boston videographer and so on. All of these jobs run very specific departments that control the way the Boston video production will operate and ensure that they finish efficiently. Organizing the entire production, helping out with the script, keeping track of finances and overseeing the final distribution plans for the movie all fall under the job description of the producer. Its not an easy job but will definitely be rewarding.

Sound is a crucial part of any production, including Skillman Video Groups Boston video marketing company, so professionals have to make sure all the audio channels are coming in clearly. Jobs include a boom operator and a sound mixer. Leveling, monitoring, and recording audio during video production are the main reasons that the sound departments are so pivotal in any Boston video production.

Some jobs that people wouldn’t think about but are just as vital on the larger professional video production sets include transportation crews, food department, and the location department. Transportation crews quiet literally do what is in their title. They coordinated with the set and make sure all people are where they need to be at the right time. Going hungry isn’t and option when working with a ton of people, so the food department is the savior of any production day bringing in snacks and meals for all on set. Location scouts help to find the various filming locations that will be suitable for the day of filming which entails lots of traveling to find the perfect spot.

The jobs of each crew member on a video production set, whether it be a small production or a big one have an impact on how the film will turn out. The main goal is to stay on budget and have a fantastic finished product. SVG is a Boston video production company is dedicated to making each project and client a professional product.

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

Boston Video Company Location Preperation

Location preparation makes or breaks a Boston video production shoot. There are many important factors that go into making a set run smoothly and efficiently. Recently Jason Sanchez and I worked on creating marketing video for the Boston video production company we were interning at, Skillman Video Group. While filming in difference settings around the downtown Boston area, both of us and our video production crew had to evaluate the certain locations. At each individual film sites there are certain benefits and setbacks that challenge any film crew and there were a few that stood out on this particular video production shoot.

The majority of this film project was done indoors at an office setting. Being both the director and producer, we decided that no additional lighting was needed for the Boston video production because of the natural and interior light in the room. This was a smart decision because there would be less equipment to carry around but would cause more work to be done in post editing. Since no shot would be similar in lighting, the work done after the filming would have to be taken into consideration. Lighting is a very important part of any Boston video production service with any location so a producer has to be certain to either bring the equipment or not.

Another technical item that has to be checked off the location prep list is external noise factors. Since a big portion of the video production was done in an office, our film crew was fortunate not to have to deal with too much noise other than AC units and maybe some causal office conversations. But there was a section that was filmed outside by the Boston Harbor. It was here that we as producer and director of this production realized that audio was going to be difficult with so much commotion whether it was the people, bikes, or boats passing through. Changing the method in which we gathered the audio feed improved this issue. The location proved to be a beautiful site but did have its challenges.

At SVG, a Boston video marketing company, we take into consideration the location challenges that a production shoot can have and figure out the best way to accommodate any client. No production project is ever going to be the same so preparing for the set location can help with certain issues like lighting and audio recording. Thinking about these factors will overall benefit any set and make the film process easier.

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

After the Video Shoot

After being on a few sets with Skillman Video Group, a Boston video marketing company, I have learned as an intern why it is so important to have advanced equipment on each project. There were a couple pieces of production equipment that were very important to the day that SVG used while shooting enabling better film quality. Every film site can require different gear to make the Boston video production that much better and here at SVG, we make sure that our video production services meet any environments needs.

Microphone set up

At one particular Boston video production shoot that SVG was hired to film, our Boston videographer Chuck Green used various forms of microphone equipment to capture excellent sounds quality. Though it may seem normal to have several microphones in play to capture the interview recording, its important equipment like this that makes or breaks specific shoots. One of the microphones used was a mounted boom poll, which was set up right in front of the interviewee but out of the frame. The second one used was a lavaliere microphone that was attached to the collar of the subject being interviewed. These two forms equipment helped amplify the sound recording enabling a better quality to work with in postproduction.

Steady Camera Suit

Several weeks later I was on set at a Boston video production site that SVG was hired to film. This was a big warehouse full of large equipment making a set up traditional camera very difficult to maneuver. Luckily the camera used that day was mounted on a steady camera suit. This enabled the cameraman to quickly adjust his position while filming but still providing a smooth, steady shot. This suit was like an armor that was strapped on to the cameraman and was pretty heavy after 4 hours of filming. But the major benefit was the mobility that is permitted. The shots for that specific Boston video production were clean and fluid with the movement of the technology being recorded. Our post-production team will have plenty of material to work with when working with specific client all thanks to the handy camera suit.

There is a lot of fancy equipment available this day and age and technology is only getting better. Focusing on the necessities that make a shoot better for the client and our Boston production company are a key factor as to why we at SVG are prepared for all types of productions. When it comes to the day of filming, you can rely on the equipment and the production team to ensure a great final product.

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

Summer 2016 Video Production Gear Trends

NAB Expo Las Vegas

With the National Association of Broadcasters Expo (NAB 2016) having just wrapped up in Las Vegas, let’s take a look at some of the hottest emerging trends in video production gear. Staying up to date on these trends will help keep your Boston video production company ahead of the competition.

Stabilization–

Video production gear companies are now striving to come up with the best quality stabilizers with sleek and practical designs. This new craze for camera stabilizers entails everything from gimbals to dollies to tripods, just to name a few. Many companies are creating hybrid products that switch purposes in an instant, such as changing from a shoulder rig to a mono-pod with one click. New rig devices that strap on like a backpack allow for seamless movement across all three axes without the camera operator taking the brunt of the weight. To see how stabilized shots can make all the difference, check out the Boston marketing video we made for Lynch Leadership Academy at Boston College, where SVG was able to utilize a slider mechanism to its full effect, allowing for smooth, candid takes.

4K Camera Drone

Drones- Thanks to growing prominence among YouTubers, camera drones are quickly entering the Boston video production lexicon. These machines are becoming stronger, faster, and more versatile, so don’t be surprised if you start to see them being used by a Boston video marketing company or even for corporate training video production. At SVG we’ve used drones for client work before, so we can’t wait to get our hands on these new versions!

Gimbal for DSLR

Convenience- One of the most talked about items at the NAB expo was actually very small and very cheap: a pocket-sized dolly device. Working off of three wheels and bare bones button commands, the mini-dolly is ideal for mid-sized DSLR cameras. Edelkrone showed up with a tripod that is the first of its kind, allowing for rapid folding and storage without any knobs or buttons. Finally, a new company called Parachut is about to take over the equipment rental market by storm, thanks to its new subscription-based approach that has been called “The Netflix of equipment rentals.” Not only will it give the dominant companies a run for their money, but it will also allow aspiring camera operators to work with equipment that has never been available to them.

Moving into the second half of 2016, keep an eye out for these rapidly developing trends to ensure your production company stays ahead of the curve.

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

Boston Video Production Company – Marketing Video for Government Agency

“Center Stage” is a program funded by the US Department of state and run by the Boston based New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). The program is the first of its kind as far as bringing artists from around the globe to the United States vs sending American artists and performers abroad. NEFA is not just responsible for organizing the program but for raising private funding to help cover expenses and even expand the programs reach. As such they needed a marketing video that not only help raise awareness for the performances, but to reach out to potential private donors and presenters.

The staff interviews were shot on location at NEFA’s offices over looking Boston Commons and the State House (seen in the background). In order to get that shot, SVG’s gaffers and lighting specialists had to use a special “Neutral Density” gel over the windows and bring in very strong production lighting to counteract the strength of the sun. Editing the video was challenging because there were hours of archived performance footage and hundreds of photos to log and edit into a 5-minute video. The Boston video producers at SVG worked collaboratively with the staff at NEFA to select the best of the best of performance clips and artist interviews.

Between SVG’s knowledge of video production and NEFA’s incredible in-depth knowledge of the arts and the artists involved, we were able to craft the video that you see above. US Governmental agencies need professional marketing videos as much as any non for profit organization or for profit business. For something as powerful as the performing arts, video is by far the best medium for capturing the breathe and depth of its beauty, power and grace.

Skillman Video Group LLC is a Boston video production company. Call us anytime at 617-858-8232.

Boston Video Production Company | Non-Profit Marketing Videos

Skillman Video Group specializes in corporate video production and using the visual medium to market products and services. Non-profit organizations often need to market their services as much as any for-profit business or corporation, and are often way too understaffed to produce their own content internally. In this case the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge MA wanted to promote one of their groups within their organization (which they call “Circles”) revolving around the fast-growing NFC technology. The Boston video producers at SVG were able to work with the non-profit to help craft their story by developing a script of key points before the shoot. This allowed the crew to show up at the event prepared with the right questions, as well as a solid idea of what type of “B-roll” we needed to obtain. B-roll is very important in any marketing video because it helps bring the narrative to life. Now the viewer can not just hear what the subject is saying, but link their words with appropriate pictures and people. The 1st step at the shoot was to get the interviews locked down. This was tricky because we couldn’t even get into the class room (at MIT) until 15-minutes before we were supposed to start. The expert videographers and crew at SVG were able to set up in less than 30-minutes! After we were sure we had all the questions answered correctly, SVG had one videographer shooting b-roll using a Canon 7D and the other shooting some of the presentations using a Sony NXCam. We often find that having 2-shooters at a live event help us to capture the best and the most footage to be used later in editing. SVG editors were later able to 1st edit together the best takes of all the interviews and submit to the client for their edits/revisions. Once we had the basic content nailed down, our editors and video producers then made the video beautiful by adding graphics, music, b-roll and transitions.

Skillman Video Group is a Boston video production company that specializes in marketing and corporate video. Call us at 1-800-784-0140 to learn more!