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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.

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.

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

How to Setup and Shoot an Interview

Most top corporate video ideas circle around the interview style video. There are many different ways our Boston Videographer like to set up their interview. Setting up an interview has to do with the placement of different equipment. You have to decide the best lighting, direction, and background for your shot. Using these tips you can set up and shoot your interview .

Place the Chair

video production interview set up One of the first steps when setting up your interview is choosing where your subject is going to be. The placement of the subject with be the main focus of your shot. Behind them should have a nice background that features something that represents the topic of the video. Another big piece that comes with placing the chair is deciding which was the subject will be facing. In interviews you want the subject to be looking next to the camera instead of straight toward the camera. When you place the chair it will determine where you need to set up the lights and other equipment around the room.

Set the Lights

The best lighting for interviews is three point lighting. Have your main key light head on facing the subject. This allows you to illuminate the subject, while using diffusion will make the light not so harsh. Use a fill light to cancel out the shadows that the key light may be casting. Shadows can be distracting in an interview, so it is important to get rid of most if not all of them. Your last light should be facing behind the subject to add to the background. Setting up the lights is important, because you want them to be positioned to highlight the subject, while also not being in the shot. Make sure to tape down any cords that may stick up as well. Keeping the equipment organized will help the shoot run smoothly.

Start the Conversation

video production interviewAn important part of an interview is to make sure the interviewee is comfortable in front of the camera. The best way to start an interview is to get the interviewee to start talking about themselves. Starting a conversation about their lives and moving into the subject of the video is a good way to get them talking more natural. Make sure the interviewer is prepared with questions that are clear and easy to understand. It is also a good idea to allow your interviewee to see the questions before but make sure they don’t script their answers. Scripting interview answers makes it seem too forced, and you want to it to be natural and intriguing.

Interviews are a great video type to help inform your audience about your company. Skillman Video Group has worked with many companies to help create wonderful interviews. Using these tips you can create an interview to the standard of many Boston Video Production Companies.

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.

 

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.

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.

Video production services

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.

Boston video production

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.

Boston video production

What to Keep in Mind During a Shoot

When Boston video production services are mentioned, the type of video production equipment is usually the first thing that comes to mind. While this is certainly important, there are many other aspects of a Boston video production shoot that deserve their fair amount of attention.

Direction of Light

While this is obviously important for outside production shoots, this can also affect a Boston video company that is used to working inside shoots. Window glares and reflections can completely shift throughout the course of a day, so keep this in mind when planning for both an exterior and an interior production. For exterior shoots, this issue will dramatically affect shadows, so adjust accordingly.

Change in Background Noise

If there is a parade off in the distance, keep in mind that the absence of the parade noise will be very noticeable. Either find a way to reduce the noise gradually, or to just take it out all together. Background noise is fine, but it needs to stay consistent. This is why a Boston video production company can shoot by Fenway Park, because the crowd noise of the stadium is continuous and can be tuned out by a viewer.

Talent Comfort

Are the actors tired? Do they keep getting frazzled on the wordplay of a specific line? Maybe it’s time for a break and some fresh air. For exterior and long shoots, provide water and lunch when for both the talent and the crew. Always make sure your actors feel relaxed are able to focus. Also be sure to establish comfort levels from the start, especially for a scene involving extreme violence or nudity.

Change in Weather

Rain is the most troublesome type of weather, but also keep in mind that an area will be very humid after rain pours down. This can affect everything from the comfort of actors to a camera lens. This also includes the direction of wind. If a breeze suddenly starts from the ocean, you may need to adjust the direction your equipment is facing, more so for sound purposes rather than for aesthetics. If you shoot in the direction that the wind is coming from, the wind may end up cancelling out the voices of actors, so avoid this scenario when possible.

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