INTERLUDE.....

http://youtu.be/TCGr-OfO1bE

As The sunsets on a emotional fairwell for the old 'Drill Hall'

And a prosperous new begining for Thornham and it's comunity 21/09/2013

Plus a sucessful location shoot for 'Thornham & The Drill Hall' -- A Retrospective.
A new documentary from SpringboardTV.com in association with Potential Kinetic Pictures
coming soon (22/10/2013)

Production log : The shields journey

 
The Machine gun memorial shield's removal (Flipcam footage)



The Parade- Kieran on steady cam and myself (Sean Marc Rees) supporting as we follow the journey of the shield from the old 'Drill Hall' to the new Thornham Community centre. (Stills Camera)




The arrival of the sheild being greeted by the crowds awaiting at the new community centre

Thornham Community Centre, The new home for all... including the shield

# Planning & Quick Thinking Vol.2

 ....Dealing with trials and tribulations of location filming

What could possibly go wrong....

1. Two cameras, one SD card?
2. being told your steadycam operator has to walk backwards for quarter of a mile over various hazardous terrains to get the required shots?
3. The vocal speaker for the evening decides to do his speech somewhere completely different from where you discussed and have an elaborate lighting set up placed purposefully for?
4. A monumental crowd of people that are blocking a focal point you need to get in shot?

Yes ladies and gentlemen they all happened......

But with quick innovative thinking they were  mear bumps in the schedule and were overcome with ease.

How we coped?

1. / 2 :

 As UN Orthodox as it may be i decided that we switched SD cards from one to the other, once I simply couldn't not get anymore shots it was time to go mobile. As my positioning was static and my priority was to get the speech I focused on my goal. Knowing that Kieran (Steadycam) was to follow the parade I kept my camera rolling until the very last moment; till there was no more footage i could get. I then quickly passed Kieran the SD card. Leaving the drill hall via seperate doors only to meet up again to support and guide him over a pre planned route (in-reverse by the way) that we would take to stay directly in front of the parade.

3/ 4 :
    After placing a lighting setting up near the shield monument that was to be removed and paraded and mic'ing Mr. Needham who was to deliver a speech near the shield. Late on it became knowledge that due to the crowds he was going to stand on a crate in the opposite side of the hall. We had to act quickly as it was only 10mins till the speech... so I suggested we get a high vantage point. As a team we constructed a high podium using tables from which i could get the required shot of the speech. knowing there was an electrical point near to the new position from the floor plan i had scribed earlier that day. I grabbed a dedo light and backlit the position. So to get the best shot in what is a very dimley lit building. This got us out of one tight spot but posd another problem as I could not get a clear view of the shield and the ceremonial removal of it from the wall. Kieran could not pass through the crowd. Knowing that James often carries a 'flipcam' and ilze had a stills camera. The two of them gathered amongst the crowd to get reacon shots and close ups which could replace the footage lost by the primary camera. Although again not overly athodox but this kind of quick thinking allows you to optimise everyone so creativly come post-production you still have images and footage to work with rather than settling for nothing. Failing that a mobile phone would have surficed.

Recce on the day !

 As producer of the corporate Documentary; I placed it upon myself to arrive earlier in the day prior to the shoot in Thornham which would be commencing at 6pm. I decided that this would allow me sufficient time to scout the area, conduct risk assessments and find prominent angles of which to place the camera. Thus maximising my chances of getting the required shots I needed and having enough time to plan as I personally had never been to Thornham. Using a stills camera I was able to capture the angles I wanted and relay these back to the crew upon arrival so to get them up to speed on where they should be positioned once the crowds arrived.

# Planning & Quick thinking

 

 

......and adapting to your situation when on location

 

 

Before principal photography begins both the producer and Unit production manager (UPM) work to secure as many of the production elements as possible, including a workable schedule and budget. Usually from a production office (springboardTV in our case) during pre-production, they may later divide their time between the office and the set while the film is being shot.

 

The UPM, under the supervision of the Employer, is required to coordinate, facilitate and oversee the preparation of the production unit or units (to the extent herein provided) assigned to him or her, all off-set logistics, day-to-day production decisions, locations, budget schedules and personnel. Without limitation, among the duties which the Employer must assign to the UPM or First Assistant are the supervision of or participation in the following:^[2]

• Prepare breakdown and preliminary shooting schedule.
• Prepare or coordinate the budget.
• Oversee preliminary search and survey of all locations and the completion of business arrangements for the same.
• Assist in the preparation of the production to insure continuing efficiency.
• Supervise completion of the Production Report for each day's work, showing work covered and the status of the production, and arrange for the distribution of that report in line with the company's requirement.
• Coordinate arrangements for the transportation and housing of cast, crew and staff.
• Oversee the securing of releases and negotiate for locations and personnel.
• Maintain a liaison with local authorities regarding locations and the operation of the company.

Highly experienced UPMs bring great value to a project for their strategic and creative problem-solving skills. These individuals will positively affect the film's budget as well as the final outcome and quality of the film on multiple levels.

....BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN????

 

 

 In the case of the Thornham shoot only few members of the crew could not  make the time or location, Key members of the shoot such as the Director and Cameramen. The most vital night shoot of the project and an event which had to be filmed and you only get one take. What do you do?

 

As producer I knew I had to get this right and first time, so i arrived early. It seems so simple but to some it simply goes overlooked. I had never been to Thornham before. I had never seen what the lighting was like. So I arrived early I recce'd the Drill hall noting where electrical points were for the lights, where windows and doors were, possible obstructions or passge ways that would obstruct us getting the shots we needed. Knowing fully well the drill hall was going to be bedlam and filled with un-predictable people.

 

 I also knew that if the director wasnt able to make it. I personally had to take control and adopt the role myself. This is not recomended but in this eventuality imperitive. So I took a camea and i got the shots I needed to bring this documentay to life. So this is what i did.

 

By simply surveying the area i knew when i come to setting up for the actual shoot where my resorces were located and at the drop of a hat i could make a decision that could ultimately salvage the shot I needed if jepordised by unforseen circumstances... which belive me it occured!

 

 

 

Meeting the client

 
   Most Importantly You Must Build Trust From The Start! !!

   A client’s trust will make or break a project. Without it you’ll spend endless hours explaining and defending your ideas. It’s easy to build trust when you’re meeting once a week to present your work and report your progress, but how do you do it with someone 10,000 miles away or someone you only meet the once?
First, introduce yourself – and I don’t mean send them a link to your portfolio. But it’s essential. Before you dive in to any work, schedule a quick kickoff meeting. A video conference is ideal – I recommend Skype – but if they can’t manage it, a phone call will work almost as well. But I prefer the personal touch at least If only for the first meeting.  If you’re in different time zones, wake up nice and early (or go to bed very late) to accommodate them. If in person be prepared, do your homework and arrive punctual to the meeting.

This is important for both sides. You already know you need deadlines to keep yourself on track, but you need to set them for the client as well. Asking for timely feedback keeps the project moving forward. Every time you produce something that requires feedback or sign-off, set a short-term deadline and make sure it’s documented in writing somewhere. If the client lets the deadlines slip repeatedly, they can’t complain when the project is or is not delivered. But a true professional still keeps to the brief and all deadlines.
Having deadlines motivates clients to focus on your work, which may be one of a zillion projects sitting on their desk needing attention. It is also a subtle way of asking for (and getting) respect.

Since perhaps you’re not meeting face-to-face (and probably aren’t calling too much either) the limited interactions you do have are incredibly important. Make sure you craft your emails and messages carefully; realize that every word you write is amplified and your dry sense of humor isn’t going to come across very well. Best to just be straightforward.
Don’t inundate your clients with needless emails, but make sure you communicate enough to keep them feeling comfortable with your progress. Quick, regular check-ins help set everyone at ease. If you think the client is confused, pick up the phone and have a real conversation. You’ll be amazed how much can be cleared up in 2 minutes when you’re not trying to explain it over email.
Keep a copy of all your correspondence for future reference – you never know when you might need it.

Collaborate and negotiate. Be able to explain your vision to the client and why it’s the best possible solution to their design problem. While you should defend your ideas, when possible it’s a good idea to give in to the client.

Maintain contact. If you are proactive about contacting the client and providing updates, the client will feel important and have more confidence in your work.

Stick to deadlines. It doesn’t matter if you have to give up an occasional weekend or work thirteen-hour days for a week. Part of being a professional is getting your work done on time.

For the Thornham project I had not met the client (Colin Venes) prior to today. I had only liased/ mediated of what the breif was via my correspondent James Fox at SpringboardTV.com. So to gauge what it was that was expected of me and what the client had envisioned. I formaly aproached him with James Fox simply to grasp a larger understanding of what the project meant to him and the community. I instantly began building a rapport and ask multiple open questions to extract the information and his vision for the project. I relayed various ideas I had asthetically regarding the style of documentary i would like to create. By doing this we were able to colaborate on the tone and desired style of the documentary I was to produce. But ultimatly he and I were finally on name to face basis and placed him in ease of who would be in charge of ensuring the documentaries fruition from inception to creation. Later we discussed a Deadline for a viewing of the documentary's finished edit; which allowed me to gauge how long I had as producer for production and post-production. Which became the foundation of my production schedule.

Client- Colin Venes at the Thornham 'Drill Hall' closing ceremony.
 

Hazard Awareness & Risk Assesment On Location VOL. 2

 

 

Hazard Awareness & Risk Assesment On Location

 

 

@springboard on Location in Thornham

Lesson 2 part IIII

! Ask the client, be responsive to there requests and needs!

The producer may ask you to provide assets like logos, photos , products, brochures or powerpoints. you will certainly have to deliver feedback on scripts and rough edits
And you may need to secure locations or make your staff available to participate in the video. try to be responsive or production may get slowed down to a snails pace.

*Comunication is key amoungst your team.. the actors... and especially the client.... *


!! Know your audience

What is the perpose of the video? is it sales?, Entertainment? or awareness or is it an informative piece.. who will see it......

 Where will it be seen?? a meeting or a DVD to be looped somewhere??
This information is critical when designing a concept or delivering a message that yourt audience will enjoy and rerlate to.

!!! Dont forget the script

 Finalise the script before production begins. Is the information accurate and upto date... have you spare copies or even if it is a live document .. be willing to adapt it on the fly... especially with
Q & A's people will throw you sometimes.

!!!! Finally - ENJOY THE PROCESS.....

View the project as an educational experience, and one that can be a lot of fun. Ask questions. Watch examples of videos you like and discuss with your producer what makes them effective.

Producing a promotional video is challenging, fun and extremely rewarding. Do your homework, but keeping an open mind when you start production.

Lesson 2 part III

!. Get bang for your buck

If youre going to shoot a training video, Multi perpose it. Design it so it can be shown to customers as well. Use it as an introduction video to kick off your next big meeting. Perhaps turn it into a web commercial to spice up your website.

!! Nail down a strong concept

Dont make the mistake of settling for a boring concept. Or developing your ideas as you go. Remember producers .... Research and research, you must watch as many corporate videos as you can.. take inspirations ... but be original & creative , fresh and unique.

!!! Be realistic with your concept and budget

You may have had a brilliant concept or idea, but be realistic. Be open to collaborative solutions that may work better and serve your given goals and budget.

!!!! How long should your corporate promo be?

 You dont need to make a david lean epic or 'Ben Hur' make sure you get your points across be snappy about it!! but dont be too short

!!!!! Casting

Should you use your staff or hire professional actors? there are pros and cons to each choice. Screen tests quick shoots, test the water with those who are going to be on camera. test the script and any questions you want to ask whether they be open or closed. Talk to the persons and see if there comfortable and able to act natural when in front of the camera.

Why are storyboards so useful?

 

 

 

It helps predict any future problems during pre-production, so you can avoid them in production. It’s the best way to share your vision, so everyone on the development team is on the same page. It saves time and money; you’ll know exactly what you need to shoot, which makes the production time that much faster and effortless. Here is a great video that explains why you should storyboard for your corporate video.

 

The use of internal corporate video's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 2 part II

Corporate Video Trends for 2013

Corporate Video has transformed over the past few years. With newer technology available today and the growing trends taking effect at a rapid rate, it’s important to keep up to date so your corporate video doesn’t look out of date.
Here are the top 5 recent Corporate Video Trends for 2013:

1. Corporate videos are becoming shorter. A few years ago, the ideal length was 3 minutes, and now the standard has changed to anywhere between 60 and 120 seconds, and that number is continuing to shrink. Why? Because the attention spans of people are shrinking. There is so much happening on the web right now that people are moving onto the next video at a faster rate. Now, prior to watching videos, people are beginning to check out the length of the video itself. If there is another video available with an even shorter time, people will choose to watch that video instead. Mobile video viewing is also growing at a substantial rate. People on the go don’t necessarily have as much time to watch a longer video as they do while sitting at a computer.
2. Corporate videos are becoming more social. Corporate videos have teamed up with many different online social platforms (i.e. YouTube). Corporate videos are now known as second – only to word of mouth – in its power to influence consumers on their purchasing decisions. This growing trend is an important component of marketing corporate videos, and should not be overlooked by businesses.
3. The use of animation in corporate videos are becoming more popular. Animation is not what it used to be. It is now used to spruce up corporate videos while bringing a high quality look and feel to them. For more information, visit our blog on animation.
4. The style of corporate video. The recent trends for style in corporate videos are slowly changing. This includes using larger sensor cameras to attain the shallow depth of field look, adding more movement, as well as masking office settings through green screens or backdrops. With this changing trend, the divide between amateur and professional corporate video has grown substantially.
5. The focus on having a good storyboard. It use to be all about having a solid script, but now storyboards are becoming a huge part of the pre-production stage. Check out our previous post about the importance of storyboards, and why they are essential when it comes to corporate videos.

- See more at: http://www.keywestvideo.com/corporatevideoblog/#sthash.4HKWEB7e.dpuf

Lesson 2

  Video production has actually changed the concept of how we see the world. It allows us to see and recognize exactly what is available out there without having the tediousness of examining small text. Without the presence of a video, it is a lot more challenging to grasp exactly what is at hand and exactly what is implied to be conveyed with the piece. It was suggested that over 700 billion videos have been viewed on YouTube last year alone

Making corporate videos is one of the best promotion methods that are appropriate for almost all types of businesses. It can be used for increasing awareness among the public about the details of the company and newly invented products and services that can be bought by customers. (External Promotions)  This is one of the relatively recently introduced methods for gaining the attention of both new and old customers. Also they can be used to advise staff of corporate changes within the business, training and inspiring change.

Corporate videos are generally used for various purposes depending on the coverage that will be received by the particular company. A corporate video that is made by professionals will increase the growth of the company. It is also recognised as a commercial video.
Due to its ability to broadcast the features of the products and services of the company in a highly attractive and lively way, it greatly affects the power and growth of the company. Corporate videos are also helpful for providing the details about the branding of the company to the public. They are highly informative and provide education to the viewers about the nature of the company. They are helpful for increasing the numbers of customers of a company.
Although these corporate videos potentially hold a invaluable key to some success of your business, it is important that the video is of a quality that will reflect positively.

getting you upto speed

Villagers have been fundraising for a new building to replace the old Drill Hall after they gained a six-acre site for the benefit of the community.
They formed their own company, Thornham Village and Playing Field Ltd, to help bring about new facilities but quickly realised they needed to replace the dated Drill Hall, which had served the area for a century.
Having already installed a multi-use games area, they set about raising the money by selling the old site to pay for the facility.
They were then given a £475,910 Lottery grant to add to cash they had already raised in fundraising, meaning work could start on the £640,000 project earlier this year.
John Warham, chairman of Thornham Village and Playing Field Ltd, said: “The Drill Hall was about 100 years old and was really getting past its sell-by date.
“We had a fantastic site in a superb location, so it was a real opportunity to put everything together for the community.”
The new building, which is due to be unveiled to the public on Saturday, September 21, once work to the inside of the building has been finished, boasts a hall which can cater for 150 people as well as a meeting room.

There are then changing rooms for the coastal village’s cricket and football teams.
Mr Warham added: “We have a mixed community here. We have a lot of second home owners and caravanners, as well as people who have been here for a long time.
“This is an opportunity for people to get together and make it work for the whole community.
“We hope to involve a lot more people.”
Despite the modern new building, Thornham’s residents are keen not to forget the old Drill Hall which served them so well for so long.
As well as an opening ceremony for the new hall and sports pavilion in September, there will be a farewell event at the Drill Hall before villagers make their way to the new building where they will spend many hours in the future.
When the village was awarded the Lottery grant for the project last year, grant co-ordinator Colin Venes said: “It’s like winning and Olympic gold medal.
“We worked hard for three years and it’s a great result.”

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/thornham_s_new_village_hall_will_be_for_all_the_community_1_2249610

Keeping Social with Thornham Village Hall & The Corporate Event

Thornham on Twitter

https://twitter.com/ThornhamVillage

Thornham on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ThornhamVillageHall#!/ThornhamVillageHall

News Flash !!!!

 

Farewell to the Drill Hall and Opening of New Hall

Saturday 21 September 2013 18:00 and 18:45 Drill Hall, followed by the New Hall

The new Village Hall and Sports Pavilion will officially open on Saturday, 21st September.
The evening will start at 6.00pm in the Drill Hall where everyone will have chance to drink a toast and bid farewell to a building which has served the village well for more than 100 years. We will then move to the new Hall at 6.45pm for the official opening. This will be followed by a buffet supper which will be free of charge to everyone. There will be a complimentary free drink to toast the new Hall. Following this, there will be a bar which will sell drinks at reduced prices. The Smithdon school band will provide music. To end the evening, the Rector, Christopher Wood will give a blessing. Everybody in the village will receive an official invitation and it is hoped as many people as possible will turn up to mark the start of a new era. This is an event for the whole village to celebrate the start of a new era in Thornham. Admission is free, but please ring Louise Howell on 07831 935903 or email thornham.villagehall@gmail.com so that we have an idea of the numbers we have to cater for.


http://www.thornhamvillagehall.co.uk/events.html

Analyzing Corporate Video (Apple Recrutment)

 
 
  The Apple Recruiter corporate video commences with a varying range of camera shots firstly the use of a close up shot of the infinite loop sign, then cutting to a shot of apple offices entrance way inviting the viewer in. The video then cuts to a pull focus of signage on a door at duration 0:09 - 0:13 'Design UL Labs’ The camera moves from 'locked off shots' to hand-held becoming much more intimate and POV (point of view) as a guest inside the workplace. The creators of the video have used the varying camera techniques to great effect to keep the viewers attention & engrossing.

This particular corporate video makes a keen point to establish the wide variety of personnel and demographics (race, ethnicity or nationality) that Apple employ. Including British, North and South American, European and even those of eastern countries such as Chinese & Japanese are all represented. Cementing Apple as a large international; corporate employer should you have the technical qualities.

 When viewing this video it is apparent that Apple promote a very relaxed even in-formal environment to work in. Which I believe is purposeful by the creators. Choosing to interview and cast persons wearing casual attire, such as jeans and T-shirts; Rather than suits and ties for two reasons. Firstly I believe Apple wish to communicate to a much wider audience by representing their workplace as a relaxed and friendly environment. Making Apple a more desirable place to work.

 Secondly maximizing the wider viewing audiences identifiability to those in the video. Opposed to the authoritative suit, talking at you.

 
 The pacing of the video is very clever , keeping upbeat ensuring your interest as a viewer in the subjects and the subject matter contained within the piece. Using different and subtle Non-diagetic music 0:00 – 1:26, the second commencing from 1:27 – 2:42 and the third from 2:43 – 4:36. This use of music track which 'rubber bands'(peaks after dialogue and fades before)is highly conventional and sets the tone in corporate video. Often setting the pace of the piece and used to heighten atmosphere in this case complementing the sharp editing style and bright light colors. Cementing this idea as Apple both a very serious, very professional Corporation and with large ambitions in their values. But also bearing a light, playful and dynamic side which is infectious.   

Analyzing Corporate Video (London Business School)

  The London Business school promotional video begins primarily on promoting its multicultural attributes. As many corporate videos do, they attempt to appeal to as wide an audience as they can. This specific video also uses this to convey how multi-diverse and cosmopolitan the location of the school is at 0:08 seconds using a montage to convey all of the different races and ethnicity of the pupils of the school these range from: black, white and Asian confirming this convention of promoting different demographics.

  We are then introduced to (00:17) An American, Adam King the 'Emerging Leaders Programme Editor' who hypocritically says he "thinks it is better to see the people at this college in action and let them tell us what it's like rather than being told what they do at the school" however after 53 Seconds, he is still conversing to camera. Making this quite a dull introduction and less than interesting view as a corporate promo.

  At 01:29 seconds Rudolph Mayrhofer-Gruenbuehel name drops that he has worked for clients such as for Sony Ericsson and is responsible for the sale of mobile phones to T-Mobile international. Giving the representation that the school delivers quite a high profile education and to experienced clientele. Even as experienced as a Sony Ericsson official desired to learn at this institution and can gain from what the business school has to offer. This also conveys the large scale of the school and its operations.
 
  Although the stylistic camera movements and shots can at times be aesthetically pleasing, especially the close ups when in interviews scenarios. The use of extreme close ups of gestures as cutaways was probably the most pleasing and creative component of the piece.

  The Business school promo also includes artistic time lapses of London (05:00) which although are pleasing to the eye. They often break the promo up and upset the linear running of the piece and act like chapters to what is often bland and un-welcoming. Duly to the cinematography as the lighting is awfully low key. The mise-en-scene of the piece contains a very dull & harsh color pallet of blacks, light browns and grey. Which are quite imposing and imperialistic. Although perhaps the kinds of colors you expect to see in a business faculty. But I believe not perhaps the best choice of approach to promoting or enticing the viewer to want to see or know more.  

  The video's pacing is quite quick and the editors have chosen to place many jump cuts, so to primarily fit with the music which moves at a quick pace . This perhaps attempts to convey the institution as a highly fast paced and quite formal establishment. But the way the edit juxtaposes quite stark dull content, dark lighting and cinematography. With people laughing and smiling which comes across quite false due the editing of the visuals set by the music. Also the music track sounds very electronic and sporadic, jumping as people begin to speak, upsetting the pace of the piece and fading back in too soon after the content, which makes the promo quite uncomfortable an experience to watch.

Analyzing Corporate Video ( Vet surgery promo)

  The 'Holmefield' Veterinary promo is the most basic of all the corporate videos. The cinematography uses relatively simple mids, and close ups and a couple of wide shots one of which is the opening of the video. An establishing shot of the Holmefield vets sign and building. The camera chooses to be mainly handheld moving around small and confined spaces for example the operating theater (0:49). A panning shot of the office space is used in the vets office area at (01:09). Which is the most creative shot within the promo.

  The second of the wide shots at (1:28), which is a shot of the vets waiting room. All of the people that are represented in the film are of British nationality and white. Besides an Asian lady who again comes across as that of British residency. The gender representation is heavily towards women. except for a single male on three occasions only for a few seconds at a time. Once at (00:42) again (00:52) and then lastly at (01:07). This gives a strong impression that the vets is primarily a female based profession.

  The promo gives the impression from the outset it wasn't devised to be marketed to a large audience or perhaps to a wide range of nationalities or specific demographic. Since Holmefield's are only a local veterinary business there target audience are localized. Promoting the facilities at the vets possibly even devised to be played within a waiting room to attract new custom and reassure current custom of their values and the care they provide. The budget of the piece is quite low and this is apparent. But significantly understandable due to the nature of why it was created.

  The content of the piece consists mainly of interviews and vox pops of the  vets and the nurses.

 There are two pieces of music played in the video, the first plays from the start until  (01:06), this song sounds quite happy and upbeat.

  The content of the promo consists of vets and then the people that work at the surgery; talk about themselves and what they do. The second song starts at (01:06), it's a bit more downbeat and slow. Used to create dramatic effect as the vets and nurses begin discussing more serious subject matter such as  "working at a high standard" and being inspected by "The Royal college of Veterinary surgeons and The College of animal Welfare".