Change Of Address.
Nov 9th
We have moved!
Whirlwind Productions,
First Floor,
Tower Court,
Courtaulds Way,
Foleshill Enterprise Park,
Coventry
CV6 5QT
Phone: 02476 707618 Email: gail@whirlwindproductions.co.uk
Video Production – Video Testimonials
Feb 25th
Have been busy making video testimonials for an internet specialist Hallam Communications. Word of mouth is so important when doing business that if your clients are prepared to actually go on camera and say they’re pleased with what you did for them you really can’t get a better recommendation.
We interviewed four of Hallam’s clients and the result is on their website www.hallam.biz What was nice was the natural way they spoke about the work the company had produced for them and the successful results. I often see interviews where people have prepared a script beforehand but they are so concerned about making sure they remember each word that the whole sense and feeling of what they have to say doesn’t come across. Instead they look stiff and unnatural. These clients had in mind what they wanted to say and they just said it – the result is a relaxed and positive interview.
Of course it is easy for those of us in video production and as a film and broadcast specialist, to say relax and it will be fine. However it is true. I’ve done many news reports for the BBC and ITV where even when facing difficult questions the interviewee came across well just because they looked happy to there.
Preparing what you want to say when being filmed by a video production company is one thing but learning a script is another. Often in the corporate world with big budget video productions the interviewees have to learn lines like they’re playing a part in a film. It makes them nervous and I can understand why. I don’t like people doing it.
Preparation is the key. The best advice I ever had for being filmed was – let your personality show – provided of course you have one!
Until next time in the blogsphere.
Gail
Gail Downey,
Whirlwind Productions
www.whirlwindproductions.co.uk
Film Clips – Why Less is More
Jan 21st
Nearly fell off the blog wagon this week. No particular reason, just been putting together quite a few proposals for some video productions and really didn’t feel like looking at a computer screen once I had shut down for the evening.
And I guess that is part of the problem when it comes to film production services. If you are going to have a film for your website or exhibition or conference please think about the quality and not just the quantity.
Trust me less is more.
Better to have an eye-catching short film that will be emailed around and talked about, than one, even you, feel obliged to watch because you think you might be asked about it later.
I have news for you grown-ups – you are no longer at school. If your boss asks you what you think about the video exhibition you have been too, the SME (small and medium enterprises i.e. businesses) film you have just watched or that public sector film you’ve had to sit through and you can’t remember a thing then say so!
It is quite clear their message (if they had one in the first place) hasn’t got through.
So here for my readers – and what a diverse group they are – Mr Viagra (he’s a regular), Mrs No Win No Fee, Ms Moneylender, and my favourite Mr Give Me All Your Cash and I will invest it in my farm in Nigeria, here are five top tips to get your film noticed.
1. Get a film company with a track record and not someone in the office who made the funny at the office party with some wobble vision.
2. Decide what you want your film to say about you long before you even get a corporate video services team through the door.
3. Do you have examples which show how good you are at what you do?
4. Think pictures – yes the CEO may be a lovely woman but five minutes of her talking to camera – how many more customers will that get you?
5. Think attention span. If it is going on YouTube, unless it is an instructional video (and even then) leave them wanting more – not less.
Until next week.
Very Best,
Gail
Soundbites and Elevators
Jan 10th
Week Two of the Blog.
I’ve been working on my elevator pitch this week. Don’t worry if you have no idea what it is – neither did I until I went to a Business Link meeting. Essentially you should be able to sell yourself and what you do (steady on!) to the person travelling in the lift with you before they get off – or if you are dull – get off early. It is not easy because if you are enthusiastic about what you do you want to tell them anything and everything about your work.
Yet in film production if you were to use all of the interviewee’s words of wisdom the audience would switch off. Particularly films for websites where people spend only moments watching and if you don’t grab their attention right away they’ll click off.
Of course you might think it is far too difficult to get your message across about how marvellous you are and what you can do for a potential customer in 15 seconds but think again.
In TV news I’ve had to edit anyone and everyone from brain box scientists to long-winded policitians. Believe me if they can’t give me a succinct soundbite I will find my own and that is part of the problem when it comes to doing interviews whether with the media or for a corporate video.
When I’m media training clients I ask them to think about what their main message is. What impression do they want to leave their audience with in their radio or TV interview. It is not easy is it?
Don’t just think because your video is corporate and you have sign off and full approval that will help you. You still need to be clear about what you want to say.
So think about that elevator.
What would you like to tell the person standing next to you, What do you need to tell the person next to you
What must you tell….ooops too late they’ve gone.
New Year, New Resolution, New Blog
Jan 4th
So it’s 2011 and yes finally have got round to starting a blog. I know every good business should have one but really who is going to read it? Well if you have got this far then obviously you are so thanks for that! Anyway like a new gym membership I’ve promised myself to keep it going (until Easter anyway when the chocolate eggs kick in) and hopefully can give you a little bit of insight behind the scenes of running a small business, promoting yourself in the traditional and new media (does anyone say new media now?), handling media interviews and how to get a film made about who you are and what you do without breaking the bank. There are lots of ways of using new media to get yourself noticed and a film is just one of them. Over the next few weeks I’m going to give you some hints and tips and share my experience as a TV producer for the BBC and ITV making films for broadcast plus a wide range of corporate organisations, charities and businesses. I’d be interested in your experiences too – have you tried to make a film to promote yourself or your company, how did it work out? Look forward to hearing from you. Gail Whirlwind Productions gail@whirly