Corporate Video Types

Different Corporate Video for Different Corporate Needs

Don’t think your business could benefit from a corporate video? Think again! There are so many different types of corporate videos out there that EVERY business could benefit.

Company Profile — A company profile video is a great way to show the world who you are and what you can do. USES: Marketing purposes – for website, social media, email marketing, trade shows etc.  

Promotional — This type of video is very popular and usually quite straightforward— allowing companies to showcase their product and/or service. It provides consumers with a visual explanation and allows them to see the product/service in use. USES: Marketing purposes – for website, social media, email marketing, trade shows etc.

Testimonial — Another great way to highlight a product or service is through a raving client testimonial. Potential customers want to know that what they plan on investing in  has already been useful and successful for other buyers, so a testimonial can be a strong selling point. USES: Marketing purposes – for website, social media, email marketing, trade shows etc.

Address to Camera — Addresses to camera are a useful communication tool. They allow companies to provide straightforward messages to the viewer, most often when CEO’s or other staff members need to speak directly to their team, vendors or sometimes even clients. USES: Internal or External Communications

Training – Training videos can help save time and money, and ensure that the same message is being delivered across the board. You can train potential buyers on the best way to utilize your product, train staff on how to handle certain situations, or sell your training videos as part of a lesson plan. USES: Internal marketing and/or communications. External marketing and promotion.

Recruitment – If you are part of a company that places high value in your staff and is continually looking for the best talent available, then a recruitment video can be a great asset. It is a way to showoff what your company does and what it can offer potential employees. USES: Marketing for recruitment purposes, internally or externally.

Event – Creating a highlight video of an event that your company was apart of is a great way to ensure that the event will never be forgotten. With a variety of uses, event videos can be used as stand alone videos or in combination with others, such as a promotional or company profile videos. USES: Internal marketing and/or communications. External marketing and promotion.

Conferences & Seminars – Much like event videos, conference & seminar videos allow viewers to view the content without having to leave the comfort of their home. Can be utilized to allow individuals to watch who were unable to attend, allow attendees to re-watch certain sections, or you can sell this content in another forum. USES: Educational. Sales & Marketing purposes.

Commercial – Commercials don’t always have to be shown on broadcast television. While many companies still invest heavily into commercial production, more and more are beginning to create commercials specifically designed for online audiences. With cost effective and innovative solutions in mind, commercials are more accessible today to the medium to smaller businesses as well. USES: Sales & Marketing purposes.

Animation – Animation is not necessarily a type of corporate video more so than a style. Animation can be utilized and incorporated into all the different types of videos described above. It is a great way to engage audiences and can be especially helpful in illustrating complicated material or that which cannot be easily videographed.

If you are interested in getting a corporate video produced contact Keywest Video today! We would be happy to discuss your needs and see what we can do for you.

416-675-0751 – info@keywestvideo.com

Corporate Video Types

10 Important Tips on Vlogging

Tips on Starting a Vlog

It was all about the blogging, and now it’s all about the vlogging (video blogging). Vlogging has been around for a few years now, but the increasing popularity of online videos has caused vlogging to become more mainstream than ever before.

Why vlog and not blog? Vlogs are great option for people who want to teach or demonstrate something, while giving it a more personal touch. Vlogs are also very beneficial for businesses as it increases their SEO and gives their brand name a status on the web. Currently, there are too many poorly constructed vblogs out there, so by following these simple tips, you will automatically stand out from the crowd and look like a pro vlogger.

Here are some important vlogging tips to keep in mind.

1. 
   Shoot in high quality with a good camera. If that is completely out of your budget, try and get the best quality webcam and microphone. The better quality your video is, the more likely people will want to watch it.


2. 
   Quiet location. Editing audio can be quite difficult even for professionals, so try and find a quiet location to shoot your vlog.


3. 
   Lighting. Make sure you are in good lighting. Turn on some lights. There are so many vlogs out there which you can’t see the person’s face. Your face should always be clearly visible. If your location doesn’t have proper lights, change locations.


4. 
   Use a script, and Practice. Practice what you have to say. Lots of vlogs LOOK like they are unscripted (and some of them are) but the best vlogs out there always have a script. Do a few practice runs. Are you smiling enough, or too much? Are you moving your head too much? Or talking really fast? Make sure to look out for those things.


5. 
   Keep it short and simple. People don’t want to watch a 5-minute tutorial of you curling your hair when there is another vlog out there that runs for 3-minutes. Also, keep the edits simple. Add some images/captions when necessary to add more variety to your vlog, just don’t go all Hollywood on it.


6. 
   Transcribe your video. Doing this will not only improve your SEO, but it will also allow people to watch your video in a quieter area.


7. 
   Give your vlog a good title. Be creative. And remember to add tags!


8. 
   Upload your vlog to video hosting sites like YouTube/Vimeo and all the popular social media sites, including your own blog!


9. 
   Keep them coming! Don’t post sporadically, post on a weekly or better yet daily basis.


10. 
    Talk to your followers. Don’t ignore their comments. Thank them for watching your vlog, and ask them for input on what else they would like to see in the future.

For more tips and information on Vlogs and Corporate Videos check out our website and our vlog!

Keywest Video Inc. -Corporate Video Blog -Vlogging Tips

10 Important Tips on Vlogging

Tips on how to make a Corporate Address to Camera

Tips on how to make a Corporate Address to Camera

Professional Videographer vs Man with a Camera

Why Hire a Professional Videographer?

These days it might seem pointless to hire a professional videographer. Video cameras are readily available, and further more, people know how to use them. So why pay a professional videographer hundreds of dollars for something you think you can do yourself?  Is it really worth the investment? How about hiring a recent film grad? In this post, we will tell you what sets apart professional videographers vs someone with a camera, and why a professional videographer will be worth it.

Professional Videographers are more than a guy with a camera. They are trained and experienced in their field.

Firstly lets explain what makes a professional videographer different than someone with a camera.

Professional Videographers come with the latest professional equipment, and know how to use them. They will come to the shoot prepared, and have all the necessary equipment needed for the shoot to run as smooth as possible.  Shooting a video is more than just having a video camera. Do you have proper mics? Proper lighting equipment? A slider? Tripod? Monopod? Teleprompter? If not, the video will end up looking simplistic and amateurish.

Professional Videographers are problem solvers. They know the ins and outs of shooting a great video. If there is an audio or lighting problem, they will know exactly how to solve that problem –and fast, not to miss a moment of that shoot. Could you say that about yourself?

Professional Videographers are trained to have a keen eye. They know the best lighting for different shots and knows the best and most creative angles. If you decide to shoot the video yourself, the video could end up looking boring, dull and lacking creative direction. You’re trying to promote your business; is all your hard work worth it for a shaky, badly lit video?

Another option can be hiring a recent film grad – for a lower price. But there’s always a reason the rate’s are lower; the lower quality it entails. Both the recent film grad and professional videographer have training; but what makes a professional videographer the proper choice, is the years of experience he has in the field.

If you want a great video, hiring a professional videographer is definitely worth the investment.

Here at Keywest, we have a well-seasoned professional videographer who knows the ins and outs of everything that has to do with videography.

The starting rate for our Professional Videographer is $499 for a half day. That includes a lighting package, lav mics and camera mics, tripod and your choice of camera.

Visit our website for more information on a Keywest Professional Videographer.

Keywest Video Inc. -Corporate Video Blog -Why hire a Professional Videographer Toronto

Professional Videographer vs Man with a Camera

Tips for writing a script

Writing a Script for Corporate Video:

What does every great video, commercial, or film all have in common? A great script. The script is the foundation of every type of video, big or small. To get started on scriptwriting you don’t even need a specific format or program. A computer and/or a pen and paper will work just fine.

1. Keep in mind the budget for your video. Your budget will dictate the amount of production that will be involved in your corporate video.  This includes your location, your talent/actors, video equipment, etc.


2. How long do you want your video to be? There are around 150-200 words per minute of video. So if you want a two-minute video – your script should run around 300 to 400 words.


3. What is your core message? Think of one simple message you want to convey in your corporate video. You will be basing your whole script around this one message. If you try and add more messages, this will only leave your audience confused at the end of the video.


4. You must determine a tone and style of script writing before your first draft. Do some research first. This will help you properly reach out to your audience and engage them.


5. Who is your target audience? Remember to keep them in mind during the whole writing process.


6. Remember to avoid industry jargon. You and your company might understand the meaning behind those terms, but will your audience? If you aren’t sure, avoid it at all costs. Also, try and avoid complicated words. The last thing you want to do is to bore or confuse your audience with words that they may not know of, thus causing them to tune out that much faster. Instead, use simple and effective words that they will be more likely understand.


7. The last part of your script needs a call to action. This is where the viewer takes the next step after watching your video. It should be crystal clear to them at the end of the video exactly what it is you want them to do.

Here at Keywest, we can help with any of your scriptwriting needs. We have been producing corporate videos for over 20 years, and we know exactly how important the script is for any video. Contact us for your next corporate video!

Keywest Video Inc. -Corporate Video Blog -Tips for scriptwriting for Corporate Video

Tips for writing a script

5 Myths about Corporate Videos

Common myths when it comes to corporate videos:

Every industry has myths that are tied to them. Corporate video production is no exception.

Here is a list of the top 5 myths out there:

1. 
   Myth 1: Corporate video will cost an arm and a leg. Producing a great corporate video does cost money, but it’s not as bad as you think. If produced right, the proper production value put towards your video can greatly improve your company’s message – bringing your company more business in return. Having a corporate video is always a great investment. For a quote on your next corporate video, simply visit our website.


2. 
   Myth 2: Corporate videos are all the same. Unfortunately, we have all seen that one boring corporate video, which may have made a lasting impression on us. Corporate videos today are more lively and interesting then ever before. Why? Because of newer technology, creativity, and resources. A corporate video doesn’t have to be a talking head in a suit. Here at Keywest, we don’t produce boring corporate videos. Check out  our previous blog post for more information about what sets us apart from the other corporate video production companies.


3. 
   Myth 3: You need to use your CEO/boss. Again, a talking head in a suit is not necessary to make a corporate video.  If a company wants to do a profile video, there are more options than just using their CEO. One available option is showcasing real employees in the field. This not only makes it more interesting for the viewer, but it also draws in more emotion than seeing a CEO speaking directly to the camera.


4. 
   Myth 4: You don’t need a script. It’s not like you are making a huge Hollywood movie right? So you think you won’t need a script. Wrong.  The script is the most important part. Even if you spend millions of dollars producing a video, but have a poorly written script, you will likely end up with wasted time and money. Why? Because without a well written script, your message will not be clear to your targeted audience. The script outlines your message clearly and determines what important information you must include in your video. What exactly is in a script? The script contains the concept, format, structure and style of your corporate video. A well-written script will grab the attention of the audience from the beginning of the video, hold their attention while relaying the message, and present a call to action at the end.


5. 
   Myth 5: You don’t need a video production company. This may be one of the biggest myths when it comes to corporate videos. You have a video camera and think that’s all it takes to produce a corporate video. Perhaps that might be true, but that ‘video’ will end up looking dull, boring, and low budget. Is that how you want your company being represented? In the end, it would be a waste of your time and energy. Why? Because video production takes well-seasoned and skilled producers, videographers, editors, professional equipment, and much more. Producing a good corporate video takes professionalism. Here at Keywest we are professionals when it comes to producing great corporate videos.

Keywest Video Inc. -Corporate Video Blog -5 Myths about Corporate Videos

 

5 Myths about Corporate Videos

Keywest Corporate Video Blog: TIFF 2013

 

Keywest Corporate Video Blog: TIFF 2013

Kickstarter coming to Canada!

Kickstarter will be available for Canadians starting September 9^th!

The Rolling Stone calls it “Funds for the Future” and CNN is calling it “Paradigm-shifting”. What exactly is Kickstarter? Kickstarter is an online platform that helps to raise funds publicly for creative projects that need financial backing.  They raise funds for projects ranging from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology.

Since 2009, over $769 million dollars have been pledged to fund more than 47, 000 independent projects. Kickstarter’s mission is to help bring creative projects to life.

Starting September 9^th 2013, Kickstarter will finally be available to Canadians.

Kickstarter is an innovative platform, which creators could receive 100 percent of the donations pledged.

How does Kickstarter work?

Creators sign up and set a funding goal and a deadline. It works as an all or nothing: creators either reach their goal and receive all the funding pledged or don’t reach their goal and receive nothing.

This is a great platform for anyone who has an innovative project and needs further funding. But how are projects able to stand out from the thousands of other projects on Kickstarter? How do they effectively get enough pledges to reach the funding goal by the deadline?

It’s all in the creator’s video. People who view product videos are 85 % more likely to buy that product than if there is no product video at all.

Online videos are increasingly being watched more often, as much as, or even more often than watching television.  In our society today, people are infatuated with watching videos for everything. When showcasing a new product, a well done product video will surely capture the attention of consumers.  How often are people really watching online videos? And does that have an effect on businesses that don’t have a product video? Keywest went out to find the answers to these questions and more.  Check out the video below to find out more.

The most funded Kickerstarter projects all have one thing in common; they all have great videos showcasing their innovative products and services.

High quality commercials and video ads (worth thousands of dollars) have already been seen by the general public. What does this mean? After watching a poorly produced video, the conclusion is simple; Kickstarter backers will come to assume that the product is a direct reflection of the video.

Here at Keywest Video, we are professionals when it comes to producing high quality product videos. We have been producing corporate videos for over 20 years. We can help any business big or small produce a product video that will get the product noticed, and if for kickstarter, can help it achieve the funding goal it needs by the deadline.

Keywest Video Inc -Corporate Video Blog -Kickstarter coming to Canada!

 

 

Kickstarter coming to Canada!

Teleprompter for Corporate Videos

Is using a Teleprompter necessary when shooting a Corporate Video?

Maybe you are hesitant in using a teleprompter because you want your corporate video to seem unscripted and natural…and think using a teleprompter will make it look like your presenter is reading directly from the screen.

It will be an added expense on your budget, but let’s find out if using one will be beneficial for your corporate video.

Time Efficient

It saves time for everyone. Let’s say your presenter is a senior executive, and he will be delivering a long presentation. Senior executives are usually on a tight deadline, and just don’t have hours of time away from the office to be spent in a shoot. Using a teleprompter  would save hours of his time. Even if you hired a professional actor, and they memorized their script beforehand -that doesn’t guarantee you a fluid read like a teleprompter would.

Professionalism

We are all human, and with that comes a natural stumble when we talk (ughs/umm’s). Reading from a teleprompter just brings a fluid read. You’re already investing thousands of dollars in this corporate video, so it wouldn’t make sense not using a teleprompter and having your presenter look unprofessional and unknowledgeable.  Using a teleprompter will make your talent look and sound more professional.

Sounding Natural

If you think that using a teleprompter will make your presenter look like he is directly reading from the prompter -think again! Its all in your script. If you want a more natural speech, make sure its written out like that for your presenter. To avoid the “directly reading from the teleprompter look” make sure that your presenter goes through the script and practices his lines before the shoot. Even though there is a teleprompter there the presenter should always know the material.

The only CON with using a teleprompter is the added expense of it on your budget. Although when you use a teleprompter, in the end you will save money on the production cost because you wont need as many shooting days.

For corporate video, not using a teleprompter just makes the overall look unprofessionally done and sloppy.

The difference between sounding and looking natural or looking like a deer caught in headlights is completely in your control.

Here at Keywest, you can use our teleprompter services for your corporate video for the low price of $250.

 

Keywest Video Inc -Corporate Video Blog -Teleprompter for Corporate Videos

Teleprompter for Corporate Videos

Camp Gyno Video- A Breakthrough

Camp Gyno Video –A Breakthrough in Tampon Advertising

Tampon Commercial goes Viral

 “Its like Santa for your vagina…” and with those words and more, the video ad The Camp Gyno became one of the most popular tampon ads in history, with over 5 million YouTube views in just over a week. Why? Check out the video below.

 

This Tampon video is a first of its kind: its real, inventive and downright funny.

It differs from the conventional tampon commercials that usually feature a model type looking girl twirling around in a white dress on a beach.

This video is not like any tampon commercial out there. Period. In a comedic way, it tells a coming of age story to young girls. Which most girls can actually relate too.

Its been called the “funniest period commercial ever” by ABC News.

Tampon Ad Industry is forever changed

The Camp Gyno video has definitely changed the tampon ad industry as we know it.

This video brings to light that yes, girls do get their period, and that they shouldn’t be embarrassed by it. It shows tweens suffering with the excruciating monthly cramps –which has never been showed before in a tampon commercial.

And it’s about time to finally see a commercial that does not censor that.

And Because of this 1.47 mins video, it has put the unheard of company Hello Flo on the radar.

If you are a small business or large corporation looking to create a one of a kind video to market your business, look no further. Here at Keywest, we have been producing videos for over 20 years.

So, after watching this video, would you order a starter kit from www.helloflo.com for yourself, or someone you know? Or would you just rather make that drive down the street to your local store?

Key West Video Inc. – Corporate Video Blog – Camp Gyno

Camp Gyno Video- A Breakthrough

KEY Points on 3 Point Lighting

You’ve bought the expensive video camera; you have your interview subject, now what comes next? The location appears to have good lighting, so does that mean you don’t need any extra lighting?

Lighting brings productions to a more professional looking level, so it’s definitely necessary if you are shooting an interview. Without using artificial lighting, your interview could look very poorly done (even though it was shot on an expensive video camera). So why waste hours of shooting time when you can hardly make out the outline of your subject’s face?

When it comes to lighting, Three Point Lighting is one of the basics. It’s the easiest to set up, and doesn’t take that much time and sweat.

As you might have guessed, there are three lights being used. Now the lights can be the same wattage and bulb size, what actually makes them differ is the position you place them in during the interview. Don’t try turning all three lights on at the same moment. You should turn them on one by one, starting with the Key Light.

• The Key light is the dominant light source, as it illuminates the subject. It should be placed at about a 45-degree angle above and to either the right or left of the subject’s face. You will soon notice that shadows appear on your subject’s nose and neck giving them a three-dimensional look. Don’t worry this is actually a good thing, this means you have set up the Key light properly. Now it’s the job of the second light to fix that problem.


• The Fill Lights’ job is to fill in the shadows created by the Key Light. The Fill Light is placed on the opposite side of the Key Light. The Fill Light should be on a similar level to the subject/camera. You may have to play a little with the fill light as in where it should be positioned exactly, as it is the direct reaction to the key light. The fill light should be about two or three stops dimmer than the key. You can achieve this by either moving back the light or by using a diffuser.


• Last but definitely not least is the Backlight. And as its name suggests, it is positioned in the background –aimed towards the back of the subject (head and shoulders). It’s the final light that completes the whole set up. Its main job is to separate the subject from the background. It produces a sense of distance between the subject and the background, giving it a sort of third dimensional look on screen. And if you have a nice background to work with, you can also aim the back light at that. The back light should be at least as bright as the Key Light and in some situations often brighter.
  

When all three lights are properly put together, you will have a very natural three dimensional looking shot. And if used properly you could look like you have shot like a pro (even if you aren’t one yet).

Here at Keywest we are professionals when it comes to Lighting.

 

KEY Points on 3 Point Lighting

5 Things to Look for in Choosing a Corporate Video Company

Corporate Video Companies… they all make videos. So, does it really matter WHICH Video Company you choose to go with? Without any guarantee of how it will really end, you will be parting with a large sum of money.

So, you should consider being a little finicky when it comes time to choose one.  Or you could end up with an amateur video, with wasted money and time, which can ultimately reflect badly on your corporate image. Once you have found your company –after much patience, you wont need to repeat the process for your next project. Here are 5 tips and guidelines to look out for when choosing a Corporate Video Company.

1. Make sure this Video Company is actually Professional. Do your research. How long has this company been in business? What make’s a professional is their training, skills and their countless years of experience on the job. These days many people are calling themselves  ‘professional’. Just because you might own a camera and a laptop with editing platforms doesn’t make you a pro. If you want a good video, you will also need a company that has high-end equipment – green screen-teleprompter’s etc. Although, even though the company may have the most high-end equipment, that’s not all that matters. What really matters is the ‘professionals’ running it

2. Reputation.  Does the company have an online reputation? Are they found on any social media sites? If so, pay close attention to what people are saying about them. A great Corporate Video Company should have testimonials and reviews http://www.keywestvideo.com/rave-reviews.html from previous clients posted on their website. Check that out. Also look out for repeat clients. If clients keep coming back, it can only mean one thing: they were clearly more than satisfied with their work.

3. Quality of Work. Have you seen any of their work? They should offer recent samples of their work pertaining to the style of video you are interested in. A clear sign the company isn’t legit is when they have no samples to offer you, or offers you dated material. Looking at their previous works will also give you some sort of idea as to if they have fresh and creative ideas. If you see the same boring style of videos, that’s a sign that your video most likely wont be any better than that.

4. Customer Service? Do they even seem like they care about your vision? At first you may think there doesn’t have to be that’ chemistry’ when we first meet; business is business. Think again. You will be working with these people for weeks. There will be those long days of countless hours of shooting and editing- and it wouldn’t be half bad if you were hanging out with people you actually enjoyed working with.

5. Budget. Avoid companies that don’t provide you with a clear and comprehensive quote after your meeting.  Some production companies offer packages of their services in addition to being able to add on even more services.  You will most likely find quotes all over the map, but make sure to take careful note of the breakdown of the prices in the quote. Don’t make price the one and all deciding factor in choosing a company. Some companies guarantee a ridiculously lower price compared to others, but then slowly adds hidden costs during the later stages, which in the end can end up costing you more.

Here at Keywest we embody all of the above mentioned and more. We have been producing corporate videos for over 20 years. We are experts in corporate videography and post-production.We offer countless samples of corporate videos from clients whom we have yet to disappoint. Check us out on our website for more information or for a quote on your next video.

5 Things to Look for in Choosing a Corporate Video Company