Case Study: Event Videos Part II

Why Visual Albums Have Become So Popular and Important

With the recent success of artists like Beyonce and Frank Ocean, visual albums have set a high bar for artists around the globe.

And for companies like us who work with a lot of talented, up-and-coming artists for music videos, visual albums might not be such a bad idea.

When it comes to visual albums, the most important thing (like most other visual mediums) is story. What message will you convey? With music (especially an entire album already completed), your work is already halfway done – your story is clearly laid out for you. Now you’ve just got to create the visuals to complement it.

Here at Key West Video, we work our clients to interpret their vision. Whether it’s branding, creating a video marketing campaign, or creating a music video theme/idea, we work directly with our clients to create artistic bodies of work that mean something.

In 2013, Beyonce broke the internet when she not only released an entire album unannounced but the visuals to go with it. Not necessarily a complete film, the visuals did serve as a continuous music video throughout the album. Then earlier this year, LEMONADE was introduced as an artistic docu-drama filled with music, poetry, compelling visuals and unforgettable transitions that served to take us on an emotional journey of everything from love to hatred to forgiveness.

Photo credit: amsfrank via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Following this same format was experimental R&B artist Frank Ocean who released a dual album (with the first being entirely visual). Also serving the story and overall tone of the album, Frank could be seen building a metaphorical stairway to heaven while angelic vocals played in the background.

We’ve come to a point in entertainment where our consumption needs are much higher than before. Gone are the days when an artist could simply release a 12-track album of mediocrity and forgetfulness. Now, true artists are not only raising the bar in the quality of music production they put out, but also challenging listeners to really experience the sound in new ways.

We at Key West Video totally get that. We work with avant-garde artists who seek to make leave their footprint on the sands of time. For more information on the services we provide (or to check out our portfolio), visit our website today.

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How Corporate Video Can Capitalize On YouTube Interactions

It will now be easier for video bloggers to connect with their fans thanks to YouTube’s newest interactions tab.

The new interactions tab, named “Community”, will give YouTubers the ability to send text, live videos, images, and GIFs to fans in real time, as told by Mashable.

Working directly with YouTube collaborators, the Google-owned video site developed the product to better engage fans. The new beta launch initiative increases interactions as viewers can see posts from their favourite YouTube stars in their subscriptions feed.

It also gives the option to receive notifications of new uploads.

According to Vidcon co-creators John and Hank Green, “YouTube has always thought of itself as being about video but for many of us it’s mostly been about community. I’d argue the best YouTube channels aren’t just shows you lean back and watch, they are communities you are part of. For a long time, that was seen as YouTube’s great weakness. In the early days YouTube actually released a product called Lean Back that allowed you to watch videos without engaging with them because advertisers, especially back then, thought engaged viewers were bad news…in spite of it all, YouTube has continued to be a community platform and today they have embraced that with the community tab.”

YouTube even enlisted a list of content creators for this new initiative, including Brampton’s own Lilly Singh (also known as Superwoman).

For corporate companies looking to feature videos on their YouTube channels, this could be a huge win. Now your audience will be able to engage with you in a faster, more direct way, further increasing online interactions.

Here at Key West Video, we work directly with companies looking to reach their audiences in strategic, yet massive ways. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website and check out our portfolio!

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How Corporate Video Production Affects Your Engagement

One of the most important things to keep in mind when conceptualizing corporate video is audience engagement.

Retention, interest, and engagement are all things that most companies compete for.

In fact, it’s what drives the competition. With so many competitors in multiple sectors and industries, how on earth do you grab a hold of a piece of the pie?

Well, for one, you’ve got to really understanding who they are and how they consume content. This means investing in ample research to find where your audience is at, what channels they go through, and what trends they might hop on next.

To take it even further, it’s worth investigating their engagement.

What’s that, you ask?

According to Business 2 Community, there is no “one size fits all” formula when it comes to setting up tried-and-true engagement methods. It’s even harder to define what ‘engagement’ means in the first place. For the purposes of corporate video, perhaps it can be described as:

• content that promotes direct user interaction with the product, brand or service
• content that users/viewers find helpful in their search for information

To some, it’s less about what message the brand wants to send, and more about what the audience takes away from it. A user who reads a product description or watches an informative video may find it of value, though there sometimes isn’t a tangible way of knowing this.

Business 2 Community defines engagement as “something that successfully inspires the action it was designed to instigate.”

In a previous post, we highlighted how video stimulates our senses. By having a visceral reaction to a visual, we’re more prompted to respond to information presented to us.

How will your corporate video engage your audience?

Here at Key West Video, we specialize in creating content for optimal audience engagement. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today!

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7 Expensive Corporate Video Production Mistakes To Avoid

Take it from us – corporate video production can be exhaustive work. But in the end, mapping out every minor detail of your video can help avoid expensive mistakes.

And some mistakes can be fatal to your production company. After all, your goal is to make money from the production, not run into additional last-minute costs due to a lack of preparation.

It happens to the best of us. Sometimes we leave the production house with everything checked off, only to realize minutes into the shoot that we’ve forgotten a vital piece of equipment. Or maybe we’ve charged our batteries and cleared our SD cards only to find them fried or faulty. Whatever the case may be, we’ve listed some of the top, most expensive corporate video production mistakes that we’ve learned to avoid – the hard way.

1. Casting Mix-ups

There’s nothing worse than having a cast that doesn’t reflect their headshots. From background talent/extras to principal actors, each face that will be on camera should be at least somewhat reminiscent of their headshot. This means early casting and (if your budget permits) wardrobe.

2. Technical Difficulties

Test, test, test. You’d be surprised at how many freelance videographers don’t test their equipment before stepping out onto a set. This not only impedes a production shoot – it also screams unprofessionalism. While some technical difficulties (typically on set) are unavoidable, you should aim to minimize any technological risks as soon as possible.

3. Sufficient Crew

An important thing to remember is that no matter how much fancy equipment your production crew may have, you still have to have the skills to operate the equipment. A wise filmmaker once said, “Just because you have the tools doesn’t mean you have the craft.” No truer words have been spoken.

4. Parking

Another important (but often forgotten about) aspect is parking. The last thing you want is to shoot in a location that has no parking. You run the risk of having to park far away from your shooting location (which can be a pain when it comes to loading and unloading equipment), or parking illegally, resulting in potential fines.

5. Permits

Make sure you’ve designated someone to look into the permits necessary for shooting. This means all locations should be secured prior to stepping out on set. Otherwise, you run the risk of being shut down or potentially fined.

6. Proper Art Direction

Make sure you’re hiring someone who is qualified for the job. This means someone who knows the ropes and has ample experience in communicating information to set designers and/or art department. The last thing you need is people who don’t stick to the shooting schedule or run the production efficiently.

7. Post-Production

“We’ll fix it in post” is a problematic phrase that we’ve heard all too often.

Avoid it all costs.

This phrase is thrown around when the crew has either given up or doesn’t know how to fix a problem. Something that could take just a few minutes to adjust on set could save hours in an editing suite.

Here at Key West Video, we prioritize the needs of our clients to take care in how we prepare for shoots. For more info on our services (or our portfolio) visit our website today!

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Our Top 3 Animation Styles In Corporate Video Production

With so many animation styles out there, it can be difficult determining which one to go with – especially in corporate video.

And with all animation styles comes their own look.

At Key West Video, we offer a number of services – including animation. But sometimes our clients aren’t sure which ones best apply to their brand or product. Here we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular animation styles we find ourselves using in our corporate video:

Whiteboard

Photo credit: Joseph.Morris via Foter.com / CC BY-ND

Whiteboard, one of the more popular animation styles, is the process of creating a story using drawings and storyboards with pictures on a white backdrop (or whiteboard). most often used in television, whiteboard can also be seen on internet video services such as YouTube or Vimeo, as well. It’s often used interchangeably with animated doodling or video scribing.

2D vector style animation

Photo credit: (AZ) via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

2D vector style animation (also known as motion graphics) are another type of animation style that we use often. Using bitmaps and vector graphics, it is more suited for computer animation software such as Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, or Flash. As opposed to 3D (or three-dimensional) animation graphics, 2D vector style animations have a lesser appearance of depth. 2D also consists of flat animation as opposed to 3D, which has an extra dimension of ‘realism’ and sits on the z-axis. 2D animations are made by drawing each frame out.

Infographics

Photo credit: GEEKSTATS via Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Though many understand infographics as still images, they can actually be animated, as well. In a process similar to interactive video, infographics can be brought to life in Adobe’s After Effects software. Animated infographics are a fun, easy way to provide vital information to an audience. Here’s a simple guide on how to create basic infographics onscreen.

Here at Key West Video we provide the best in animation for video. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today!

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The Five Most Recent Trends in Video Production

Video production is always in a state of change. Staying on top of recent trends is the only way to remain relevant amidst fierce video competition.

At times, it can be hard to keep up with the constant fluidity in the video production world. Here we’ve identified some of the more popular recent trends that have helped us stay on top of our game.

360 video

Photo credit: fusion-of-horizons via Foter.com / CC BY

360 videos are videos that shoot surrounding areas simultaneously. In other words, this spherical camera is able to shoot a particular scene from all angles (aka 360 degrees) at the same time, making for a well-rounded, all-encompassing view. Here at Key West Video, we look for avant-garde technology that helps us stay on our toes with the latest trends.

VR/AR

Photo credit: AstroSamantha via Foter.com / CC BY

As we move further into the world of alternate reality, it’s clear that the future of video production lies in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). With the use VR glasses/goggles, viewers can see [un]real versions of video content. Operating similarly to 3D glasses, VR goggles take users into an alternate world manipulated by their senses.

Interactive

Photo credit: Robin Hutton via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Interactive video, while not exactly the most recent trend, has taken the online video world by storm. With subjects inside the video being able to manipulate animated objects, interactive video has become one of the more popular options when it comes to creating corporate video.

Perfect for instructional video, infographs and charts, and tutorials, interactive video is an incredibly fun way to not only engage your audience but inform them, too.

We first saw glimpses of this when every brand from McDonald’s pop machines to bank ATM’s started using touchscreens

Animation

Photo credit: ▓▒░ TORLEY ░▒▓ via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Without a doubt, animation is yet another popular recent trend in corporate video to really catch fire amongst the production company community. It offers a great opportunity for companies to develop a dynamic visual component to their corporate video, while including fun or visually appealing characters for a more enjoyable viewing experience.

At Key West Video, we make it our duty to stay on top of what’s trending in the video production industry. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website here.

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How You Can Improve Your Video Marketing Campaign

When was the last time you invested into a proper video marketing campaign? Did you know what was ahead of you?

So you’ve made an attention-grabbing corporate video campaign that speaks directly to your audience.

You’ve done all the research, brought on the best possible team, and have shot your best footage.

You did all the work you thought was necessary for a great campaign, but for some reason, it doesn’t go as expected. So you reassessed.

And after you swept through all that could have gone wrong, the problem was there, staring back directly at you in the face.

You were missing five key components that could have made the world of difference had you recognized them the first time around.

They were:

Script

People often underestimate the importance of having a strong, air-tight script. In the corporate video world, not only do most corporate videos require an adequate amount of information, but they also require poignancy, brevity, and an enticing way to keep an audience engaged.

Graphics

Of equal importance are graphics. You’re most likely a corporate company striving to expand and maintain a professional image. It only makes sense that you want your  video marketing campaign to reflect as such. With that being said, graphics play an instrumental role in adding overall professionalism to your video content.

Footage

No matter how dry you may think your content is, any good corporate video production company (like us) should be able to pinpoint and identify the strongest, most compelling shots to go along with your video’s message.

Call to Action

Arguably the most forgotten-about segment of a video marketing campaign is the call to action. And by forgotten, we mean there is a significantly less amount of emphasis placed on a call to action when video marketers are trying to persuade their audiences to purchase their service or product.

Here at Key West Video, we specialize in customizing our video marketing strategies to suit our clients’ needs. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today!

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The More Absurd the Better? A Look At Weird Corporate Videos

Ever feel like companies go out of their way to bring us the most obscure, weird or straight up absurd content? Well, there may be a method to the madness.

Many companies have resorted to making absurd content in their marketing campaigns.

And while a lot of broadcasters and networks may reject the notion of absurdity, certain brands like Old Spice, Mountain Dew and Skittles have come to find the internet as the ultimate eclectic holy grail.

Even when companies use a cluster of different internet memes, it is never arbitrary.

If anything, it’s a strategy used to target a specific audience.

For instance, one of the most popular (and outrageous) marketing schemes is the Old Spice guy. After its viral success, Old Spice took to creating even more absurd print images like this:

While at first glance the images in the ad may seem like unrelated, they tie into Old Spice’s subtle-not-so-subtle message: “Become One of the Freshest Smelling Places on Earth”.

They’ve compiled a wide range of images that visually represent our interpretation of fresh smells on earth. Rivers. Green grass. Wild animals. Trees. Fire-breathing dragons. What more could we possibly ask for?

Jason Kreher, creative director at Wieden+Kennedy former involved with the Old Spice campaign, states that the silliness has to be taken seriously, as told by Mashable.

This is not to say that this fun-loving airiness is for everyone. For brands that reflect more serious subject matter with less room for comedic versatility (like PETA or human trafficking organizations, for example), it might not be wise to include such a level of absurdity in a corporate video campaign.

This is not to say that whacky creative freedom necessarily hurts or augments your brand.

But for companies open and able to adapt to current trends (or even better: start them!), it might be worth looking into the possibilities of wackiness. And if you’re company really knows its audience, your content can very well be tailored towards even more niche audiences.

Here at Key West Video, we pride ourselves on working well with our clients – no matter how absurd the idea is. For more information on our services, visit our website today!

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How to Build Anticipation for Your #CorporateVideo

Ever wonder how you could possibly build audience anticipation with corporate video?

It seems like every other industry has it figured right down to a T. The music industry has Frank Ocean’s long-anticipated album, Beyonce is now infiltrating the docu-drama realm with cryptic imagery and video teasers, and movie trailers are giving us less and less while leaving more and more to the imagination.

What do these all have in common?

Well, they’ve mastered the art of suspense.

Just like the beginning of a rollercoaster drop, good visual content leaves audiences dying to know what’s next. It has us anxious and keeps us on our toes.

Anticipation means giving us butterflies before we’ve even had the experience.

Photo credit: NASA HQ PHOTO via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

And like all cross-platform content, there are lessons to be learned when it comes to soliciting potential audience engagement:

Less is More

What a lot of companies don’t realize is that their audiences are a lot smarter than they think. Humans are led by curiousity and having their interests piqued. Sometimes, the less you give them means more. If the imagery is poignant enough to stand on its own, why waste time with additional footage or dialogue explaining it? Let your content stand alone and tease it for no more than a few seconds. This can be well-executed especially if you are a previously established brand with a wide outreach.

Tease Content Through the Right Channels

Companies looking for a more ambiguous approach can tease their audiences with just enough information to get them excited, but not enough visuals, audio or text to really explain what it is they’re experiencing. It’s important to know where and how you plan to execute your game-changing video, and this starts with a thorough understanding of online presence and social media channels.

Announce at Peak Engagement Times

Anytime a company or content creator posts something, it should be done at peak hours in order to garner the most views and online interactions. Even if it’s just a tease, companies and content creators alike could benefit from implementing the Burrito Principle. This principle follows the idea that companies should engage during off hours when users are more likely to have time on their hands (e.g. like when they’re eating a burrito).

Here at Key West Video, we capitalize on the art of intrigue. By working directly with our clients, we give audiences as much – or as little – as they need. Contact us for a quote today!

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Why You Should Have Updated Stock #Footage Just In Case

Most companies should have a heavy roster of stock footage on deck for rainy days.

And like anything kept in bulk, stock footage should be well-maintained.

Whether you’re looking to purchase footage, or get rid excess footage from a production, there is something both buyers and sellers should take note of; and that’s the type of footage they’re dealing with.

Photo credit: zimpenfish via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Stock footage, at its core, is throwaway footage. Usually accumulated from a multitude of sets and locations, the footage is stored away to use for other productions. In the long run, having a heavy roster of stock footage can benefit both companies and filmmakers alike when it comes to having additional pre-shot content ready to use.

For those behind the scenes, it can be cost-effective; having that content can save time and money as production companies or brands won’t have to go through the process of rescheduling extra days for production. For videographers, editors, and virtually anyone behind the camera, keeping note of stock footage also means it can be made available for purchase online. In the past, we’ve mentioned a few resources for purchasing footage.

The word ‘stock’ itself is not limited to just one medium. Though it quite often refers to video, stock can also include music and images as well.

Ultimately shooting fast-motion content at a higher shutter speed makes for cool imagery, and in the long run, it gives it a wider appeal. Consider a waterfall: it can be difficult to capture each water droplet at a low shutter speed on a digital camera. Shooting at a higher shutter speed can give the illusion of a moving image or time-lapse, and removing the otherwise inevitable blur that comes with shooting moving objects.

Here at Key West Video, we strive to provide the best quality product available. Whether this means purchasing additional stock footage or shooting our own, we do our best to give you the best. For more on our portfolio or services, visit our website today!

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Is Nintendo’s Pokémon Go Changing Alternate Reality?

With the recent release of the nostalgic game, Pokémon Go is revolutionizing the way we experience AR.

Pokémon GO has made it quite clear that it’s not only back – it just might be here to stay.the once popular hit game (and cartoon, video game, card game, and action movie) never really left our radar. In fact, it might even be more well-received now as a free downloadable app for Android and iOS users.

The once popular hit game (and cartoon, video game, card game, and action movie) never really left our radar. In fact, it might even be more well-received now as a free downloadable app for Android and iOS users.

Users from far and wide quickly downloaded the Nintendo AR game app and quickly got to catching. From

But does Pokémon GO do anything new for AR? Well, first let’s discuss its interface. When the app is opened, users find a simple playing field in which their character can roam. There are little to no immersive visuals. Only when a creature is spotted does the world switch to reality. The graphics themselves are comparable to something that can be created with GameSalad Creator.

The main incentive?

Interactive, social gamers. By nature, the game encourages interaction between players in order to understand what’s going on in the world and to battle in the gym.

Over the years, there has been a steady increase of interest in AR. Even if you weren’t completely familiar with it, you’ve more than likely have heard of AR in relation to virtual reality. Digital Media professor Richard Lachmann of Ryerson University compared Pokemon GO’s use of AR to Snapchat’s use of filters. When you really think about it, both operate similarly. All they really do is add an extra overlay of simple graphics onto your reality.

Who knows? It may even surpass alternate reality (AR) with its combined use of reality and graphics. It’s also a lot cheaper than having to purchase expensive VR headsets.

Part of its appeal is that little is actually explained in the app. There’s virtually no instruction as to what happens at a Pokéstop, or even how to catch Pokémon in the first place is left ambiguous. The game’s developers have left almost everything unexplained and up to the user.

Here at Key West Video, we consider ourselves fans of avant-garde video experiences. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today.

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Do Video Commercials for Live Events Even Matter?

In 2016, it no longer comes as a surprise that an influx of commercials air around the time of a major world event.

From the Olympics to FIFA to G20 Summits, we’re bombarded with a plethora images and video ads often with strong messages. It’s always interesting to note the influx of new content when it comes to a new [sporting] event. But do these video ads make a tangible difference?

Here we take a look at some of the metrics involved with different brands airing their video advertisements around game time.

When evaluating video commercials, it’s important to pay attention to widely publicized video campaigns that have been successful in the past.

Kia’s 2014 Matrix-esque SuperBowl commercial (starring Laurence Fishburne) did exceptionally well, with the car company have a great third quarter following the release of this ad.

Adidas UK did something similar for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Leveraging Olympic athletes and familiar faces (FKA twigs (30 seconds in) with a compelling voiceover, the commercial went viral.

Small Business Chron addresses one way to evaluate TV advertisements. Essentially, ratings depend on two things: video advertisement placing and the quality of said video. By promoting via video advertisements or commercials during highly-viewed programming is undoubtedly a great way to get your brand noticed and generate sales. And with compelling content? Even better.

And with compelling content? Even better.

We live in a dominant Internet era in which online viral videos sometimes mean more than televised advertisement. Companies would benefit from monitoring their website’s traffic and social media (with interlinks) to determine their traffic channels. Depending on the type of marketing campaign (e.g. a new product versus a service), one must strategize how an audience will receive your brand. A new product might be easier to sell at face value with compelling or engaging visuals, making it simpler to market through social channels. But a new service calls for more detailed information on how it can benefit your users, pricing information, and what credibility you offer as a company.

Here at Key West Video, we work with clients to develop compelling for both live events and individually-set marketing campaigns. For more info on the services we provide, contact us today!

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Things to Consider When Mapping Out Your Marketing Strategy

A foolproof marketing strategy is essential to an effective marketing campaign.

And a sound marketing strategy, though essential, is also highly subjective depending on your company’s needs. Whether you’re a local bakery or a major tech corporate, one thing that most companies share in common is their need for a large enough reach for their business.

Here we take a look at some of the key factors involved when planning out what your video marketing strategy:

Resources

Marketing Land, a digital marketing publication, pointed out that knowing what resources you have is instrumental in the process. Identifying your resources will help you tell your story. That pre-planning will allow you to figure out what kind of message or story you can tell with the resources available to you.

Platform

Companies sometimes think that posting their videos on a video streaming platform such as YouTube or Vimeo (or worse, their own website) is the be all end all of video marketing.

This could not be further from the truth.

Creating a video and then launching it into the universe simply isn’t enough. Companies must be strategic in choosing which social media platforms best stream certain content. For example, Facebook has proven time and time again that it can be an invaluable source of potential visibility when users share content. Judging by the sheer amount of content online, Facebook users have shared videos with compelling, entertaining or informative content in the thousands. How can your company create something specific to this platform that users will want to spread across their feeds? Is it universal enough? Does it appeal to their audience? What sort of impact will it have? That will determine the message, content length, and overall aesthetic to the project.

Analytics

Companies who assess how their videos will be received are the ones who are able to make effective strategies. Usually, these are companies who’ve had success in the past with content creation and have an understanding of how to measure video metrics.

Many marketing gurus will point out that simply getting a high number of views (or going viral) is not enough. Instead, companies would benefit from really understanding video analytics. On average, how long are people sticking around to watch your video? This affects how long you can make the next one. How many times were your videos repeated? This will determine the type of shareability of your content. What was the drop-off rate (or visitors flow)? The more you narrow down your analytics (even to individual user patterns), the better you become at understanding them.

KISS

Keep it simple, silly.

No, really.

Audiences nowadays have shorter attention spans, making it difficult to create content longer than a few minutes.

This is not only important for audience retention. It’s also cost-effective for production. Sticking to concise videos makes it easier on both a production crew to create premium quality in a tighter timeframe.

Here at Key West Video, we specialize in working directly with our clients to develop the best possible marketing strategies through a visual medium. For more information on our services, visit our website today!

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Why You Should Repurpose Your Corporate Video

What happens when the corporate video you’ve already made and shared it with the world doesn’t get you the results you want? Repurpose it!

Many think that when their videos don’t get the traffic or views that they want, that there’s something wrong with the content. In a panic, they immediately take it down. In some extreme cases, they act as if the video never existed and shelf it. What they don’t realize, however, is that a repurpose is all it takes to get their video to where it needs to be.

In the marketing world, copy is constantly written, edited, and rewritten. More often than not, it isn’t completely taken down. Copywriters understand the value of words and how necessary it is to have those digital crumbs seeded on the internet.

But for some reason, this same approach isn’t applied to corporate video.

Why?

Well, for one, many think it simply isn’t possible. They don’t even realize that videos can be repurposed to improve its SEO, better reach their target audience, or refresh outdated information. Here we list some ways in which you can repurpose your corporate video for a better reception:

Transcribe

Transcribing your videos has its benefits for obvious reasons. Not only is it inclusive of those who suffer from hearing loss, but it’s also an added benefit to able-bodied persons as well. By transcribing your video, you’re making it easier to digest your content for your viewers and can serve as the source for potential blog content.

It also has the added benefit of becoming more search-friendly since it can be indexed on Google and YouTube.

Shorten Videos Into Clips

Millennials are known to have shorter attention spans than ever. In fact, it’s hard to engage us after 2 minutes. That means that in 120 seconds, you’ve got to capture and keep your audience’s attention long enough to make a call to action. This is a lot harder than it sounds.

When creating video content, map out where you’d like your video to go. YouTube virtually has no limit to the length of the video you can upload. Most users upload their content to social networks like Facebook to increase their view count. Companies can also look to Facebook as a direct uploading video source, as Facebook allows longer videos than those of its competitors (Twitter and Instagram). However, this doesn’t necessarily mean your audience will stick through your video to the end. Twitter and Instagram knew this and quickly took advantage of creating a short video sharing limit to their already popular platforms.

Some ways you can tighten up and repurpose already existing content is by:

• Stringing explainer or testimonial videos together
• Captioning video to provide additional onscreen information
• Using poignant interview clips and quotes in a series of FAQs about your company

For more information on how you can repurpose video content, visit ReelSeo’s blog post here. We at Key West Video work directly with our clients to ensure their content is quality. Visit our website for more today!

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Types of Corporate Video: Which One Should You Be Using?

Sometimes our clients aren’t sure what types of corporate content they should be putting out.

If you’re like most progressive companies, you’re looking for ways to increase your online reach. Creating corporate videos are one way to engage your audience in an interesting, visually compelling way. But what types of video should you be using?

A lot of non-creative companies find themselves at odds with the type of content they want. After all, it can be hard to decipher the best way to showcase your product or service when you’ve never had to create a video clip, write a script, or reach out to a production company like us.

We’ve got you covered.

If you’re ever at odds with the kind of corporate video you want, consider the following types of professional video:

The Explainer Video

The ‘explainer’ video (otherwise known as a video tutorial) is a powerful visual tool that can be used to get to the nitty gritty of your product or service. With compelling visuals, quick shots, time-lapses, and enticing voiceover, any brand can turn an otherwise dull instructional video into a highly intriguing explainer video.

The Product/Service Overview

An overview can supplement an explainer video, or stand alone. Generally, overview videos ‘review’ your product or service. They show your audience how to use your brand and show how user-friendly it is. Practicality is essential when introducing new product.

The Presentation

Another type of corporate video is the presentation video. A lot of times, this means a corporate video production company will attend a live presentation. Whether it is live-streamed or recorded and edited later, larger corporations benefit from video showing the inner-workings of the corporate community. It’s also a direct way to spread company knowledge to its viewership – especially when it comes directly from the source.

The Event Coverage

Event coverage is an easy way to expand viewership and create interesting content. Event coverage is almost always entertaining, with high energy and fast cutaways. They’re meant to show the fun in corporate climates.

The Testimonial

Nothing beats a good testimonial. Usually coming from customers, testimonials are a powerful tool meant to boost the credibility of your company. They are a direct way of showing off the results of your product or service, and can sway unsure buyers into choosing you. Testimonials from high-profile guests, valued customers, or those with social media pull can greatly elevate your presence both on and offline.

The Interview

Lastly, we have the interview. Like the presentation, this type of corporate video gives audiences information directly from the source. But unlike the presentation, the interview can either be a lot more (or less) formal. It’s also a lot more personal, giving your audience an up-close view of what employees have to say.

Here at Key West Video, we do all types of corporate video. We work with our clients to ensure their corporate visual needs are met. Visit our website for more information on our services today!

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The Balance Between Live-Action And Animation

Companies sometimes find themselves at a crossroads when attempting to balance live-action and corporate animation.

We at Key West Video might have finally found the perfect balance between the two. While animation and live-action are often combined, they do suit their specific niches.

A lot of our clients like to use live-action for their corporate video. Some of our most popular live-action videos are instructional video tutorials, corporate training, staff interviews, and commercials.

But notice that we said our clients like live-action.

They don’t require it.

Live-action is not a necessity.

On the other hand, some of our clients ask for a more visually appealing approach. They understand that certain content doesn’t always catch our attention, and request corporate animation, instead. This usually means infographs, doodle animation, charts, graphs, and sometimes even characters.

But what about combination videos? In the corporate video production world, it can be tough when figuring out how to balance both. Here we’ve outlined a list of things to consider when weighing your options.

Content

We’ve found that technology-savvy companies lean towards animation in their corporate videos. Animations are a clean, yet engaging, way to pique your audience’s interest. They provide your message – be it informative or educational -in a visually stimulating way.

At their core, animations are meant to be a fun way to send a message across, and can resonate better with your viewers.

Time Frame

A time frame is another thing to consider when debating live-action versus animation. The desired length of your video and production timeline can heavily restrict your production schedule. Depending on how tight your deadline is, live-action might be the easier option. How long is your supposed video? How soon do you need your corporate video?

Editing requires a great deal of time. Creating keyframes for animation takes even longer.

How long is your supposed video? How soon do you need your corporate video?

Budget

Animation on the other hand, requires a lot more technical work and highly-skilled editors to complete the job. Equipment used for high-end non-linear editing suites can be expensive, too.

Platform

One last thing to consider is the platform. More often than not, live-action is used for bigger mediums such as television. Live-action can mean as little as writing a script, casting a few actors and shooting with basic lighting, audio equipment, and a good camera.

If your marketing strategy relies on making an online presence, animation is a cool way to cut through the noise. A strong message with crisp visuals can really resonate with users and make for a rock-solid video marketing campaign.

Each client’s brand is different, making it difficult to determine a definitive answer. We at Key West Video have expertise in working directly with our clients to find the best possible way to executive their corporate video needs. For more information on our services, visit our website today.

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Infomercials: Should Your Company Invest In Them?

We’ve all seen infomercials on our evening television. But at what point should your company consider creating one, or flat-out leave them alone?

Infomercials are an interesting way to get a message across.

We say interesting because they’ve been used so heavily since the introduction of the Golden Age of Television. Since the rise of consumerism in the 50s, we’ve become all too familiar with the late night television.

Infomercials (otherwise known as paid programming), have been dominating our post-primetime screens. Rumoured to have begun as early as the 50s, we’ve been saturated with late night products and pushy television salespersons.  We’re urged to buy Dolly Parton’s greatest hits. The latest cars. A plethora of household items that we simply don’t need.

Almost every single infomercial is the same. Demonstrate the product in a non-practical, almost comical way. Advertise its benefit to the customer. Emphasize the low price. Enthusiastically urge the consumer to whip out his or her credit card.

As entertaining as they may be, they’ve served their purpose. Many would argue that it is an outdated form of advertising. Some would even go so far as to say that the infomercial is dead.

Nevertheless, we are still in an age of televisual marketing. And infomercials still bring in a whole lot of money.

With our new age platforms always demanding our attention, the question now becomes: do we need infomercials?

The answer isn’t exactly simple. Here we take a look at some of the reasons for infomercials:

1. Instant Information

Infomercials speak to us directly. Though they typically rely on traditional media, they give us what we need. Why do we need this product? What makes this particular brand stand out from the rest? Is this new invention innovative? Will it help better our lives?

That is the ultimate test.

2. Engaging

If infomercials weren’t engaging, they wouldn’t be estimated at a whopping almost $100 billion dollars. And for broadcasters who sign off in the wee hours of the night, infomercials have taken over. In fact, they’ve become so successful they’re now given 30-minute programming slots.

Clearly, they’re paying off.

Consider commercials like the infamous ‘Slap Chop’. Enough said.

3. Deliberate

They prey on us. They call out our desires and make us want things we don’t need. They play on our psyche. They insist that we can’t live without this particular product or service and that if we don’t respond to the call to action right away, we’re missing out on something big.

It’s all a lie.

Infomercials are there to weed out the weak from the strong. And they’re deliberate. Buy at your discretion.

It’s unclear whether or not companies make long-lasting relationships with their consumers through infomercials. But one thing is for sure – infomercials are a highly profitable way to get your business out there.

Here at Key West Video, we create compelling video that could probably compete with the average three a.m. infomercial. For more on our services, visit our website today!

Still not impressed? Leave us a comment below.

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Amateur Videos: Are They The Way Of The Future?

Amateur videographers can now cash in on their content without needing any credentials.

You knew this day was coming. Amateur content has been chasing us since the 90s.

With the rise of technologically-based citizen journalism (and arguably the demise of actual journalism), we probably shouldn’t be surprised that content creation is next in line. It’s now easier than ever to record content and upload it onto the web for consumption.

More affectionately called “user-generated content”, amateur videos have become increasingly popular as source material for news and media organizations. After all, it’s difficult for journalists, reporters, and social media aggregators to be any and everywhere at all times.

Truly reminiscent of our generation, we capture memorable moments on our smartphones. Funny incidents. Tragic accidents. Catastrophic events. Cute pet moments. We never waste an opportunity for our content to potentially go viral because, hey, viral hits mean increased popularity. In our semi-narcissistic society, what could be better than 1 week of internet fame?

The real challenge, however, is with media/news organizations and their relationship with amateur video capturers. Here we take a look at some of the prominent issues that can arise when it comes to using amateur video:

1. Validity

Naturally, it becomes harder to validate content. When a journalist founded Storyful back in 2010, it opened the doors for users to upload unrestricted content. Amateur video poured in, quickly making it a hotbed for news footage.

But one issue quickly arose: how on earth does one determine the credibility of the content? What authority does the “videographer” have to record this? And ultimately, why should we believe it?

Amateur videography arguably calls for even more work from news outlets. Crap quality aside, now inquiring journalists must work with the uploader to validate the content of the video.

2. Ethics

Barriers are broken when anyone is able to upload content onto a website. But how ethical is it? Users are presented with the opportunity to generate revenue from their content. Cue licensing fees. Companies like Viral Hog license video to major news outlets like ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, Fox, and BBC, to name a few.

It’s only fair that uploaders should be compensated fairly for their video. However, it’s still unclear as to how much someone can get in licensing fees for a video. According to Jonathan Skogmo, founder of multi-platform media and entertainment company Jukin, payments can range from $50 to $5,000.

3. Harassment

Think of user-generated content as an attractive girl at the bar.

A lot of people suddenly take an interest as soon as she walks in. Men from the left to the right offer her a drink. Suddenly, she’s the center of the party. She’s got something they want. And she’s got the option of who she wants to go home with.

This is both exciting and a little scary. If she isn’t careful, she’s now slightly more open to risk. Those around her may bombard her personal space. They might badger her with questions. They may even try to coerce her into giving more than she’s willing to.

The girl must play her cards right. Those surrounding her need to be mindful of their actions.

The same rings true for users and large media outlets looking to license their content. Outlets should be careful not to harass or take advantage of uploaders. While ideally most would respond favourably to potential monetary compensation, not everyone is willing to sell their content. Likewise, companies would benefit in doing a bit of research before starting a bidding war.

Here at Key West Video we pride ourselves on creating quality content that viewers can connect to. Whether it’s for educational or entertainment purposes (or a bit of both), we create compelling content aimed to engage viewers. Check out our website and contact us for a quote today!

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How Netflix Monitors Your Viewing Habits

Ever wonder how Netflix knows what to recommend to you next? That’s because the video subscription service uses a system to monitor your viewing habits.

There’s a science to this. Viewing content online has become increasingly popular in the past decade. Many argue that Netflix has become an active competitor to linear TV, and threatens to make it obsolete. Other competitors such as Amazon, Shomi and Hulu have joined in on the race. With the competition as fierce as ever, Netflix must continue to satisfy its subscribers.

One surefire way to do this is by paying attention to users’ viewing habits in order to curate and create content.

It isn’t a secret that Netflix’s content depends highly on the data retrieved from subscriptions. It’s what influences what types of shows will be made based on what people are interested in. It has a say in who to cast and what crew to use.

It’s like an online video version of Big Brother watching over us, carefully monitoring our viewing habits.

And after all, it’s a fair assumption to believe that Netflix has an algorithm for these things, right?

Kinda.

Would you believe us if we told you that Netflix’s user monitoring is a lot more simple than we thought?

One journalist from the Toronto Star visited Netflix’s headquarters in Los Gatos, California. He discovered that algorithmic data must just be a thing of the past. Instead, Netflix employees monitor what you watch in real-time.

After building a seemingly flawless rating system, Netflix “de-emphasized” that model. Gone are the days when it’s star-studded ratings from 1-5 actually meant something significant. Now, Netflix still pays attention to your rating…it just doesn’t use it as primary data.

In his article, Toronto Star reporter Tom Vanderbilt says,

“asking people what they like is not the same thing as observing what they do. The beauty of the Internet is that regardless of what people say, you can see, with increasing fidelity, their actual behaviour.“

Clearly, Netflix doesn’t have full faith in its users to trust them to be honest with their interests. Nevertheless, the video streaming service is able to extrapolate what viewers are really watching. This means they know what you watch when you watch it, where you’re watching it, where you press the pause button, what you watch next and what you repeatedly watch.

For more information, read Vanderbilt’s article here.

Here at Key West Video, we consider ourselves avid Netflix watchers. With a full portfolio of compelling video content, we invite you to check out our website today.

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