Friday, July 27, 2018
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Key2B #02 – Meet Mega Magic’s Mike Durzo
Key2B is a new web series featuring interviews with industry professionals in some of the most interesting fields.
Here at Key West Video, we’re producing a #WebSeries called #Key2B where we interview professionals from all walks of life and learn some of the ins and outs of their field. You’ll be entertained and you might even learn something in the process. ;)
In this episode we sit down with professional magician Mike Durzo. We discuss various aspects of the magic industry such as touring abroad and what it takes to create a new illusion.
Mike Durzo performing in China
“As the founder and creative director of Mega Magic, he performs in hundreds of shows annually for some of the largest corporations, theatres, theme parks, festivals and television networks across Canada. Mike the winner of the 2014 “Canadian Entertainer of the Year” award presented by the Canadian Special Events Industry Awards! He was the winner of the 2012, 2013 & 2014 “Performer of the Year” award by Festivals & Events Ontario. Mike was awarded “Top 10 Magicians Worldwide” by the Wedding Industry Experts Awards in 2014. He was also nominated for the BizBash Magazine “People’s Choice Awards” and the “Notable TV” Entertainment award presented by the Metro Newspaper and City TV. Mike is a member of the prestigious Canadian Association of Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.” – megamagic.ca
If you’re looking for more content from Key West Video, you can follow our daily blog. For more information on Mega Magic and Mike Durzo, you can visit his personal website at megamagic.ca. We hope you enjoy this episode of Key2B and come back next month for more insight into some of the most interesting industries.
If you’d be interested in appearing in an episode of Key2B, please contact us at info@keywestvideo.com Tell us what profession you’re in and why you would like to be in the next episode.
The post Key2B #02 – Meet Mega Magic’s Mike Durzo appeared first on Corporate Video Blog.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Human Resource Videos
Human Resource Videos: Professional Video is Your Friend!
Corporate videos are an integral asset for #HumanResource professionals. Whether your department is looking to hire, inform, or train new and existing #talent, #videos can play a big role in the successful deployment of the initiative. Take a look at a new highlight video featuring some of the projects Key West has produced for our clients in the human resources field.
There are many reasons why a human resources department could benefit from having video produced. Finding and retaining good #HumanCapital is a key aspect of any human resource professionals job. Having a video to promote your company’s best selling features can be a great way to attract high quality talent. As Danielle Setola Antes puts it in her post The 15 Best Recruitment Videos and Why We Love Them, it’s a way to ‘get applicants involved in your organization before they even apply’. Through the use of #testimonials you can share current #employees experiences, and the reasons behind their desire to #work within your #organization.
Video is also a great format for training #training and #orientation. #Training videos have been utilized by human resource departments since the inception of #CorporateVideo. This is because the need for affordable, straight to the point, and effective training is huge in any corporation. Instead of holding live events with #TrainingProfessionals, video can be a excellent resource. With video you can document various scenarios, showcase the right and wrong ways of performing a task.
A dramatized scenario with text overlays allows for clear conveyance of ideas.
Videos used for orientation can have a variety of purposes. The need to express information to internal #employees, #contractors, #vendors and #visitors is at the root of this type of video. Human resource professionals are the information hub when it comes to an organization. They supply individuals with information to understand and perform their #job properly, and they inform about safe work practices within the #workplace. Chris Joseph, in his post Why is Orientation Important to the Employee, he says orientation videos are a way to “acclimate the employee and speed up the time it takes for her to become a productive member of the organization”.
Contact Key West Video Inc. if you are interested in learning more about any style of video for your human resource video needs!
The post Human Resource Videos appeared first on Corporate Video Blog.
Friday, July 18, 2014
How To Make a Corporate Video
Thinking about getting a corporate video produced for your company? In this weeks animated video blog we dive into the key items you should consider before getting started.
So you’re thinking about making a corporate video? Well, there are a few things you should consider before you begin. Your video needs direction. Make sure you know the message you are trying to convey, the style you are trying to achieve, and the audience you are trying to reach. The best videos are quick, concise, and tailor made to highlight your goals. You may think all you need is a camera, but great video production encompasses many skills that work with the camera to produce the best possible results. Lighting, location, lenses, audio, and makeup are all equally important. And of course, you need a talented editor to put it all together. Overall, make sure you keep your video simple, short, and meaningful… and if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to call Keywest Video.
Here are some links to other blogs we have written that may be helpful in your search for more information on getting your next video produced:
Outsourcing: 5 Q’s to Ask Yourself
5 Tips for Choosing a Corporate Video Company
Employees vs. Actors for Your Corporate Video
Testimonial Videos and Business
Internal Videos: Top 5 Benefits
Promotion Techniques for Your Corporate Video
Interested in watching more of our video blogs? Please subscribe to our site, or follow us on social media. Keywest releases a new #vlog every week with helpful information and tips.
Are you a business interested in producing your own #CorporateVideo? Check out our website www.keywestvideo.com, and speak to one of our producers today. We’ll be happy to hear from you!
Monday, June 2, 2014
Improve your Vlog
Vlogs are a great way to stand out and connect with your audience on a more personal level. Here are #FiveTips on #HowTo improve your #vlog.
What’s a Vlog? Firstly, let’s make sure that you know what you’re talking about:
vlog
/vläg/
noun
noun: vlog; plural noun: vlogs
a blog in which the postings are primarily in video form.
“you can add travel vlogs to the growing list of travel-related material popping up on the Web”
Looking for some more information? Read more about vlogs and their history.
1. Content
Make sure that you’re providing your dedicated vlog viewers with something good to watch. It sometimes helps to create an outline with just a few points to make sure that you don’t stray too far from the point you’re trying to make. Viewers don’t generally appreciate watching someone ramble on and on without any sort of direction.
2. Lighting
Let’s face it: we like to watch videos that look good. Try your best to make sure that your vlog is lit properly. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to go out and buy all kinds of fancy equipment, but try to record your blog in a well-lit room so that you as well as your setting look bright and engaging.
3. Sound
As much as we like things that look good, we also like things that sound good. There’s nothing more frustrating than poorly executed audio. Again, you don’t need to go out and buy truckloads of fancy equipment to shoot your vlogs, but there are some minor changes you could apply to garner a great product. If possible, try to invest in a microphone so that your voice is heard loud and clear, without any strange echoes, buzzing, humming, etc. And try to shoot your vlog in a quiet room – make sure there isn’t any obnoxious music (or a television) playing in the background since the last thing you want to do is have a distracted audience.
4. Social media
In order to improve your vlog, you also need to improve your social media presence. Try to post your video on as many of your social media outlets as you can. It helps a great deal if your follows share, rate, and comment on your vlog. The goal is to generate as much traffic to your vlogs as you can.
5. Length
Keep your vlog short and simple. Viewers prefer to digest little tidbits of information, rather than watch 20-minute seminars on YouTube. The key to keep your viewers coming back is to make sure you don’t bore them. Keep them entertained with short and sweet videos that are easily shareable.
Read more: The Best Vlogging Tips for YouTube Vloggers
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Keywest Video Blog: Professional Production
This week’s video blog discusses the benefits of professional production quality.
Technology has changed the landscape of video production. We are now at a point where it’s easy for a company to make their own corporate videos for social media use. Most portable devices such as an iPhone, have HD video cameras, and sites like YouTube and Vimeo make hosting and embedding easy. So you might wonder why anyone would hire a production company to produce corporate videos for their business.
For starters, HD is actually a very ambiguous term. While a $400 point and shoot camera and a $10,000 DSLR may both film in high definition, professional video cameras have superior image processing and color rendering capabilities. This becomes extremely evident under direct comparison with those consumer products.
And even though the type of camera used is extremely significant when it comes to image quality, possibly even more important than the camera itself, is professional lighting equipment. As well as the skills needed to use it effectively.
This level of production quality will impress, and impart a sense of professionalism to your potential clients.
Want to take it a step further? Multiple cameras really help when it comes to seamless dialogue edits… sorry can we take that line again? Multiple cameras really help when it comes to seamless dialogue edits and can be very useful when filming larger scripts.
No matter how simple or complex your project is, a professionally produced video leaves viewers focused on your message, and not distracted by quality issues.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Stock Footage Uses Video Blog
Stock Footage: What is it and how do you use it?
Stock footage simply put, is footage that can be used in multiple videos. When a production company shoots a video for a client, that footage is most often used for the sole purpose of that video. But sometimes, when the time or money is not available, producers will utilize footage that was shot previously, not with their specific project in mind. This footage, is stock footage.
Stock footage is therefore mostly of general things, with no specific branding, so it can be utilized in various productions. Things like nature, landscapes, and general office settings are very common.
Stock footage is beneficial, because it can save on the resources required to film certain shots. For example, the costs involved in filming an aerial shot of the CN tower can be quite substantial. So you can save on these costs by purchasing from an online library, where the price would be more affordable.
At Keywest, over the past year we have been actively filming, and building up our own library of stock footage. The reason for this being, it will aid our clients in cutting down costs for their own video projects. We usually film with a theme in mind, and have now done several shoots focusing on getting nice shots of downtown Toronto, nature, wildlife, and even some shots of our film and office equipment. Then, when we see a need in one of our client’s videos, we will be able to utilize footage that we have already shot, thereby saving time and money for our client.
This is just one of the avenues Keywest is actively pursuing in order to make sure our clients are getting the most for their money!
Stock Footage Uses Video Blog
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Monster Mash Music Video: Happy Halloween!
Hope You Have a Monster Mash Halloween!
Keywest Video is a trusted source for video production and monster mash music videos for a wide variety of corporate clients.
Monster Mash Music Video: Happy Halloween!
Friday, August 9, 2013
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
Friday, July 26, 2013
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