Don’t be afraid of the lens: What to expect when you are being interviewed
Don’t be afraid of the lens:
What to expect when you are being interviewed
Whether you have done it many times before or never in your life, being filmed can always be a daunting prospect.
At Croft TV, we don’t think it has to be and make it our business to make you as comfortable as possible.
Being relaxed will not only make the experience enjoyable for you, it will also make for a better final video and with our 30 plus years of experience, we’ve got it down to a fine art!
The purpose of this guide is to break down what to expect when you are being filmed, from what we do before you arrive, to when you are in the room – in an attempt to make you as familiar with the process as possible.
We will also mention a few tips and tricks that you can do to make the process even easier.
Don’t have time to read the whole guide right now? That’s no problem, just click the download link and you can read it at a time that is convenient for you.
Now, let’s dive in!
Before The Shoot
As soon as we know we will be filming, we will have begun planning the shoot, getting the gear ready and thinking about the location, look of the video, etc..
At this point if you have been asked to be in the video, the best thing that you can do is take some time to write out what you want to say and become familiar with it.
We know everyone is extremely busy but if you do have the opportunity to do this, it will make the shoot run more smoothly and save you time on the day!
Treat this like you would if you were presenting in front of people, learn your lines, but don’t just read them in your head, say them out loud, even practice in front of an audience if possible.
Also, if you have been given a set time limit, this would be a good point to time what you are going to say.
The Shoot (Before You Arrive)
To ensure we run to schedule and we use as little of your time as possible, we arrive early (we usually like to get to the location an hour before) to get everything prepared.
We begin by sorting the location, which may have been predetermined, but sometimes not. Ideally the location will visually fit the context of the video and be quiet, commonly an empty office.
Sorting the location will often mean moving objects to make a ‘set’ or clearing things out of the way, but don’t worry, we will always leave a location just as we found it!
Once that is done we begin to set-up the equipment.
The camera and tripod go up, facing where you (the presenter) will be and a ‘boom’ microphone is set-up to capture your audio.
Lights are assembled around this area and at this point any room lights are turned off and blinds drawn (if possible).
Now, finer tweaks are done.
One of our crew members will stand (or sit) where you will be, while the camera operator tweaks the lighting, exposure settings, sets the white balance and shoots the colour calibrator (these factors ensure the colours the camera is capturing are the same as they look to the naked eye), and finally, an audio test will take place.
Now we are ready for you!
The Shoot (With You!)
Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by us, after which we will direct you to your position and mic you up.
This is nothing to worry about and basically involves having a tiny microphone clipped to your collar, tie, shirt or dress and then hiding the wire.
Next, a quick audio check will take place, where we will ask you a few questions so we can check your audio levels are okay.
Lastly, we’ll give you some direction and a few tips on how to get the best out of your delivery. We’ll discuss them now.
The Look
Depending on the shoot, we will either have you delivering your lines straight down the lens or off to one side of the camera, which will have been decided before the shoot.
In the latter option, one of us will sit behind the camera so your eye-line looks natural.
Most people prefer delivering this way, compared to straight down the lens, as it feels more like a conversation.
An example of what that looks like on camera can be seen below.
Rephrasing The Question As Part Of Your Answer
In either delivery option, if the shoot requires you to answer questions, we will happily prompt you with them.
Most of the time the questions won’t appear on screen in the final video, so in that case we will ask you to rephrase the question as part of your answer (which is easier than it sounds). For example:
Please tell us who you are, who you work for and your job role?
When answered becomes:
Hello, my name is (insert name) and I am a (insert job role) at (insert place of employment).
You see, simple!
Eye Contact
Whether you are looking at the camera or one of our crew, try not to let your eyes wander.
If they naturally move around as you think, that is fine but always bring them back to the original point of focus, just as you would if you were really having a conversation.
Delivery & General Tips
It’s best to leave a small gap before you begin to speak and after you have finished speaking. When ‘action’ is called, look where you’ve been told to focus on, wait a second or two, then begin. Likewise, when you have finished what you were saying, keep staring where you need to stare for a couple of extra seconds. Doing this will make the editing more seamless, which will improve the overall video.
When some people get flustered, they tend to speed up their talking speed. If this happens, stay calm, take a deep breath and keep going at a steady pace. We will always be there to help you stay calm and enjoy yourself!
If you make a mistake, so what! Everyone does. There are a lot of ways around this that usually means you won’t need to start from the top again. Often we’ll only get you to return to the last sentence or paragraph, so don’t worry.
Do you talk with your hands? Then talk with them! We’ll get the best out of you when you are as comfortable as possible. The only thing to watch out for here is noise that can be made from heavy jewellery, lanyards, etc..
Lastly, keeping your lines out of shot, but within reach will mean you can give them a quick read between takes, not that you’ll need it 😉
Autocue
One other factor that will change the interview set-up which we haven’t mentioned yet, is the workhorse of the TV newsroom, the autocue.
If you will be using an autocue, you will be notified before the shoot.
Using an autocue will also mean we will need your signed off script before the shoot, so we can format it for use with the autocue software.
The way the autocue works will mean you will be delivering your lines straight down the barrel of the lens and will allow you to read through your lines as you are being filmed, as they will appear to you as scrolling text. This does not mean you should not learn your lines, as this will always make your delivery more polished.
People tend to have the preconception that the autocue will make any delivery to camera easier and better, but that just is not the case. Don’t get us wrong, it is an amazing bit of kit and works wonderfully in the right situations, but it is not suitable for everything. To find out more on when is and isn’t the right situation for an autocue click the link HERE!
That’s it, thanks for reading!
Hopefully your next interview will not feel daunting now you know what it will entail and the steps you can take beforehand to make it run as smoothly as possible.
If you would like to get in touch, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com, use our contact form here or give us a call on 01628 668735.
We offer no-obligation, free quotes and are always happy to discuss concepts, and if you found this guide useful please share it!
We looking forward to working with you soon!
– The Croft TV Team
What is an Isometric Animation? Impactful Explainer Video Styles
What is an Isometric Animation?
At Croft TV we are always trying to learn new things and stay at the forefront of modern video making techniques. With that in mind, we are excited to announce that we have added a new video style to our repertoire…
Isometric Animations (also known as Isometric Explainer Videos)
If you don’t know what that is, no problem, let us explain…
What is an Isometric Animation?
Isometric Animation is a style commonly used in Explainer Videos and is a 2D, top-down, cubic perspective that mimics a 3D plane. If you haven’t see a video like it, you may still recognise it as it looks very similar to the popular video game The Sims.
What type of videos work best as Isometric Animations?
There are a lot of different types of video that would work well as an Isometric Animation. Though, the most common and for good reason, is an Explainer Video – you may have heard of these as Isometric Explainer Videos.
If you don’t know what an Explainer Video is, we have written an in-depth article explaining what they are and why they are used – you can read the article by clicking HERE!
As a brief summary, an Explainer Video is an engaging, light-hearted and memorable way to (surprise, surprise) ‘explain’ an idea, product, service, etc..
They are especially good at conveying potentially dry information, as the charming style holds attention and keeps eyes on the screen.
A great example of an Isometric Explainer Video and one of our recent pieces of work can be seen below.
Because we are a full-service production company, the above example included everything from
script and storyboard support to bespoke design and animation for elements like the room, environment and characters.
To finish the video off, we also sourced and remotely recorded a US voice over artist (at our clients request), which we then mastered and edited into the video.
Now you know all about Isometric Animations, you might be asking…
“Who can make me a good Isometric Explainer Video?”
Well, you’re in luck!
We have the perfect team to create a completely personalised Isometric Animation for your product, service, business or anything you can think of!
From the conception of the project to its completion, we will work with you every step of the way to create your perfect video for your needs.
If you wanted to have a chat about anything in this article or any other elements of video production, then Croft TV are your ‘go to’ company. We love chatting through ideas for videos and we also will happily provide you with free, no obligation quotes.
If you would like to get in touch, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com, use our contact form here or give us a call on 01628668735 and if you found this information useful then please share it!
– The Croft TV Team
Top 5 Video Marketing Trends for 2022
Top 5 Video Marketing Trends for 2022
At the start of any year, it’s good to look ahead to see what the future of video content could look like. Here’s what we think will be the big players in our industry for 2022.
1. Interactive videos:
It was back in 2018 when Charlie Brooker’s Bandersnatch hit Netflix.
It was ground-breaking. A ‘choose your own adventure’ book on your TV!
These clickable buttons throughout a video are really gathering in popularity and you don’t need a multi-million dollar streaming platform to host your own.
Your website can showcase a video which has fully interactive elements such as links to websites, products, quizzes and menus to name just a few options. All of these can be embedded inside your video player.
Getting engaged with a video creates a new and immersive experience and it’s one that should really help your video stand out from competitors.
2. Self-Shot Content:
One year we won’t have to include this on our list, but while we are still in the grips of this pandemic, self-shot content will be here to stay.
Whether you use a phone, tablet, SLR camera, Teams or Zoom to capture your footage you’ll still want that high-quality end product.
No matter the quality of your recording, it’s still important to make sure the editing and everything surrounding your self-shot content looks fantastic.
Our top tip would be to seek advice on lighting, angles, backgrounds and audio quality before you film yourself.
A lot of things can be fixed in post-production, but the better the source material, the less “fixing” required. We have a free ‘self shooting’ guide which you can view by clicking here or download a PDF version by clicking the link below!
We’re of course happy to edit your footage once it’s filmed.
3. Social Media (style) Content:
Tik-Tok and Instagram Stories will really drive some quick and up-to-the-second marketing opportunities.
Producing a video that replicates the style of a social media platform video is becoming a huge player in video marketing.
Adding overlays, emoji’s and eye-popping animations to a video means you can keep re-using your social style clips on your website or LinkedIn for example.
These videos look great, they are what 2022 viewers are going to be used to seeing and they will hopefully get you trending in all the right ways.
4. Online Events:
We’d love to be able to gather in our thousands at events, but there is understandable hesitancy remaining in 2022 to do this.
That means it’s likely you’ll be keeping your conferences and launches online for now.
This means video is key!
There will be a budget saving by remaining online. The costs saved from hiring venues and travel arrangements could be redirected to making some really eye-popping content.
Attention is easy to earn but hard to keep, so why not sprinkle your online meetings with the best videos you’ve ever produced.
5. Short Videos:
I’ll leave it up to you to decided how short a ‘short video’ is, but it’s always shorter than you think.
With videos making up over 80% of web traffic (source) our stamina for absorbing moving pictures is on the wane.
When it’s so easy to swipe to the next piece of content, your video has got to get right to the point quickly and, of course, look awesome!
If you wanted to have a chat about anything in this blog or any other elements of video production, then Croft TV are your ‘go to’ company. We love chatting through ideas for videos and we also will happily provide you with free, no obligation quotes. We hope to connect with you in 2022.
If you would like to get in touch, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com, use our contact form here or give us a call on 01628668735 and if you found this post useful then please share it!
– The Croft TV Team
Top 5 Corporate Video Trends of 2021
Top 5 Corporate Video Trends of 2021
2020 was unpredictable to say the least! It lead to many sudden and drastic changes to the way that business is conducted. Forcing businesses to adapt and really evaluate what is important, to and for them.
Thankfully for us, video became a crucial tool in helping businesses adjust and thrive in the current global situation.
By utilising existing video technology businesses were able to move their communications online; everything from training, meetings and even large events. This is obviously not a new idea, but 2020 saw this happen on a scale never seen before.
Based on what we saw in 2020 and our experience in the industry, we have compiled a list of the top 5 corporate video trends you are likely to see in 2021.
So let’s jump in!
1. Virtual is still the way to go!
In 2020 we saw a dramatic rise in the use of video software such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This will continue to increase through 2021 as physically attending meetings or events continues to be problematic.
There are other reasons why this trend might hang around a lot longer than is necessary; in a lot of cases this is an easier, more cost effective and simply better way of operating.
A great example of this is the rise in webinars, which we have been commissioned to edit a lot of in the last 12 months.
The virtual webinar lets you bring together people from any location for a face-to-face chat, relatively easily and inexpensively.
We recently edited a STEM related webinar where professional engineers from all over the UK spoke about their experience in engineering and took questions from school students. This was an extremely inspiring video and an excellent use of the technology.
The opportunities for these kinds of applications are limitless.
Another additional benefit to the use of video communication software is that it can be easily recorded and turned into instructional or marketing material.
That’s where we come in 🙂
We take the recorded videos, add our magic – which could take the form of professional editing, cleaning up the audio, grading, adding music, slides, captions & graphics, animations and much more – and return you your polished video that you can use anywhere!
2. Remote Directing
Remote directing gained a lot of popularity in 2020 and that popularity does not seem to be slowing down in 2021.
This should come as no surprise as getting a professional team to remotely direct your shoot is still the best way to maximise your video quality when it is impossible to get a professional video team in.
These shoots have worked really well for us, producing some great results!
If you are new to the concept, we have outlined below how a typical production may run.
Typical Remotely Directed Shoot
The key to a remotely directed shoot is the same as a regular shoot; work out the kinks before you film!
Through discussions with the client and presenter, prior to filming, we work out the details, such as: What camera do they have to film on? What microphone will they be using? Where is the best location for them to shoot? Will they be reading from a script? All in an effort to help them look their best!
On the day they can either film it themself or we can call in and be there via video link. Here we will work with them on delivery, eye line and basically help them record a professional looking, high quality video.
3. Making the most of your content
With the statistics for screen time increasing year on year, 2021 is an important time to ensure you are releasing enough content and that it is being seen as much as possible by your targeted audience.
Each platform has its own specific video format but if you plan the video right, you can either make a universal video that can be used across all platforms or differently formatted versions that can be used on each specific platform. Either way it’s not much effort for something that can be extremely advantageous for your business or brand.
Another way to make the most of your content is something we do a lot of at Croft TV, which is localising and translating videos.
We do this by taking your video and depending on your requirements, translate, re-voice, re-caption and/or subtitle it.
This way for a fraction of the cost of a new video you can hit as many markets as you need – win-win!
4. Self-shot material to increase in popularity
No doubt you have seen a lot of self-shot video content these days, just watch 5 minutes of the news and you’ll be bound to see some.
It has grown in popularity for a number of reasons including the fact that it can be more cost effective, it allows you to create video without having to be around people outside of your bubble and people often think less crew means less pressure.
It can however have its draw backs and is no replacement for a professional crew when it’s possible to have one.
On this, we’ve written an entire blog post on the pros and cons of self-shooting vs hiring a professional film crew which you can find HERE!
This point leads us onto our final trend…
5. Quality is less of an issue than it used to be
Since self-shot material has taken off, people have naturally become more forgiving of the quality of the material, so you can stress less!
This is due largely to the fact that a lot of us are now working from home and can relate to issues like a little bit of household, background noise (or the odd attention seeking child or pet making an appearance).
The caveat to this is that it mainly applies to video that looks self-shot such as interviews or piece to cameras and not so much to more promotional styles of video.
Something also worth mentioning is that if the quality is too bad then it will have the opposite effect to what you intended. We have explored this in our article Professional Film Crew vs Self-Shooting: What’s Best For You?
If you are looking to improve your self-shot video and get them looking their best, we’ve created a free, easy to follow guide that will walk you through everything you need to know in getting your videos looking and sounding as good as they can. You can find it by clicking HERE; or download a PDF version by clicking the link below!
That’s it, thanks for reading and good luck for the year ahead!
A little about us, we offer no-obligation, free quotes and are always happy to discuss concepts.
If you would like to get in touch, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com, use our contact form here or give us a call on 01628668735 and if you found this post useful then please share it!
– The Croft TV Team
Professional Film Crew vs Self-Shooting: What’s Best for You?
Professional Film Crew vs Self-Shooting: What's Best for You?
The global pandemic has changed the world in a lot of ways and has been a massive driver for innovation in every industry.
From our perspective, in video production we have seen a big increase in people self-shooting.
This article will discuss the pros and cons of self-shooting and why/when you’d still want to use a professional film crew during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let’s begin!
No doubt you have seen a lot of self-shot video content these days, the news being the most prevalent source. It has taken off for a number of reasons including the fact that it can be more cost effective, it allows you to create video without having to be around people outside of your bubble and people often think less crew means less pressure.
However, self-shot video is not always suitable for every application; this is often due to its quality.
The quality of self-shot video can suffer for a number of different reasons, from technical issues such as camera quality, framing, exposure, focus, lighting and sound, to more experience and acting related issues such as eye line, clearness, confidence and flow, to name a few.
Sorry for this interruption, but…
If you are looking to improve your self-shot video and get them looking their best, we’ve created a free, easy to follow guide that will walk you through everything you need to know in getting your videos looking and sounding as good as they can. You can find it by clicking HERE; or download a PDF version by clicking the link below!
Now, back to the article…
Because of this, self-shot video might not always show your brand in the best light.
While we can polish your video with professional editing, grading, the addition of music, slides, captions & graphics, animations, and fix certain issues such as cleaning and mastering your audio or cutting around a mistake, there are certain problems that professional editing just cannot resolve.
We do provide a service where we video-call in and direct our clients while they self-shoot their video and this works really well in eradicating these issues. If this is not possible then as a general rule of thumb self-shot videos are better for internal uses and professionally shot video is better for external, i.e. client and/or customer facing media.
We had a prime example of this recently when a client had sent through a self-shot video that looked a lot like this…
…and asked if there was anything we could do to save it as they needed it for an event on the afternoon of the next day.
Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done, the problems were baked into the footage – the focus was out, it was so over-exposed you couldn’t see the product they were advertising and to make matters worse the audio was so noisy you could barely make out the presenter’s voice.
So, as fixing the video was impossible we went back to the client with an offer. We could professionally film their presenter in front of a green screen, in our studio the next morning for a competitive price and still have the edit to them that afternoon.
They agreed and the resulting video looked a lot more like this…
…the audio and visuals were clear and crisp, the delivery was confident and strong and the overall video was great, the client was extremely happy with the end result.
We had even lit the presenter in such a way that, coupled with the ‘green-screened’ background image of a lounge room, the presenter looked as though they were in that room.
Another benefit of getting your video professionally shot is consistency, this is especially important if you are looking to produce a series of videos. We have over 30 years’ experience and have produced countless programmes so, you can confidentially hand us a video project and know that we will hit your brief every time. This leads us on to the last point…
…a professional film crew will allow you to stress less. We know our clients are busy and we pride ourselves on providing a stress free video-making experience, allowing you to get on with your actual job.
If you are interested in how we are conducting our shoots during the pandemic then please read our ‘Croft TV’s Video Production Protocol During The COVID-19 Pandemic’ and find out how we keep our crew and clients safe.
That’s it, thanks for reading!
You now have all of the information you need to make an informed decision whether you should self-shoot or hire a film crew.
We offer no-obligation, free quotes and are always happy to discuss concepts.
If you would like to get in touch, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com, use our contact form here or give us a call on 01628668735 and if you found this guide useful please share it!
– The Croft TV Team
Croft TV’s Video Production Protocol during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Croft TV's Video Production Protocol during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Now that live filming is possible again the following article will outline how we (Croft Television) will conduct our shoots, ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees and our clients.
Let’s start at the beginning…
Pre-Shoot
Our employees know and can recognise the symptoms of the COVID-19 virus in themselves and others, so if they are presenting any of these symptoms they will not be attending the filming assignment and instead will go into self-isolation for 14 days, as per the government advice.
We own a temperature gun and so, temperatures will be taken of each employee regularly on the lead up to a shoot, and on the morning of the shoot. If these readings show that any employee has a ‘high’ temperature, i.e. 38°C or above, they will not be attending the filming assignment and will go into self-isolation for 14 days.
Other pre-shoot precautions we will take include ensuring any gear that will be taken with us is thoroughly cleaned using antibacterial solution, which could take the form of a wipe or spray and making sure we have enough safety equipment such as masks, gloves and hand sanitiser for all of our crew members.
During the Shoot
To minimise the risks of a live environment during COVID-19, masks and gloves will be worn at all times and social distancing rules (keeping a 2 metre distance apart) will be adhered to, also hands will be washed as frequently as possible and equipment will be sanitised regularly.
Other shoot precautions include using a longer lens to allow us to maintain at least a 2 metre distance. We will also instruct our talent on how to apply their own tie mic.
We will keep the details of anyone we come into contact with in line with Track and Trace guidance.
Once the recording is completed we will pack up quickly and neatly, disinfecting our gear as well as any surface we have used/come into contact with.
That’s it, thanks for reading!
If you have any further questions or would just like to get in touch, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com or use our contact form here!
We are always happy to have a chat, answer questions, discuss concepts or give a no-obligation, free quote.
– The Croft TV Team
TV Commercial Production London, Bucks, Berks, UK, Worldwide
TV Commercial Production London, Bucks, Berks, UK and beyond!
“THINKING TV? THINK CROFT TV!”
TV Commercial Production London, Bucks, Berks, UK and beyond!
Since 1941 television advertisements have graced our screens. It is no secret why they are so popular… they are one of the most effective ways to reach a large and targeted audience on a local, national and even global scale.
Though companies may find the process of getting a TV commercial filmed and aired quite tricky, due to the many technical and scheduling requirements that need to be met, each channel having its own technical specifications, Clearcast approvals and so on.
But don’t worry, this is where we come in…
We are Croft Television.
For over 35 years we have worked in the industry with some of the biggest brands in the world: Mars, RB, GSK, 3M, you name it, we’ve done it!
We offer a London video agency service at a local production company price. This means you will still be getting the high standard of work you expect for your business, without paying those high ‘London’ price tags. We are conveniently located on the borders of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, just 25 miles from central London and a 25 minute drive from Heathrow airport.
Our friendly team is experienced, driven and highly proficient at what we do, so you can feel comfortable knowing your project is in safe hands.
We are a full-service video production company, which means that our expert team will help you every step of the way. You will be assigned a project manager whose friendly face will be your one point of contact and will guide you through the entire process; from idea generation and script development, to filming and Clearcast approvals, all the way through to the airing of your television commercial.
Your brief can be as simple or as detailed as you would like. You may have developed a solid idea that you would like us to create. You may not have an idea at all and would like to work with us in coming up with a creative vision for a specific target audience or marketing plan. We will ensure that the communication achieves your goals, engages viewers and is in keeping with your brand’s guidelines.
We happily work on productions of any size, from large scale TV commercials featuring many actors, extras and locations, to smaller, more economical projects – we understand that one size does not fit all. We can also scale the commercial around your budget producing something that works for you on every level.
We can work with you anywhere in the world and have worked with clients across the UK, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, France, and even further afield, America, Canada, Japan and Singapore.
So why not use a medium that people know and trust, for your next advertising campaign?
Thinking TV? Think Croft TV!
Thanks for reading!
If you have any questions, queries or want to discuss a future project, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com, use our contact form found here or give us a call on 01628668735.
We are always happy to discuss concepts or give a no-obligation, free quote.
– The Croft TV Team
Self-Shooting Video Tips: Record Yourself at Home
Self-Shooting Video Tips: Record Yourself at Home
Self-Shooting Video Tips: Record Yourself at Home
Self-Shooting Video Tips: Record Yourself at Home
We are in unsettling and ever-changing times but, here at Croft TV, our aim is to keep business as close to normal as possible as I’m sure yours is too!
It’s all about adaptability.
So if you need a message to be created or a presentation captured and hiring a professional film crew is not possible, have you thought about shooting it yourself?
We have created an easy to follow guide below, outlining steps to make sure your production is as high quality as possible.
Once you’ve shot it, send it to us and let us do our magic. This could take the form of professional editing, cleaning up your audio, grading, adding music, slides, captions & graphics, animations and much more.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss a project, let’s have a chat!
Email: info@croft-tv.com
Phone: 01628668735
We hope you enjoy our guide and if you find it useful please share it!
Don’t have time to read the whole guide right now? That’s no problem, just click the download link and you can read it at a time that is convenient for you.
Step 1: Find a camera
These days it seems like everything has a camera in it; computers, phones, even doorbells! We have listed these recording devices below (except doorbells of course) from most to least ideal, taking into account both quality and ease of use.
1. Mobile phone: This might be your best bet. The camera quality on modern phones is fantastic, the inbuilt microphone is good, people are very comfortable using them and this device does not require any additional software, just hit record and you’re away!
Mobile phone camera
2. Traditional camera: If you have access to a traditional camera such as a DSLR, that’s great! A traditional camera will most likely produce the best video results, though it may not be as straight forward to set-up and use as a mobile phone.
DSLR
3. Computer: If your computer has an inbuilt webcam and microphone, the quality will be more than useable but this is the least ideal option as it requires additional software to record the footage from the camera, adding another level of complexity for you.
Webcam on desktop
Step 2: Audio
Audio is an often overlooked and extremely important element of video. The following points will outline how you can maximise the quality of your audio.
1. Distance from source: The idea here is to get the audio source as strong as possible, which means getting as close to the mic as you can/is comfortable. This is a balancing act, obviously if your DSLR, mobile phone etc. has an inbuilt microphone you won’t want to be so close that it ruins your shot. On the flip side, too far away and people will barely be able to hear you.
On our side there are mastering tools that we employ that will make your audio sound the best it can so don’t fret if it isn’t perfect. Though, it’s still important to remember that the better the quality of the recording, the better the end result will be.
If you have an external microphone, even better! These plug into your recording device and will most likely produce better audio quality as they allow you to get the mic as close to your mouth as possible, independent of where the camera is setup (up to the length of its cable).
External microphones increase audio quality, but can be complicated
2. A nice quiet room: It speaks for itself, but the quieter your environment the stronger the signal from your voice will be. The quality of your audio will be significantly improved by lessening the number of distractions.
3. Minimise echo: Exterior noise is not the only audio consideration when picking a location to shoot in; echo can also be detrimental to the quality of your audio. Empty rooms can become echo chambers as you’ve probably noticed if you’ve ever moved house. So if you can, choose a room that is carpeted and furnished.
A furnished room is great for echo suppression
Step 3: Location
Already mentioned in the audio section, location has a couple of additional considerations when you are picking a place to film in.
1. A bright location: A bright environment will go a long way in increasing the quality of your video. Try and utilise artificial lights and windows to increase the light on your face. Though if possible, try not to shoot using the window as a background, make sure the light is angled onto your face rather than behind it.
2. Background: Utilising a nice background also helps up that quality! Plain walls are great, or desk set-ups, the simpler the better really. Just make sure it is neat and tidy!
Simple backgrounds work great!
Step 4: Set up your camera
This section, more than any other, has the potential to become extremely complicated but our goal with this guide is to get everyone self-shooting, even if you are an absolute beginner, so we’ve boiled down the subject matter into 4 main points.
1. Set your camera to shoot in 1080p HD or 4K: Whatever device you are shooting with, you want to make sure you are recording in at least high definition. If this is not possible then the next best possible quality. You’ll find these options in your device/camera settings.
Set your camera to shoot in 1080p HD
2. Set your camera to autofocus: This step is only relevant to self-shooters who will be using a traditional camera. This option might be in the camera’s settings or simply a switch on its lens. Mobile phones and computers will automatically be set to auto-focus so if you are using one of these, you have nothing to worry about.
Use an autofocus setting
3. Place your camera in landscape orientation: Let’s quickly define the difference between landscape and portrait orientation:
Landscape orientation
Portrait orientation
While portrait orientation does have its place, mostly in social media, landscape is the orientation we are after so please ensure your camera is set up this way and that your subject is framed nicely within the composition. If you need help remembering which way landscape is just think of your TV or a cinema screen.
4. Position your camera on a sturdy surface: Ideally this is where you would be using a tripod and if you own a DSLR chances are you have one!
Mobile phone tripod
If not, we will be utilising nature’s tripod, that is any sturdy surface we can find. This could be sat on your desk leaning on a pile of books or against a monitor. Be inventive!
A still shot will dramatically increase the quality of your video and will be one less thing for you to worry about.
Step 5: Prepare
Have your notes near you and practice your delivery before you begin. The better you know what you are going to say, the better and more natural your delivery will be. Between takes read over your notes so what you’re about to say is fresh in your mind.
Finally, if you have to read your material during recording, tape it underneath the camera, ideally as close to the camera’s lens as possible. This way when you read, your eye line will still be approximately around the camera’s lens.
Step 6: Hit that record button
It’s time to begin, hit record, lean back into position, look at the camera, count to 3 and begin your delivery. You’ve got this!
You’ve got this!
When you’ve finished your take, continue looking at the camera for an additional 3 seconds, as this will make the edit easier.
If you have the time, it might be helpful to record multiple takes, this will help you get into the flow of it and will also give the editor more to work with.
In addition to the above, there is also the option of having a professional with you, to provide guidance during set-up and to direct you during the recording. If this is something you think would be beneficial we can organise one of our experienced staff to give you a video call.
That’s it, thanks for reading!
You now have all of the information you need to self-shoot your video, and once you have that, why not let our expert editors cut and polish your video into a professional final product. Delivering your footage is easy and safe with our secure FTP site.
We offer no-obligation, free quotes and are always happy to discuss concepts.
If you would like to get in touch, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com, use our contact form here or give us a call on 01628668735 and if you found this guide useful please share it!
– The Croft TV Team
London Video Agency Service At A Local Production Company Price
London video agency service at a local production company price
“LONDON VIDEO AGENCY SERVICE AT A LOCAL PRODUCTION COMPANY PRICE”
London video agency service at a local production company price.
If you are reading this, it is likely you have never used us before and are comparing different video production houses.
Well then let us introduce ourselves!
We are Croft Television.
For over 30 years we have been trusted to create video productions for countless Blue Chip companies in the UK and internationally and have made quite a name for ourselves in the process.
You can view our showreel below which will give you a good overview of the standard of work we produce.
Though, this is just one of the many reasons why companies come back to us time and time again.
So then why else should you use us?
I’m glad you asked 🙂
1. We offer London video agency service at a local production company price
What do we mean by this? Let’s begin by breaking the sentence down:
“We offer London video agency service”
Even though we are not an “agency” we operate like one. We begin every project with the target audience in mind.
Who will this video be targeted at?
What style best suits this demographic?
These are just some of the questions we research prior to script development or shooting.
This information then dictates a great number of creative choices and will lead to answers for the following questions (plus many more):
What tone of voice should the script be written in?
How should the video be shot?
How fast paced should the edit be?
What genre of music should we use?
We then use these answers to mould the creative brief which, in collaboration with you, is where we really dial in how the resulting video will look and feel.
Even if we are sent to capture the highlights of an event day, this mind-set still applies. Tailoring your video to its specific audience ensures it achieves its greatest marketing potential.
If the scope of the project calls for it we can also create completely bespoke advertising campaigns. From sizing the material, so it is suitable for each specific purpose, to launching the campaign. We will collect and analyse the results, ensuring the right eyes are seeing your video.
These campaigns may feature: LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads or email marketing campaigns.
Now, back to the second half of the sentence:
“at a local production company price”
We are a ‘video production company’ with an ‘agency’ mind-set. That means when you work with us you will get the agency level of service you are used to without the agency price tag.
We believe in transparency, that is why we have a fixed pricing structure. The price you are quoted at the start of the project will be the price you pay at the end. There are no additional costs for changes, meetings or revisions. We are happy when you are, meaning the video is finished when you say so.
We are also located just 25 miles from central London on the borders of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, just 25 minutes from Heathrow, so we don’t have those ‘London overheads’.
How does this affect the price you pay when compared to a London agency?
Running a company or business from London can be very expensive, thus a London based company will look to pass these costs on. We are based just 25 miles outside of London, by comparison this means that our overheads are considerably lower, which in turn is a saving that is passed on to you. It also gives us a prime location as we are close enough to London for convenience, but far enough away that you won’t pay that London price tag.
2. Our production services are fully in-house
We have an experienced, tight-knit team, who are camera operators, writers, editors, animators, directors, producers, colourists and marketers; all in-house. These people will go above and beyond to make sure you are 100% happy with your final product.
If the project calls for it we can also easily expand our production to any size with our hand picked, tried-and-trusted, group of freelancers.
We own all of our equipment; this keeps costs down and assures you that we know our gear inside out!
Our office also contains a full audio recording suite, perfect for voice overs – making us truly a one-stop-shop.
3. We make it easy
We believe that making videos should be easy and dare we say it… fun!
This is why our team has been carefully curated, to ensure that we are not only experts at our job but also approachable, friendly, kind and compassionate. Film making is such a collaborative process; it requires the perfect group of people.
To make things easy for you, at the start of each project you will be assigned a Project Manager, whose friendly face will be your one point of contact throughout your whole project and who will guide you through the entire process.
We know how stressful it can be when you are left in the dark, so we pride ourselves on our communication and quick replies. You’ll always know where we are up to with your production.
Finally, as mentioned earlier we only charge you up to the first edit, so you can continue to make tweaks until you are 100% happy with no additional charge.
4. We can work with you anywhere in the world
Name a place… yep, we can film there 🙂
We have worked with clients across the UK, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, France and even further afield places like America, Canada, Japan and Singapore.
Thanks for reading!
If you have any questions, queries or want to discuss a future project, send us an email at info@croft-tv.com, use our contact form found here or give us a call on 01628668735.
We are always happy to discuss concepts or give a no-obligation, free quote.
– The Croft TV Team
LinkedIn Video Ads: Everything your company needs to know
LinkedIn Video Ads: Everything your company needs to know
“STAYING IN THE FOREFRONT OF PEOPLE’S MINDS IS NO EASY TASK”
LinkedIn Video Ads: Everything your company needs to know…
LinkedIn have recently began advertising their ‘Video Ads’ service, which allows you to create tailored video ad campaigns that can be inserted into LinkedIn’s feed as ‘Sponsored Content.’
The main benefit of using LinkedIn for this over any other social media platform is that LinkedIn is specifically built for businesses and professionals and is the go-to social media platform for B2B networking. So if you advertise there you can be assured that your video will be seen by a specific audience.
You can take this one step further with LinkedIn’s targeting tools, which allow you to choose exactly who will see your video by using LinkedIn’s targeting filters. These filters include company name, industry, job title, job function, as well as many more.
The campaigns are relatively inexpensive, allowing you to customise the exact amount of money you want to spend each time you run one. Basically, the more money you have in your budget, the more eyes that will see your campaign. Though, that is not to say there is no value in a less expensive campaign, this can allow you to test how effective your ads can be quite cheaply and makes for a low barrier to entry for smaller businesses that may not have much of a budget for marketing.
Other benefits of running a ‘LinkedIn Video Ads’ campaign include:
Building brand awareness
Making sure consumers and/or future employees are aware of your brand and what you do is important and staying in the forefront of people’s minds is no easy task.
Video is one of the best if not the best tool marketers have at their disposal to achieve this and using video partnered with LinkedIn’s audience targeting is a perfect match.
Collect leads
Partnering your video ads with LinkedIn’s smart Lead Gen Forms will allow you to collect detailed and accurate information on your leads instantly.
Prove your video ROI
Once your videos go live you will gain access to LinkedIn’s detailed Engagement Metrics which will allow you to track how effective your campaign has been.
These metrics will show how many people viewed your video, up to what point they finished watching, how many leads on LinkedIn your video translated to, how many people clicked through to your website and much more.
LinkedIn also offer an Insight Tag which can be installed on your website and will continue to track leads and conversions that originated from your LinkedIn advertisement.
