For me, the term “Corporate Video” can mean unoriginal, done before, played out, lazy, and, sometimes, just plain boring. Equaling, what is the ultimate representation of a “cliche.” Are cliches bad? In video they have their purpose, but a lot of the times the way cliches are used are the best ways to make any potential customer click away from your site faster than Clint Eastwood pulling the trigger in a western stand off! So, when you’re looking to create a video to engage potential customers, why produce one with a style that is tired and has been seen thousands of times before?
To remedy this stigma from the term “Corporate Video” we give you our newest film, “Cliche Killer.” So when you are looking for a video for your business, think about how you can create one that will pleasantly surprise your potential clients to become more engaged with your brand, and #DontBeTheCliche.
Credits
Starring Joey Myers
Produced by: Visual Popcorn
Writer + Director: John Craven
Director Of Photography: Vincent Hogan
Assistant Camera + Sound: Nico Gomez + Michael Bajer
First A.D: Clara Orejuela
Behind The Scene Pics: Steve Cucinotta + Richard Rawson
Sound Design: YongSoo Lee
Color Correction: Colorwave Media
Intro Sound Effect: Aran Zayne
Music: Music Ant
Intro Title Design: Grizzle FX
Logo Design: Nurge Media
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Project Management
Women In Distress “Empowers” Video
In March of 2013, Visual Popcorn (formerly Corporate Creative Film) was commissioned by Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. to do a mini documentary film for their Starfish Luncheon. Since this was our first time working with a non-profit, we knew it would be a great opportunity to make a film about a great cause, “empowerment.”
It takes a great deal of courage and strength for the mothers, fathers (they help men too), and children to empower themselves to leave, and stay out of, an abusive situation. Women In Distress empowers people to live a life free of domestic abuse. So for this film we gathered Women In Distress participants from all walks of life, and asked them about their journey with empowerment, and this is what we got. Enjoy!
Credits
Client: Women In Distress of Broward County, Org.
Produced by: Visual Popcorn, Inc.
Written + Directed by: John Craven
Director of Photography/CameraOperator: Vincent Hogan
Steadicam: John Craven
Edited by: John Craven
Titles Design + Animation by: Beverly Rosenzweig
Post Sound by: YongSoo Lee
Music by: The Talks by Niklas Aman
Production Assistant: Clara Orejuela
“It wasn’t just us who cared about the project – it was them too. And I cannot thank them enough for that.”
–Courtney
Behind The Scenes Of A Promo Video
The making of the promo video, “Life Intertwined,” was a lot of fun. It was also a lot of work that involved multiple rewrites, a storyboard, 5 days of principal photography, scouting for 5 locations, casting 6 actors, and executing 10 motion effects. All of this we did on a limited budget. But pushing the boundaries are fun!
Below, I uploaded some of the content that shows us at work behind the scenes. You can watch the original video here. Enjoy!
Since we knew the edit would be focused around the client as the narrator, we started creating the script by focusing on the narration. Above, you see notes and scribbles. The client and I went back and forth 5 or so times until we came to a tight narration that efficiently communicated the ideas he was trying to put forth.
After the narration was locked down, we focused on the visuals and created a script. As you can see, we wanted to visualize Chris’s words by incorporating a hardworking man and his family. We hoped this would signify the importance of wealth management to the viewer.
To help visualize the script, we made a storyboard. It’s not the most detail oriented, and it is kind of funny at some points, but this is a great tool to start getting an idea of script’s pacing.
Once the script was locked down, we crewed up, scouted the locations, casted the actors, and finally got down to shooting. It was a fun shoot. We were able to work with some great people, and shoot at some exciting locations that included a huge warehouse (+/- 40,000 sq. ft.) and a sailboat.
The Crew (Nico Gomez, Clapper/AC/Grip, John Craven, Producer/Director, Mike Bajer, AC/Cameraman, Vincent Hogan, Producer/Director of Photography) setting up a scene with actress, Jeanne Tidwell, and actor, Vince Casademont. Photography by Richard Rawson.
Make-up Artist, France Tasic, fine-tuning the make-up before a shot.
France Tasic preparing the actress, Melia Morgan, for her scene.
The one and only, actor, Joey Myers.
After we completed principal photography, we edited the footage, following the storyboard shot by shot and ended up with a roughly 3 minute edited piece. After taking out a few scenes and some shots, we eventually got it down to just under 2:20.
Here is a shot that not many people notice, but it took a lot of time. We couldn’t find a good set of blueprints that we could license, so we ended up buying a blank blueprint roll and overlaying the diagram onto the blank sheet. Rotoscoping hands is a tough thing todo!
The info-graphics of numbers and stats that we incorporated into this film (Designed by Nurge Media and Animated by Beverly Rosenzweig) were to contrast the main character’s scene at work and at play. It was important to get across the idea that the main character has a busy life and show how important it is to hire a wealth management professional.
Above, you can see the stages the design went through to get to a final look.
That is it! Hope you enjoyed. I am looking forward to providing more behind the scenes content in the future.
To watch the finished video click here.
Simplifying Investment Advice • Animated Graphics in a Corporate Video
Visualizing our client’s investment strategy in everyday life is the idea that formed the basis for our newest corporate video for Nichols Wealth Partners.
The Challenge:
Chris Nichols, CEO of Nichols Wealth Partners, has done a lot of research into investment strategy and market behaviors, which led to the creation of his own investment philosophy that he applies to his own clients. And also writing a book about it. The problem is it is hard to communicate to new clients about his investment philosophy without having an hour long meeting. A well written corporate video can efficiently communicate the message Chris needed to communicate to his clients.
The Solution:
To visualize the basics of Nichols’ investment philosophy, we inserted animated graphics as if it was another character in our down-to-earth story about a fictitious business owner and his family. The goal of this visual strategy is to demonstrate how beneficial a Wealth Advisor like Chris Nichols, can be for hard working people who do not have the time to stay on top of the constant activity of the following the world’s financial markets.
“We were so impressed with the attention to detail of all aspects our our shoot. From hiring first rate actors, to making sure the script and all aspects of the film caught the attention of the viewer.”
-Chris Nichols, CEO, Nichol Wealth Partners
Check out our behind-the-scenes post at Behind-The-Scenes blog post.
The Team:
Client: Chris Nichols Advisors
Produced: Corporate Creative Film
Written + Directed: John Craven
Director of Photography: Vincent Hogan
Edited by: John Craven
Infographic Design: nurgemedia
Infographic Animation: Beverly Rosenzweig
Rotoscope: John Craven
Color Correction: Matt Perrin
Make-up: Janelle Vidi, France Tasic
Wardrobe: Clara Orejuela
Camera Assistants: Mike Bajer, Nico Gomez
Music: Places by Niklas Aman
Starring: Vince Casademont, Joey Myers, Jeanne Tidwell, William Colon, Melia Morgan, Killian Suchocki, Chris Nichols’ Son
“They are our first choice and I highly recommend this team to anyone who demands working with top quality and the highest level of professionalism.”
-Anastasia, Director of Business Development, Nichols Wealth Partners