All Pro Media News Blog

Dressing for success in a video interview

When asked to appear on camera knowing what to wear can help you to look your best.  Even the latest high definition video cameras “see” the world different from our natural eyes.  Here are a few simple rules.

What not to wear on TV

• Avoid white shirts or dresses.  White appears brighter on camera than complexion tones, and visually overpowers the face. 
• Avoid clothing with fine stripes or patterns.  Sometimes they can appear to vibrate on camera, in what is called a moiré pattern.
• Large or reflective jewelry can be distracting in addition to beeping watches, cell phones or pagers.

What to wear on TV

• For men an off white shirt will actually appear white on camera without overpowering the rest of the image.   Pastel shirts, such as light blue work well, in addition to deeper colors.
• Depending on the tone and appearance that you want to set, a suit or sports coat with tie or open collar generally works well.  Alternately, many men choose something more casual like a golf shirt, or perhaps your company’s logo wear.
• For women deep solid colors can have a pleasing result.  Blue works especially well on camera as it is most flattering to skin tones.
• Unless you’re in a major production with a make-up artist on set, it is best to bring a comb, makeup and a mirror.

When possible bring several sets of clothing to provide the director with a choice.  Also not to be overlooked; a good night’s sleep can actually help you look your best, and don’t forget to wear your best smile.

While preparing for an inverview, I have seen some people write out their statement and try to commit it to memory.  Most of the time however, this effort backfires causing the person on camera to appear nervous and unnatural as they struggle to remember what they wanted to say.  A better approach is to relax and simply have a conversation with the person interviewing.  That will make your answers more sincere and believable to viewers of the video production.  Alternately, if the goal is to make a statement for your company and want a carefully scripted message, the use of a teleprompter will allow you to confidently deliver your message right to the camera.  Fortunately, the ability to record more than one “take” allows the opportunity try it again in case you mess up.

So the key to success for recording an interview for TV is to watch what you wear, relax, and don’t forget to smile.

We just helped the folks at Sport Aids Equipment, Inc launch their flagship product, the Club Pro, a golf swing training aid. We rolled out a multi page website for their company, sportaidsequipment.com, with a landing page optimized for the Club Pro at clubpro.tv.

The TV commercial, which started airing nationally yesterday, is for the Club Pro System, which is the Club Pro, a pocket guid, and an Instructional DVD, which we also produced in-house. The DVD features former PGA Tour Winner Ron Cerrudo instructing everyone on how to get proper foot alignment, body position, and swing paths, by using the Club Pro. Mr. Cerrudo, who has taught over 30,000 golf lessons in his career, was a blast to work with at the Daniel Island Club’s beautiful Charleston, SC golf course.

Not limited to golf, Sport Aids plans to continue developing training aids for other sports in the future.

I just sent this in an email to a client, but thought I’d post it here for everyone’s benefit.

Just a few tips about using Twitter for businesses:

1. # of tweets is an important factor people consider when following, so tweet often. At least once a day. Important stuff can be tweeted a few times throughout the day to make sure everyone sees it, but I wouldn’t do this regularly. Twitter is for fresh content.
2. Be interesting. Let your personality shine through so you are not a faceless business.
3. Don’t use it as a sales pitch tool. Use it more
   1. to point out interesting stuff about things happening in your field
   2. link to educational material that people who are interested in your product would be interested in
   3. let people know about product specials and contests
   4. having (brief) conversations with your followers, or answer questions
4. Many people will follow you in return if you follow them. So follow lots of people. Start off looking for people specifically interested in your business or product, and follow them.
   1. Follow people like
      1. industry associations and organizations
      2. similar products
      3. other professionals in the industry
      4. people in peripheral industries who may have an interest in your product. For example, if you have a golf product, you could follow doctors, lawyers, accountants, CEOs, people who may play golf, etc
5. If someone follows you, it’s always good to reply with a quick thanks and howdy, just to open the communication and let them know you care. And don’t forget, follow them back.
6. When linking to articles and websites, etc, use a URL shortening service to condense long links. We like http://bit.ly because you can create an account and it will track the number of clicks your links get, and a few other statistics.

Everyone knows video is one of the best ways to communicate your message. When creating a video the goal is to engage your audience so they are receptive to your ideas, whether it is a TV commercial, internal corporate communication, instructional video, or seminar.

Two techniques you can use to create engagement and add drama to your video when shooting are dynamic camera angles and camera movement. This can be done in a limited fashion with hand held video, but if you want a smooth professional look, it helps immensely to have a piece of equipment called a camera jib.

Our 20 foot Camera Jib Crane in Action

A jib is like a small crane.  It provides smooth motion thanks to a long extended arm on a ball joint with a counter balance system. The one we have at All Pro Media is extendible from 6 feet up to twenty and has a remote control system, which allows for those extreme shots where an operator can’t physically be in contact with the camera.

The arm can swing high and low so you can get shots anywhere from a baby crawling on the floor, all the way to a shot looking into a second story window. The jib performs supremely for automotive commercial spots, real estate promotions, music videos and other scenarios where a variety of coverage is required. We have even used one to get product shots of ceiling fans – something that would have been really difficult to do using a regular tripod, which only extends about 6’.

Sometimes it’s OK to settle for a static shot on a tripod, but when your video requires a little added production value, there’s nothing like a shot of your speaker at a podium that then sweeps out over the audience, or a birds-eye view that pans across your factory floor.

Changing the angle of view from a straight shot, to a low  or high angle, can add weight to that particular scene. It automatically creates interest by giving the audience a new perspective on what could be a normal situation. If you shoot someone from a low angle they can become more powerful as the viewer “looks up” to them. Following someone’s feet as they move through a situation could add mystery. An extreme high angle shot is a great way to set the scene where the action will take place, or you could use it to give a sense of the “bigger picture”.

A jib can also be used to create a “tracking” shot to follow a subject that is on the move. This is often achieved by a dolly or steady cam. It can be accomplished for shorter distances with a jib, and there’s no need to avoid getting the dolly track in a shot, or clearing a walking path for the cam operator.

A camera jib isn’t limited to huge sweeping motions, either. It can be moved more subtly. Add drama with a little movement to what would otherwise be a basic product shot. Sometimes a slow overhead sweep of your product or talent is just what the doctor ordered. It can also be used to transition from one subject to another in a dynamic way; moving from one point of focus to another in one fluid motion. This all helps to add energy and create visual interest.

Here is is a quick demo we put together of footage we captured at Tryon Palace, in New Bern:

You can watch another video and find out more information about our Camera Jib here.

If you have any questions about video production for your company, or if you would like information on jib crane rentals, give us a call us at 336-229-7700 or send us an email.  We’d love to talk.

Outdoor Advertising in Burlington North Carolina has gotten easier with the Digital Billboard on I-40/I-85 at Maple Avenue.  Dubbed the “Alamance Billboard” All Pro Media has partnered with the billboard owners to assist with the sales and marketing of this local outdoor advertising option.

At the core of the project is the new website designed by All Pro Media at www.AlamanceBillboard.com.  It features location and traffic details, pricing, and even a live web cam showing the current ads on the billboard.  Additionally, complementary postcards were designed and printed that promote outdoor advertising options ”as low as $10 per day”.

The real benefits to digital billboards are the eye catching graphics and the ability to post and change ads quickly.  Additionally, the ever changing display catches viewers eyes, directing their attention to the message. If you are looking to expand your image in Burlington or Graham North Carolina then Alamance Billboard may be right for you. For more information contact us at 336-223-0300.

There are many ways to promote an event, and TV can be one of the most powerful methods. What can be especially challenging though is conveying to viewers the highlights of an outdoor event in a remote area of North Carolina and accomplishing it in 15 seconds to maximize ad frequency. That is where a supporting website comes in.

All Pro Media took on this advertising task for the Silk Hope Ruritans to promote their annual 2010 events starting with Farm Heritage Day on April 17th. The website at www.silkhope.info was created to highlight four key events sponsored by the Ruritans even though they already have a website for their organization. This special purpose site allowed a shorter domain name (URL) to be used on TV ads, plus made user navigation to the event info much easier than would have been possible using the clubs current web site.

The website at www.silkhope.info was published using a template customized by All Pro Media on a Content Management System (CMS) platform. A CMS website allows site owners the ability to easily add and edit content without the assistance of web developers. Alan Kirby, company owner noted that “more and more customers are demanding their web site be developed using a Content Management System due in part to its popularity and the many benefits.”

All Pro Media took delivery this month of the new JVC HM700 professional HD video camera. The camera’s capability to shoot 1080i, 1080P and 720P plus the upgraded optics of the Canon HD lens is the first step in All Pro’s upgrade plans for 2010. JVC refers to the camera as the world’s fastest shoot-to-edit work flow, an important feature in the budget conscious era that we are in.

The first project HD video production with the new camera was of product footage shot in Greensboro NC for QVC, the national television network. Everything about the experience was excellent! The camera has a simply phenomenal picture, the flexibility to adjust the look to meet the requirements of most any job, even the capability to shoot in XDCAM EX format, an industry standard.

Not every job has the same requirements. The HM700 is the second generation HD video camera owned by All Pro. We still have three of the HD100 cameras which shoot in both standard definition and HD. Those earlier cameras have served us well, and will continue to be an important part of our extensive base of equipment. Part of the advantage of purchasing a new camera in the JVC family line is that the camera works the way we expect it to, and the accessories from the earlier generation fit new equipment. Even without that advantage we would have made the same choice though. The whole staff was really impressed by the new HM700 and what it is capable of. It is going to be a busy winter and spring this year!

Fundraising can be difficult, especially in trying economic times. One company that realizes this, and is working towards making fundraising easier for charitable organizations is Gold Drive USA. Based in Hillsborough, New Jersey, Gold Drive USA is a company that specializes in helping charitable organizations raise money through a Gold Drive fundraising program. This company partners with organizations who ask their supporters to send broken and unwanted gold products to Gold Drive USA, who in turn compensates them in cash, and pays the organizations twenty percent of the purchase price of the gold sold by their supporters. That is why the American Cancer Fund, the Sunshine Kids Foundation, and many other non-profit organizations have sought out Gold Drive USA to assist in their fundraising needs.

When Gold Drive USA realized the need for a better and more efficient way to reach their customers, they turned to All Pro Media. Given the opportunity to redesign Gold Drive USA’s website, the creative team at All Pro Media developed a professional and attractive marketing website that would serve as a system to help the company generate fundraising business in the “cash for gold” market sector. This new website utilizes custom design, search engine optimization (SEO), and most importantly, a custom web based package tracking software.

Primary emphasis was put on creating a solid and trustworthy look for the website so that customers will feel confident and secure when visiting the site. All Pro Media was also careful to employ search engine optimization to increase traffic to the page.

Perhaps the most important and unique feature of the website is the custom software that allows customers to track their packages via the web. Upon customer request, a tracking number is generated that can be used to check the status of their material at any given time. The system also provides Gold Drive USA with the ability to track customers and create reports through a central control panel.

With the aid of this website, organizations such as the American Cancer Fund, the Sunshine Kids Foundation, and the American Heart Association are getting the donations they need to survive, and to serve those suffering from cancer and other life threatening sicknesses. Gold Drive USA is using gold for a greater cause, with the help of All Pro Media.

Three video cameras directed live was the order of the evening as All Pro Media assisted another video production company with equipment and personnel at the Barn Dinner Theatre in Greensboro, NC October 8th. The occasion was the theatrical performance of “The Service At Rocky Bluff”, a musical play about friendship and how we influence each other for good.

The equipment list for the widescreen multi camera production included three JVC digital video cameras connected through component cables to the video switcher. Each camera had remote zoom and focus for better control while shooting and the camera operators were in communication with the director using a Clear-Com headset system. The director had separate monitors for each camera, plus a 15” control monitor for program and a smaller 9” portable monitor for record confidence. Further a Tektronix portable waveform monitor and vectorscope provided additional assurance that camera levels were set correctly. In addition to recording the switched feed, each camera recorded to digital videotape allowing for total control in the editing.

Tolly Carr, a local producer with Viewfinders Media of Winston-Salem, NC remarked on the experience saying, “Kevin was great and everything was smooth… everything looked really good. If we need another setup like that we’ll call you for sure.”

All Pro Media, Inc. has been doing multi camera production since 1990 and offers a range of video production and video equipment rental services. For more information contact Alan Kirby at 336-229-7700.

Carolina Eye Prosthetics has created new looks with custom-made artificial eyes for patients all over the Southeast. Now they have a new look of their own from the web design team at All Pro Media. During the process All Pro Media conducted research, reorganized the sites navigation, provided professional photography and designed a dynamic, creative web site to give Carolina Eye Prosthetics a new online presence.

As the project began, All Pro Media did initial research identifying the most used and significant keywords for their services. This step is essential for good search engine optimization (SEO) and is helpful in increasing online visibility.

Reorganizing information from the site made it easier to read and understand for online viewers. This was further enhanced by new site navigation featuring search engine friendly drop down menus. All of the text is set larger than usual to accommodate the visually impaired.

Part of the redesign effort included a new logo for Carolina Eye Prosthetics which contributed to the overall clean look of the site. New digital photography added important elements including a visual step-by-step overview of the process.

This new site for Carolina Eye Prosthetics is one of many web sites redesigned by All Pro Media. All Pro Media is an integrated media company which helps clients achieve their marketing goals. Our services include video production, advertising, graphic and web site design for sales, marketing, training, orientation, commercials, infomercials and live events.

For more information about services provided by All Pro Media contact Alan Kirby at All Pro Media at (336)229-7700 or e-mail us at www.allpromedia.com/contact.html.

For more information about services provided by Carolina Eye Prosthetics call 1-877-763-9393 or visit their website at www.carolinaeyeprostheticsinc.com.