Starting the process of making a promotional video

[Benny Smyth]

Last September, I bought myself the Canon 700D DSLR with an 18-55mm zoom lens. I have no idea what any of that means, other than it has taken me quite a while to try and use it properly and away from 'auto' mode. I suspect that nobody will be making me their wedding photographer anytime soon!

Anyway, the camera can also record video, so I'm currently in the process of planning a promo video. I've got an idea of where I want to go with it, but I'm not sure if I'm starting off in the right place or if my ideas are valid. I guess the best way for me to do this would be to perhaps list my thought processes and ask for critique/suggestions/alternatives?

Well, step one is that I want to limit the video to 90 seconds. I think I'd prefer it to be closer to a minute, but 90 seconds will be my absolute barrier.

I'm thinking of putting together a list of 'shots' that I want. So, for example, my moving heads have a gobo with my logo in, so maybe a quick shot of that on the floor or wall? Saying that, my LiteConsole is also branded up, so maybe that as an alternative? Obviously shots of people dancing are a must and I'm going to try and get different angles for that, ranging from 'over the shoulder' to shots which gets the lighting in there as well.

What about shots of the lighting? Are people interested in seeing that? One would think that with shots of lighting and people dancing in the same shot, a quick shot of a moving headed whooshing from one side to another may be redundant, or would it break things up a bit by chucking in something different to just footage of dancing? Would the same apply to quick shots of 'backstage' kit, like the playout system?

Or should I just sack off the idea of trying to get these shots, take the camera to all my gigs over the next few weeks and just hit record, hoping for the best?

After I get all the footage (I'm guessing that for a 90 second vid, I'm going to be need at least two hours to choose from?), should I pay to get it produced or try my hand at it myself (bearing in mind that I have never done anything like that before)?

Any input on this would be most appreciated. :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I tried doing this a few years ago and for me it became quickly apparent that getting a professional to do it would be far better (that said my camera and editing skills are very limited).

A good friend of mine who is a photographer got one done but in an interview style and I think it's brilliant personally https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHAfdG0bjog

Of course it's different strokes for different folks but if I was going to do one now then this is the sort of route I'd go down.

[Shaun]

I did a few myself a few years ago, but I'd love to have one professionally done though!! These were really just a little edit of each gig, instead of a good promo reel like I'd like.

My first attempt (6 years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9li-1NV9Dvw

4 Years Ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcby9zWidUE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CePbGKONMNk

3 Years Ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUO4jWrjrh0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqXRY-ucZXk


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA5pRaJEPUM



Wow, it's been three years since I last filmed ANYTHING. Maybe time to dig out the auld camcorder again.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Out of interest Shaun how effective did you find these videos?

I actually worked with a videographer for the entire evening as the client requested they stayed until the end (very rare occurrence) and while it's mentioned in my replies to enquiries it's not really had that many views nor mentioned by clients https://youtu.be/wD-EXVd4fH4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD-EXVd4fH4)

[Shaun]

Out of interest Shaun how effective did you find these videos?



For gaining work? As far as I know...ZERO effect. They've not even had much views. I sent a link to the the clients of each gig log and they really liked the clips, but apart from that it served no purpose (as far as I know) in gaining any more work.

[Shaun]

I actually worked with a videographer for the entire evening as the client requested they stayed until the end (very rare occurrence) and while it's mentioned in my replies to enquiries it's not really had that many views nor mentioned by clients https://youtu.be/wD-EXVd4fH4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD-EXVd4fH4)

Very nice video Neil. :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Very nice video Neil. :)

Cheers fella :) I was very lucky that day that they were there and they provided me with this (also doing their wedding so really got lucky that day).

[Benny Smyth]

I think videos are just an extra tool to say this is what we do. I don't forsee it being anything that brings extra work in, but may answer some questions that clients have (that age old "You have lighting and stuff, yeah?" to which I always want to reply with "Of course. In fact, I have recently invested very heavily in a torch and some coloured paper!").

Thanks Neil & Shaun for the input (and great vids). I think it's unanimous that paying someone to edit the shots together would be the best way to go. I think I'll have to do the filiming myself though, because paying someone to film a reel over several gigs may make me cry a bit!

Thinking about it, the only video around with me in action (as far as I know) is this one: https://vimeo.com/118037422

I appear just before the 59th minute.

[DazzyD]

A thread about making videos of yourself that is two and a half hours old and no sign of Toby?? Has he been kidnapped??? :eek:

[ukpartydj]

I appear just before the 59th minute.

Interesting way of introducing the first dance - much better than my fairly simple announcement.

[mark@pegasus]

I had mine done a couple of years ago and although it is on both my FB page and on two separate pages of my website I would not say it directly gets me any work. I mainly use it on a loop at Wedding Fayres and show it to couples when I have my initial meeting with them. Mine was shot by an enthusiastic amateur, may also be worth speaking to students at your local college. I have had two versions done 2 minutes and 3 minutes the longer being the one used at fayres.

[DJ Jules]

I paid to have one made last year as I realised quite quickly that during the average gig, I don't have the time or the nerve to go and stand and film people.

It's on the front page of my website as it tells the story about what I do much better than I can in words and I've had quite a few clients comment on it - so I would say it has definitely paid for itself.

I'd go with your original idea Benny. To make something effective and interesting you need to get lots of shots from both in front of and behind the booth, but I wouldn't spend too much time filming individual fixtures. From a client point of view I'd only be interested in the overall effect (and this is where videos come into their own, because you can list out your kit till the cows come home, but it won't mean anything to your average punter).

I would definitely recommend paying a Pro though - the guy I worked with did things I'd never have even thought of.

Julian

[Benny Smyth]

I paid to have one made last year as I realised quite quickly that during the average gig, I don't have the time or the nerve to go and stand and film people.

It's on the front page of my website as it tells the story about what I do much better than I can in words and I've had quite a few clients comment on it - so I would say it has definitely paid for itself.

I'd go with your original idea Benny. To make something effective and interesting you need to get lots of shots from both in front of and behind the booth, but I wouldn't spend too much time filming individual fixtures. From a client point of view I'd only be interested in the overall effect (and this is where videos come into their own, because you can list out your kit till the cows come home, but it won't mean anything to your average punter).

I would definitely recommend paying a Pro though - the guy I worked with did things I'd never have even thought of.

Julian

Thanks for the advice.:approve:

[Andy P]

Thinking about it, the only video around with me in action (as far as I know) is this one: https://vimeo.com/118037422

Nice intro but isn't oops ups side your head on the banned list these days with agadoo

[Benny Smyth]

Nice intro but isn't oops ups side your head on the banned list these days with agadoo

It is, but (as I did say in the video), it is a family tradition of theirs. :)

[Imagine]

Nice intro but isn't oops ups side your head on the banned list these days with agadoo

Agadoo I can understand being on the banned list
Oops upside your head?????? No way....it works every single time!

[Benny Smyth]

Agadoo I can understand being on the banned list
Oops upside your head?????? No way....it works every single time!

Must...resist...urge...to...argue...

:p

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Must...resist...urge...to...argue...

:p

+1, I hope he's trolling!

[Imagine]

+1, I hope he's trolling!

Nope - unfortunately not :(

Cheese like that has its place unfortunately, and it tends to work for me in the right place at the right time.

I DO do parties where it's not included (thankfully), but if it's going to get the punters on the floor at a family gathering....so be it. At least it's not played as much as Cha Cha Slide (which is actually REQUESTED at most of them :( )

[Nakatomi]

Agadoo I can understand being on the banned list
Oops upside your head?????? No way....it works every single time!

I just don't get that song & 'dance' at all, never have. If I had to play it & demonstrate our describe how to do it I'd be all at sea.

Since coming back I've heard no mention of 'oops', the hokey cokey, agadoo, music man, Simon says, gang bang, superman, wig wam bam... With the exception of people saying a big fat DON'T GO THERE. I do, if asked, go to the timewarp & YMCA at times but the groans from the guests can be offputting.

[Benny Smyth]

I just don't get that song & 'dance' at all, never have. If I had to play it & demonstrate our describe how to do it I'd be all at sea.

Since coming back I've heard no mention of 'oops', the hokey cokey, agadoo, music man, Simon says, gang bang, superman, wig wam bam... With the exception of people saying a big fat DON'T GO THERE. I do, if asked, go to the timewarp & YMCA at times but the groans from the guests can be offputting.

And here (in my opinion) is the big reason for that: most people who want to get married (in my own personal experience) are generally aged between 25 and 35. They don't want to be dancing to the same songs their moms and dads did at their wedding day. Obviously you doff the proverbial cap to songs through the decades to entertain everyone at some point in the night, but when it comes to songs that have been driven into the ground like a meteor, on the whole people don't want to hear that anymore. They remember mom and dad, auntie and uncle, nan and grandad dancing to the YMCA at every :Censored:ing mobile gig they went to as a child and have watched them become more and more jaded at those songs as the years progressed.

Obviously there are exceptions and that is fine, but most brides don't want to sit on the floor in their very expensive wedding dress in a boat formation to slap the floor.

/Rant

[Imagine]

Obviously there are exceptions and that is fine, but most brides don't want to sit on the floor in their very expensive wedding dress in a boat formation to slap the floor.

/Rant

Thankfully, I've never played it at a wedding.

I agree whole-heartedly with the cheese thing by the way.....I don't like it personally either. But if a client's paying me a lot of their hard earned cash and want to hear such stuff, then so be it....they're the customer, the customer is "usually" right in my book.

I'd much prefer a good old fashioned 70's/80's/Motown night with no cheese personally, but it's not about what I want to hear at the end of the day, otherwise I'd just buy myself an i-wossit and plug in the earphones.

Anyway - we're now waaaaay off the original topic of creating a video. Just looked at yours Jules - very impressive :)

[Benny Smyth]

Anyway - we're now waaaaay off the original topic of creating a video.

Let's drag it back then. :beer1:

Do you think these guys will take issue with me blurring out their logo and claiming this video as mine? :p


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M6Bdf0AEog

[Andy P]

Weddings need more dubstep - I like that vid.

Benny a few weeks back you put some vids up of you working - can you link them, Im doing some video research and had these on my list to watch

[Benny Smyth]

Benny a few weeks back you put some vids up of you working - can you link them, Im doing some video research and had these on my list to watch

I deleted a few vids from my channel, so...y'know...snoozers and losers, and all that. :p

Do you remember which ones they were? I may be able to re-upload and do a privacy setting or something. :)

[SC Events]

A good friend of my is a Corporate Videographer and he's offered to help me put a promo video together - just need to find time to decide what I actually want as it won't be for just DJ'ing.

Also, Benny, after watching your video i've just realised who you are! We met at the Rep Theatre Wedding Fayre at the back end of last year.

[Benny Smyth]

Also, Benny, after watching your video i've just realised who you are! We met at the Rep Theatre Wedding Fayre at the back end of last year.

Can't believe you've only just realised that, Scott. I'm insulted! :lol:

[Andy P]

I deleted a few vids from my channel, so...y'know...snoozers and losers, and all that. :p

Do you remember which ones they were? I may be able to re-upload and do a privacy setting or something. :)


Think it was the dance off one

[Benny Smyth]

Think it was the dance off one

I'll see if I can dig it out and re-upload for you. :)

[SC Events]

Can't believe you've only just realised that, Scott. I'm insulted! :lol:

Yeah, well y'know... i'm a bit slow! :lol: