Wayback Thursday – Love Brigade IV
This week we travel wayback somewhere around late September 2007 to Love Brigade Episode IV. Love Brigade was the subject of many of the early New Pop webisodes. They will always have a special place in New Pop lore not only because their founder Alyssa Key is as smart as a whip and a babe, but also because it was while shooting them in the summer of 2006 that I had a Eureka moment that would define The New Pop brand. I had been producing short videos online in some form or another since 2002 always with the intent of publishing via traditional media. At some point while documenting Love Brigade I decided that I would make the net my target platform of distribution and expression. There were other sites like Atomic films who were supposed to be outlets for indie filmmakers, but they were run by the same guys who ran the traditional media platforms and frankly they just did not get it. The focus of sites like Atomic was to use the net as a platform to find traditional distribution channels for filmmakers. It was film producers networking with filmmakers. It was not art, it was not music, it was not fashion, it was not organic, it was not us. To me the net was a platform for expression. I will never forget the rush I felt when I realized that I could bypass the old media gatekeepers who ran the festival circuits and express myself to a new audience. There was no turning back after that and New Pop Media was born.
This particular episode is the fourth in the series of five that I shot about Love Brigade. I posted the others on youtube but this is the one that did not pass the youtube copyright restrictions. Please excuse the jittery player, and broken links. Our player was custom built and many of the original files have moved or are lost. So without further ado, Wayback from September, 2007 Love Brigade IV
Wayback Trivia: Back in 2005 when Thenewpop.com was thenewpopsensation.com we were the first site to use rotating video banners. I called them popshots. All the rage now. Innovative, yes!
3 Years At The Same Place – The Remix
This past October I posted a video time-lapse titled 3 Years At The same Place by Ramon. Today Ramon posted an alternative version of that video in the increasingly popular portrait orientation. This is the second video I found shot in portrait where the form actually serves a function and enhances the experience. The first being Enjoy 2011. I can’t decide whether shooting in portrait has any long lasting artistic merit or whether it is just a passing fad. I thought this might be an opportune moment to make a side by side comparison.
Most of the times it seems that shooting in portrait is a result of default camera phone settings or someone who is trying to be different for the sake of being different. However in this video the vertical nature of the main subject justifies the change in perspective. I am also really diggin’ the Polaroid effect, the vintage color treatment and the kinetic text. That being said everything about the original version with the exception of the landscape orientation feels more contemporary, and seeing more on the X axis as opposed to the Y axis (probably due to our familiarity with it both in real life and on screen) just feels less restricting. But don’t take my word for it, judge for yourself.
TrVZ
Walking On The Wall At The Barbican
This is pretty cool, showing at the Barbican Gallery in London. I hope it finds it’s way to the states.
The Videographers Guide To Not Falling On Your New Media Face | Chapter 5 – Lipstick On A Pig
To put “lipstick on a pig” is a rhetorical expression, used to convey the message that making superficial or cosmetic changes is a futile attempt to disguise the true nature of a product.
What do you do when the shooting assignment turns out to be a dud? Before you respond with a predictable “It’s not my job to make an event look cool” consider this. Keep in mind that in most cases more people will experience that event through your video than were actually at that event. If you make it your job to take a dire situation and somehow find the silver lining via a great edit and shoot, you will build a reputation as a videographer with a midas touch. There is an invisible intangible energy that flows between every person. What separates a good videographer from a mediocre one is your sensitivity to that energy and your ability to mold it. I will share a few tips on how to turn a dud into a dandy!
1.Wait and see!
The biggest mistake you can make is to walk into an event and assume because everyone is standing around waiting for something to happen that the event is a dud. Nine out of ten times things will pick up. The best thing you can do is to be the fly on the wall and document things as they organically build. The worse thing you can do is to inject your phony positive energy when it is not needed.
2. The Empty Room.
You might find yourself in a situation where the event is well attended and the energy is good but because the organizer booked a space the size of Grand Central Station it looks like nobody is there. The solution here is an easy one. Shoot tight. If people don’t see the empty room, they won’t know the room was empty. Capisce?
3. Too Cool For School.
Living and working in New York I’ve run into many events where it was perfectly acceptable for folks to stand around and look cool instead of having what looks like genuine fun. Many of these folks have no time to be bothered with such things as being photographed. After all having your image captured is soooo 2009. These events although considered a success have the potential to look like a dud on camera. If you think sending a bad edit of a bad event sucks, try sending a bad edit of a good event. Solution; Divide & Conquer. Every event regardless of the cool factor has it’s share of people who aren’t too cool to play up to the camera. Engage these people, separate them from their cool friends, ask them for an interview, or to pose for a super fabulous portrait. More times than not many of the folks who were secretly making fun of the too cool for school crowd will flock to your camera like moths to a flame. Trust me on this one.
4. The Asshole.
The opposite end of the spectrum is The Asshole. We have all encountered this guy. Usually he (or in rare cases she) is drunk, feeling all in the moment with a sudden urge to be the center of attention. He sees your camera and in the most obnoxious manner demands that you interview him and he won’t leave until you do. Suddenly that fly on the wall thing you had going on is about as effective as a cockroach on the wall. Solution; give him his moment and if he rambles on then mid interview tell him your battery died and run to the other side of the room. If he finds you again, repeat.
5. When All Else Fails.
Well you have tried everything on this list and still you’ve got nothing, now what? Solution; when all else fails get drunk and party like a rockstar. Even though I listed this as number 5 on my list, it was always the number 1 criteria of Thenewpop crew to have fun first. Here is one example of that from the Danger Party I shot in 2008. I have matured a bunch since those crazy early days, and I don’t suggest including footage of naked guys peeing on reverends but you get the idea. Having fun is contagious and if all is lost you might as well go out in a ball of flames.
Next Friday: Lipstick On A Pig continued – How to turn bad footage into a great edit.
Thanks
Trevor “Trevz” Bayack is a Brooklyn-born filmmaker who approaches his web pieces as mini documentaries. Recognized as a member of the 2008 URB magazine Next 100 for pioneering the “video blog” Trevz continually makes his pieces shorter, sharper and ever more shareable” Follow thenewpop twitter feed for more.
Wayback Thursday’s | Fall Down At The Asterisk* – 3/5/2007
I am starting a new weekly called Wayback Thursday’s. Utilizing one of the coolest sites on the web the Internet Archive, I will be posting old New Pop Episodes as they appeared in their original format. I’ve known about this service for a couple of years now and finally decided to put it to good use.
The first video I want to feature was posted around March 5th 2007. It was shot at this artists loft out in Bushwick Brooklyn The Asterisk*. The event was Fall Down and showcased local artists and MC’s. During the early years I was all about documenting “underground” loft parties as much as possible. I was bright eyed and bushy tailed and fascinated by the art and cool people that I was meeting everyday. Social Media was just taking off on Myspace, integrating this new media with our art was sheer excitement. We were invited to this particular event by my friend Busy Bisc 1 who I am still friends with today. The event was fun but in a low key way. What stands out to me is how just 4 years ago people’s styles have changed so much. I also look back and remember that this was before video phones, and HD cameras. And the DSLR video cameras that are all the rage now were not invented yet. This was a couple of years before the photo/video blogging thing would take off so there weren’t many people documenting events back then. In 2007 there wasn’t even a decent place to upload video since back then YouTube and Vimeo compressed the shit out of video uploads, (that’s the main reason why I invested so much into customizing thenewpop). Even as grainy as my footage looked back then, YouTube and Vimeo was so much worse. I also noticed a photo in this video (the one with the man pointing a gun at the camera) from the artist JR who is world famous for his massive wheat-pastes. (I don’t know if he was directly involved with the show).
These are some of the memories that made that time so cool for me and will hopefully make this series a cool experience for you. So without further ado, Wayback from March 5th, 2007 Fall Down at the Asterisk*
Wayback Trivia: Thenewpop was the first site to utilize custom image uploads in the movie window as opposed to the random screen capture technology. Innovative, yes!
Enjoy
TrVZ
The Market – Amazing!
It’s a rare occurance when a video inclines me to express my amazement in an audible fashion. The Market by Terje Sorgjerd is one such video. The opening sequence of shots is one of the most amazing sequences I have seen in the New Media format. Terje’s composition, sense of timing and ear for music are exquisite and make this piece one of the best videos I have seen to date. Incredible!
“Bangkok’s Maeklong Market has been in existence for decades. It remained relatively undisturbed until the later creation of the Maeklong Railway… The result? Every single day the Maeklong Railway line passes through Maeklong – 8 times a day, 7 days per week. The train literally runs directly through the middle of the market…”
Enjoy
TrVZ
Teenage – Teaser | A Film By Matt Wolf
Based on a groundbreaking book by the punk author Jon Savage, Teenage is an unconventional historical film about the invention of teenagers. Bringing to life fascinating youth from the early 20th century—from party-crazed Flappers and hipster Swing Kids to brainwashed Nazi Youth and frenzied Sub-Debs—the film reveals the pre-history of modern teenagers and the struggle between adults and adolescents to define youth.
Incredible archival material mixes seamlessly with 16mm recreations featuring actors. Based on actual teenage diaries, the footage resembles period home movies made by kids themselves. Stylized narration dramatizes this turbulent story and a contemporary soundtrack heightens emotions. The result is a visually explosive, pop meditation on how teenagers were born. Teenage is in-progress and seeking funding. The film will be completed in 2012. Log onto the Teenage website for more info.
Marcelo Does Milan – New York Times Style Magazine Film
Marcelo Burlon editor in Chief at Rodeo Magazine, consultant to Givenchy and the founder of Milan club, Pink is Punk is considered a modern day renaissance man. This video takes us through his journey from Patagonia, Argentina, to Milan. The edit and the soundtrack are pretty amazing. I love the way Marcelo and his circle of friends and artists embrace and own their inner Zoolander.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Film Review | Bill Cunningham New York
I must admit that I never heard of Bill Cunningham until I became a fan of the On The Street video slide-shows on The New York Times website. I was immediately intrigued by Bill’s voice and manner of speaking and wanted to know more about him. The film Bill Cunningham New York by Richard Press absolutely satisfied that need. Bill Cunningham has the whole visual history of fashion in New York in the last 40 or 50 years. He is the pioneering force behind fashion street photography. You might think that someone with that kind of legacy working in the center of arguably the most self absorbed industry in New York might have an ego to match. Instead what we find is an unassuming photographer of the utmost integrity, so focused on his art that he can’t be bothered with the perks of life, fame or celebrity. As he put it “I’m not interested in celebrities with their free dresses, I’m interested in clothes.”
This film also gives an intriguing portrait of the colorful group of fashionistas and artists that make up Bill’s circle of friends. Most notably a series of scene stealing cameos by one of Bill’s Carnegie Hall neighbors photographer to the stars Editta Sherman. In one memorable scene Editta in her 90′s who is constantly pressing the camera crew for more attention refers to herself as a legend of Carnegie Hall, in turn the crew asks her whether she means legend or fixture? This film is littered with gems like that.
The most touching moment in the film came when with much trepidation the crew asks Bill if he has ever regretted not having a relationship. For one brief somewhat uncomfortable moment, Bill lets us in and reveals without words how his love for his art did not come without sacrifice. Myself being a 40 year old single male simultaneously addicted to, yet terrified of living the rest of my life alone, it gave me a rare glimpse as to where such single minded focus can lead. No pun intended.
Also to be acknowledged is Richard Press’ fly on the wall approach to filmmaking. As the filmmaker states on his website…
“Bill’s reticence to be filmed set the practical terms for how the documentary could be made. The spectacle of a camera crew, sound recorder, and boom operator would be impossible. We had to capture him the way he claims to capture his own subjects: “discreetly, quietly, and invisibly.”
While this approach may be a bit unorthodox to traditional filmmakers, blending in is an approach long embraced by New Media filmmakers everywhere. We have always taken our cues from the event and street photographers. It is great to see this approach utilized in a film about the photographer that pioneered this approach. The editing of Ryan Denmark should also be applauded. Seamlessly incorporating vintage footage with contemporary footage added to Bill’s never-ending Worker Bee aura. Plus it’s always cool to see old footage of pre-Guiliani Times Square. I was also very impressed with the photographic animation of Keira Alexandra. It was critical that the photo sequences look and worked right, and Kiera nailed it.
My one criticism is that the filmmakers did not go into much depth about how Bill makes his living. Bill says that “If you don’t take money, they can’t tell you what to do.” So how does he make his living? The only insight is an off hand reference from Bill about having a “Day Job,” accompanied with vintage b-roll of him coming out of the old New York Times office on 43rd street. His belief that even taking a glass of water translates to a loss of freedom can’t possibly play out in a practical world right? We will never know from watching this film. A more in depth look at how his income streams fit into this rigid philosophy would have served the audience well.
That aside, the power in this film lies in the fact that it strips away all the nonsense and frivolities that New York society places on art and breaks Bills work down to it’s bare essentials, the clothes. If you have somehow forgotten how you felt at that moment when you first realized that you would sooner give up your right arm than put down your camera, your paintbrush, your notepad or whatever tool you use to express yourself, this film acts as a poignant reminder.
TrVZ
Bill Cunningham New York is playing at the Film Forum through Tuesday March 29th. For other dates log on to the official website here.
The Videographers Guide To Not Falling On Your New Media Face | Chapter 4 : Rates continued
When it comes to determining your rates there are many questions you need to ask yourself. Should I ask the client to reveal their budget? Should I give discounts for retainers? Should I offer one size fits all packages? How often should I raise my rates? This is the second part of my entry dealing with rates. You can find part one here.
How often should I raise my rates?
Over time as I have become more methodical and ambitious with my productions, my rates have risen accordingly. So how do I sell my higher rates to prospective clients? To begin with I don’t sell the rate. In fact I hardly mention it at all. What I sell is an idea in the form of a treatment. This treatment clearly states my vision and the resources needed to achieve it. Once a qualified client understands that I am the best man to help them accomplish their goals, more times than not they are happy to invest in my plan.
Don’t undervalue yourself.
The freelance lifestyle is wrought with unpredictability and insecurity. For many freelancers it is feast or famine. For those lean months it’s tough to say no to any client when rent is due or bills need to be paid. It seems like the client always has the upper hand when negotiating rates, especially when you take into account the dozens of videographers who will say yes to any budget. If you recall in chapter three I gave the following words of advice.
“if you want to work as a videographer there has to be some outstanding quality in your work that is specific to you. And that does not necessarily mean art. It can be your quality, your turnaround time, your lenses, anything that makes you different can be leveraged strategically. If all you offer is a copy, your clients will use your competition as leverage to bring your rates way down.”
Follow through with this advice and you will also have something that you can leverage.
Should I get the client to reveal their budget?
There is this unwritten rule that states that the first one that mentions a price losses. Most videographers (myself included) are not in a position where they can take part in a negotiating standoff. Save these theatrics for Hollywood. Maybe with time you will develop your Gordon Gekko like instincts, until then if the client asks for an estimate send them one. Expect some push-back, and aim to meet them somewhere in the middle. This type of back and forth is healthy negotiating, passing scraps of paper over a table with your dollar amount accompanied with witty barbs is not.
Contracts
I would have never predicted that I would have avoided so many battles just because I took the time to put something in writing. Even if I didn’t draw up a formal contract, I at least tried to clearly state our agreements in email. Things you should always get in writing. Delivery dates and deposit amounts, due date for balance payment, number of revisions included in your rate, who owns the raw footage, and the hours for your shoot day. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Trust your gut.
These are all just guidelines I use based on my experience. However there are going to be times when a handshake and a nod are more appropriate than bringing in lawyers to draw up extensive contracts. There will be situations when shooting an extra hour or doing an extra edit does more for building a relationship than pointing to a clause in your agreement. Your number one goal should be to nurture your good clients and keep em. So be flexible, trust your gut, and exercise allot of common sense.
Next Friday: Lipstick On A Pig. How to make a bad event look good!
Thanks
Trevor “Trevz” Bayack is a Brooklyn-born filmmaker who approaches his web pieces as mini documentaries. Recognized as a member of the 2008 URB magazine Next 100 for pioneering the “video blog” Trevz continually makes his pieces shorter, sharper and ever more shareable” Follow thenewpop twitter feed for more.
Artists Wanted | Scope NY 2011 – “The Night Event”
As a part of Armory Arts Week Artists Wanted recently held an opening night party for Scope NY 2011. The event was held at the Angel Orensanz building on the Lower East Side, a Gothic-revival synagogue built in 1849. I only recently discovered Artists Wanted while doing one of my recent blog postings. Upon my discovery I loved their mission so much that I had to reach out to them. When they in turn reached out to me to document this event I was pretty excited to be involved. As I mentioned when I posted the photos, there was an eclectic mix of artists and celebs alike including Chloe Sevigny, Nick Zinner, & AndrewAndrew, and performances by Le Reitman, and Gang Gang Dance. Everyone had big fun. Thanks to Will and Suzie for putting me on, and to Rachel Hornaday for video assisting!
Enjoy the show
TrVZ
Handmade Portraits | Nanopod
The video portrait continues to evolve on platforms like etsy.com. This portrait by Pascal Perich described as a ‘Journey through the dark dreams and inner turmoil of Tosca Hidalgo y Teran‘ continues to blur the boundaries between documentary and vignette.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Haiti Stands With Japan
Geoffery & Joseph had their home destroyed in the 2010 Haiti earthquake. This video by David Barg captures their emotional reaction to the horrific images of devastation coming from Japan. A touching video that illustrates the tragic bond these two nations now share.
Breath-taking Image from the Japanese Tsunami
The images from the Tsunami are unimaginable. Like something from a disaster movie. This photo courtesy of The New York Times really took my breath away. A somber reminder that we are no match for the forces of mother nature when she wants to reclaim her planet.
View the rest of the images on the NY Times website.
Aftermath – The Japanese Tsunami
Here is a video from Dan Chung from what remains of the town of Shintona in Miyagi prefecture, one of the areas worst affected by the Tsunami. God forbid I was in the middle of a tragedy like this one, I am not sure if I could edit a video that sheds an artistic light on such a horrible tragedy. But the more I think about it, it is probably the most fitting way to pay tribute to those that lost their lives. A memorial of sorts.
Our hearts go out to the Japanese people.
Streetscapes | Morgan Library
Now that spring is just around the corner I plan to resume one of my favorite activities, exploring our city. One of the first places on my list is The Morgan Library. Located in midtown Manhattan, the Morgan houses one of the world’s greatest collections of artistic, literary, and musical works, from ancient times to the medieval and Renaissance periods to the present day. Here is a video from the The NY Times Streetscapes series and Lost & Found Films profiling this historic landmark.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Tiny Feature Saturday’s – Josh Harris, Internet Entrepreneur
Pseudo.com was the epicenter of the new media art and cultural universe during the original late 90′s dotcom bubble, and Josh Harris was it’s ringmaster. Taking up several floors at 600 Broadway (Now home to Hollister), Psuedo was an early pioneer of internet programming. Many of it’s live streams were just excuses for allnight decadent parties. My own personal experience with Pseudo was through their weekly show 88 Hip Hop. Once a week around 10:00pm there would be a line going around the block with hip hop heads vying to get inside. They stopped letting people in due to excessive tagging. But this was nothing compared to the other programs and parties that happened there. Here is a profile of one of the real pioneers of the New Media movement Josh Harris courtesy of the First Person series. Also check out the trailer for the documentary film about Psuedo We Live In Public.
Enjoy
TrVZ
The Videographers Guide To Not Falling On Your New Media Face | Chapter 4 : Rates
When it comes to determining your rates there are many questions. Should I ask the client to reveal the budget? Should I give discounts for retainers? Should I offer one size fits all packages? When should I raise my rates? Here are some guidelines I find useful.
Know your rates.
Your hourly freelance rate should be twice the corporate standard. Corporations factor in benefits, paid vacations, taxes, etc when they hire you. Those expenses are passed on to the clients. You should do the same.
Know your value.
As the social media phenomenon grows, video on the web is becoming an increasingly vital tool for those looking to make an impression. Keep up with trends and adjust your rates accordingly.
Qualifying.
Knowing what a client can pay is an important step in the negotiating strategy. If the client has a budget that exceeds your rate, don’t turn it down (as if you would), but also don’t just pocket the extra cash without considering all the opportunities it gives you to increase your level of service. It’s an investment in yourself that leads to more higher paying gigs.
On the other hand if you are negotiating with clients who can’t afford your normal rates but offer you something else of value, give them a discount. I call this my indie rate and it varies depending on the client. Often these indie gigs are very rewarding artistically, allowing you to experiment in a way that you could not with higher paying more demanding clients. I have gotten some of my best referrals from these indie clients.
Should I offer one size fits all packages?
Using a cookie cutter approach to price out future gigs leaves allot of room for misunderstanding. I have had many jobs where the client will use a past job as a reference point to a potential gig with the expectations that the rate will be the same. Unfortunately they may not be aware of exactly what goes into producing each job. It is your job to get as much information as you can before giving them an estimate. If you are a skillful entrepreneur you will offer your clients something more than they expect with the appropriate increase in rates. I will talk more about this next week.
Next Friday more on rates. Including a discussion on when to raise yours.
Thanks
Trevor “Trevz” Bayack is a Brooklyn-born filmmaker who approaches his web pieces as mini documentaries. Recognized as a member of the 2008 URB magazine Next 100 for pioneering the “video blog” Trevz continually makes his pieces shorter, sharper and ever more shareable” Follow thenewpop twitter feed for more.
Tænker 001 : A limited edition publication by Aesir
This video by Wallpaper gives us a behind the scenes look at the creative process of Tænker 001. Described as a beautiful design manifesto that hails artists and architects who value community and cooperation while resisting quick and easy solutions. Created by the Danish design firm Æsir and printed from a 150 million year old stone, it is a concrete testament to the values stated in this manifesto.
Enjoy
TrVZ
The Grafa Weekend
Simple elegance can be beautiful thing to witness. The following video posted by Monsieur Atom is a testament on how to take seemingly mundane footage and turn it into beautiful art. This video titled “A Grafa Weekend” is an organic breezy day in the life of a couple of bikers on thier way to the Malaysian bikeshop/cafe. The fact that they allowed the ambient audio play under the beautiful soundtrack allows the journey to play out in an organic and compelling way. For the hipster set this is probably the best ad for Malaysian tourism around. My only complaint is the awkward fadeout at the end. Other than that, good work!
Enjoy
TrVZ
The Well: Covering Capitol Hill
Here is a video by Chris Gregory that gives us an inside look at the press photographers that cover the United States Congress. I have done a couple of press gigs and am keenly aware of what a dog eat dog world it can be. Not only are you dealing with fighting with other photographers for position to get the best shot, but you are also working with a perpetual deadline due to the speed of the digital age and social media. As one photographer put it;
“This kind of pack journalism mentality, fast, fast, fast, got to have it yesterday, is ruining us…”
Enjoy
TrVZ
Artists Wanted | The Night Event – Photos
Thursday night Artists Wanted held their opening night event for the Scope Art Show/Armory Week. The event was held at the Angel Orensanz building on the Lower East Side. It is a gothic-revival synagogue built in 1849, which makes it one of the oldest synagogues in the United States. For those of you who care about this stuff, Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick were married there.
Thursday night there were performances by Le Reitman, and Gang Gang Dance who blew me away! As expected the venue was filled with an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, and celebrities alike including Chloe Sevigny, Nick Zinner, & AndrewAndrew. The Artists Wanted video I shot will be released shortly, in the meantime enjoy these photos.
TreVZ
The Videographers Guide to Not Falling on Your New Media Face | Chapter 3
Chapter 3: The Videographers Not To Do List continued.
Last week in Chapter 2 I thought I would share with you some of the mistakes I made when I first started video blogging. This week I complete the list with the top 5 things to avoid. I’ve made many of these mistakes myself. Some because of my inexperience, others because of my ego and my stubbornness. I was able to learn on the job mostly because the competition was thin. Repeat these mistakes today and clients won’t be nearly as forgiving. As I have mentioned ad nausea, during the years 2005 – 2009 I was pretty much the only video blogger most of my clients new. Today most serious brands have their own list of go-to videographers. If you want to make the good clients notice you then you need to avoid mis-steps. This is the how to guide of what not to do.
5. It’s not about you
The New Pop brand was built on the personal element of video/photo blogging. The stories we were telling were about the scene and our fascination with this unfamiliar world of highly ambitious, always cool, and mostly dysfunctional people. They opened their arms to us simply because our cameras fed their narcissus’s to be recognized in the new social media landscape. We went from outsiders, to sitting at the cool kids table over the course of a summer. Our aw-shucks sentiment easily found it’s way into our art. It was infectious, it was addictive. In the end our narcissism was as much in focus as our subjects’.
As a video blogger it is intoxicating to find an audience that is receptive to your story. Video bloggers like MaestroKnows, or The13thWitness give first hand accounts of their experiences and attract a loyal fan base numbering in the thousands. However the practical path to securing clients in today’s social media landscape won’t run through your personal story, It will run through telling the story of others. Unless your a celebrity or have a really relatable story, no one outside of your inner circle of friends will care what you are doing. When I first started shooting myself clients thought it was cute, it was the video equivalent of tweeting. Once the novelty wore out and the traditional conventions of film-making took root, I took the camera off of myself, and restored it to it’s natural orientation, outward.
4. Experiment with caution
The quicker you realize there is little room for experimenting in the corporate world, the better off you will be. I have had more videos sent back for re-edits for this reason than for any other. I would create these videos that I considered artistic statements, but from a branding perspective they were boring and pointless. I uploaded one of my early client videos to YouTube for your viewing pleasure. That video was created for one of my very first clients Mirrorball. Along with being way too mellow, it also was too much about me, me, me. If your counting that makes 2 on my list of things not to do. Unfortunately as it pertains to Mirrorball it was a lesson I learned too late. So take heed when I tell you to save these videos for your personal vimeo pages or for really cool indie clients. If you focus on creating up beat pieces that enhance the brand then you won’t be embarrassed or replaced.
3. Copy not
A recurring debate I had with my old partners centered around imitation and whether it should be considered a sincere form of flattery, or a threat. No one is truly original. My favorite director is Quentin Tarantino is the copy master general as evidenced by this video. It is impossible to not have your work or your art be some derivative of something that came before. However if you want to work as a videographer there has to be some outstanding quality in your work that is specific to you. And that does not necessarily mean art. It can be your quality, your turnaround time, your lenses, anything that makes you different can be leveraged strategically. If all you offer is a copy, your clients will use your competition as leverage to bring your rates way down.
2. Lighten up
Memorable quote “The most important light is the light that you do not turn on.” I try to shoot with existing or natural sunlight as much as possible and on more than one occasion it has come back to burn me. It’s especially tempting with the high ISO camera’s on the market today to shoot in the dark. I admit I still have allot to learn in terms of lighting but my rule of thumb is if I have to turn my ISO above 2000 I turn on the lights.
1. Sophie’s Choice.
This is by far the toughest challenge for me and the one that I have struggled with the longest. That is keeping my pieces short. Conventional wisdom suggests that it is easier to cut a shorter piece. Practical experience would prove the exact opposite. For the 2 – 4 minute run-time that most clients request, you will find that there are going to be great sound-bytes, and moments that just won’t make the cut. If you don’t have this problem there is a good chance your existing footage is weak. When it comes to editing I go into it knowing that I will have to make Sophie’s choice. Meaning I will have to choose between saving one of my children at the expense of losing them both.
Next Friday I will talk about setting your rates.
Thanks
Trevor “Trevz” Bayack is a Brooklyn-born filmmaker who approaches his web pieces as mini documentaries. Recognized as a member of the 2008 URB magazine Next 100 for pioneering the “video blog” Trevz continually makes his pieces shorter, sharper and ever more shareable” Follow thenewpop twitter feed for more.