In order to sell a product well, you need to understand the manufacturing process. The entire manufacturing process. GP Studios was tasked with creating an immersive experience to showcase how Dixie products are made to the internal sales teams. Originally it was planned to start with the papermaking process, however I proposed starting at the very beginning, in the forest. That segment introduced a vital message to the sales team, the sustainability of forests is first and foremost in everything Georgia-Pacific does. Sustainability is a buzzword that can be tossed around, but to visually be reminded that this is more than just a word, turned out to be a key takeaway from the presentation.
Storyboarder is a Great Storyboard App.
I storyboard everything from the most basic project all the way through multiple episode series. I can't draw worth a lick, but even stick figures show the basic idea of what you're trying to accomplish for a given scene. I've always used 4x6 index cards, but when I purchased my Microsoft Surface Pro with the ability to draw right on the screen, I wanted to start storyboarding right on the computer. I started out playing with Sketch.
Video Producer course now available from Lynda.com / LinkedIn Learning
What exactly does a video producer do? Understanding the role of the modern video producer will help you recognize if you have the skills and the mindset to take on the job. A good producer not only knows video inside and out, but also can manage time and money effectively, resolve conflict, maintain morale, and plan logistics. Above all else, a video producer has to be flexible and able to make decisions quickly, on the fly.
In this course, I take you on set and show you how production decisions unfold in real time, whether you're scripting, scheduling, directing crew members, or providing feedback to post. Follow along and explore the responsibilities of a producer in all stages, including pre-production (planning), production (running a set), and post-production (editing and delivery). By the end, you'll have a better understanding of skills and techniques it takes to run a smooth and successful video production. Topics include:
- Scripting and storyboarding
- Casting
- Scheduling
- Running a set
- Paying your crew
- Working with post
- Providing constructive feedback
- Mastering
This course is available through Lynda.com and LinkedIn Learning.
Sustainable Wood Forestry Messaging with Snake Chaps
“Folks, here’s the snake chaps, be sure to put them on so the rattlers don’t get you.” Now THERE’s a phrase I’ve never heard in my 25+ years of storytelling. And let me tell you, that phrase wakes you up in a hurry. Of course my response was, “I make these look good, don’t I?”
Get A Life!: Buckle Up. Always.
This "Get A Life!" installment is a reminder to buckle up anytime you get into a car. Yesterday while leaving work, I was T-Boned by an SUV going the wrong way on a one-way street. It looked the truck was going to come straight through my driver's side door. I had only driven one block from work and was on a city street.
Barry Manilow comes to Atlanta. Hey Barry, I know the Band!
Ok, I don't know 'the band,' I know one really talented musician IN the band! Barry Manilow came to town last night giving me a wonderful opportunity to not only see a classic performer live, but reconnect with a friend. Joey Melotti is a friend I met years ago through a dear friend and also very talented musician, Jayne Olderman.
Filming a new "Video Producing" Course for Lynda.com
This past weekend I got to film a new Lynda.com course on Video Producing. This time Rose and the crew came to Atlanta to do the filming. This time the course is all about Video Producing, or what exactly DOES a Producer do in the modern production world?
Trint: Transcriptions Redefined
A friend pointed me to Trint transcription services. They claim to have redefined transcriptions by creating a superior software algorithm to quickly and pretty accurately turn around transcriptions from audio and video files. I was very skeptical having tried software like this in the past. Well, after trying them out, I am quite impressed.
Telling a New Story for Georgia-Pacific
When I was brought on as the first Creative Director for Georgia-Pacific, the main thing I was tasked with was bringing a new storytelling focus to GP's external communications and branding. In particular, transforming GP from a big corporate brand to people. With over 33,000 people working in over 200 locations across the United States, there are many stories just waiting to be told.
Biscardi Creative Donates Equipment to the Next Generation
When the time came to relocate the Biscardi Creative Media, we knew we had to part with some of our gear as we downsized our working space. While we did sell some of the equipment and furniture, BCM Principal Walter Biscardi, Jr made a determined effort to ‘pay it forward’ to the next generation of media professionals.
Flying Commercial is so Yesterday....
Well, just a month or so into my career at Georgia-Pacific and I got a very special treat this morning. Flying on the corporate jet. With over 200 operations across the US, it just makes sense that GP would have a couple of jets based in Atlanta.
Never Work with Animals, unless it's a Dog and Pony
There's a classic production adage that says never work with children or animals because they can both be difficult to work with. Well, this week we broke that rule by bringing in a dog, pony and monkey into GP Studios.
Get A Life!: Classic Pizzelles
In this "Get A Life" installment I'm talking Pizzelles! Classic Italian wafer cookies that are generally a staple of any holiday gathering. Often flavored with vanilla or anise, these cookies are made quite simply with, essentially, a waffle iron.
Georgia-Pacific is Tourney ready. Are you?
One thing about taking on a new role at Georgia-Pacific… you hit the ground running. March Madness is such a fun part of American sports and we have tons of certified sports nuts working at GP. Our Social Media team was looking for some way to have a little fun with the basketball tournament. So I quickly sketched out a storyboard and hatched a plan with lead on our intranet to recruit ‘actors’ for the spot. This turned out to be so much fun.
Price Waterhouse Cooper offers a lesson in responsibility
The 2017 Academy Awards offered proof of the classic television adage, “Anything can happen on Live TV.” And it did, in absolutely incredible fashion. The wrong envelope was presented to Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, and while it’s obvious from the video that Mr. Beatty sensed it was the wrong envelope, the incorrect winner was announced. Confusion and chaos ultimately led to the category winner being corrected and “Moonlight” won Best Picture for 2017.
Steven Moffat (Doctor Who) offers a Free Writing "MasterClass!"
teven Moffat offers a free Masterclass on Writing. Don’t know the name? He’s the Executive Producer and Writer for some very small shows for television. “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock.” It’s offered as a free podcast download from the BBC.
The Start of my "Good Eats" Journey
This morning I'm going through my old, OLD emails to finally clean up a lot of the clutter that has remained over the years and I found a great trip down memory lane. The original email inquiry as to whether I could create animations for Alton Brown’s “Good Eats” or if I could refer them to someone else.
Get A Life!: Make Fun Over the Holidays!
The older we get, the more the Holidays seem to get stressful. Doesn't matter which Holiday you celebrate this time of year, there's so much pressure to have the "perfect party," get the "perfect gift(s)," "get everything done" and of course get stuck in traffic, especially on weekends near a shopping center. The Holidays are supposed to be a break from the stress of our "real work." So do something different and fun, like build your own gingerbread house.
I Can Do That! (How am I going to do that?)
I've been working on a new e-Learning proposal for the past few weeks. Didn't know I could do that? Well, I can and can't.
See it's a video centric learning program but just showing videos and scenarios isn't enough. We really need to test the employees at each step along the way to ensure they're getting the material. Years ago I established a relationship with a really good e-Learning partner for these very situations. For this project we're going to work together with them taking point on the educational design and me on the video production. We'll work together on the overall project management and development.
Moral of the story? Work on your network of connections for really good and really honest partners you can bring in so when you get a call that says, "Can you do that?" your answer can be "Absolutely!"
The Business of Hiding (behind emails and phone screening)
As a small business owner for 20 years now (wow, has it been that long?) I’ve seen a trend of unprofessionalism develop over the past 5 years or so that’s really accelerated in 2016. It’s the business of hiding (behind emails and phone screening.)