Wishful thinking for now, but what would an Encanto Concert Event look like? image ©Disney
When looking at the overwhelming success of Encanto with its ensemble soundtrack and music theater roots, I immediately thought; “limited live concert experience.” Sadly, no concert experience has been announced, but given the chance, here’s how I would stage and distribute the show.
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is never going to build your brand. One effective way to build your brand and brand audience is to show up in unexpected ways and unexpected places.
It's time to break the Short Video Myth. Audiences ARE watching branded videos and stories that are longer than 60 seconds.
During the workday, 30 to 60-second videos rule. When relaxing and especially in the evenings, audiences use their mobile devices and connected TVs to engage in 30, 60, 90-minute video programming. Not just the big streamers, but YouTube, Vimeo and more.
One of my favorite things about working in this industry is talking to people and learning their stories. And I've learned a lot of tips and tricks throughout the years for getting good on-camera interviews.
Here are a few to help you get the most out of your next on-camera interview.
One of the best challenges in Storytelling is making the complex, simple enough to understand. There are so many processes around us that make total sense to those who understand, yet mystify those who don't.
How do you create a story to explain a process that you have no expertise in? Listening.
Delivering maximum quality content is all about planning and efficiency.
If all you do is plan your entire project, your entire process around one deliverable, you're missing out on many content opportunities that allow you to work smarter, not harder.
One question I seem to get more than any other is "What's in your camera bag?" From the first time a picture appeared with me filming on the road, folks have been asking what I'm carrying around on my back. Now I’m happy to share a typical setup for my camera bag. With this configuration, I can film interviews, documentary / docu-reality storytelling, training, travel and the like.
To tell an impactful story, work backward from a singular goal. When your audience is done reading or watching your story, what should be the first thing they think or do? When you understand that, we can develop a story, storyline, multiple storylines or an entire campaign around that singular goal.
My response to the Peloton Interactive lawsuit by the music industry has garnered a lot of interest with some of the responses mirroring what I've seen from creative clients. Basically "I understand going after the big companies, but why would they care about the little guys and small companies? What is that going to hurt?"
It could hurt the music industry dearly.
I'm not a lawyer and it would take pages and pages to explain all of the legalities, but here's a basic primer on what you need to know and understand about music licensing.
Well we finished one of the most difficult projects I have ever produced and we did it from concept to completion in just two weeks.
The task was to present a message that ‘it’s ok to have difficult discussions’ on race and social inequality framed around the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This was an almost terrifying assignment because not only did we have to honor the legacy and man who was Dr. King, I was going to be wading into difficult territory having people speak openly, on-camera, about race and social inequality in America. This coming only a month after a Super Bowl commercial turned into a PR fiasco when Dr. King's words and image were used to sell a product.
Arri SkyPanel S60-C.
Today we had an opportunity to take one of the new Arri SkyPanels out of the studio and test it out in the Taste! Café in Georgia-Pacific Center. It was a pretty simple marketing video for a new product and we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to test one out in the field. First off, how to turn it on....
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.
Drone approaching a GP employee in Brunswick, GA
Last week I traveled to Brunswick, GA to oversee aerial filming for a new Georgia-Pacific image campaign focused on sustainability. There are many steps and actions GP does every day to ensure the land and water in their communities is protected and will be here for future generations. Trying to explain those ways can be complicated and long-winded. So I developed a campaign that involves just one, maybe two shots in a series of 10 - 15 seconds spots. Each spot is a single message, simplifying the storytelling to help encourage audience retention and social sharing.
My new storytelling initiative for Georgia-Pacific was rolled out externally this week, "We Are: Brewton, Alabama." It's a few months later than originally planned, but forces beyond my control delayed the external release. But Episode 1 of the series featuring the incredible Glen Freeman is now live.
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.
Glen Freeman at the wheel of his Candy Apple Red Ford hot rod.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I'm proud to announce my first training product from Lynda.com (and LinkedIn Learning) Video Budgeting.
Whether you own a production company or you’re a freelancer, we’re all independent contractors and it’s important to understand and document the full scope of work and fees to be charged for a project. In other words, creating an accurate budget.