Adding Production Value to Web Videos

 

Adding Production Value to a web video can be as simple as using character animation in place of static slides, or using character lip sync instead of voice over monologue. These simple considerations have an enormous impact on the effectiveness of the video.

We just delivered a really fun little web video to a client in Chicago who have an STD Screening web business. I was particularly excited about this job, not so much on account of the subject matter but because it offered the opportunity to illustrate something I’ve been saying for a while now.

Web videos need more Production Value.

It is a given that videos communicate their message better and capture an audience’s attention much more effectively when they are intelligently written and properly animated. A web video that incorporates a few simple additions like character performance, lip sync and 3D depth, will hold the attention of its audience and communicate the client’s message far better than the usual flat, static stuff we’ve been seeing up until now.

A web video that conveys its message directly from the character will outperform a static slide show  video every time.

Adding production value to a web video doesn’t cost extra – it simply involves working with artists who actually know their craft.

Currently, many clients are being sold sub-standard web videos that actually drive customers away. They are told that videos don’t need  character animation and if a character speaks and animates, it will be “distracting and disturbing”.

If a video company argues that character animation isn’t an enormous benefit to a web video, it’s because their company isn’t equipped to  do it.

A super-effective web video that holds its audience and communicates its message in a compelling way doesn’t have to cost any more than the usual flat static type. The reason we’re not seeing better production value in web videos is not cost related at all, but rather, a lack of expertise on the part of the people making them.

 

 

CLEO’s new HP / Symantec Video Feature at Las Vegas Convention!

Our latest HP / Symantec CLEO video went up on the big screen in front of an audience of 4000 people last week. It was a huge success and proved to be everyone’s favorite from the series so far.
Dr. Viro’s nasty little Gremlins take to the air to ambush CLEO in her airship on her way to open her new corporate headquarters. Rove suits up and meets them head on. Dr. Viro is showing definite deterioration in his mental state as the strain of repeated frustration starts to take its toll.

Common Spelling and Grammar Mistakes that Hurt Your Website

These are some of the most common spelling and grammar mistakes that I’ve seen actually in the body of company websites. They are all easy mistakes to make but with a little bit of care they can also be easily avoided. English is an awkward language at the best of times, but simple errors like these can really detract from the credibility of a website.

 

•        Too – Two – To

“Too” means “in addition” or “also”. It can also mean “extremely”, “excessive” or “very”.

I see you like plums, I like them too but it’s better not to eat too many of them.

“Two ” is the number 2.

Two heads are better than one.

“To” is the most common, being essentially all of the other usages.

I want to go swimming.  I know how to do it. I have places to go and people to see

• You’re – Your

“You’re” is a contraction of “you are”.

You’re looking lively today.

“Your” refers to something that belongs to you.

Your shirt is ill-fitting.

• It’s – Its

Usually an apostrophe indicates ownership, as in “Moira’s cat”. But in this case, “it’s” is a contraction “it is” or “it has.”

It’s going to snow today.

“Its” with no apostrophe means belonging to “it”.

The dog chased its tail.

• There – Their – They’re

“There” refers to a place.

I’m going over there.

“They’re” is a contraction of  “they are.”

They’re coming to see us.

“Their” means belonging to them.

The birds are watching their eggs.

• Where – Wear – Were – We’re

“Where” is used to refer to a place or situation.

I’m going to where the sun keeps shining, through the pouring rain.

“Wear” means to carry or have on a person as clothing or to erode or fatigue a thing.

If you continue to wear the same socks you’ll wear them out.

“Were” is a complicated one, but for the most part, “Were” is the past tense of “be”, as in “used to be”.

We were following a slow tour group. They were really taking their time.

“We’re” is a contraction of “we are”.

We’re having such a good time.

• A lot – Allot – Alot

“A lot” refers to quantity.

There are a lot of dandelions this year.

“Allot” means to assign as a share or portion.

Some people allot too much of their spare time to playing video games.

“Alot” is not a word at all.

• Will – We’ll

“Will” is interchangeable with “shall” , meaning an action intended to occur in the future.

Fred will fix that leaky tap tomorrow.

“We’ll” is a contraction of “we will”.

We’ll  have to find someone to fix that leaky tap tomorrow.

• Loose – Lose

“Loose” means not tight, it rhymes with moose.

My shoelace has become loose.

“Lose” is the opposite of win, it rhymes with snooze.

If I lose one more round, I’m quitting.

• You and I – You and me

“You and I” is used in place of “we”.

You and I (We) were meant for each other.

“You and me” is used in place of “us”

The differences between you and me (us) are not important.

I don’t think anyone minds a gaff or two in the body of an informal text. But when mistakes like these occur on a company website, a published page or the text of an explainer video, it looks like carelessness and impacts the credibility of the company itself.

Quality Video on a Super Tight Budget

It is commonly held that clients must choose between QUICK, INEXPENSIVE, and QUALITY when commissioning a video.
Red Slider Films would beg to differ.
We were recently approached by a client who had an extremely tight schedule, very limited funds and needed a bright, attractive video that got their message out to the world clearly and concisely.
We were able to meet all of these conditions on our first pass. On time and looking sharp!
Contact us to get a free consultation and find out how we can bring your message to life!

Speak to Tracey on 1 (800) 610-5405

Combining 2D Whiteboard with 3D Character Animation

Last week we did a quick exercise to explore the combination of 2D whiteboard animation with traditional 3D character animation. We had a lot of fun with the project and came up with a cool little 30 second piece that illustrates a technique that could be very effectively used to create a unique look for almost any corporate video or custom explainer video. This is the latest in Red Slider Films’ ongoing initiative to develop new ways of creating eye-catching videos.

Simple Animated Videos – Concise and To The Point

A common reason for an animated explainer video to fail in its effectiveness is excessive length. Writing a concise, to-the-point video script requires real discipline. It is vital to avoid the tendency to ramble.

An explainer video that runs needlessly over-length by paraphrasing and repeating itself will very likely lose its audience.

This animated video for AARP has been cut down to 41 seconds from an original voice-over recording of 1½ minutes. The result is a very clear, simple message that is easily taken on board by the viewer.

AARP Homecare Professional from Red Slider on Vimeo.

Making Inexpensive Animated Videos That Look Great

Inexpensive animated videos need not look cheap.

A low budget animated video does not have to be a low quality animated video. Most video production companies get by selling poorly produced videos thrown together by inexperienced staff or even overseas outsourcers. The results are invariably substandard and an embarrassment for the client.

A mediocre video reflects badly on the client company.

Our clients get the production value of commercial quality video that makes their message stand out in the marketplace, yet our budgets are often less than our competition.

Our videos make our clients and their message look good!

At Red Slider Films we draw upon the vast experience of our group to produce exceptional quality videos for far less than our competition. We do not support a staff of untrained workers to make our product. Our group is made up of only highly experienced professionals.

Contact us to get a free consultation and find out how we can bring your message to life!

Speak to Tracey on 1 (800) 610-5405

Making an Effective Animated Explainer Video

I was asked recently to quantify what makes our explainer videos effective.

In fact, two essential things have to work together to make a video work.

The most important thing is for the video to capture the viewer and make them want to watch. People naturally gravitate towards narrative. We like to be told a story, so a message imparted in an interesting way is going to be much more engaging.

Secondly, the information must be presented concisely. Ambiguity and redundancy will disengage the viewer and result in them clicking off of the video part way through. Most explainer videos aren’t watched past the halfway point.

Videomakers who do not observe these fundamental disciplines fail because the viewer abandons it part way in or simply does not grasp the message.

We at Red Slider Films are passionate about what we do and take pride in delivering a superior product. Call us today to see how we can help you promote your message through the use of a professionally hand crafted video!

Speak to Tracey on   1 (800) 610-5405