MediaFace was founded on video production, so it comes without surprise that we have a lot of opinions about how to make it. Who better to share those opinions than our CEO and Founder, Lisa Bragg, and our Lead Producer, Sarah Senior? The pair discussed and demystified video production on LinkedIn live, the recording of which you can watch right here. We’ve rounded up some of the key takeaways from their discussion, below.
The times, they are a’changin’, but some things remain the same
The explosion in the market for video has come from an increased availability of creation technology (smartphone cameras), as well as an increase in editing and publishing tools (YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, TikTok… we could go on). Sarah says that because of the rise of amateur producers, overall expectations of quality have gone down.
However, she stresses the caveat that if your brand is about providing a quality product or service, then your audience expects that quality in everything you do – you’re still going to want a professional on your side. Lisa adds that the video is a part of your brand, and tells the world how you want to represent yourself.
What does a producer do, anyway?
Sarah calls her job, overall, as “a guardian of the video” – she’s protecting both the client’s image and the intention of the video. “And the viewing audience on the other side,” adds Lisa. These three “masters” sometimes mean that there’s respectful disagreement between the producer and the client. Sarah says that the collaborations that work best is when a client tells her what they want to achieve, and then rely on her creativity and expertise to carry it out. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” adds Lisa, so come to your video open-minded and let the producer guide the process.
Of course, there’s the more technical things a good producer will do, like dress the shot, fix your hair and clothing, and generally make you look your best on camera. Lisa moved her microphone to demonstrate how it should never look – visible wires are a no-no!
Photo: Lisa demonstrates a major production “don’t” – visible wires on a shirt.
What are some upcoming trends, and what do they mean for video?
Sarah says that, primarily, you have to think more about distribution than before. In the early days of digital video production, you’d create a version for YouTube/Vimeo and leave it at that. But now, there are more aspect ratios to consider: squares for Instagram, vertical video for stories and social media. Knowing all of the distribution channels at the beginning of production is essential to make sure your producer is capturing the right kinds of shots.
Live video is also increasingly important – they did say this live, after all – and audiences like it because it showcases authenticity. Lisa says going live shows that you can go with the flow. They create a sense of urgency, too, because of the audience’s “fear of missing out.”
That’s “cut!” on this LinkedIn Live recap. Make sure to follow Lisa’s LinkedIn page to be notified in advance of our next episode. Are you inspired to create your own video for your business, but aren’t sure where to start? Contact us to set up a 15-minute introductory call with Sarah to see how we can help with your next video project.