In a time when video production is soon becoming one of the most important aspects of communication, voice-overs still remain a great way to add a cinematic touch to your content. 

Everyone loves a good voice-over. Some of the most popular and award-winning films of all-time have relied on narration to move the plot forward. Today, in a time when there’s an app for everything, voice-overs add great credibility to your new launch. Audiences judge whether or not they’ll watch a film based on movie trailers, which are driven by voice-overs.

Voice-overs are also effective sales tools, providing the comforting and trustworthy voice of reason in brand marketing videos. If you want to convince your audience or focus their complete attention on your visual, a voice-over is the perfect tool to achieve that goal. 

There was a time when your voice-over talent was limited to your local areas. If you lived in a major filmmaking and video production hub like Los Angeles or New York City, you’d find plenty of choices. 

But today, there are several places you can visit online and choose the type of voice-over artist you’re seeking. Before picking a voice actor, do your homework. Find the type of video you will be making and check what kind of voice would convey your message. Check the artist’s previous work and ensure they can deliver on the kind of voice you need.

Once you have settled on the overall story you wish to tell in your video, you may visit one of the following websites to enlist their voice-over talents. It is always advisable to go with a professional agency over freelancers, unless you are confident that you will not face any issues. 

Check out the following sites for hiring voice-over talent: 

1. Voices.com 

2. Voice123.com

3. Voicesquad.com

There are several websites out there providing voice-over talent. Find the perfect voice that works for your video!

Video production is a big part of corporate communication and branding.

As your business grows, your videos need to reflect your growth and identity as an organization. While it is great to use internal teams for small projects here and there, when your video production requirements start increasing to multiple markets, you will be much better off with a professional local video crew.

In addition to saving thousands of dollars on travel and lodging costs, here are 5 Reasons Why Local Video Crews are a Good Idea:

1. Latest Video Equipment – While your iPhone may take excellent quality video, a professional video crew comes with a lot more than a camera. They work with the newest and best cameras, tripods, audio and lighting equipment.

2. Production Knowledge – A local video crew is trained to maximize its time during a shoot. The content they deliver will always surpass your expectations. You will get so much content that you’ll be able to create multiple videos from a single shoot.

3. Storytelling – A video crew is more than a group of camera enthusiasts. The lead producer on a shoot will plan the production in a way that creates the most interesting visual story.

4. Post Production – Video shoots can be excellent, but it’s the editing in the post-production facility that truly finishes a video. The post-production team works with music, transitions, subtitles, motion graphics and a lot more to take your video to the next level.

5. Producer – While you may work with the communication, HR, or marketing department within your organization, a producer who is solely focused on the video production aspect makes your life much easier. When you work with local producers, they get things done well and fast. Whether it’s dealing with local laws, finding interesting man-on-street interview subjects or organizing the crew, a producer adds tremendous value.

Use local video crews to save time and produce more compelling and effective corporate, branding and event coverage videos.

As a professional video production company, our goal is always to produce the best quality video with whatever is available on hand.

We have the latest equipment, highly experienced crew and seasoned producers. But, constraints of time and budget often leave us with very little time to deliver compelling video.

That’s why we invent tricks along the way to ensure that your video looks like a million dollar production, every single time.

Use 4K HD Cameras into Multiple Camera Shoot

Interview videos and corporate videos sometimes have to be shot on a single 4K camera due to space, time and budget constraints. But a single shot is not the most interesting thing to watch on video.

The benefit of shooting 4K-video is that it gives you a lot more coverage in each shot. If you are shooting a single person interview, the 4K-video captures a wide angle. What this means is you can create the illusion of 2 cameras by cropping your scenes in post-production.

Use Quick Zoom

This is a little risky, but you can do quick zooms during your interview or single camera shoot at the opportune moment.

Grab those few seconds when the subject may have finished answering one question and moving onto the next point to do a quick zoom, giving you a new shot.

Use Text on Screen

A brilliant way to feign a multi-camera shoot is by adding translucent slides onto your videos with colorful text. You have seen this often on your favorite social media videos. The time in between the text may be used to either zoom in or even use a new angle.

Shoot the Video Twice

Traditional television producers know this one very well. If you are working with a single camera, you need to get the same scene recorded multiple times from different angles. This method takes longer, but also allows you the freedom to get creative video shots.

These are only a few of the tricks we have in our arsenal for your next amazing video production. Get in touch and we’ll share a few more!

While watching videos, the audience is always subconsciously judging the sound as much as they are evaluating the moving image. Sound is not half the equation of a good video – it is just as important as the visual.

While there are several options to improve the sound quality of your video during post-production, a lot of hassle can be avoided if you optimize your shoot for sound during the production stage itself.

Here is what you can do to ensure great sound in your next video production:

• Monitor Live Sound – Use headphones during your shoot to monitor sound that is being captured. This eliminates 99.9% of all problems in post-production. This is especially a good idea if you need to capture live sound during an interview or are capturing real-time client testimonial videos.

• Use the Right Microphone – Shotgun microphones are excellent for man-on-street videos and customer testimonial videos for outdoor shoots. If you have an interview in a closed studio style environment, using lavalier microphones or body mics will give you greater depth of sound. Whichever mic you end up using, do a few sound tests before starting your recording to ensure you’re getting proper audio levels.

• Mute Bad Sounds – When you get to post-production and realize that you have picked up an annoying hiss, buzz or hum see if you can isolate and mute that sound.

• Add Music – The easiest way to mask bad audio is by laying down a music track.

• Use Atmospheric Sounds – Even after laying down music, if you feel the video requires authentic ambient sounds; use sound libraries to pick up atmospheric sounds.

The best defense is a good offense. When it comes to audio, make sure you monitor and test sounds before your shoot for a perfect production. And if something happens to turn up that you weren’t accounting for, use post-production to save the video!

So you’re making a video interview! Congratulations. You’ll need an experienced video crew, an excellent camera, great sound and knowledge of how to light your shoot.

Lighting is a vital aspect of video interviews. In case you didn’t realize it, the mixture of light and shadow in any given video is literally how a visual is produced.

In a corporate video interview you want the subject to look trustworthy, friendly and convincing. If your lighting is too dark or creating strange shadows, the entire interview is at risk of being affected.

But you don’t need four years of film school to light for an interview. Just stick to these basics and you’ll be good to go.

• Choose a Well-Lit Location – Let the room do the lighting for you. If you have the choice of a room, choose one with plenty of natural light. If your shoot happens to be outdoors, always shoot with the sun behind you (so the light falls on your subject). If it’s a night shoot then ensure you have proper lighting equipment.

• White Balance – Besides having your subject get blurred or even hidden in a loom of shadows, the most common problem with interview videos is saturation of one type of color. Before your shoot begins, use the white balance option on your camera by pointing it to a white paper or the wall (if it happens to be white) to eliminate one color temperature.

• Choose a Key Light –If you’re shooting in a room with poor overhead lighting, you will need to invest in a lighting kit that includes enough fluorescent, tungsten, LED, HMI, or CFL lights. Each one has its own advantages and challenges. Choose the key light that will produce the best look for your shoot.

• Camera Angles – Place your key light at a 45 degree angle from your subject’s side and pointing 45 degrees above your subject’s face. This will do wonders to produce a well-lit video.

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of video production. Use these simple tips to improve your next interview.

Why Closed Captioning is Beneficial for Your Brand

If you’ve browsed through any social media network like Facebook today, chances are you’ve come across excellent video content. And chances are that the video you watched had embedded subtitles.

Today, if you are looking to improve your reach with video, then you absolutely must add closed captioning.

How to Add Subtitles to Your Video

If you are uploading videos to YouTube, the platform itself allows you to upload a subtitles track. YouTube also allows for auto subtitles on their platform, but is not 100% accurate.

There are several subtitling apps and software programs available, which you may use during post-production.

The best, most reliable and time-saving option for adding subtitles to your video is to hire a video crew that has a post-production facility.

What Are the Benefits of Adding Closed Captions to Your Videos?

1. Increases Watch Time – Most people consume video content on their mobile phones while traveling. Statistics have shown, for multiple reasons, that having subtitles increases watch time of videos.

2. Reach International Audience – Captions can be a way to break barriers and reach new international audiences. Having closed captions in your video in multiple languages brings your brand or message to an international audience.

3. Improve the Video Quality – Post-production with great music and the right style of subtitles enhance the viewing experience of the video. Music along with well-animated captions can add mystery, surprise and a wow factor to your video.

4. Improve your SEO – Experts know that having the right captions along with your video helps rank your content higher on search engines.

5. Accessibility – Closed captions enable those hard of hearing or deaf audiences get a more complete experience of your content.

Subtitles are an essential ingredient of your successful video. Use your video production team to help you select the right style of subtitles and closed captions to enhance your video content.

A short guide to video production in Japan

Shooting video in Japan is now easier than ever.

Snippies works with local Japanese video crews to get you the exact footage you require.

Japan is a tiny island nation with breathtaking culture, food and the 2020 Olympics around the corner.

If you are thinking on capitalizing on the Japanese market with video, now is the best time to do so.

Japan offers traditional, natural and urban settings to suit your needs.

And your best bet to shooting in Japan is to find local Japanese video crews who are excellent location scouts while also being expert videographers.

Cost of Video Production in Japan

Part of the reason Snippies works with local Japanese video production teams is the cost.

The Japanese Film Commission is always helpful to foreign crews that want to film there, but it also comes with a high price tag. Several Hollywood film productions have found it cheaper to recreate the entire country on a set rather than pay the exorbitant production fees of Japan.

Shooting video in Japan with local video crews will get you more for your marketing spend than if you were to do it on your own.

Where to Shoot Videos in Japan

Japanese cities are perfect for capturing a wide array of settings. From futuristic landscapes in Tokyo to snow peaked Mount Fuji, serene Buddhist and Shinto temples and seasonal cherry blossoms.

If you are looking to capture Japan’s essence, consider these locations. Listed below, with a descriptive quality.

• Shibuya – The Times Square of Japan; busy streets. Permits are required to film here.
• Kyoto – Ancient city vibes.
• Sanchoku Inshokugai – Quaint neighborhood with red lanterns in Tokyo.
• Shimokitazawa – Hipster neighborhood.
• Nakameguro – A river that runs through Tokyo.
• Shinjuku – Neon forest.

The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo are an amazing opportunity for the Japanese and for organizations that want to capitalize on this massive event.

Get in touch with Snippies to shoot video in Japan.

When it comes to shooting video, Europe is your PAL. PAL-based that is. Even in the digital age of video production, the United States uses a system known as NTSC while Europeans and most other parts of the world shoot and view video on the PAL system.

The basic information is that PAL produces a higher quality visual image than NTSC.

When you’re shooting video in Europe, one of the main things you’ll need to do for American consumption is to convert the PAL into NTSC. Most professional production teams will have this facility.

Plan your Shoot in Europe

European landscape consists of some of the most beautiful architecture, countryside and natural beauty ever seen. If you are looking to shoot video in Europe or any country of the European Union, you better know exactly what you want.

1. Conduct a pre-production meeting – Along with a professional video production team, create a list of the shots you absolutely require for your production.
2. Budget your time – Some European countries may have very few hours of daylight depending on time of the year. Ensure that your video production team is aware of the local weather and seasonal patterns.
3. Use a local video crew – Your entire crew should ideally be local. They’ll know exactly where to go for the best shots and easily find the right individuals if you plan on doing man-on-street interviews.

Europeans speak several languages and hold very different customs from one country to another. This is why a savvy local video crew will be of great use to you in Europe.

Things can get even more complicated if you plan on doing multi-city shoots because of the change in video production laws, native languages and so much more.

For video production in Europe, you should consider hiring an expert local video crew who is able to create corporate and marketing videos with style.

Maximize your Events Video Coverage

Events are a great way to meet your customers, close deals with prospective clients and grab a lot of excellent video content.

A great event video, if produced well by a professional video crew, can mean enough content for your marketing and social media team to use for months!

All you require is some pre-production planning and a lot of post-production magic.

Customer Testimonial Videos

While at an event, if you are an exhibitor, make sure you set up a video camera at your booth. Use this time to greet your best customers and ask them to share their video testimonials with you, on screen.

You can also walk the tradeshow and nearby areas to produce man-on-the-street videos. These will come in handy for a variety of purposes; both for future pitches and also to add authenticity and a fresh look to video presentations.

Thought Leader Videos

If any member of your organization is going to speak at the event, get access beforehand to shoot video of that moment.

A thought leader video is one where a person from your organization or team is providing innovative and genuine information about a specific topic. This kind of video can be used on your website, social media pages and in presentations to convert prospects into clients.

While you can grab a lot of B-roll or extra video footage to make a stylish event coverage video, a thought leader video can be produced like your very own TED talk.

Events are a goldmine to grab compelling video footage – using a professional video production team will help in getting the most out of your event presence.

Customer testimonial videos and thought leadership videos increase your brand value, assist you in acquiring new sales and give you plenty of real insights from customers.

Integrating Statistics Slides and Motion Graphics into Your Videos

If you are involved with marketing or sales, you already know the thorough power of numbers to convert decision-makers.

Leveraging video to promote and grow your business is definitely a great idea.

But these sales and marketing videos need to address complex issues, in a short amount of time.

Using a combination of man-on-street interviews, stunning B-roll footage and excellent music is step 1 to video marketing success.

But today’s decision makers also need to be convinced through statistics and motion graphics.

Inserting PowerPoint Slides into Videos

Decisions are made by a combination of head and heart.

A visually powerful story is the aspect of your video that will resonate with the boardroom’s impulse.

But it is simple things like PowerPoint slides consisting of data points that will drive their logical minds to also agree with your idea.

Using Motion Graphics in Video Marketing

Motion graphics are animated videos used to convey a detailed idea into an interesting visual.

These diverse and sophisticated motion graphics offer a solution that regular video production or the laws of physics won’t allow.

They allow you to creatively showcase your ideas and leave a lasting impact on the minds of consumers and buyers.

A Quick Cheat to Using PowerPoint and Motion Graphics

You may already be using multiple types of video for your marketing. So, when is it the right time for you to use videos with motion graphics and PowerPoint slides containing stats?

In our experience, if you are trying to accomplish any of the following a combination of statistics and motion graphics is the best way forward:

• Stockholder’s conference
• Press conference
• Sharing data
• Introducing or explaining a complex idea
• Presenting a brand new concept, innovation or invention
• Presenting a challenge & solution
• Creating an explainer video

Combining the power of numbers and the branding of visuals is one of the easiest ways to create a winning marketing video.