DESIGNING AN EFFECTIVE VIDEO BROCHURE: Pre-Planning

Your first step is to acquire footage of you doing what you do best: speaking to a live audience.
Perhaps you have already had some footage, but depending on what quality video you have available – and your budget for added footage – I recommend having two or three speaking samples taped for your video brochure footage source.

When planning to tape, find out all you can about the room where you will speak. It’s really best to pre-visit the site and even better to have your videographer (or camera operator) accompany you on this location “scout” day if possible. If not, still find out as much as you can about the room.
Your videographer will want details to prepare well and have the best chance of capturing you on video in an aesthetically pleasing way – key to creating good, usable footage for your Video Brochure. Items about the room, hall or stage important for both you and the videographer include:

• Room ceiling height, for lighting options.
• Size and attributes of the room or speaking site. Information on décor (wall colors being dark or light, etc.) can be very helpful to both you and the videographer. Example, you wouldn’t want to dress in a light grey suit if background walls are also light grey.
• Are there are windows or mirrors behind or adjacent to you? *
• Where will you speak from (i.e., what’s the stage area like?)

* A general rule for speaking engagements is to avoid a room where there are mirrors/windows behind you. Even if windows/mirrors are to the side, they still have the potential to distract audience attention from you and your presence as a speaker. These situations are not conducive to capturing good, quality video. Don’t waste effort or costs to videotape in these conditions. Choose another speaking engagement to videotape instead.

At the speaking site, when your introducer makes the stage announcements, request that the audience be alerted to the importance of the videotaping. Other normal announcements should be made relative to turning off cell phones, pagers and, if possible, to refrain from leaving during your presentation. Audience members should be asked to please not walk in front of the camera should they have to leave early.

If you’re comfortable doing so, either you or the announcer may ask the audience to be extra energetic. Encourage them to participate during your presentation by applauding, laughing, etc., if the spirit moves them. Another point before your taping is to have any empty, up-front seats be filled; invite audience members closer to the stage area to attain this. Fill up empty seats in front and remove extra, empty chairs in the back. The impression of a “full house,” or exact seating, looks best on tape.

Next, when selecting a videographer for your video brochure coverage, if you are not already linked to a local one – or perhaps will be in an out-of-town situation – consider finding a videographer via local TV stations. This is where the best of the best are often found. As freelancers, these videographers are reachable by asking the TV station’s production department for a referral. Rates for the videography and for equipment will vary. Get a quote and decide from there; but find out what the quote entails in terms of hours for the shoot, personnel, raw stock and equipment.

Speaking of equipment, always mic the audience. Your wireless mic should go to one track/channel of the master tape recording and the audience mic goes to another. This will allow the video editor to mix the two tracks together as necessary.

Next, dress the stage a bit. This can be done quite easily in most facilities by asking an assistant from the banquets or facilities department if you may borrow a few plants from the halls or lobby. If you are feeling adventurous, get them yourself; sometimes, if personnel are not readily available, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness later than to find someone to ask permission. Regardless, make sure you return all “props” you borrow to their original locations – and thank facility personnel for any assistance they do provide.

Finally, relax. Be yourself. Let your own energy, confidence and charisma shine through. Have a good video shoot that you’ll want to showcase as part of your finished video brochure.

Primeau Productions Video Samples