A viral video is a video clip that achieves widespread distribution and popularity in a short period of time through the internet (social media, blogs, websites, youtube, etc.). Video after video, view after view, people have wondered what makes viral videos so viral, so compelling to share with your peers over and over again.
In his book, Outliers: The Story of Success, author Malcolm Gladwell defines an expert as someone with 10,000 or more hours of practice/experience in his or her field. I've been a video producer now for almost 21 years. During that time I've learned a few things about what being an expert doesn't mean...
Why is a movie theater dark? Why do you enter an opera from the back of the auditorium? Why do ushers only seat guests before the program begins or during an intermission? 1 ANSWER: Because the presentation of the message matters!
You probably know a bit about some of the more high profiles roles in the video industry. For example, you know what a Director does, "Action!" and a Make Up Artist, "Powder please". But there are other roles that you've probably never heard of.
I stumbled across a framed photo of famed Producer/Director Cecil B. deMille along with a personal letter from his office dated April 8, 1942.
Every environment has its own unique ambience. A supermarket sounds one way while a library sounds another. We don't really think about it...unless that ambience isn't there or is wrong. In the filmmaking and television production we have a name for that ambience. We call it "room tone".
I recently re-read Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim Collins. Published in 2001 this is not a new book but it is a classic, in large measure because of its insights. In fact, I review it from time to time and to that end wanted to share a few Good to Great gems with you. The research suggests that “greatness” is synonymous with survival over an extended period of time. Focus on...
There are millions of products and services out there claiming they can make us more successful – from sparkly teeth and deodorant to new suits and seminars. Just go on-line and search for “success”. But success is much more fundamental than the world of infomercials would lead us to believe. When it comes to success most of us want to focus on the BIG things that will help us achieve overnight success. Yet in reality, it always begins with the...
We all agree -- these are difficult times (unless you're Apple). Many companies are cutting costs and/or downsizing. None of us are immune to these tough economic times. But there is another choice. We can just stop spending. Who wouldn't agree? It makes perfect sense. I think the answer lies in replacing spending with investing.
In the years I’ve had the privilege of working in this industry, I’ve set through a LOT of talent auditions. I can’t begin to tell you how many incredibly talented people I've auditioned and later had the privilege of working with on the set. They have given us beautiful moments of insight and inspiration. They have made us laugh and cry and have breathe life into dead ink and paper.
