What is a slate?

Ask someone to picture a standard Hollywood movie set, and what do you get? A director shouting, “Lights, Camera, Action!” and an assistant snapping shut the hinged leg of a black-and-white chalkboard.

That board is called a slate (or clapperboard, or marker, or clapper, etc.), and it has a few distinct purposes.

What the b-roll?!

In the film/tv world there is plenty of lingo flung around that could really have a more practical or universally understood name…but it doesn’t.  I don’t know if it’s because we industry peeps want to sound cool or speak in code or what.  But that’s how it is. (Actually, all of those terms once had a very logical meaning.  But technology has eliminated or changed most of those meanings.)

Video on Website Improves Brand

Why do you need video on your website?

As a video production and web design hybrid company, we are asked this question a lot. And while the answer may seem straightforward to us, many businesses are still miffed about what they can gain from online media.

Editor’s note to Videographer and Client

Think you have enough footage for your video project? I highly doubt it!

What everyone should know about pricing professional video

What could possibly be so hard about pricing a professional video project?

From the outside looking in, it may seem simple enough to put a price tag on a professional video, but there are many considerations involved.  Having spent more than a decade working for Prizm, I have learned so much about the process of creating a professional video, and let me tell you, there is absolutely nothing simple about it!

I receive inquiries for cost quotes daily, and frequently find it necessary to help people understand how much really goes into creating professional, award winning videos.   I can’t tell you how many times I have heard:  “Just off of the top of your head, how much does it usually cost to…?” Although I don’t like to say it, there genuinely is not a “usual” cost when it comes to the creation of a professional video.

Capturing professional video for Extreme Makeover Home Edition

In order to receive a true and complete price quote on your video, you must be prepared to provide your production company with answers to some very pertinent questions like these:

1. How long do you want your video to be?
2. What style and quality do you envision for your final product?
3. What delivery medium (or mediums) do you intend to use?
4. What is your deadline?
5. Are you working within a specific budget?
6. Do you want professional actors and/or voice talent to be part of your video?
7. Do you need scripting services?

The answers to the above questions then create more leading questions, which largely influence pricing, such as: 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Just for fun, I Googled chocolate chip cookie recipes.  And in less than a second, I had the opportunity to choose from 835,000 different recipes.  As a child, I had just my Mom’s cookies and a few other varieties from Grandma and my neighbor.  I always liked my Moms.

While your senses may be working on remembering the smell of chocolate chip cookies you may be thinking; What does this have to do with video/film production?  Stay with me and let me stir the batch.