Does this sound like you? You’ve got video budget, but not nearly enough to satisfy your video hungry colleagues. Colleagues who are chomping at the bit to create video but then you see what they’ve come up with on their own and it resembles a b-rated horror movie on its best day. Sound familiar? In this presentation we’ll show you some best practices around creating your own vlog and social media campaigns that look good, stays on brand and empowers colleagues. We’ll provide “do it yourself” shooting, interview and post production tips, plus we’ll also share some great approaches on how to get the most out of your video. We’ve all been there and we want to help.

1. They want to do
what???
Tips to save your budget and your sanity.
Mike Leon
mleon@brandheroes.ca
1.416.543.5292

2. Ever feel like your
colleagues see
video like this…

4. But then you see what
they come up with on
their own...

6. Colleague Tip
Kit…aka your
survival pack

7. But first a little
about you and a bit
about me…

8. Who am I?
• President and Chief Brand Hero of Brand Heroes
• Integrated Marketing Consultancy
• Brand Strategy and Design
• Marketing Communications
• Branded Content
• MBA and BBA Branding Instructor @ WLU

9. Some shameless self promotion

10. Survival Kit Details
• Pre-Production Check-list
• Location Scouting
• Release Forms and dress code (well kinda)
• Equipment list, Interview Sheet and Shot list
• Production
• Shot Framing 101
• Interview Techniques
• Post Production
• Music – the bane of my existence
• Cheap or Free Stock Imagery (that’s right – free!)
• Donuts – not the kind you eat, but they’re still healthy!

11. Production Check-list – Location Scout
• Lot’s and lot’s of electrical outlets
• You’ll be amazed how many you’ll use.
• Ideally some good natural light, but not too much
• Avoid a room with 360 degree windows
• But some are good, could help reduce the amount you need to
bring
• Optimal sound conditions
• No echo or cavernous environments
• No hum or murmur
• As a nice to have – close to a convenience store...

12. Release forms and Dress Code
• Multi-platform release forms are key. Also get on-
camera consent
• Prior to the taping, you want to provide your star with
some helpful tips
• Avoid clothing with stripes, tight patterns, checkers etc
• Avoid red and if you’re shooting on a green or blue screen, don’t
wear green or blue
• If you plan on shooting for multiple videos, bring multiple
changes of clothes

13. Interviews, Shots, Equiment Oh My!
• Write out your interviews in advance, but put a reminder
to your folks to ask their subjects for complete answers
• Important as your voice will likely be edited out
• Overwrite. Best to have more questions than less, but be sure
to prioritize your favourite 3 for time-sake. Don’t just read off
your sheet. Listen to their answers and allow for in the moment
questions based on the gold they provide
• Shot List: A, B and C Content!
• Equipment
• Bring external mic, tripod and at least one light
• Also keep in mind one camera isn’t optimal for all occasions

14. A Camera for every occasion!
• Vlog Recordings
• Which one to pick?
• http://pocket-camcorder.toptenreviews.com/
• “Streeter Style”
• http://bit.ly/m31j44
• Higher end Narrative
• http://bit.ly/jtun2f

15. Production – Framing a Shot
Couldn’t have said it better myself!
http://vimeo.com/videoschool

16. Production tips that aren’t on Vimeo
• The soft side of production
• Give the “flight attendant speech”
• Let them know which direction you want them to look
• Let them know how the interview process will go
• Don’t be afraid to direct them...and praise them
• Same goes for B-Roll
• Keep time and give them progress reports. Let them know when
it’s the last question
At the end, ask them if there’s anything they want to say that
they weren’t asked – this is huge!

17. Your best friend – the shot list
Tape# (or TC In: TC Out: Audio In: Audio Descripti Alternate
Card) Out: on use
This will save your life in post!

18. Post Production
• Music
• Cheap ($30 – 50) – SmartSound - http://www.smartsound.com/
• Cheap ($30 ) – IstockAudio
http://www.istockphoto.com/audio.php
• Expensive – APM Music ($300) - http://www.apmmusic.com/
• Expensive(er) – Jingle Punks ($500) -
http://www.jinglepunks.com/
• Expenive(est) – ($500) Music for Productions -
http://www.musicforproductions.com/

19. Post Production
• Low Cost Graphics (or even free!)
• Stock.xchng- http://www.sxc.hu/
• FreeDigitalPhotos– http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
• FreeStockImages - http://www.freestockimages.net/
• Freestockimages.org - http://www.freestockimages.org/
• Dreamstime - http://www.dreamstime.com/
• Important Caveat – You get what you pay for! For better
images try
• www.veer.com
• www.istockphoto.com
• www.gettyimages.ca

20. Post Production
• Editing and Compression Software that won’t break the
bank
• Power Director
• Windows Movie Maker
• YouTube Editor
• Adobe Premiere

21. Donuts and Intros
• Good way to ensure quality and consistency
• Could create easily with a basic editing program
• I.e - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4gBxY9pNIM

22. Collaborating, Capturing, Sharing:
• Mediafire (my favorite) - www.mediafire.com
Dropbox - www.dropbox.com
Yousendit - www.yousendit.com
Vimeo – www.vimeo.com
• Live Desktop Capture (this runs in the background and
records what ever is on your desktop at a time). Perfect
if he wants to capture a demo of a site or an app for a
client.
Camtasia - http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/

23. Key Take-Aways
• Rome wasn’t built in a day, but a bookshelf can be!
• Work with them to set realistic, but ambitious goals
• 5 times measure, one time cut
• The shot-lists will be your MVP
• Be wary of the Starbucks factor
• Not every person loves every flavour – be careful about selected
which projects can be done by non-video folks vs. through a
trained in-house or external production unit

24. Thank You!
@Brandheroes
Mike Leon
(416) 543-5292
mleon@brandheroes.ca
www.brandheroes.ca