In this blog’s Part 1, award-winning BizVid Communications offered insights regarding your smartphone videos, along with video-delivery tips. 

In this blog’s Part 2, we will outline a few ways to maximize your voice delivery, and tips to make your video presentation more desirable and believable. 

Audio tips

There are external-microphone options for smartphones, but most users are assumed to to not be using them. If you are using your smartphone’s built-in microphone, you will like your audio outcome better if you try to keep the camera/ microphone within a few feet of your subject who is speaking. Audiences can be distracted when a video’s audio is inconsistent in volume, or far-away sounding. 

Whenever possible, stay close to your subject and your viewer will stay close to the message

Regarding the content of your video, remember that very few people can string more than a few sentences together. That is completely normal.  To make your video as impactful as possible, we like the idea of crafting a few “glance-worthy” bullet points.

Don’t make your glances obvious, but steal a look at your bullet point as part of your normal head movements. Study the delivery of lines from a soap opera. See if you can locate where the actors have stashed their lines during a rather lengthy diatribe.  

Regarding delivery, stay away from too many “uhhhhs” and “ahhhhhhs”.  Brief silence to collect your thoughts is always better, and substantially adds to your believability.

Also, converse rather than announce. Be yourself.

Practice makes… perfectly believable.

Practice these aforementioned tips, and toss in some purposeful eye contact with the smartphone camera. You will see a marked difference in your delivery, along with higher viewership and greater viewer retention. Fine tune your skills in delivering your message. It is generally okay to have a few takes. Remember, the little things will make a big difference. 

At BizVid Communications, we often tell our clients that it is not the big budgets, but the big ideas that make a great video.  So much the more with your smartphone productions. Go create something memorable.

Smartphone Videos

You may be among the multitudes who have discovered the value and fun of smartphone videos. When it comes to making unforgettable video messages with your smartphone, here are a few tips from one of the producers at BizVid Communications. 

As multiple-time Emmy winners, we know how to craft effective powerful videos using reasonable budgets. But, in this case, smartphones are a good way to put forth a memorable message with no budget whatsoever. With the “increased down-time” recently, we have had the opportunity to see smartphone videos used for all kinds of purposes. Some are even being used to promote small businesses. Here are some tips on how you can “use your smartphone to make smart videos.”

Visual Tips

When recording smartphone video, a horizontal orientation is the most functional. Horizontal smartphone videos allow for more people to be on-screen at once, compared to vertical videos. More background can be displayed in horizontal videos, while showing less of the spokesperson’s lower body. Finally, horizontally-oriented videos allow more flexibility in typical presentations since most display screens (projectors, televisions, etc) are also horizontally oriented.

Starting with a horizontal smartphone orientation will allow more space for the on-screen talent to move their hands or move props. If you are your own on-camera tablet, it is advisable to mount your phone to a tripod or gimbal, rather than hand-holding it. Hand-held video is often shaky, and those shakes can distract your audience from your message.

Regarding lighting and positioning, pay attention to the pre-existing light at the location where you are recording. Frame your shots so the lighting falls on your on-camera subject. Use your smartphone’s manual exposure mode and lock the exposure, if possible. 

Position your subject far enough from the background so that their own shadow doesn’t fall on the background behind them.  Separation between the subject and their background will make both elements more appealing.  

In this Blog’s Part 2, we will discuss some audio tips and the value in taking strategic practice runs. Have fun with your smartphone camera. Go create something.

Welcome to this Premiere Pro tutorial from BizVid Communications, a video production company based in San Diego. Today you will see how to correct an overexposed section in a video clip.

Often during post, you will find various exposure ranges within a scene. This video clip example shows a restaurant server placing a food item on a counter top. Overall, the scene is dark. To correct the exposure, I will use various Lumetri controls to adjust exposure and contrast according to the Lumetri scope.

Once the adjustments are made, hot spots emerge, specifically the counter top. However, the server looks good and is properly exposed. Not to despair because the counter top exposure can be corrected while keeping the rest of the scene in tolerance. To do so I need to duplicate the video clip.

I hold down the ALT key, then click and drag the duplicate clip up to video Track Two. Next, I will create a mask around the counter top by using the Opacity pen tool. In this example the countertop has straight edges so masking is not as difficult as it might be in other scenarios.

Next, I turn off Video Track one, select Video Track Two then use the Lumetri controls to dial in the proper exposure settings for the countertop. Once that is complete, I turn on Video Track One to fine tune the adjustments. Mission accomplished.

The scene has a balanced exposure in all quadrants and the issue is solved. Masking is great tool.

Welcome to another video tutorial from BizVid Communications a leader in video production for businesses, industry and health.  Today I’m going to show you how to put a border around a video clip and make it whatever size and color you want. 

First, scale the clip to 75%. Look for the “rectangle tool”, which is found in the dropdown box of the “pen tool”.  Next, click and drag to make a box around the clip that is larger than the clip itself.  This creates a graphic similar to text a graphic. 

Then, extend it to the length of the video clip.  Now, drag the video clip above the graphic and here’s the border… but we’re not done.  Next, select the video clip, then go to the motion controls “position” numbers to center the clip on the graphic.  This still needs work. 

For this I will use “scale” but must uncheck the “uniform scale” box.  Now I can manipulate the height and width independently.  First, be sure that the graphics clip is selected then; begin to adjust the scale and height settings to your preference.  To finesse, select the video clip and move to your desired position.

I will show you how to lock the two together but first, I want to change the color of the border.  Select the border, double click the “fill” box and change the color. To nest, select both clips, right-click, then “nest.”  It is now one clip and can be manipulated any way you want.  

And there you have it…simple and effective.  

BizVid Communications is a premiere video production company, so creating blogs are important for keeping our name and brand visible. Further, systematic blogs provide important information regarding one’s product or service. Such communications help with rankings on social media. These are very likely good reasons for companies like yours to do the same.

Regarding the selection of blog topics, we are reminded of the strategies behind one of the most popular and highly rated television programs ever. Jerry Seinfeld’s self-titled show, Seinfeld, was touted as a series about absolutely nothing. Even “nothing” can be something if it’s properly packaged. Indeed, there is nothing like it.

Keeping in mind the main objective of “name and brand appreciation/ recognition”, any blog topic which commands a reader’s attention can do the job. Also it is helpful to understand the media parameters into which your blog will be placed. For our purposes, the length of a blog should probably be around 600 words. That is enough to command attention, while not discouraging a person who does not enjoy reading. A person’s love of reading is not usually a factor in the purchasing of a product. So keeping things short and sweet is always a wise decision. What’s more, that 600-word length seems to be typical for popular blogs around the Internet.

Some believe that having a catchy photograph also helps in the blog presentation. Because of copyright laws, it is unwise to grab just anything off the internet and use that as your blog post’s graphic support. Who wants to get a threatening letter in the mail? This may not be worth the risk. Today’s cell phones offer such high resolution photography that you can click your own photo that illustrates your topic fairly easily. As a video producer, we have access to stock photography and video which allows us to search out appealing visuals within our existing usage contracts. Perks of the trade.

Regarding blog presentation style and tone, it is advisable to simply “be who you are” in your communications. The “real you” will be more believable and more able to properly communicate your message than putting on a false persona. That said, Bizvid Communications is responsible for portraying the products, services, benefits, and personality of our clients.

In video production world, we often assume the character of our clients more than our own character.  Over the years we have learned to do this quite well. In fact, we love helping our clients put their best foot forward. Even so, our own personality is never completely lost in the equation. We enjoy taking our clients’ thoughts and streamlining them into impactful and concise messages.

Then, there are times when you have said all you wanted to say, but the format requires you to provide more words than you feel comfortable generating. For example, if you are creating a blog like this one, and you have only 489 words written, but need to get to 600 words.

In such instances, it may be advisable to apply the art of summarization. It is proven that a person’s ability to comprehend something is enhanced when a presenter reframes the original precept, using fewer words. Repetition can be a communicator’s best friend. 

Remember, periodic blogs are very important for branding and name recognition.  Pick topics that will command attention for your target audience which you feel comfortable communicating about. Be aware of recommended blog lengths and other restrictions. And, use photography or graphics as part of your blog whenever possible. Well, my 600 words are completed, as is this blog message. Thank you for joining us for this informative blog.

San Diego video production company, BizVid Communications, has produced hundreds of videos over the years. One of the more satisfying categories for us is medical surgery.  Typically in this environment, we are asked to document a new surgical procedure or the use of a particular instrument in the performance of surgery.

We are honored to be a part of such a project because the resulting video helps to advance the cause of medicine. In the performance of our duties, we must operate at the highest level and without distraction to the surgical staff.  A do-over in surgery is not an option.  

In the case pictured here, we used two cameras. Camera 1 was placed on jib and was suspended over the cadaver for an unobstructed view of the area to be worked. Camera 2 was placed on a ground level tripod so as to capture surgeon interactions.  We rigged each surgeon with a wireless microphone in order to record their teaching moments. 

After recording, the next task in the process is to edit all of the recorded material into a truncated and cohesive presentation. It must accurately represent the procedure and include the important teaching moments. Typically, the edit will go through several iterations prior to sending the video to the client for their final notes and input. Once their edit notes, if any, have been addressed, the video is finalized and sent back to the client for distribution.  It is a rewarding process. One that we hope to continue for a long time to come.

BizVid is often hired to provide video production services to companies holding conventions, symposiums, or meetings here in San Diego, California.  Our production services take on many forms, and we’re happy to share of few of those with you now. Read more →

BizVid Communications was selected to provide production services for the documentary titled “Quest for Truth: The Israeli / Palestinian Conflict.” The vision for the project and the entity we worked for is the United Kingdom organization, Generation2generation. Read more →

Welcome to another in a series of Adobe Premiere Pro video tutorials produced by BizVid Communications, a leader in San Diego video production services for business and industry.  Today you will learn how to create a title using Adobe Premiere Pro.

First, access the type tool by selecting the keyboard shortcut, “control T” on the keyboard.  After accessing the type too, a window is opened in the program monitor and that’s where you can type any text.  You can also access the type tool by selecting it in the tool bin, then click inside the monitor. Double click the box and type your information. Next, place the text where you want it by clicking the text and dragging it into position. 

Now we’re going to add a background behind the text.  In the tool box, select the dropdown in order to access the rectangle.  Next, click and drag the rectangle around the text. Let’s click the“graphics” tab in order to open the Essential Graphics window, which is the place where all text editing happens. 

In the right column, there are two tabs; select the “edit” tab.  This is where all any changes can be made.  Let’s start with the text by clicking and dragging the text layer above the shape layer.  Once done, the text can be edited in a variety of ways: changing font, color, size, kerning, or whatever.  For this demo, we’ll use the Gotham font and add a drop shadow to the text.

To change the color of the shape, double click the “fill” box in order to open the color palette.  We’ll add a second shape to our example, in order to give it a little more visual interest. Return to the rectangle and click and drag around the text.

Once everything looks good, we’ll “pin” everything together so that noting moves independently.  Once everything is “pinned”, we can add more text without having to rebuild all of the boxes.

If you wish to align and transform this box, go back to the “Editing” mode and locate the title.  If you want to create another text graphic that features the same design but with different text, simply hold the “Alt” key down, then click and drag the box to a different location.  After you’ve moved the box to a new location, you can then change the text. 

Unlike earlier versions of Adobe Premiere Pro (versions prior to 2019), the changing of words in one text box will not affect any other text box.  Additionally, when you create any text, you only find them on the time line; they will not be in the Project section.  

Now you should have a great title for your Adobe Premiere Pro project. If you have questions, please feel free to leave a comment here or on our YouTube channel.

You have seen this “catastrophe-in-waiting” in nearly every social and personal environment: marriage, other personal relationships, and even business partnerships. The left-brain “structure” moguls are at odds with the right-brain “creatives” to see who runs this or who leads that.  

Our blog has been written to offer a moment of clarity and inspiration within this very dynamic. At its conclusion, we hope that the insights will improve your company’s odds of success.

The left-brain mentality: If you have a strategic reason behind every action. If you spend a great deal of time mapping out every business strategy and setting up just the right people and situations to maximize your likelihood of success, congrats, you are a left brainer.

The right-brain mentality: Even if you’ve got the goods and the knowhow, the “same old, same old” strategies of plodding your way to success lack the flash and flare of creativity. Of standing out. Or burning out. Congratulations, you’re a right brainer.

Activating balanced relationships: My partner and I are in the business of creating video to tell our clients’ stories. We work with the big companies and the small guys. Over many years, we have learned to thrive in that delicate fulcrum of left, right, center.

In the end, neither one of the two viewpoints should ultimately win out. If the client ultimately feels that their best interest has been accomplished, then success and successful relations happen. This is usually accomplished with just the right balance of give and take.

My partner knows production stuff. He has ten Emmys to his credit and prefers getting stuff systematically done without wasting much time chatting or strategizing. He is disciplined in the business acumen with excellent follow through and consistency. He is a left-brain genius.

I know video production from a less cerebral, more sensory perspective. It is directly tied to the people who hired us. Informed and interactive clients can also help insure the success of a project. My approach would be, “What do you think about this look?” Or, “Is there a better way for the topic to be verbally or visually presented?”  Sometimes, I’m sure that my interjections slow the progress of my partner. Equally as often, my partner’s interjections keep us on time and within budget. 

My business partner’s left-brain tendencies have proven successful for him in the past. And, independently, my right brain tendencies have garnered good client successes.

Bottom line is we tend to have more happy clients together than we do independently. The moral of the story is that it is worth the effort of discover your workmate’s strengths and vigilantly seek to blend his or her best with your own. There is an old proverb that says, “If one can chase a thousand, two can chase ten thousand.” Pride aside, it can be more fruitful together.