Super Happy Funtimes: Video Capture Setup Time-lapse

Ever wonder what it takes to set up for a video interview? Wonder no longer – here’s the entire setup, from start to finish, in a 30-second time-lapse video shot with a GoPro camera from about 2009.

ACTION ITEM: Look at it. Look. At. It.

Off The Beaten Path Part 3: The Washington Hotel

We finished up our week a week ago today at The Washington Hotel, a delightful resort built in 1857 and largely unchanged since then. We captured the owner, Charity Jackson, as she taught our host Brian Hamilton how to make their signature cocktail, the Washington Sleeper. I was really reluctant to shoot in a bar as the folks there can often get a little rowdy. But not only were patrons amazingly cooperative and helpful, some even got into the production process. The guy in the Red Sox shirt (far left) got into the spirit by counting us down to the action:

ACTION ITEM: When you’re working with people, and you really need their cooperation, don’t be afraid to include them in the action

Flash Flood for Dry Mouth

I always make sure an interview subject has a bottle of water nearby to battle “dry mouth”. But an experienced special event producer friend, Stephanie Nix, offers her speakers this stuff.

It’s a squirt of gel, minty fresh, to lube up your speaker’s mouth parts with a shot of moisture. Gonna try this out.

ACTION ITEM: Try it, let me know what you think

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

I just got back from a fun tradeshow in Las Vegas, but one thing I really wish they had in my client’s booth was a self-contained video interview backdrop, complete with lights, audio hookup, “step-and-repeat” backdrop – here are a couple of samples from attendees who, I think, did a pretty nice job:

At every trade show, you’ll have the opportunity to interview important customers, analysts, industry thought leaders, etc. – the problem is scheduling these people to sit down and chat in front of a camera. If you have an always-available setup for these ad hoc interviews, you can come away from your event with a number of timely and valuable video assets.

ACTION ITEM: Early in your planning, consider – seriously – adding this component to your next tradeshow booth design.

Brian Hamilton on Working With Bill Rolland

Brian Hamilton, Editor of The Union newspaper (online at www.theunion.com), on the experience of being interviewed by Bill Rolland, especially setting the speaker at ease.

When Her Pickup Runs Over Your Dog

I’ve never encountered this before, so I really could use some guidance. I have a project coming up soon where the person I’m interviewing on camera may not be completely thrilled about some of the issues we’ll be covering, ranging from the slightly awkward (showing up wearing the same novelty t-shirt) to possibly litigious (her pickup ran over your dog). Any tips or tricks for keeping the speaker on track even when they may not be totally happy about where the conversation’s going?