My previous interview was with director Johnny Blank. Today we pick the brain of Steven Trauger who’s the Founder and Creative Director of video production and motion graphic design company Seriously Total Video Productions.

1. What are the biggest challenges in creating a film, TV or web show?

Well, aside from the ever-changing technology landscape and the decisions knowledgeable crews are faced with there, the very first and often fundamental challenge every production faces lies in its initial idea or basic concept/story development.  A director can have all the tools and talent in the world at his or her fingertips, but if they don’t know how to properly use them, their video or film will not be successful in its delivery.  That’s because there is a language to follow in film.  There is the 180 degree rule and the commonly practiced notion of introducing an audience to a location via an establishing shot prior to any close-up.  It takes a beginner awhile to learn all of these, but whether a person works in the industry or not, everyone is exposed to them—audiences just don’t realize it while enjoying a motion picture.  Now in education, deadlines and conceptualization seem to present significant challenges.  Good location scouting/set design and proper lighting/audio can be real problematic for beginners taking their first stab at this kind of work.  Trying to mold a young producer’s ideas into viable content so that those ideas successfully communicate a point or tell a story can consume considerable time and effort.  However, as with any production, careful planning can lead to solid execution and a positive experience for all involved.  Expectations should be clear and production tracking closely monitored—especially in the case of daily, weekly, or monthly television/web shows/series so that deadlines are met.  In the professional world, a lot of the video content professionals are hired to produce revolves around the corporate world.  Having a client fully communicate what it is they want producers to exactly create and why can sometimes yield just as big a challenge.  And that’s okay because they’re not necessarily professional communicators, which is one reason they’ve hired you.  Amazingly, many clients tend to hire video professionals with no idea what or exactly how they want their idea conveyed.  It’s simply that—an idea.  Therefore, content producers need to not only be fully aware of their client’s goals and target audience but also be able to craft that idea into a concise message that gets results or serves an acceptable purpose.  Recent trends in online marketing have placed significant emphasis on the delivery of web-based video.  More and more companies rely on the creation of digital shorts or webisodes to entertain or get their message out to the public.  This is because the web has no time or creative restrictions but that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges with doing so.  These short films can easily lock in an audience and generate buzz about an idea or product.  The trick for producers wishing to tap into that sort of viral power is to exercise caution.  Not all ideas can generate an instantaneous and far-reaching response.  Nailing down the viewing audience and appropriate delivery style is key to developing a winning campaign or entertaining series that does get widespread attention, thus attracting lots of followers.  It’s not easy to develop—especially when making comedy and so that is why I would say viral campaigns can be challenging in themselves.  Audiences today are smarter, they react differently than they did a few years ago thanks to the availability and wide-spread content that’s out there.  The trick is to make your video stand out.

2. Is collaboration between team members integral to the success of your production projects?

Absolutely!  The essence of all project work is the synergy that the group members bring to the table.  Any product is the sum of those efforts.

3. Is finding and putting together the right combination of talent hard to consistently do?

I don’t think so.  Of course it helps to understand the skill set your particular project requires–so you know how to budget, where to look, and what to look for in an individual’s capabilities/reel.  But I actually think it boils down to the issue of aligning schedules and geographic location—especially for those working in short films since a lot of this type of work is made on tight budgets and outside the normal scope of a typical 9-5 type of schedule.  There’s actually plenty of talent out there in the world; you just have to know where to look and be smart about your recruiting.  Regardless of computers, their capabilities for remote delivery, & online/phone discussion, what I have found is that the best collaboration typically comes from that which is face to face.  I also see a lot of people who look to hire folks who can work on-site, at their offices in the freelance world—sometimes because of the data pipeline/project workflow and other times because they simply want that direct physical interaction with the employee or as I like to say, creative partner.

4. Is film school needed in 2010 to become a star in the video or film industries?

Let’s be honest, a great education will only get you so far in the entertainment industry.  In order to be successful, one must possess some level of drive and motivation.  I suggest students look at what kinds of educational partnerships/internships/co-ops various educational institutions offer and realize it is these locations where most of their knowledge from the classroom will be paired with further experiential learning.  Watch the various entertainment mediums and concentrate on the styles/techniques used.  You pick up so much just from simply watching the work of other pros.  We’re in an age where it pays to be fiscally smart/responsible so when considering colleges, it’s helpful if incoming college students have a general idea what line of work they wish to pursue in the film/entertainment world.  Of course that’s easier said than done.  But that way students can do some research with their parents ahead of time regarding potential salaries they’re likely to see upon graduation and find a school that has the best offerings which fit their current financial situation.  Unlike medical school, most filmmakers or production personnel won’t make enough in their first few years out of college to pay off enormous educational loans.  In fact, the production industry relies more on experience and demo reels than it does degrees.  Sure, there are some cases where a name on that degree will help, and having a degree in general is a good idea, but in most instances, many people from all different backgrounds will be competing for the same position and that same salary once you are finished.  Is it in your best interest to pay more for that very opportunity?  Look at the school—see what they offer and also realize that your experience and the knowledge you will gain there will be what you make of it.  Finally, to make it truly big in the entertainment world there are 2 important questions one must ask: 1) who do you know and 2) how lucky are you.  I am sure there are people of equal talent to that of a Michael Bay or Jerry Bruckheimer but the real question is will they ever be discovered.  It’s all about being in the right place at the right time and landing that opportunity which gets the ball rolling.  Always having a positive attitude, remembering to network, and keeping up with current trends/issues will help ensure your future success in the entertainment business.

5. What will the video production landscape look like in 2015, and how will it evolve from its current state today?

Everything is moving towards data; film will only be taught in film school or used for specific reasons.  The question is will 3D be a fad?  My prediction is that you’ll see Hollywood move away from big-salary actors and return to strong stories.  The summer box office of 2010 proved that star power doesn’t always mean everything.  Will there be more technicians instead of artists?  While technology is great, it should remain a tool.  It already has taken away some of the awe audiences of the past have come to enjoy, advancing the quality of imagery depicted on the big screen over the years and allowing some filmmakers to simply make a film around such spectacle instead of storyline.  Today, with new computer advances there is no limit for realistic-looking visual effects or stylized production designs directors can technologically achieve in their films.  More courses in film schools will probably focus on how to act and manage content in the digital realm, for example DIY training, workflow/production server management, and acting for the green screen, etc.

I thank Steven for the interview, for his insights, and time. If you aren’t already, be sure to have our future interviews and posts delivered to your email inbox, or get them through your favorite RSS reader.

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My previous interview was with Abbi and Ilana where we discussed web series creation, collaborative team work, and the future of web series.

Today we learn from talented film director Johnny Blank.

1. What are the biggest challenges in creating a film, TV or web show?

Financing, financing, financing. We’re at a real turning point with the rapid rise of digital. Technology is now so cheap anyone can create it, so there’s more video content than ever before. Professional content creators are now fighting with a whole new influx of amateur content makers who are vying for audiences. Audiences are rapidly moving online and advertising dollars are drying up on TV. Then you also have the huge rise in illegal downloading which is crippling the film industry. Five years ago, digital was new and exciting and people were willing to invest in new web series and other video content development, now even that has dried up as investors can’t figure out how to successfully monetize online. What does this all mean? It means we’re currently stuck in an awkward transition phase. I attended MIPTV earlier this year, and all the broadcasters weren’t there to invest in new shows, they were there with repackaged old shows they were trying to sell to new markets to make local versions of these old shows! Things will definitely begin to change once convergence really happens between TV and online. The film industry is also beginning to learn some of the lessons from the music industry on finding new ways to monetize. I think we’ll begin to see some really new and exciting financing models emerge in the next few years. Sites such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo are just the beginning.

2. Is collaboration between team members integral to the success of your production projects?

Absolutely, it is of paramount importance. Collaboration works on a number of levels: it is team building and encourages people to work together to make the best production possible. Everyone’s input is important to the process, and end result. There is also something quite magical about the collaboration process when people get together and bounce ideas off each other, often new and unexpected results occur that can really add to a production. Some of my best filmmaking experiences have occurred during the collaboration process when a discussion with a collaborator really sparked an idea that added to the narrative of a film, or added that special something to a scene. Great ideas are made even better and tremendously improved with great collaborators on board.

3. Is creativity perhaps the most important element in video production and content going forward?

It is certainly massively important. With the amount of video content set to rise exponentially (Cisco predicts that 90% of all internet traffic will be video by 2013) the main way for a video to stand out, is through creativity. I’d have to say though that technology will play an equally pivotal role in productions moving forward, it has already been a game changer in opening up filmmaking tools to just about anyone. With the advent of ARG’s, and innovative online distribution strategies, I think that creating ’story worlds’ rather than one-off videos or films will become the norm. Video’s that engage and allow an audience to interact on different levels will be the one’s that get the press and the audiences. I hasten to add though, that technology is often used in video now simply for the sake of it, but without creativity behind it, it falls flat.

4. Is film school needed in 2010 to become a star in the video or film industries?

No. Nor has film school ever been essential to becoming a star in the film industry. Many of the world’s greatest film directors never attended film school. Most of the new spate of online stars who are commanding millions of views per month never went to film school either. That being said, whether you attend film school or not is a choice about how you learn. For me personally, I’ve often found it easier to learn by doing rather than by sitting in a classroom. On the other hand, great film schools give you a fantastic grounding in the technicality and craft of filmmaking. In the end, making compelling work will make you a star in the film industry, no matter whether you went to film school or not.

5. What will the video production landscape look like in 2015, and how will it evolve from its current state today?

Hopefully it will be extremely exciting and true convergence will finally be upon us! I think we will see a lot of new and innovative ways to fund production that we haven’t thought of yet. I think we’ll also see a lot more of the trend toward transmedia. For example, making whole ’story worlds’ that include gaming and social elements, ARG’s, etc. With the rise of hybrid DSLR style camcorders we’ll also see a shift toward better and better production values at less cost. The number of new web series will be off the charts!

My only hope is that the 3D fad disappears until such a time when technology can deliver true gobsmacking 3D without the need for ridiculous glasses! And yes, I know there are already 3D TV’s that don’t require glasses, but they are still awful.

I thank Johnny for the interview, for his insights, time, and kindness. If you aren’t already, be sure to have our future interviews and posts delivered to your email inbox, or get them through your favorite RSS reader.

Jeremy Campbell Lists, Visionary, community 2015, answers, Australia, blogger, director, educate, film production, guest, ideas, information, insights, interview, Johnny Blank, learn, new media, online show, perspective, production, questions, video production, web series, web show

I’ve spoken to video creators and filmmakers who have created a video or film either by themselves or with one other person, and while it’s possible it’s normally anything but ideal. The fact is most of us are good in just one area, and mediocre at the other important elements which round out the entire process. This is usually apparent when the final product has been completed, and the decision isn’t where to distribute to, but rather if distribution actually makes sense at all.

In order to create an entertaining video or film, it typically takes a few people on the team to really pull everything together in a successful way. Sure there are exceptions out there with solo talents such as iJustine, and some other young YouTube talents, but for the most part the “game” is a team sport.

Make it easier on yourself and partner up with the talent you need to make your next production project a success. Grab a free Spidvid account, post your project, and let us help you build the team you need to create some quality entertainment you can be proud of.

Or if you are looking to join a team, then grab an account, and keep your eyes open for interesting projects led by our talented community of creators and filmmakers.

Stay updated on future Spidvid posts via email, or have them delivered to your favorite RSS reader. Or if you prefer social media then follow Spidvid on Twitter, and like Spidvid on Facebook.

Jeremy Campbell community actor, collaboration, community, connect, director, film production, filmmaker, new media, new media model, new production, producer, production team, skills, talent, team, video creator, video production, video team, writer

The definition of “crowdsourcing” according to the collaborative writing community over at Wikipedia is: a neologistic portmanteau of “crowd” and “outsourcing” for the act of outsourcing tasks, traditionally performed by an employee or contractor to a large group of people or community through an open call. In a simpler form I would say it’s the aggregation of talent completing a task together as a team without corporate restriction.

However you want to interpret the meaning of crowdsourcing is up to you, but just understand that the model is changing every form of business in today’s world. Need to crowdsource to raise money for your film, or another important project? Then check out KickStarter. Need an answer to a question you have? Tap the community at Yahoo Answers, or if you have an engaged following then Twitter can work quite well for this too.

If you want to crowdsource video production where do you turn to? I was at an event last night called Startup Drinks which brings together investors and entrepreneurs, and I was trying to explain what Spidvid was all about to a lawyer. I kept my explanation fairly simple (or so I thought) but the concept still alluded him, so I simply said “Spidvid uses a crowdsourced like approach so individuals can create entertaining videos together.” He pretty much picked up on that right away, so I thought what better post to write today than sharing that story.

If our community, and the media want to think of Spidvid as a crowdsourcing platform for video production that’s fine with me. All I care about is that the idea of Spidvid is understood well enough so that it can be effectively spread from one person to the next, and eventually become a meme.

If a crowdsourcing approach interests you for your next video or film project, then quickly grab a Spidvid profile and tap into our production community for the talent you need.

Jeremy Campbell Visionary, community actor, aggregation, community, concept, crowdsource, crowdsourcing, director, editor, filmmaker, model, new media, platform, production, social media, special effects, video collaboration, video creation, video creator, video production, video project, writer

Video collaboration is starting to catch on as video creators, actors, writers, directors, editors, and other production individuals learn how collaboration can benefit the quality of their projects and content. This is a trend we will see to continue to grow in 2010, and beyond. If you want to dedicate yourself to become a video collaboration dynamo follow these 5 easy steps.

#1. Understand and Clearly Layout Your Project Goals

Just like any project you want to succeed at in life you need to outline the desired outcome, goals and objectives. Doing this will allow each individual that’s directly involved to determine what he or she needs to do to contribute the project’s successful conclusion. Some goals may include: creating an entertaining video aimed to inspire the female audience, creating a video that has the viral ability to be viewed by hundreds of thousands or millions of people, being part of a production project with other like-minded individuals who are passionate about the same topic you are such as the environment or political corruption. The more defined each goal and objective is, the higher the probability for the project’s overall success.

#2. Know What Talent You Need

It’s hard to create a quality video or film by yourself, so you need to surround yourself with talented individuals who have different but complimentary skill sets to yours. If you are amazing at writing scripts but can’t shoot a video to save your life, then connect with a quality videographer in your area who can shoot the video. If you are good at shooting videos but have no interest in editing, then find an editor who can take your raw footage and piece it together to tell an engaging story. If you are tired of seeing your sister Alisha in your videos, then reach out and find someone else who can do a better job then she can. Any company CEO will tell you that the most important part of any business are the people, the very same is true with any video project you want to undertake.

#3. Communicate How the Process Will Work

Projects have a beginning, middle, and end. The process for how the project will come together has to be stated right from the start otherwise failure is all but inevitable. Leadership is important in this area so creators and/or producers need to work together to ensure a smooth operation. Be sure to know where individuals are needed as well. For example writers are needed early on for pre-production, actors, directors, and videographers are needed for the on location video shoot, and individuals such as editors are needed for post-production. Have a clear plan in place early on to avoid headaches later on.

#4. Tell Your Team What They Can Expect From the Deal

We are all motivated by different things for pursuing personal projects. It may be financial compensation, credit, or purely out of passion that we’re looking to get involved. Each team member needs to be told what they can expect out of the project so they can determine how much of their time or resources they want to contribute. Also, it’s one thing to promise something and quite another to deliver the goods as expected, so be sure to follow through otherwise it will hurt your ability to team up with others down the road.

#5. All Team Members Should Rate and Review Each Other

After the project has been completed, and the video has been uploaded for distribution, each member should spend the one minute it takes to rate and review each team member. Doing this enhances not only other’s profiles by yours as well. People want to know that they can trust you so they can build longer-term relationships with you. Just like people buy from sellers on eBay who have strong profiles, the same can be said about individuals who have proven themselves with positive feedback from previous projects. Become a quality collaborator and you will find yourself getting more project requests, and more quality ones as well.

Am I missing something? Can you think of a remarkable #6 to add to this list? You don’t need an account to post a comment below so take your best shot, and fire away.

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Jeremy Campbell News actor, creator, director, editor, how to, list, online video, video collaboration, video production, videographer, writer