Did you go to film school? If you didn’t you may want to check out Vimeo’s new Video School series which is a collection of how to videos that will help you create better quality videos. And hey, if you did graduate from film school you may still want to check out some of the videos to refresh your memory on how to do specific production things.
Topics in Vimeo’s Video School to date include choosing camera gear, shooting, lighting, sound, framing and composition, storyboarding, editing, everything DSLR, effects, and other useful elements to improve your production value.
You may want to start with the 3 videos below, and go from there. These videos cover the basics that every filmmaker needs to have.
Choosing a camera
Shooting basics
Editing basics
Is there something you need help with to create better quality video entertainment? Post your needs in the comments below, and we will try to help you out and get you on your way! Or you can contact us if you want to have a private conversation.
Karim Kanji and Soniya Monga host the Social Media Show, a show that talks about social media (obviously), startups, new media, tech, politics, and other interesting topics. On Halloween this year Spidvid made its way onto the show which featured GigaOM story teller Matthew Ingram who talks about Mesh Marketing, and an interesting discussion was had about our open video production platform.
You can watch (or listen to) the incredible conversation below, or if you are low on time then tune into the 44:00 mark to hear the startup spotlight put on Spidvid, and me as an entrepreneur.
Have a comment about this episode of the Social Media Show, Spidvid, or something else? Add a comment below, and leave your website link so I can connect with you and check out what you’re up to heading into 2011!
So you have created a Spidvid profile but you don’t know what to do next. We’ve created a list of tips that will help you get the most out of your experience using our new media platform, and leveraging our community for video projects.
5 tips for getting the most out of your Spidvid profile:
1. Fill Out All of Your Profile Info – Tell your story and showcase your portfolio with your Spidvid profile. Embed your top videos and/or demo reel so others can watch what you’re up to, not just read about it. Include important links such as your website, blog, Twitter and Facebook profiles, IMDB page, etc.
2. Upload a High Quality Head Shot – A good first impression makes all the difference in getting your project bids accepted, and looking the part is half the job for some roles. So if you’re an actor, VFX artist, or graphic designer, expect other members to be highly critical of how you present yourself in our community. Also, if you can’t take the time to upload your picture, how will a producer trust you’ll play your part on the project?!
3. Actively Bid on Projects – The only way you’re going to get noticed and invited to participate in projects is if you start reaching out to video creators, and earn feedback from collaborating on projects. We’ve recently had several great opportunities arise for members to get involved in all aspects of some amazing video projects. From writing, to acting, to production, to promotion and beyond, no matter what part of the process you’re involved with there is a team and project waiting for you to be part of. So head over to our projects section and see if something interests you right now. If there is nothing right now that catches your eye then perhaps there will be in the near future, so subscribe to the Spidvid projects feed to stay updated going forward.
4. Participate in the Forums - The Spidvid Forums is the spot where you can start conversations about video projects, production, ideas to improve the Spidvid platform, or anything else on your mind. Create a thread about your project, post a link to it in your project description to let interested people ask questions, provide advice, give recommendations, and offer feedback to help you move forward and get your project off the ground. Additionally, the forums feature daily filmmaking and production tips, alongside a conversation section where you can connect to others in the Spidvid community.
We hope you find these tips helpful for making the most out of your Spidvid experience. If a question just came to mind leave it below with a comment, or email us. Don’t be shy, we would LOVE to hear from you!
What we’ve typically seen in the video production world is one of two scenarios.
The first is the traditional model which involves producers paying out money to all of the talent, and retaining 100% (or close to it) of the content ownership. There are buyers of talent and content, and there are sellers of talent and time.
The second scenario which we’ve seen take off in the last few years (thanks to America’s Funniest Home Videos and YouTube) is groups of friends and/or family coming together to collaborate on home made or amateurish productions.
A third scenario (Spidvid) now offers the ability for individuals from across the world to partner up with each other regardless of their backgrounds, talent, or locations. It’s kind of a hybrid model from the two above in that individuals remotely partner up together on production projects, share content ownership, leverage each other’s unique talents, and create quality video entertainment that may not fully rival high-budget projects but be 100x better than 99% of the crap created by friends and family.
We are working hard to create the Web’s open and collaborative video production ecosystem. Join us to empower a movement that challenges the status quo of traditional studios, and flips the video creation model on its head.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Mark Gantt who is the executive producer and lead actor of the web series “The Bannen Way”. The Bannen Way killed it at the Streamy Awards and went on to win four awards, and has attracted over 14 million views. Mark is now passing down his knowledge of the web series business as a teacher through his workshop, so if you’re looking to learn from one of the best be sure to check that out.
Enough of kissing Mark’s ass, below is our interview.
1. Did you create your web series workshop to pass on the information and knowledge you gained from creating and producing “The Bannen Way” to other aspiring video creators and filmmakers?
Yes. I have met over thirty people for coffee to discuss my experience with The Bannen Way and have done over twenty panels in the last five months and realized that with the limited time available, there was little ‘nuts and bolts’ being talked about. One attendee of the NATPE panel I was doing called “Anatomy of a Hit Web Series” was very frustrated afterwards and I overheard her saying, “I still don’t know how to make a $#&@ web series!” I heard that, I heard that from several people. In the workshops, or on a panel, or at coffee, I explain that creating a web series isn’t brain surgery but it feels like that if you don’t have all the tools. You don’t need to be able to do everything, you just need to be able to work very hard, research like crazy, and build a team to help you with your vision.
2. Do you expect any of your students to go out and create a hit web series like you did?
Absolutely. I want them to create something that will empower them as artists, and give them a little extra leg up in the industry. It’s really about giving people a jumping off point. Enough information to get in trouble as I always say.
3. What’s the best book you’re read, or video you’ve watched that inspired you to create entertainment at a high level?
LOL. uh… I’m not really a book guy, everything is from experience. I have just worked on a lot of sets, so if people were doing a project I was there listening and learning… for free.
4. What do you think of web series creators and producers turning to crowdsourcing platforms like KickStarter and IndieGoGo to raise funds for their production projects?
I think it’s a HUGE resource. It’s an interesting model for a couple reasons. I think it allows the investors (ie: mom, dad, uncles, dentists, viewers, etc.) to feel that their money is actually going into a production, and helps force the filmmaker to FIGURE OUT how they are going to make it. It’s a great pressure on you to get things made.
5. What advantages do web series creators have over TV producers?
There are about 30 people that have to approve of you doing a TV series, not including agents, managers, and lawyers. To create and distribute a web series… you can be the boss. We worked with Sony (on The Bannen Way) so it wasn’t just us, but it was a lot easier than working with a studio AND a Network.
6. How is collaboration benefiting the new media production landscape?
Filmmaking by definition is a collaborative art. I love that you get a chance to work with a group of people with different talents to complete a common goal. People want to create. A director of photography wants to shoot, actors want to act and with technology improving, you can now actually shoot for very cheap. So instead of talented people without the money to shoot on film, they can now shoot on the Cannon 7D or rent the RED camera and end up with a great looking project in the end.
The explosive trailer for Mark’s hit web series, The Bannen Way.
