Manan Singh’s Post

This happens enough with 🎥 interviews that I had to do a post about it. Below is an “editing room” shot from a recent interview with a VERY nervous executive (who will remain anonymous). Too many biz leaders will never talk about your company on camera because, well, you know you just aren’t very good on camera 🤷🏼♂️ Fear not. Just speak freely. Be yourself. I clean up 99% of interview tracks anyways. Nervous ticks and tendencies are fixed “in post” by placing your audio track and cutting out your pauses (see the lines vertical below), the ums, uhhs, errs, stutters, and blend it all into clearly delivered thoughts. #videocontent #creativeagency #productionlife #videographer #filmmaker #branding #brandcommunications #editor #helicopter #avgeek #aviationmarketing #sportsmarketing #protip

📽 I loved this experience and learned a lot from working with a professional team. With these tips, you can make great interview videos using just one camera. Happy filming! 🎬 🎞 1. Angle: Position the camera at eye level with the interviewee. This creates a natural and comfortable view for the audience. 2. Distance: Place the camera at a distance that allows for a medium shot (from the waist up) or a close-up shot (head and shoulders). Ensure there's some space above the interviewee’s head in the frame. 3. Stability: Use a tripod to keep the camera steady. Avoid handheld shots as they can be shaky and distracting. #camera #interview #filming #camerawoman #editing

"George, what do you mean when you say B-Roll?" There have been several times where I've been having a client meeting and they have to stop me to ask for clarification on what the actual hell I'm talking about. (Btw, B-Roll is just the additional footage. Traditionally taken by B Cam whilst A Cam filmed interviews/primary footage. It's all the clips of things happening when an interviewer is talking) Sometimes I find it difficult to take a step back when talking to clients about video production, it's just so easy to get business blinkered. I forget that everything I say may seem like gobbaldy goop! It's also so key for video production that the client understands the process and what is needed for a successful project, being able to extricate myself from my video head and put on my everyman one is so so so so sooooo very important. Have you had times when you've realised you've stopped talking English and are now talking full jargon? Want to learn about the video production process you can now book onto our DIY Video Content Course. Just email [email protected]

After Close to a Decade Directing, (Here's How I'd Kick Off My First Documentary) Last year, I produced a documentary earning $2.5M+ at the box office. Looking back 8 years ago, I would spend hours struggling to develop the story, not know where to begin. If I was starting over today I would say, "𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧𝘧, 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨." Then I would follow this framework I've adopted 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 The framework begins Step 1 -  Define main characters Step 2 - Outline major events of characters life Step 3 - Share Google sheet with film crew and Talent for feedback Simple character story mapping allows you to achieve a structured Interview outline. - 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟭) 𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 How it works: 1. Define characters, start with main character     2. Use Joesph Campbells hero's journey approach     3. Do deep research of the talent- track life events Quick note: Don't interview without researching all characters life events. You want to prevent the need for a 2nd interview. - 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟮) 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 • Talk less and ask open-ended questions    • Using life events- prepare your interview questions    • Avoid jumping around- keep a logical flow to questioning, so your talent can follow along. Easy, right? 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟯) 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘁 1. Inform your talent about the general talking points you'll be discussing. 2. Knowing how to prepare brings comfort during the interview. 3. You want to reduce the sense of overwhelm since there's lights, and camera's pointed towards them. Heres how I then conduct an interview - 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟰) 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 By improving your active listening skills, you'll be a better note-taker Tip 1. Mark off questions you’ve asked, so you know where you are at in the conversation (or mark a question as already answered if your talent has answered it from a previous question.) Tip 2. Make sure to ask follow-up questions that help you go deeper into your character’s story. Once you are finished with the interview you can prepare your footage for the edit. -- Let me know which one of these Phases you found most helpful in the comments. Happy to do another post going into more depth on whichever one you find most interesting.

Should you be using a teleprompter when recording? This is a question that comes up a lot, particularly from in-house videomakers or smaller content creators. Like a lot of things about filming, my honest answer is that it depends. If you already have a script and a video length in mind, a teleprompter can help you stay on track and maintain the right speaking pace. If you absolutely can’t afford to make mistakes, they’re very useful. But here are the issues. Normally, teleprompters are used when speaking straight to the camera. Unless properly directed some of these films can feel stilted and wooden. People can come across as less authentic when they read. The director’s job is to make the presentation feel ‘alive’. Also looking straight into the camera can be a little unnerving for the viewer. For interviews, when the participant looks slightly off-camera whilst questions are asked, something wonderful can happen… imperfections. And through these imperfections – tiny pauses, the movement of the eyes, the hand expressing thoughts – the real character of the interview is revealed. This can make the final video so much more authentic.  So my ultimate advice is if you want something crisp and to the point, consider a teleprompter. If you want a video that captures the personality of the interviewee, maybe go without it. #TinPanProductions #VideoProduction #Filming

I love filming people, it is my happy place - building a connection with the interviewee to bring out the best in them. Establishing a good rapport and developing a positive relationship with the person being interviewed will make them feel more comfortable and open, leading to a better outcome for the interview and the overall production. When setting up for a shoot I understand that interviewing and filming them requires attention to several other very important factors. 🎥 Focus on the framing and location of the camera to ensure that the scene is visually interesting and the interviewee is well-positioned.  🌞 Look for a spot with depth or natural lighting to make the shot more appealing. 🎬 Leave enough headspace, to avoid cutting off the top of the interviewee's head.  🎤 Audio is also a crucial aspect of filming. I am careful to avoid ambient sounds that might ruin the audio quality.

Day 29: Talk about the importance of maintaining a positive set environment. Maintaining a positive set environment is crucial for the success of any production, as it directly impacts both the creative process and overall morale. A supportive atmosphere fosters collaboration, allowing cast and crew to feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking creative risks. When team members feel valued and respected, they are more likely to contribute their best work, leading to a more cohesive final product. A positive environment helps to alleviate the inherent stress of production schedules and tight deadlines, promoting a sense of camaraderie that can make the experience enjoyable and fulfilling. Additionally, a healthy set culture can enhance problem-solving capabilities during production challenges. When team members trust each other and feel empowered, they are more likely to communicate openly and address issues proactively. This proactive approach not only helps in finding solutions more efficiently but also encourages innovation and adaptability. Ultimately, a positive set environment not only boosts productivity but also leaves lasting impressions on everyone involved, fostering relationships that can benefit future projects. https://lnkd.in/dFKhsns3 Thank you for reading. See you on Day 30, our finale! 🥂 #oziomaogbaji #storytelling #screenwriter #producer #nigerianscreenwriter #nigerianfilmmaker #africanscreenwriter #africanfilmmaker #womeninfilm

When setting up for an interview - there are a thousand technical things to consider: Lighting, wardrobe, sound, set design, when does lunch arrive?… But the most important way to ensure that you get the best interview - whether the topic is dramatic or mundane: is creating an environment that makes the subject comfortable when sharing their story. Make sure that they feel confident, and not pressured. Introduce them to the crew to make them feel welcome! Remind them that they don’t need to be perfect, and give them plenty of breaks if they need them. 🎥 🎞 🎬 #brandedvideos #videography #cinematicvideography #videoproduction #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices #videoproductionagency #videoagency #mediaagency #videoproductionvirginia #interviews

We've been trying to figure out some new ways to help emerging filmmakers, so Natasha Hawthornthwaite has kindly decided to offer regular 1 - on - 1 advice sessions. You can book a 30 minute call with Natasha to help with - 1. Documentary filmmaking advice in general 2. Story advice 3. CV advice 3. Providing feedback on rough cuts (shorts only) 4. Film marketing & PR 5. Setting up a business 6. Developing ideas and pitching 7. General career advice Follow the link below to book in some time ❤️ #ProperStorytellers

One Image Can Change The Game! In 2005, I faced my first interview board. As Trainee Assistant Producer, I honestly confessed about my previous job experience. Zero previous job experience, and I honestly explained that to the CEO! _____ People always try to prove themselves as all-rounders. It's impossible! I can make a good image for my CEO. You have a good soul, make that image. _____ Don't try to prove yourself as a master! Make an impression about yourself. Your audience will draw your image in their mind. -Spread positivity, -Be yourself, -Don't try to be another! ______ Here are 5 points to consider: 1. Be honest about your experience. 2. Focus on your strengths and unique skills. 3. Understand that being an all-rounder is not necessary. 4. Create a positive impression through your actions. 5. Let your audience shape your image naturally. ______ What do you think about the image? Could you write me below in the comment box? ______ Hi, I'm Ashraful Alam, helping to make incredible video production. If you redefine yourself as an industry leader through standout video production I'm waiting for you!