Picture this: you’ve just been called into an unexpected meeting, and you’re completely unprepared. The clock is ticking, and your mind is racing. In the corporate world, where meetings are a pivotal aspect of day-to-day operations, being caught off-guard can be intimidating. But fear not! This guide will walk you through various techniques to create the illusion of preparedness, and also discuss when it might be better to simply be honest about your situation.
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The journey of a videographer is often a tale of contrasting phases: the adrenaline-fueled excitement of shooting and the introspective, often solitary, process of editing. While shooting is about capturing the essence of a moment, editing is where these moments are woven into a coherent narrative. However, it’s not uncommon for videographers to find their enthusiasm waning as they transition from the dynamic world of shooting to the meticulous task of editing. This article explores strategies to bridge this gap, ensuring that the passion and creativity ignited during shooting continue to burn brightly through the editing process.
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I’ve got friends who are pro photographers. Some of them have portrait photography – headshots – as an integral part of their businesses. Those photographers are about to have the metaphorical rug pulled out from under them by artificial intelligence.
Let’s look at the typical process if I wanted to renew my headshots. I’d book time with a photographer, figure out what I’m going to wear, and head to their studio for at least a half-hour to get pictures taken, or meet them out at some mutually agreeable location to serve as a background.
What if I decide I want a different outfit? Well, I’d better bring it along, or book another session. What if the background isn’t what I thought it was, or wasn’t available? Either book another session, or start paying for some Photoshop magic. What if I want a different pose? Call and book again.
Total cost? If you want quality, it’s not going to be cheap, in terms of time or money.
Mornings in my world are spent teaching A/V classes to a bunch of bright-eyed teenagers in a rural high school that’s as small as it is full of character.
You might wonder what the scariest part of this routine is. For me, it’s the chill that runs down my spine when administrators grace the classroom with their presence for observation. But for the students? It’s the stark terror of facing the infinite possibilities of a blank screen (or page, but honestly, we rarely actually write anything).
Continue reading →If you try to make every creative work a masterpiece, you’ll go insane. Sometimes, you don’t need to make a Ming vase – you need to make a pot that holds water.
Aside from the 4 a.m. call time (ouch), today was a typical day of shooting on location. The setting for part of the shoot was an unassuming classroom auditorium, far from the glitz and glamour of a television set. The star of the show is a charismatic host — a master of balancing fun with professionalism, a man known for his ability to make any conversation engaging and insightful.
Alongside him were two guests, women from the local university, ready to share their perspectives and engage in a lively discussion about cheese (yes really. It’s pretty cool). As the videographer running the shoot, it was my job to make sure that the video and the audio got captured, and captured well.
As I unlatched my audio gear case, a wave of confusion washed over me. Instead of the expected three lavalier mics, there were two. The third was conspicuously missing, and a quick scan of the auditorium confirmed that it was nowhere to be found. A quicker scan of adjoining rooms and the other gear bags and cases confirmed the disappearance.
A less experienced videographer might have panicked at this point. Continue reading →
From simple tape-recordings to high-definition digital films, the world of videography has seen a whirlwind of change. But, what if we told you the revolution is just starting? That’s right – enter the age of Artificial Intelligence in videography!
The Magic of AI in Video Editing
AI, the knight in shining armor, is here to eliminate the bane of any video editor’s existence – manual labor. No more spending hours trimming, splicing or syncing video clips! AI software now comes equipped with intelligent algorithms capable of automating these processes. It recognizes patterns, learns from user behavior, and can even sync video clips to the beats of a background track! So, whether it’s making a montage of your best memories or editing a professional documentary, AI has got you covered. Continue reading →
I’ve previously shared my new consulting focus and our philosophy of delivering quality quickly and cost-effectively. Today, let’s dive into the benefits of having your own in-house video team.
Building an in-house video team can offer you control and consistency over your brand message, provide speed and flexibility to respond to changes, be more cost-effective in the long run, and foster creativity and innovation.
Transitioning to an in-house video team might seem daunting, but I’m here to guide you. We’ll cover everything from camera handling, lighting, and sound, to storyboards, shoot management, and post-production editing.
Staying on the cutting edge of technology is a challenge I’m currently tackling, specifically in the realm of AI. But these challenges are what drive us to learn and grow. This is what I want for you – a continuous journey of growth and storytelling through your in-house video team. The world of AI, in particular, holds vast potential for the future of video production, and it’s a journey I’m eager to embark on with you.
Whether you’re a small business looking to grow your online presence, or a larger organization wanting to enrich your marketing mix, an in-house video team can be a game changer. It enables you to capture the essence of your brand in real-time, creating genuine and engaging content that resonates with your audience.
And remember, you won’t be undertaking this journey alone. As a consultant, my goal is to equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to tell your stories in a way that is authentic to you. Together, we’ll explore the possibilities that an in-house video team brings.
To get started or if you have any questions, reach out to me at jake@jakehallman.com. I’m excited to embark on this storytelling journey with you and look forward to seeing the unique narratives your team will create.
In my last post, I shared my new focus on helping businesses to build their own in-house video teams. Today, I’d like to share a principle that has been instrumental in my success with Stouthouse Media, the production company I founded more than a decade ago.
We’ve all heard the old adage: “good, quick, or cheap – choose two.” However, at Stouthouse Media, we’ve managed to break that rule. Thanks to using cutting-edge tech, a small but dynamic team, and a wide range of experiences with our clients, we’ve developed a knack for delivering all three.
I currently serve as a shooter and editor for a nationally syndicated TV series where we regularly perform one-day or even half-day shoots at busy locations. Despite the fast pace, we manage to juggle interviews, shooting b-roll, and host segments without compromising on quality. We accomplish this through our better, faster, cheaper philosophy. This approach has been a boon for several of my clients over the past decade and it’s a philosophy I’m eager to share with you.
Hello everybody! I’m back with a new mission – to help you create your own video team.
I’m Jake Hallman, the proud owner of Stouthouse Media, and I’m back! I’m thrilled to announce that my website is back to its original format, and I’m more ready than ever to assist your business ventures in an exciting new way.
Since we last connected, I embarked on a transformative journey, teaching A/V classes at my alma mater – a small rural high school. Guiding these young minds in sharing their unique stories was incredibly fulfilling, and it sparked a new purpose in me – to help others tell their stories.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been helping others tell their stories for a couple of decades. But now, instead of doing it all for you (and charging you for it!), I’ll give you the tools to do it with your own team.
With this renewed vision, I’m shifting my approach. Instead of solely focusing on creating content, I’m now offering consulting services to help you build your own in-house video team. I’m excited about this next chapter and I can’t wait to embark on this journey with you.