Don’t Get Oversold when it comes to Video Production

What few people looking for video production services know is that it’s easy to get oversold, and pay for crews and equipment that are beyond what is needed for the average online video content project. There once was a clear distinction between consumer grade cameras and those used by professionals. The advent of the DSLR video camera really hammered home the blur between equipment deemed professional and amateur. In the online video world, what’s best isn’t always visible to the naked eye, and streaming video is different that television broadcasting. In the last ten years a near cataclysmic shift in the professional video production world occurred–not just in Washington DC but everywhere. The average business consumer probably didn’t realize the impact of the change because they were too busy enjoying YouTube video content on their smart phones. YouTube, editing software changes and other technological advances have made high quality video not only attainable but easily distributable on a mass scale for the mainstream. Whether you are a video production wannabe or a business looking for video content for marketing, a new world opened up. Long time video professionals who spent tens of thousands of dollars on camera gear were suddenly getting real competition from smaller businesses with the newer, cheaper equipment with a faster digital workflow. As with any business, lower overhead usually leads to lower rates, and that was and is certainly the case with video production. As you can imagine, long time video professionals, deeply invested in the more expensive gear, weren’t so thrilled by this shift In the end, there’s no gain in paying for that better equipment and more expensive crew if the difference isn’t seen in the end product. The newer DSLR gear is more than adequate for online use. If you don’t intend for a video to be broadcast on television, there’s no need to pay for broadcast level equipment and the crew that goes with it.

Let us know what you’ve experienced by completing the poll below. I’ll share the results in an upcoming entry.

The Power of the Video Testimonial in Today’s Online Marketing Strategy

Posted on February 13, 2013November 13, 2013 Posted in cycling, Economical, multimedia marketing, Multimedia Web Content, Online Media Production, online video, sports media, Viral MediaTagged Amy Linn Doherty, content media, cross marketing, Pawpro Media, sizzle reel, video content, Video testimonialsLeave a comment

Video testimonials are a great way to utilize the draw of video on a Website, and they are especially effective when a product is demonstrated in the process.

Here’s a testimonial I put together for 2012 Race Across America (RAAM) competitor, Len Forkas and RecoFit, a compression gear company, that sponsored him. This is an appealling use of video because it’s not only visually compelling, but it effectively shows the product in action without being verbose or overly produced. It also serves as a substantial cross marketing tool because Forkas was able to both thank his sponsor, while communicating with his social media audience as he pedaled across country raising money for his charity, Hopecam. The end result is great marketing material for RecoFit, Forkas and Hopcam, which was utilized across multiple social marketing platforms simultaneously.

It’s also important to mention that this was produced in constant motion. I shot and edited 24/7 as I followed Forkas in his 12 day trek across the U.S., and the production quality remained high. Relatively speaking, this is a very economical and effective use of video. Just another example of how video doesn’t have to cost a ton to get the marketing job done. In other words, it didn’t take a large production house or a big budget to create this media.

Pawpro to Cover American Odyssey Relay III

Posted on April 15, 2011June 16, 2011 Posted in Multimedia Web Content, Online Media Production, online video, Pawpro, Promotional Video, Promotional Video ProductionTagged American Odyssey Relay, Amy Doherty, Pawpro Media, promoting your business online, video contentLeave a comment

Pawpro received the call of running relay organizer Bob Fleshner to shoot the third annual running of The American Odyssey Relay, a 200 plus mile foot race from Gettysburg, PA to Washington, DC. This will be 36 non-stop, exhausting hours of movement for the runners and teams, as well as Pawpro’s video crews. The race begins April 29 and ends on April 30. americanodysseyrelay.com

This race traverses some of the region’s most beautiful and historic landscapes including the battlefields of Gettysburg and Antietam, two covered bridges, Harpers Ferry National Park, the spring foliage emerging along the C&O Canal, Georgetown, and culminates in the Nation’s Capital alongside the monuments and the Potomac River.

Runners will face many challenges including one ear-popping leg called Andrea’s Ascent with a six-mile, 1171 ft. ascent. Former DC Mayor Adrian Fenty participated in 2009 and 2010. So far, there are 126 teams registered, and there’s still time to sign-up.

Pawpro will produce a series of marketing and informational videos with inspirational stories and images from the race. Good luck racers, and bottoms-up energy drinks for the videographers!