Filed under: Source For Consulting | Tags: Corporate, corporate video, Czerniawska, east, East London, Fiona, Fiona Czerniawska, London, NapoleonCreative, source for consulting, trends, trends in consulting
Introduced to us by the kings of consultancy Capgemini, Source For Consultancy asked us to help with with a presentation in Paris. They wanted to create a video as Fiona Czerniawska, co-founder of SFC and author of their latest report, couldn’t attend a conference in person. So we filmed her talking, then added some graphics from the presentation to break it up.
We also helped them create a series of chapters for their youtube channel from the material. One key thing is that within the youtube introduction, we suggested Fiona state at the outset who would benefit from reading the report. This really helps grab the right audience in those important first 20 seconds. The clips have gradually been building viewers over the last few weeks.
Filed under: Animation Projects, Commetric, Filming Tips, NC | Tags: Animation Projects, Chris Shaw, Commetric, corporate video, Help, pitch, Pitching, presentation
We got a call from Commetric asking for our help again. They were pitching to a client and wanted to show all the people from their offices across Europe, America and the Middle East, So we came up with a plan where each office got hold of a Flip camera, or similar. We gave them some spec tips, so knew which ones to buy. We then sent them a simple “how to film yourself” document, so they used basic lighting techniques to get a decent picture filming it themselves.
We took this short profile videos, and put them together in an animation showing where in the world they were based. We then made two title sequences, one specific to the client they were hoping to win, one generic one that they could use at any pitch. So they got a highly bespoke piece, a flexible video and great ROI.
Filed under: Clients, NC, Voice Over | Tags: Corporate, corporate video, London, Napoleon Creative, Robert Wolstenholme, The Hive, voice over, voiceover
Elizabeth Bower was so pleased with the voice over reel we produced for her that she referred us to Robert Wolstenholme. Robert is theatre director with a natural vocal ability. Having done voice over work for The Hive, I kid’s cartoon currently on ITV, he was looking for more voice over work, so he decided to put together a voice over reel to send to agents.
We took Robert to the studio with a selection of scripts to work with, some of which suited his voice perfectly, others which didn’t immediately, just to see how he could stretch his range. It was fun seeing how he could change his voice and tone, accordingly!
Back at base, our new production assistant Santa added appropriate music and relevant sound effects, setting the scene for each script he performed.
Overall another great session which Robert had a great time doing. So if you’re looking to break into voice over work and need a sample showreel to get the ball rolling, get in touch.
“Many thanks again for your time and help – I’m enjoying this process, even if listening to myself is sometimes excruciating” - Robert Wolstenholm
Filed under: Filming Tips, InterHealth, NC | Tags: Animation Projects, corporate video, East London, Napoleon Creative, Video
We’ve just helped out newest client InterHealth edit a short piece on their MyHealth project.
They contacted us after they’d already shot some material on a Flip camera. We gave some guidance on how it was shot, suggested some cutaways, then brought the material together.
We’re finding more and more of our client are filming their own content. We can offer guidance on how to edit the material together, keep the branding clear and the message concise.
While the end film is maybe not as slick as those that we shoot, the clip feels real, accessible and of the moment, which is especially important when you’re dealing with someone’s health.
If you have a project you want us to help you bring together, just give us a call on 020 7729 6909.
Filed under: Filming Tips, Subtitling, Testimonials | Tags: corporate video, Napoleon Creative, solution, subtitles, subtitling, Testimonials, Video
Today we’ve done a subtitling job, adding English subtitles to an existing video that was filmed in French. Here are our tips for adding subtitles:
- Centre the text, it makes it easier to read
- Break sentences in phrases, rather than just when the text reaches the end of the screen
- Don’t leave ‘orphans’ ie single words left on a line. Always have at least two words.
- Make sure there’s sufficient contrast in your text. If necessary, put a background behind it, preferably a semi-transparent one
- Sans-Serif fonts work better on video footage, especially when encoded for internet use. This is because the serifs are more complicated, and the edges around the words become badly defined
- Ideally, each subtitle should be onscreen for twice the time it takes to read it. However, in reality, this isn’t always practical.
It’s often awkward to put subtitles in after a project is complete because it often takes longer to read the copy than hear it. There are times when ideally you’d stretch out some of the breaks in the film so the subtitles can hold longer. However, unless the film has no music, or you’ve got the audio split into dialogue, effects and music, that’s going to be hard.
But anyway, with a quick turn around we managed to get the video subtitled, a couple of rounds of changes and back to the client in a couple of hours. Problem solved! In fact their feedback was great:
“The Sales Lead said it is perfect! Thanks again for being so fast and helpful.”
Filed under: Voice Over | Tags: Agent, Castaway, corporate video, Liz Bower, Napoleon Creative, Shoot, Showreel, voice over, voiceover
Last week we were in the voiceover studio with one of our actor friends, Elizabeth Bower. While Liz gets regular acting work, she wanted to get more voice over work. So having done her research and found an agency she wanted to impress, she asked for our help. She wanted a showreel of her vocal talent, show her range of tones, accents and character voices. She came to us with some scripts she’d written, we helped her with a few more. We went to the studio, recorded her audio, then put the reel together with music appropriate music behind each one. She’s very happy with the reel, and I think it shows her talents brilliantly!
UPDATE: 17/2/2011
We’ve now heard that the agency have accepted her! So that’s great news for her.
UPDATE: 10/3/2011
Liz’s profile is now online at Castaway, and she’s already had her first test session for a large supermarket chain. Go Liz!
Filed under: Animation Projects, Presentation Material | Tags: Animation Projects, Corporate, corporate video, presentation
Earlier in the year, one of our clients, a PR and Social Media company, asked us to create a series of visuals for a presentation. Last week we got a call as another executive who’d seen the presentation wanted us to reversion it for another presentation they were doing, with updated stats and content. This could be done very cost effectively, given that we had already developed the style, within the branding direction we’d been given for the first project.
Unfortunately, the project is confidential, so we can’t show you any screen grabs or tell you who their client is, but it was for a major international organization and you’ve almost certainly used their products over the last month!
Filed under: NC | Tags: 2011, Corporate, corporate video, Great, Napoleon Creative, Production, Video
January is always a quiet time at Napoleon Creative. Within the cycle of our clients’ work, we have a rush before Christmas, then it quietens over the holidays. People talk about ‘Blue Monday’ and how this is the most depressing time of the year. I actually like the peace and quiet to catch up on all our projects, upgrade software, review process and make improvements.
And this year feels particularly potent for opportunity. Luckily the VAT rise doesn’t particularly affect us, given that we work business to business. We have more clients and contacts than ever before. We have a nice little sideline in tea towels and mugs which is giving us a fun creative outlet outside of our client work.
I just have to knuckle down and get on with it… rather than blogging about it! Okay, time to set to….
