Music Stimulates Brain Recall

Music reaches parts of the brain that cannot be reached via any other route.  It magically locates the intersections of learning and emotion, psychology and memory.  When you combine those…you have an extraordinarily powerful tool.  A jingle bridges the left brain—right brain.  

I’ll bet that there are certain songs that immediately take you on a trip…transporting you to another place or time when you hear them.  Maybe a few notes of some song makes you happy or makes you sad.  Maybe one takes you back to your high school prom.  We all have such memories associated with music.  

How many people learned the alphabet by singing the letters to the tune of, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star?"  That’s a perfect example of information being tied to a melody.  It educates by making information easy to understand and easy to remember.  That makes music the perfect teaching tool. 

So, we know that music is connected to our memories.  Now, we just have to tie the company’s desired information to a song and play it enough to become part of the consumer’s memory.  

That’s what a jingle is.  Information tied to melody!  Easy for the brain to recall on demand.  

Terry Sweet

EXAMPLES

Ooh La La Accessories

Without Blue

Colders

Animation On A Budget

 

When I decided to go to art school to study animation, my older and wiser brother gave me some advice. He said that art is something that everyone wants, but no one wants to pay for. Because of this he warned me not to under value my work as an artist and to demand fair compensation for the work that I did. Well, soon after graduating I discovered another uncomfortable truth. Animation is very time consuming to produce and therefore expensive. So regardless of what I would like to charge for my services, the fact that animation is so labor intensive means that even at a discount it can still be prohibitively expensive for many clients. Most budgets don't allow for the cost of fully produced, high quality animation. So, often animation producers are faced with a choice, work longer for less money, or find innovative ways to reduce the time it takes to produce good quality animation.

I believe it is true that most people would like to add more animation to their productions. This is because animation is such an engaging way to tell a story and communicate a message. So, is it possible to utilize animation in your production without exploding the budget? Fortunately many talented people have been working to solve that problem for many years and there is now a wide range of tools and techniques available that help make animation affordable for smaller budget productions. What follows are the current range of animation options and how they can be achieved for less money. If you already have a good grasp of these, jump to the bottom for a list of ways to save money animating your projects.

FULL 3D CHARACTER ANIMATION

The current high end standard for animation is represented in many big budget feature films coming out of studios like Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks.  This is the best that money can buy and clocks in at around $7,000 to $8,000 per second. For a 30 second spot you would spend between $100,000 and $400,000. This quality of animation requires a tremendous amount of work and takes a lot of time. To combat these high production costs many overseas studios have been created due to lower labor costs in those countries. It is possible to get similar levels of quality for significantly less money, between $1,000 and $2,000 per second. But, that is still $30,000 to $60,000 for a 30 second spot.
If you want full 3D character animation on a smaller budget you will have to make some compromises. See the list at the bottom for ways to lower these costs.

FULL 2D CHARACTER ANIMATION

     Even though 3D is the flavor of the day, traditional 2D cell animation is still very popular and can be a great stylistic choice. Like 3D, there is a broad range of 2D options that vary wildly in quality and price. Feature 2D animation can be produced for slightly less than 3D, $6,000 to $7,000 per second here in the States and $500 to $1200 per second utilizing overseas studios. A 30 second commercial could cost anywhere between $15,000 and $210,000 depending on complexity. This is a pretty wide range. Even $15,000 is too pricey for many! It is possible to bring that number down a little more by using new cut-out puppet style animation. Again, see the list at the bottom!

LIMITED 2D CHARACTER ANIMATION  
   
For tighter budgets, limited animation is a more viable option. This method of producing animation has been mastered by television animation studios like Hannah Barbara, Nickelodeon and Warner Brothers. Limited animation saves time by separating characters and objects into layers and then re-using as many assets as possible. This has been done very effectively by television animation studios who needed to produce large quantities of animation on much smaller budgets than fully animated feature films.

Today, with the use of computer programs, limited animation has become even more efficient. A new system of animation sometimes called "Flash" animation uses software to animate digital puppets. This allows an artist to animate still objects instead of having to redraw the object for every frame of the scene. This allows for animation that is more fluid and lifelike than typical limited animation.
It used to be that all animated assets would have to be hand drawn and then scanned. We can now create everything right in the computer using graphic tablets and don't have to take the time to scan and prep assets drawn on paper. This can save a considerable amount of time and money. The resulting animation is more stylized and stiff than full traditional animation, but it can still look very good.

3D TECHNICAL ANIMATION

3D animation is also well suited for demonstrating whatever concept or product you are promoting. This more technical type of animation can also be very expensive, but does not have to be. An experienced 3D artist can quickly make a 3D representation of your product and rig it and animate it to show its functionality and purpose. If you already have a CAD model then we can use that and save the cost of modeling it ourselves. Realistic rendering in 3D can be very time consuming, so if you can live with slightly less realistic rendering than that is another area to find savings.

MOTION GRAPHICS

Motion graphics is animating using still images, video and text utilizing programs like Apple Motion and Adobe After Effects to manipulate both 2D and 3D elements in 3D space. Before computers, motion graphic techniques were very time-consuming and required expensive machinery and processes. Fortunately, modern computers are capable, with the appropriate software, of animating objects much more effectively. Any video production will be enhanced by adding motion to the visual content that is onscreen. This can be the most affordable kind of animation if many of your assets are already created or if you are just animating text. And now, here's that list.


HOW TO KEEP YOUR ANIMATION BUDGET UNDER CONTROL

1. Limit the scope of your production and the number of characters needed. A commercial that takes place inside of one room with one or two characters will be easier than a setting in a large expansive environment with many characters. Likewise don't go crazy with the special effects.
2. Animation is often priced per second. So a production that is 2 minutes in length will cost roughly double the price of a 1 minute production.
3. A large portion of an animation budget goes toward modeling and rigging. Instead of creating everything from scratch you can save time and money by purchasing stock models that have already been modeled and rigged for animation. You can find decent characters without spending a lot of money and still create an engaging message.
4. Keep the design of the characters and location as simple as possible. The more detail and realism required the longer it will take.
5. Animate elements and portions of your commercial instead of the whole thing. Animation can easily integrate with acquired video to help bring down cost.
6. Don't expect perfection. Remember the adage, "good is good enough". One of the biggest exploders of animation budgets are revisions and changes. If what was created the first round is close enough, then move on and save yourself the expense of unnecessary revisions.
7. Find an experienced production company with less overhead, like Pixelbox, that has the knowledge and expertise to get the work done effectively and efficiently. At a large studio there are experts for every step of the process. This is great if money is no object. When trying to save money it is critical that you have people that are versatile and can do more than one thing. They might not do everything as well as a specialist, but they can do a good job at many different tasks saving you money.

CONCLUSION

Many companies choose to forgo animation because of the high cost of entry. Fortunately, there are affordable options that will give you the benefits of animated content for a fraction of the cost.

Animation is a great way to tell a story, whether it's a character driven narrative or an explainer video illustrating a product or concept.  Simply find an experienced studio that is skilled in these cost saving techniques, can make you aware of all your animation options and get your project done on time and on budget. For more information on how we can help animate your next project contact Pixelbox.



  
   

DIY Video vs. Professional Video

I came across a posting from a large corporation and the question posted was "Should we be doing DIY videos?

Do-It-Yourself video's do have a place in the corporate landscape, but are best suited for the social side of your business. When it comes to a marketing video, training video or an image piece, producing a professional presentation should be at the top of your to do list.

Recently, we finished an image video that pushed our client out on top of all the other white noise of content on the airwaves. The video was not overly produced, but yet it was done well from a cinematic and auditory standpoint. The concept was strong. The talent was authentic and the impressions made were significant. On top of all that, it went beyond just image and interjected a social element as well. It had all the right parts. It was a recipe for success. And, isn't that what we all want? We want to be seen and heard in our best light, showing our best side and making an impression that leads our audiences to action. Creating a professional video should push your message beyond all the other white noise.

So where does the DIY video fit? The YouTube generation has transformed the video landscape by giving everybody a voice. As a corporate communicator it should be your job to filter how and where your corporate voice is used. I came across another ALS challenge video the other day by a large company where all the employees from a department were doing the water dump in honor of an employee who has ALS. An employee spokesperson explained why they were doing it. It was a social event and they documented it well. Obviously there was planning and filtering of the event. A minimal amount of production value was needed. That was good use of their corporate voice to demonstrate a culture of caring. It made a good impression. On the bad side of DIY video, I recently saw a self shot video of a marketing person explaining why you should use them to do video. The audio sounded like they were in a tin can. No lighting. No support footage or graphics. The location looked like a hallway with tan nondescript drywall. Wow! How not to get work. And to top it all off, they were selling themselves as a video marketing company. It was not documenting a social event. It was being used to garner business. It really missed the mark. The message was lost because it was using the wrong medium of a DIY nature.

"The medium is the message" is a phrase coined by Marshall McLuhan meaning that the form of a medium embeds itself in the message, creating a symbiotic relationship by which the medium influences how the message is perceived.

In conclusion, DIY corporate video has its place. Use it socially. Use it wisely by still taking the time to plan and filter your message. And for everything else, let a pro help you make the most of your message so that it makes the right impression and in turn brings about real action from your intended audience. The medium is symbiotic to the message. You can draw your picture with crayons on paper or artfully paint on canvas. Each has its place. Choose wisely.

Brought to you by Pixelbox Visual Design.
To continue the discussion privately email me at mattnies@pixelbox.tv.

For more general information on Marshall McLuhan's concept - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_medium_is_the_message 

8 Steps to Creating Great Videos

Each client is unique in product and service, but all clients have the same need to be seen and heard.  How we are seen and heard is important.  A bad video is like showing up to an interview in a ripped t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops.  You get the picture.  Put your best foot forward and create sales by putting on your Sunday best.  Create a video that attracts, not detracts from your unique selling proposition.

There are 8 easy steps that guide us through the video production process to create video that attracts your intended audience.  We have done the process below thousands of times and have produced media that excites, entertains and gets people, products and services noticed above the shaky-cam media junkyard.  Get my drift?  The medium, the message, how you create and deliver that message matters.  Here are the steps:

Step 1:  Discovery – Get to Know Your Business

We strive to learn everything we can about what you do and the product or service you offer.  In this step, you get to look in the mirror and put forth your best image.  Knowing your brand, product, service and customer-base will help us to shape your message.

Step 2:  Treatment – Create a Vision

Once we know you and your customer we can shape your message.  It’s simple, we sit down and brainstorm your sales proposition and the form and style that your message will take to support it.  Steps 1 and 2 help us to define your target audience.  There are also many stylistic directions we can take to get that message heard.  Here are some stylistic descriptors to help:  informative, hard sell, soft sell, humorous, technical, instructive, edgy, emotional and so on.

Step 3:  Script – Forge the Road Map

If we have learned your business and come together on a treatment, then writing a script comes easy.  Writing for video is much more like the spoken word than writing for print. A video script not only puts forth the narrative but also defines what is seen to support the message.  The script is our road map and blueprint for production and post-production.  You get all the say on what is heard and seen.

Step 4:  Pre-Production – Make Plans

With our blueprint/script in hand we can plan all the logistics of your production.  The script is approved at this point so we can create a shot/graphic needs list, do location scouts, do talent and music searches, secure props and define all the needs of the production.

Step 5:  Production – Capture and Create Images

Now we are ready to “shoot the engineers and start production”.  So true is that old adage.  With script and shot-list in hand we can begin shooting video, creating motion graphics both 2D and 3D, recording voice-over talent and creating all the elements needed to hone the message.  Our staff of Producers, Videographers, Lighters, Grips, Audio Engineers, Animators and Stylists will work with you in studio and on-location to capture all the footage and create all the graphics needed. 

Step 6: Post-Production – Composite Final Program

With all the elements readied, we can composite all the footage, graphics and audio into your final piece.  You will work with an editor, graphic animator and audio engineer to mold all the elements together into a well-crafted video.

Step 7:  Approval – Give the Thumbs-up!

This step is where you review the final video and provide feedback.  This is your final rubber stamp on the project.

Step 8:  Distribution – Get Your Message Out

There are many channels and formats to distribute your video.  We’ll help you put your video online (on your website, Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo, etc.).  We handle all Broadcast formats for television and radio.  We can create DVDs, Blurays and movie files in many different sizes and compression schemes for whatever the use.  We will work with your IT personnel to ensure that your message gets out.

At Pixelbox we have been creating media gets noticed for years.  Helping to set businesses apart from their competition.  Let us help you get your company, product or service noticed.

Your competition may settle for the boss’ nephew shooting shaky out-of-focus video, using clip art graphics and audio that sounds like it was recorded through a tin can.  But, you should not.  We strive to give you the best possible image within the framework of each project.  We create media that excites and entertains your intended target audience. We work with advertising and marketing companies, corporations, small businesses, documentary producers, independent producers and hopefully you.

Let Pixelbox Visual Design help you through all the steps of your next video to get your branding, products and services noticed!

Pre-Production, Pre-Production, Pre-Production!

Like in real estate where "location, location, location" is the most important thing in terms of buying a property, video pre-production is an important element of any video production.  Sometimes it is as simple as having a short meeting at the beginning of a shoot day with the crew and everyone involved on the shoot to lay down all the logistics.  At other times, pre-production is a set of meetings that occur weeks, even months before your production.

Why is pre-production so important?  It can save you time and money!  All the script revisions, location scouting, equipment logistics, hired talent, crew and whatever else is involved in a production are best decided well in advance of your production days.

There are always unforeseen issues that come up on every production.  We traveled to Los Angeles to pick up some shots down on the beach as part of a bigger project.  This project came in way late and while the ideas and concepts were fleshed out, there was no time to do a thorough production plan.  When we arrived at the beach there was a fog over the bay.  No problem.  We will wait a bit until it lifts.  We requested a model (sight unseen) from a trusted resource that would look good on the beach to help drive home the concept of women's styles in warmer climates.  We were expecting your typical California beach girl with sun drenched hair and a no-nonsense California attitude.  The model showed up and she was pasty white, a tad overweight and looked more like someone off of 5th Avenue, NY.  Oops.   We had very little time that morning to get the shot before we needed to move on to other elements of the production.  While we couldn't control the weather (by the way, the fog didn't lift until 2pm), we could control which talent was sent our way.  And, we also should have been more educated on the seasonal weather patterns in the area.  There was no plan B. 
With a lack of planning time, it was like working in the fog (literally and figuratively).  I urge all my clients to spend some time ironing out all the details.  And while we don't have crystal balls to foresee all the variables, we can mitigate most of the treacherous time and money wasters.

Incidents like that are bound to happen.  It is just part of dealing with nature, human error and the many moving parts of a video production.  And while we didn't get that shot, we were able to make something happen in place of it.  Pre-production planning aims to weed out most of the issues that can plague a production.  It is a mere pittance compared to the cost of crew and talent waiting around on a location while an issue is rectified.  Would you build a new house without a blueprint?  Spend time and money on pre-production to save time and money on your next video production!

For help on your next production contact Pixelbox Visual Design.

Online Video Marketing Needs Production Value

 
Online video marketing is poised to explode.  No, it's already exploded.  Your companies image can be on the line in terms of how you present yourself amongst all the other competition.

It is an epic tale of two guys, a van, sliced ham, bread and a load of video production gear.  Pixelbox drove from Wisconsin to Georgia to keep our clients budget in check and solidify our willingness to go the extra mile for them.  Literally speaking, we went 1,600 extra paved miles.

We drove to Atlanta to save our client money, but not at the expense of shooting, editing and finishing a video that has good production value.  A video that has more impact than the boss' nephew shooting with a consumer camera and editing a piece together in his bedroom.  I am not prejudiced against nephews.  I like all of mine.  And, there are a few out there that are really talented in the video arena.  But, by far, most of what has become acceptable media today shouldn't ever grace a YouTube screen.

Here's the skinny.  We can find ways to save on a production - like our road trip instead of flying. While the road trip saved money, it did not effect the quality and value of the actual production work.  You can save in some areas, but cutting corners on production quality should not be one of them.  Our clients know this, and that's why they like working with us.  So whoever you are working with to create your online video marketing, make sure you are getting good production quality and value.  Stand out from your competition!

Check out Pixelbox Visual Design for your next video project.