Sneak peek at my new showreel & website!

[AaronChicago]

Here are some good examples of music video guys who also do corporate videos with style:

Jonathan Yi: https://vimeo.com/48335881

Adam Lisagor: http://sandwichvideo.com/

 

[Oliver Daniel]

 

Again, it doesn't matter how much you might impress someone at a prospective client, if the other people are against you, for whatever reason, they will overpower your champion.  We all like to look down on the un-talented bozo who gets well-paying corporate work, but the fact is, they're usually good politicians and that is a lot of what the work is about.  You have the talent in spades.  The only question is if you want to "play the game" for the money honey

Generally we have got amazing feedback from our previous corporate clients. All the usual buzzwords.

We are playing the game behind the scenes, and it's going well so far. Can only keep going! 

New layout of website is going up tomorrow - it's about 5-6 times faster and is much more compact on the front page. 

Here are some good examples of music video guys who also do corporate videos with style:

Jonathan Yi: https://vimeo.com/48335881

Adam Lisagor: http://sandwichvideo.com/

 

Thanks Aaron, I'll check that out. There is a way..... 

[maxotics]

Can only keep going! 

You said it!  Looking forward to your new site!  I'm happy to be even the smallest part of your process.  I now live vicariously through my young filmmaker friends

[Oliver Daniel]

You said it!  Looking forward to your new site!  I'm happy to be even the smallest part of your process.  I now live vicariously through my young filmmaker friends

Well... version 2.0 of my new site is now up: Hello hello hello!!

Generally the whole thing has been revamped under the same design.... faster, more compact, re-worded and also all sorts of little tweaks. 

Now I'm a zombie. Boo!

(p.s working on a blog section too... 90% there!)

[tosvus]

Well... version 2.0 of my new site is now up: Hello hello hello!!

Generally the whole thing has been revamped under the same design.... faster, more compact, re-worded and also all sorts of little tweaks. 

Now I'm a zombie. Boo!

(p.s working on a blog section too... 90% there!)

Haven't had much time to peruse yet, but your promo video looks great, and I checked out a couple of the music videos. Impressive work!  Regarding the website, from the little I have seen, looks sharp, though the rotating video ink logo (presumably used for loading), on my fast internet connection is on just a tad too long. If you could cut it down/find a way to make it load faster if it is a fancy hour glass , that would be great, I'd say somewhere along the lines of 15-20% faster load would be acceptable. (people are impatient these days!  

[AaronChicago]

Here's how I would look at it. If someone can't wait another 3 seconds for it to load you probably don't want to work with them anyway. They're the client asking when they can see the final cut - the day after shooting.

[Oliver Daniel]

Here's how I would look at it. If someone can't wait another 3 seconds for it to load you probably don't want to work with them anyway. They're the client asking when they can see the final cut - the day after shooting.

Very true.

Glad to see the positivity. It did take me a very ,very, very long time to make this - and I'm getting really great feedback. 

(p.s this particular client will ring you - they want to shoot tomorrow and shoot on a RED Epic Dragon in the highest resolution on a yacht in the dark with 200 semi-naked models, for $500.)

[tosvus]

Very true.

Glad to see the positivity. It did take me a very ,very, very long time to make this - and I'm getting really great feedback. 

(p.s this particular client will ring you - they want to shoot tomorrow and shoot on a RED Epic Dragon in the highest resolution on a yacht in the dark with 200 semi-naked models, for $500.)

At least they don't seem very demanding or have unrealistic expectations 

Keep up the good work on the site and the filming!

[maxotics]

SORRY SORRY SORRY Oliver.  Marketing 101 here.  "We Direct" is great for musicians who don't know what they want, but for those who do (commercial clients), it's a red flag that you'll impose your ideas on the shoot.  I'm going to sound really old man here.  This is why I get hired;

1. The client has tried to do what I do and has failed. 

2. I'm available and I have the necessary tools.

3. It doesn't look like I have a drug problem.

This is why I don't get hired.

1. I think I'm smarter than the client.

2. I want to use my tools to do things that interest me, not the client.

3. It looks like I want to party.

Again, put yourself in the position of hiring a PA say, What do you want to see on the site where they want to work for you.

The irony here, Oliver, is that what little I know of you through this forum is you're very humble and client-focused.  The site doesn't put that across. "We Direct" ?  It doesn't really represent you, I feel.  When I read "We Direct" I think about a smart-ass hipster telling everyone what to do.  Maybe I'm wrong.  Just some ideas "Superlative Video. On Time.  On Budget."  Or "We Film. We Edit. Our Clients Look Good"  "Your Vision.  Our Crew"  Etc.  

I know I"m a broken record on this.  Focus on not scaring anyone away.  Let your reel do the rest!  It's that f'ing good

Oh YES, site is VASTLY improved.  You're getting there.  Keep sweating the details!

[Oliver Daniel]

SORRY SORRY SORRY Oliver.  Marketing 101 here.  "We Direct" is great for musicians who don't know what they want, but for those who do (commercial clients), it's a red flag that you'll impose your ideas on the shoot.  I'm going to sound really old man here.  This is why I get hired;

1. The client has tried to do what I do and has failed. 

2. I'm available and I have the necessary tools.

3. It doesn't look like I have a drug problem.

This is why I don't get hired.

1. I think I'm smarter than the client.

2. I want to use my tools to do things that interest me, not the client.

3. It looks like I want to party.

Again, put yourself in the position of hiring a PA say, What do you want to see on the site where they want to work for you.

The irony here, Oliver, is that what little I know of you through this forum is you're very humble and client-focused.  The site doesn't put that across. "We Direct" ?  It doesn't really represent you, I feel.  When I read "We Direct" I think about a smart-ass hipster telling everyone what to do.  Maybe I'm wrong.  Just some ideas "Superlative Video. On Time.  On Budget."  Or "We Film. We Edit. Our Clients Look Good"  "Your Vision.  Our Crew"  Etc.  

I know I"m a broken record on this.  Focus on not scaring anyone away.  Let your reel do the rest!  It's that f'ing good

Oh YES, site is VASTLY improved.  You're getting there.  Keep sweating the details!

Haha, thanks again for the 101 talk. 

We've made a bit of a friend in digital corporate marketing (she's excellent), and she influenced a lot of our decisions on this improved version, including the redo of wording on the cover page and the more compact look.

Her words.. "I'm finding clients are going for somebody who has the balls to do something different and strike their message straight down the middle." All worlds are different it seems. The wording throughout this site is just that - straight to the point, "this is what we do", no bollocks. 

To be honest, we appear much much more commercial than we actually are on this site. We are client focused, but we have a particular way of working and also a particular rounded style. Whilst we can be traditional, coming to Video Ink isn't the place for a traditional video. We are happy with that. In some weird way, I can feel kind of proud we can potentially scare the shit out of someone, at least we got them to "feel" something. Sounds mad! But yeah, puppet monkeys!

It's early doors, and the early signs are looking good. Move, tweak, move, tweak... and it goes on. 

[maxotics]

I don't disagree with her.  However, I feel "We Direct" is not something different, specific.  I'm all for "this is what we do", but what does that mean?  Are you good with visually striking ideas, colors, working with creative and difficult people, using the latest slo-mo technology.  Please tell her what I said that you can't have your cake and eat it too, that is, be special, and then say you do everything from corporate videos to music videos?  Right, that's a wide swath?   That was my first suggestion, that you take out music video and make a site focused on commercial clients, those specific needs.  

I know it sounds like I'm saying to dumb down your site, or to hide your light under a bushel.  I'm not.  I'm just saying if you're going to be a genius in one thing, say it, be specific, give proof.  Don't say you can be a genius in everything.  Are you a specialist or generalist?  The site won't sell anyone.  It will only give them comfort to talk to you.  So ask her, these forum guy says you run the risk of scaring someone off with "We Direct", do you think "We Film.  We Edit" is so weak that someone wouldn't talk to us if we left "Direct" out?  Is there something stronger than "We Direct".  I think there is.  I think her advice is fine, but these are the FIRST WORDS anyone reads about you.  Are they perfect?  Would she stake her career on them?  

thanks for humoring me Oliver. 

[fuzzynormal]

hide your light under a bushel.

Ha!  Gotta love the biblical colloquialisms/parable.  Haven't heard that one in awhile!

As it is, if anyone wants to hire me for corporate rhetoric consulting, my fee is only $500/hr. 

[maxotics]

As it is, if anyone wants to hire me for corporate rhetoric consulting, my fee is only $500/hr. 

But I'm free and it shows

[Oliver Daniel]

I don't disagree with her.  However, I feel "We Direct" is not something different, specific.  I'm all for "this is what we do", but what does that mean?  Are you good with visually striking ideas, colors, working with creative and difficult people, using the latest slo-mo technology.  Please tell her what I said that you can't have your cake and eat it too, that is, be special, and then say you do everything from corporate videos to music videos?  Right, that's a wide swath?   That was my first suggestion, that you take out music video and make a site focused on commercial clients, those specific needs.  

I know it sounds like I'm saying to dumb down your site, or to hide your light under a bushel.  I'm not.  I'm just saying if you're going to be a genius in one thing, say it, be specific, give proof.  Don't say you can be a genius in everything.  Are you a specialist or generalist?  The site won't sell anyone.  It will only give them comfort to talk to you.  So ask her, these forum guy says you run the risk of scaring someone off with "We Direct", do you think "We Film.  We Edit" is so weak that someone wouldn't talk to us if we left "Direct" out?  Is there something stronger than "We Direct".  I think there is.  I think her advice is fine, but these are the FIRST WORDS anyone reads about you.  Are they perfect?  Would she stake her career on them?  

thanks for humoring me Oliver. 

No problem. 

Appreciate you spending your time to give your opinion. Maybe there are better ways to say the first line. We will keep tweaking.... 

It is hard to stand back, look at yourself and wonder "what the hell are we?" 

We are nudging the commercial side, and currently this site isn't dominantly selling that. Internally, it's being pushed massively. Until the content shifts in this direction, momentarily we will nudge, and nudge. 

So in the nutshell of it all, "what are we?" Well, we are music video specialists. So why the punch with commercial? It's a thin line to tread yes. But along the thin line are people who want to work with us because we are music video specialists and they want something else. (Example - Kukri Sports video we did). 

I'd rather tread thin now then live a successful life of filming spinning coins.  

[maxotics]

It is hard to stand back, look at yourself and wonder "what the hell are we?"  

Yes, it's impossible. Even harder for dancers, who never see themselves perform (video doesn't count because it is after the fact).  And dancing has been around long before video and large mirrors.

I was taking a stand-up comedy class and said I was going to be the "grumpy angry white man" and the instructor said, "only if the audience accepts you as that."  Whatever we do in life, we have to find the best fit for our talents and what people will use us for.  Otherwise, we get worn down.  I'm glad you're seeing what I'm saying, which is also, let your client decide what you are.  "We Film" Definitely.  "We Edit"  Definitely.  "We Direct" ... for every shoot?

My guess is that the biggest problem you'll face, which is my experience, is the question of each of you going it alone, or together as a company, "Video Ink".  These issues are touched on in "Mad Men" and "Suits" where one client might have a personal/artistic relationship to someone, when another competing client with lots of money want your service (which will mean your ditching the first client).  

Here are a couple of "business" films I recommend, should you ever be interested: "Executive Suite"--board room politics, "12 O'Clock High"-lead by example, or follow a plan.  And of course, all the Powell and Pressburger "Archer" films.  Red Shoes, Black Narcissus, and the somewhat boring, but fascinating war as business "The Small Black Room"  

What are your favorite films that inspire you about the creative/business process?

 

 

[JazzBox]

Amazing images! Congratulations!

[Oliver Daniel]

Brought this thread back up because I re-made my "new" website. Overall performance wasn't good. Started to hate it a little. 

This is the New new website!! 

Some new videos in there too and a blog bit, but I don't really know what to put in the blog yet. 

Got some RX10 II music videos to share soon too (great little camera!). 

 

[Volker Schmidt]

Hi Oliver, the design of the site makes a good impression! 

 

For my taste the showreel has a few weaknesses:)

- the representation of femininity is sometimes questionable - but possibly good for some potential clients...(hmm...)

- there is a lot of scary stuff in it - possibly bad for potential clients (like me:).

- the music seems over the top. It connote a bit, that there happens the greatest things since the Big Bang:).

Just my opinion, I don´t want to provoke:) 
 

At the end, it is a nice website!

[Oliver Daniel]

Hi Oliver, the design of the site makes a good impression! 

 

For my taste the showreel has a few weaknesses:)

- the representation of femininity is sometimes questionable - but possibly good for some potential clients...(hmm...)

- there is a lot of scary stuff in it - possibly bad for potential clients (like me:).

- the music seems over the top. It connote a bit, that there happens the greatest things since the Big Bang:).

Just my opinion, I don´t want to provoke:) 
 

At the end, it is a nice website!

Cheers for the feedback Volker, no worries. 

I can see why you think there is a lot of scary stuff with zombies and things. We do have a very offbeat, hyper-stylised way of doing things. That said, I do have  a lot of content that doesn't appear in this showreel which is very friendly and fun. 

Females in music videos eh? I'm glad I film hardly any R'n'B rap videos as the entire reel will be shaking asses!

I think next years reel will be much different as my work type is varying quite a bit at the moment!

[maxotics]

Right on the money, Oliver!  Superb!  Way to keep at it until you have it just right.