Video Production for Mobile Devices

Video Production for Mobile Devices

Much like Internet video, the viewership of video on mobile devices has skyrocketed in recent times.  Naturally, younger people make up the majority of that viewership.  According to Nielsen, from Q3 of last year, “The majority of 25-34 and 18-24 year olds now own smartphones (64% and 53% respectively),” and that has undoubtedly increased through the end of 2011 and up until now in the spring of 2012.  The same goes for the number of users who have viewed videos on mobile devices; five million feature phone viewers and 26 million smartphone viewers in Q3 of 2011. [1]

As of February 2012, almost half (49.7%) of U.S. mobile subscribers now own smartphones. According to Nielsen, this marks an increase of 38 percent over last year.[2]  This is great news for those producing video for mobile viewing, as it is much easier and more common to watch videos via a smartphone compared to with a regular feature phone.  Compounding that, “Display ads (video or banner) on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones are trusted by one-third of global respondents, which is slightly higher than the reported consumer trust level of text ads on mobile phones (29%). While the reported consumer trust level in mobile phone advertising is still low, it increased 61 percent since 2007 and 21 percent since 2009.”[3]

So, basically, not only is the number of people viewing video content on mobile devices increasing rapidly, but they also trust that content more now than ever before.  Those numbers and trust levels are only going to continue to rise in the coming months and years.  Clearly, it is in every company’s best interest to try to stay ahead of (or at least try to keep up) with the curve when it comes to the mobile consumer.

Also, check out this cool infographic by Nielsen about digital consumers:

http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/infographic-the-most-valuable-digital-consumers/

Click here if you’re interested in some more technical information about the future of video online and on mobile devices.

 

The Future of Internet and Mobile Video

Watching videos on the web, and especially on mobile devices, is a bit more complicated than it seems.  This stems largely from Apple’s disdain for Adobe Flash, which is why Apple doesn’t allow the Flash runtime to be installed on iOS (the operating system for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch).  According to Adobe, 75% of web video is viewed using the Flash Player, 70% of web games are made in Flash, and 85% of the most-visited web sites use Flash in some way.

The late Steve Jobs had some very strong feelings about Flash, and Apple’s relationship with it.  There have been many arguments for both sides, whether it’s from web designers, app developers or just the everyday Internet consumer.  One of Jobs’ gripes was that Flash videos drain a device’s battery life.  For example, on an iPhone, videos decoded through hardware can play for up to 10 hours, while those decoded through software (Flash) would play for only 5 hours before the battery is drained.  Another is that Flash is not very secure (according to Symantec).

The biggest problem for Flash when it comes to websites is that many Flash websites were not built with touch screens in mind, but rather for PCs using a mouse.  For instance, many Flash-based websites have “rollovers” which allow additional options or sub-menus that appear when the cursor hovers over a particular area.  This action just can’t be done with a touch screen unless the coding for the site is rewritten.  However, many sites have created mobile versions of their pages that are completely touch-friendly, but there are still plenty of websites that have not, will not or cannot make a mobile version for a variety of reasons.

This issue does not necessarily pertain directly to video-watching on a mobile device, but if you have an Apple device and a website is either made with Flash or has a Flash video on it, you won’t be able to see it.  The same goes for the plethora of Flash games on the Internet.  But eventually, Flash support for mobile devices will go away completely.  The new version of the HTML coding language, HTML5, is solving the operating system and browser compatibility issues with video.  Instead of being owned by one sole proprietor like Flash (Adobe), HTML is controlled by a committee of three companies (Apple, Mozilla Foundation, and Opera Software), thus making it an “open standard.”  This “openness” allows different companies and people to contribute to the improvement and advancement of the system.  Both iOS and Android support HTML5.

This is a pretty tech-heavy topic, but Long Tail Video does a great job explaining HTML5 and its benefits for video playback compatibility.  You can check out that information here: http://www.longtailvideo.com/html5/.

Should you use video on your website?

Question: Should you use video on your website?

This has become an increasingly pertinent question that businesses and individuals have to ask themselves.  The Internet is getting more saturated with consumers and videos each and every day.  In December 2011, 182 million U.S. Internet users watched online video, averaging 23.2 hours per viewer. Just one year prior, 172 million users watched a measly 14.6 hours on average.  This is interesting because that means the number of viewers increased about 6 percent, but hours watched increased almost 59 percent! [1]  Bottom line, people are seeking more and more video content on the Web.

Naturally, the most common way people found videos online was through Google searches; they led the way with 157.2 million unique viewers.  This, of course, makes sense, considering that Google owns YouTube.  According to datasphere.com, “Google LOVES videos. Studies show that businesses with videos on their own website are 50X more likely to appear on the first page of Google results! (Forrester Research, 2009).  And because your video is also on YouTube, you are more likely to rank higher than your own website.” [2]

Here are a couple more statistics, this time from Nielsen:  “On the Web, four-in-10 respondents rely on ads served alongside search engine results, 36 percent trust online video advertisements, and one-third believe the messages in online banner ads—an increase of 27 percent since 2007.”  Also, “Display ads (video or banner) on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones are trusted by one-third of global respondents, which is slightly higher than the reported consumer trust level of text ads on mobile phones (29%). While the reported consumer trust level in mobile phone advertising is still low, it increased 61 percent since 2007 and 21 percent since 2009.”[3]

Without a doubt, videos make a website more interesting, dynamic and eye-catching.  They keep viewers on your site longer, and encourage them to explore more, as well as being able to convey multiple messages quickly.  Video can be a tremendous tool in showing who you are as a company or as an individual. On camera body language is a seriously powerful tool.  It’s human nature to want to relate to someone, and when you can relate to someone, you’re more likely to want to do business with that person.

Here is a great article on About.com that explains different uses for website video, and how each type can benefit you:

http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/webvideosforbusiness/tp/use-video.htm

 

High-Definition vs. Standard-Definition Video

High-Definition vs. Standard-Definition Video, Aspect Ratio, and Frame Rate

Just about everyone knows that HD stands for “high-definition,” but why do all those numbers matter to you?  Three words: quality, quality, and quality.  A Full HD image is just so much clearer, and because of its large size, all the small details can be seen much easier and clearer.  Also, when viewing HD video on a large TV or monitor, the video is usually shrunken to fit the screen, which means there is no loss of image quality.  In contrast, an SD video would have to be stretched to fit a large screen, thus decreasing its viewing quality and making the image look pixelated, or unsmooth.

Two other things to consider are aspect ratios and frame rates.  Aspect ratio refers to the shape of the image (the ratio of its horizontal length to its vertical height).  The two common aspect ratios are 4:3 (4×3 or standard) and 16:9 (16×9 or wide-screen).  The 4:3 ratio is definitely going by the wayside, as it is pretty rare for video to be shot in 4:3, in addition to TVs like your old square-ish tube TV being nearly extinct.  The most practical reason for the 16:9 ratio is that is much closer to the shape of what we see with our eyes; the image is much wider than it is tall (78% wider, as opposed to just 33% with the 4:3 ratio).  Click here to read more in-depth about aspect ratios and see some comparison images.

Frame rate in video refers to the number of frames shown per second (fps).  As you probably know, video (based off the concept of film and film projection, of course) is made up of still images that are shown quickly enough to “trick” the brain into seeing continuous motion.  We like to use the cinematic-looking 24fps, which is the typical frame rate for movies.  If placed side-by-side, just about anyone would notice the difference between footage at 24fps (movies) and 30fps (typical television/video frame rate).  The 30fps tends to have a more “realistic” feel, but the 24fps definitely has an artistic and engaging quality that is very hard to replicate or to fake by using effects.

The combination of using the highest quality and most aesthetically pleasing specifications will make all the difference in creating a professional, engaging and impactful video.

Boston Video Production Competitors

Boston Video Production Competitors (First page on Google for the search term: “boston video production”)

There are plenty of video production companies out there that can fill your need for whatever type of video you want to create.  Whether you are a business looking to promote your product or service, a non-profit trying to raise funds or raise awareness, or a company aiming to make an informative and engaging training video, there are many production companies from which you could potentially choose.  But how do you find what you’re looking for?  Of course, a simple Google search is the weapon of choice for anyone trying to find out more information, shop around for the best value, or just see some samples of what other corporate clients have produced.

We want you to shop around.  That’s a good thing.  We have been able to make some great videos for awesome clients who found us because they shopped around.  The best thing you can do is research, discover types or aspects of videos that you like or don’t like, and really think about what type of production company best suits your needs and your mission.

That being said, of course we want you to choose McElroy Films.  Any company would be lying if they told you that they think you should look elsewhere.  But we are an honest, down-to-earth group of people that truly care about our clients.  We understand that most people are quite Internet savvy and can do pretty extensive research on their own.  Sure, there will always be someone out there that can make your video for a cheaper price, but the key to everything is value.  What are you really getting for your money?  And that doesn’t just mean the final polished product.  Don’t get me wrong, the final product is what matters most in the eyes of a client, but one must also consider the process, the customer service and the ease (and promptness) of communication between you and the production company.

In your process, if you’ve decided on another company and even if you think they’re perfect for you, please still give us a call (781-229-5900) or come visit our office in Burlington and chat with us about your search and what lead you to your decision!

So without further ado, here are the top hits for “Boston Video Production” on Google.  We’ve saved you a step.  You can thank us later!

VidBoston (promoted)

VidBoston’s website says that they specialize in corporate video, broadcast TV and commercial production.  They describe themselves as “a group of highly motivated and talented communications specialists dedicated to the art of creating programs that educate, inspire, and inform.”  They proudly display some actual client testimonials on their site as well.  Their site says they have been in business since 1991.

They are located in Auburndale, MA and can be reached at (617) 559-0216

http://www.vidboston.com/index.html

 

Larry Mondi Productions (promoted)

Founded in 1993 by Larry Mondi himself, Larry Mondi Productions produces projects including “educational programs, documentaries, marketing videos, training videos, corporate presentations, direct-sale DVDs, and webcasts.”  They also post client reviews/testimonials on each page of their website, and say that they will “tailor an approach to your project that accommodates your budget.”  They also have a quick video on their homepage showcasing some of their work.

http://www.larrymondiproductions.com/index.html

 

DigiNovations  (promoted)

DigiNovations’ tag line is “Innovative. Video. Solutions.” And they don’t disappoint.  The video on their homepage shows some very impressive footage.  They were founded by producer Michael Kolowich 25 years ago.  They have a ton of experience and confidence in their product, and plenty of accolades to back it up.  In their own words, “DigiNovations has created thousands of films for corporations, universities, schools and non-profits across the country. We have garnered scores of awards and affirmations along the way.”

They are located in Acton, MA and can be reached at (978) 429-8692.

http://www.diginovations.com/

 

Rewatchable

According to their website, “Rewatchable produces high quality, effective, affordable corporate video for websites, social media, and email marketing.”  They have plenty of sample videos right on their homepage; not just a short demo reel, they have actual finished products they have made for clients.  They also list prices for various types of videos they produce, but it seems only a couple services have pricing flexibility.  They do, however, offer a 15-day 100% money back guarantee for their standard corporate profile videos.  Custom videos are not eligible for this guarantee.

Also, they are “pleased to be among the first Boston-area production companies to have our editors certified in Apple’s Final Cut Pro X.”

They are located in Beverly, MA and can be reached at (978) 666-4068

http://www.rewatchable.com/

 

Boston Video Productions (Sound and Vision Media)

(Also http://www.soundandvisionmedia.com/ ) Their site states that “Sound and Vision Media has been a leader in video production Boston, for over thirty five years.”  They specialize in HD video production, national and local broadcast productions, and 35mm film production, as well as corporate video, web design and film/tape to DVD transfers.  According to their site, they have been recognized nationally for TV commercial production and Boston radio ads, and they have received 5 Davey Awards.

They are located in Revere, MA and can be reached at (781) 284-9707.

http://bostonvideoproductions.com/

 

Vaudeville Pictures

Founded by Peter A. Cancilla more than 15 years ago, Vaudeville Pictures “has helped organizations better communicate their messages and achieve their goals via creative, quality video productions. Vaudeville Pictures provides full-service video production, from conception to delivery.”  They offer a variety of services, including corporate video, non-profit/fundraising, TV/broadcast, training videos, music videos, life event coverage and even animation and stop motion.

They are located in Boston, MA and can be reached at (617) 640-1619.

http://www.vaudevillepictures.net/index.html

 

Gifford Productions

According to their site, “Gifford Productions, formerly Aurora Video Productions, began in 1992 and is owned and operated by Bob Gifford.”  Their philosophy is to “solve communications problems and offer numerous tools,” and their services include “concept development, scriptwriting, AV recording services, editing, motion graphics, Blu-ray DVDs, web encoding and Flash applications.”  They have a link to a solid demo reel on their homepage, as well as a services overview video.

They are located in Newton, MA and can be reached at (617) 796-7744.

http://www.giffordproductions.com/index.html

 

Boston Digital Editing

Boston Digital Editing’s website says that “Boston Digital Productions and Boston Digital Editing bring together award-winning talent and experience in corporate and commercial video production and editing.” They have been “creating state-of-the-art television and business communications in Boston for over 20 years.”  They provide just about every service under the sun when it comes to production and editing, and have great sample reel videos right on their homepage, as well as several client testimonials.

They are located in Boston, MA and can be reached at (617) 338-7777.

http://www.bostondigitalediting.tv/index.html

 

TR Productions

Their site states that “Since 1947, TR Productions has been one of New England’s leading business communications and production companies, specializing in the production of video presentations, interactive CDs, webcasts, web presentations, business meetings, collateral and web design, and multimedia screen shows.”  TR Productions is “Motivational, high impact, custom business communications…”

They are located in Charlestown, MA and can be reached at (617) 241-5500.

http://www.trprod.com/

 

Lunchpail Productions

Lunch Pail Productions’ tag line is “Building Answers with Images.”  Their website states that “we distinguish ourselves from other shops by offering an experienced and energetic creative team with the ability to move seamlessly between the worlds of broadcast television, advertising and business communications.”  They have some great director demo reels as well as company reels.  Probably the snazziest of all the sites in my opinion!

They are located in Boston, MA and can be reached at (617) 464-2300.

http://www.lunchpailprod.com/new_dev/lunch.html

 

Skillman Video Group

According to their site, “Skillman Video Group (SVG) is a full service video production and internet marketing firm. Our award winning video producers are known for creating compelling and informative content that captivates viewers and delivers a strong call to action. Our web specialists have years of experience in internet and and e-mail marketing. Our goal is simple….to leverage the power of video and the power of the internet to get our clients results.”  Their portfolio includes videos of a wide range, including live events, documentaries, training videos, legal video, products, and many more.  They have a very large page dedicated solely to client testimonials.  They were founded in 2004.

They are based out of Somerville, MA and can be contacted at 1-800-784-0140.

http://www.skillmanvideogroup.com/wordpress/

 

 

McElroy Films is Proud to Release 2012 Demo Reel

As we reflect on the last 12 months, 2011 brought many exciting changes to our Boston-based video production company. When McElroy Films outgrew it’s office, increased staff, won 3 more Davey Awards, and expanded services all within a calendar year, it’s safe to call 2011 a success, but that success is something we’ve come to expect in our office.

 

Yet again, we were awarded three more Davey Awards for non-profit videos produced for Fenway Health, the South Shore Habitat for Humanity, and the New England Pediatric Center. The latest awards came in addition to the Telly Award given in early 2011 for yet another Fenway Health video.

 

The winning ways extended into our wedding division as McElroy Weddings won the highly coveted Bride’s Choice Award from the Wedding Wire and the Best of 2012 from The Knot. Both awards are based solely on positive client reviews and are only awarded to the top 5% of the many hundreds of thousands of members on each website.

 

2011 saw dozens of exciting new videos produced for new and established clients.

 

Acclaimed singer, Brian Evans, originally of Haverhill, MA, enlisted us to promote his hit single At Fenway in a 30-second spot featuring Hall-of-Famer Jim Rice. The spot not only fueled the song’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but also aired during the Super Bowl in several regions across the United States.

We also produced a hip-hop music video for local artist, G-Star, which accrued hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube in mere weeks.

At about the same time, McElroy Films delved into the New Hampshire Republican primary, becoming former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s personal videographers at a time when the race was still hotly contested. Videographers Ben and Brittney found themselves traveling to every corner of the Granite State, following Newt as he campaigned from senior centers to college campuses. After the New Hampshire primary, McElroy Films produced web spots and commercials for the South Carolina primary.

 

New videos for non-profit Fenway Health were featured at two of the largest gala events for the LGBT community in the country in both 2011 and early 2012: The Men’s Event and the Women’s Diner Party. Another non-profit giant, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), had a video produced for their premiere fundraising event as well as videos detailing the CCFA’s major fundraising programs such as the Take Steps and Team Challenge campaigns. All the videos went a long way in detailing the missions of Fenway Health and the CCFA for potential donors.

 

The past year also included training videos for Triple-S and the Boston Fire Department as well as educational videos for Fenn School, Holy Name High School, and the Pakachoag Music School.

 

With all the success and a host of new projects on the horizon, McElroy Films seems ripe for even greater success in 2012 and beyond. We would like to thank our clients for trusting us with their video, web hosting, and distribution needs, as, without them, our success wouldn’t be possible.

Fenway Health Men’s Event 2012 (Video)

McElroy Films was called upon Fenway Health this year to produce a short video for the Men’s Event this March. Special guests included: Congressman Barney Frank, Kate Clinton, Booty Vortex, KISS 108’s Gay Jim and the more than 1,300 gay and bisexual men, transgender people, friends, supporters and volunteers. Fenway Health raised over $600,000 in cash, pledges and in-kind support for Fenway Health.
Read about the whole event here: http://www.fenwayhealth.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FCHC_h2h_help_mensevent

Photo by: Marilyn Humphries

Anti Bullying Video – SMASH

Bullying among school-age children is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about issues in the country. Even Justin Bieber was a victim of bullying. The rapid growth of social networking (and the technologies and devices that facilitate it) has opened up even more opportunities and ways for bullying to occur.

That’s why the students at Holy Name Catholic High School in Worcester, MA have decided to take a proactive approach. Several years ago, Holy Name students created a group called SMASH, which stands for “Stop Madness and Severe Hating.” They aim to stop bullying and increase awareness of the effects it has on children and teens.

SMASH puts on an assembly every year that includes skits focusing on the various types of bullying. There are also live student testimonies recounting their experiences and lots of information on how fellow students can help combat bullying.

We had the opportunity to attend the assembly this past winter and talk with some of the members of SMASH. We filmed this anti-bullying video for them to help spread their message. There is also a longer version for a DVD that they offer to any other schools that want it. This is a much faster and more effective way for SMASH to get its message out, rather than traveling to each school to make their presentation.

Read the full article by Joni Koogler of The Banner.

Brian Evans & Jim Rice – At Fenway Commercial

On set in Groveland, Massachusetts, we were treated to a classic, all-American diner that needed very little set design. It even came with the classic, 45-flipping jukebox that was written in the script. A few lights and some neutral density on the windows, and we had a superb set ready for Brian Evans and Jim Rice walk right on camera. It was an impressive sight for the locals that came to look on.

When Jim Rice entered moments later, he had an aura about him that snapped up everyone’s attention. He’s a real down-to-earth guy for a baseball legend, and was chatting up the locals about his days with the Sox. He and Brian hit it off right away and that camaraderie really came across on camera.

Shot on the Sony F3 with prime Nikon lenses, the video came out crystal clear. We made great use of our Indy Dolly to add some dynamic as well. When it came to editing, it was a shame that we were limited to only 30 seconds because there was tons of real sharp footage left on the cutting room floor, but no one can argue that the end result was exceptional!

CCFA Volunteer Leadership Conference

McElroy Films was call upon by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America this winter to put together a promotional introduction for the CCFA Volunteer Leadership Conference 2012. It features a theme of producing hope and inspiring action.
This video is fast paced, incorporating sound bites from Voices of Progress, Take Steps and Team Challenge. Along with various broadcasts featuring Crohn’s awareness.
Enjoy!

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