Internet Video Channels Powered by Brightcove

McElroy Films is now utilizing one of leading video publishing systems available on the web called Brightcove. This unique and powerful platform was introduced in 2006 and with it’s flexible business packages, Brightcove allows video content producers like McElroy Films to utilize it’s revolutionary online video tools.

McElroy Films has been producing and publishing videos to the web for several years. We’vebeen on previous video content management systems in the past but nothing compares to Brightcove. McElroy Films is excited to launch an all new McElroyTV channel powered by Brightcove. We have also utilized Brightcove for our partner company McElroy Weddings.

To find out how McElroy Films can build your Internet TV Channel, please contact our Sales & Marketing Director, Ruth Marvin at rmarvin@mcelroyfilms.com or 1-888-303-2744 x701.

Click here to see Brightcove’s latest pricing.

McElroy Films Now Offering Video SEO

McElroy Films is pleased to announce that we now offer Video SEO. Click here to view the Service Page.

“Video Search Engine Optimization” or VSEO has many different definitions, but we will describe it as such: “The process of strategically uploading video online so that is ranks well within search engines, obtains maximum visibility, and reaches those seeking out related information.” To increase video views, dominate search engine results, and drive significant website traffic, you must optimize your video.

Video optimization is a detail oriented process that includes strategically applying meta-data to your video (title, description, tags), syndicating your video to video sharing websites (Youtube, YahooVideo, Metacafe), and creating a proper landing page for your video.

Currently video thumbnails (direct links to the actual videos) are appearing within traditional Google searches. By optimization your video there is a good chance that a colorful video thumbnail will land on the first page of Google search engine results. The video will also rank higher within Youtube and other search engines such as Yahoo and Bing. Properly optimized videos will continue to rank well without expensive maintenance fees, and will definitely give you a strong edge on your competition.

Ben McElroy Launches McElroy Weddings

McElroy Weddings Unites Cinematic Style Film with Affordable Wedding Video

Ben McElroy launches New England based McElroy Weddings, professional high definition wedding videography at an affordable price.

Leominster, MA (PRWEB) April 1, 2010 — Ben McElroy launched McElroy Weddings to marry professional cinematic film style with wedding videography. McElroy Weddings, a partner company of McElroy Films, offers professional, high definition wedding video at an affordable price. McElroy Weddings produces everything from “save the date” videos to full wedding films and trailers.  “Wedding videography is often looked upon as a luxury; however, we believe it should be viewed as an essential part of every wedding. Just like photos, videography is a special keepsake to be enjoyed for generations. I started McElroy Weddings to join luxury quality wedding videography with the affordability that makes it accessible for every wedding budget.” said Ben McElroy about his new business.

McElroy applies the same cinematic film style to his wedding videography that he does to his corporate, nonprofit, educational, campaign and music videos. He refers to them as “wedding films” to describe his Hollywood style. McElroy’s wedding films use high definition filming and editing, professional microphones, an extensive music library, camera support such as Glidecam technology and customized video options and special effects.  McElroy Weddings specializes in high definition videography and Blu-ray technology, the highest quality video available. Each wedding film is produced in high definition from start to finish.
McElroy delivers the final product in a number of popular formats from Blu-ray and DVD to media files for devices such as ipod touch and iphone. McElroy encodes, embeds and hosts videos for the wedding websites that more and more couples are putting up, and provides “save the date” and wedding trailers to be shared on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. Each wedding is different, reflecting the individual story of each couple, and each wed ding film should be different too.  McElroy Weddings customizes each couple’s story by offering the same boutique service and client driven results that he offers at McElroy Films.

McElroy offers the flexibility of several pricing packages and a la carte options. McElroy introduced a new website and blog for McElroy Weddings. The website contains everything from packages to sample trailers. The blog has informative articles on subjects such as How to Find the Right Wedding Videographer and Top Ten Tips for Creating a Cinematic Video.

About Ben McElroy Ben started in high school by filming documentaries on location in Turkey, Israel, Greece and India for organizations such as Open Air Campaigners, His Land Israel Tours and The People’s Baptist College and Seminary. His education continued at New York Film Academy, Full Sail University in Orlando, FL and the University of Massachusetts.  Ben worked as a staff photographer for the Lowell Sun where he won a National Press Photographers Association award for outstanding photography. Additional career credits include the Associated Press, Manchester Union Leader and Time Warner. Ben has shot and edited corporate videos for Nike, Timken, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bank of New York Mellon, Ropes and Gray and campaign videos for Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

About McElroy Weddings McElroy Weddings is a full service wedding video production company specializing in producing professional, high definition, cinematic wedding films at an affordable price. Each wedding film is customizable from start to finish offering client-driven results. Owned by parent company McElroy Films, McElroy Weddings serves Massachusetts and New England.

Wellesley Country Club Wedding

Cinematic Wedding Videos

Not all weddings are “Cinematic”. There are specific things to look for. Including the following.

• Story Telling
• Imagery
• High Definition
• 24 Frame Per Second (FPS)
• GlideCam
• Professional Microphones
• Multi-camera
• Pre-Interviews
• Editing Techniques

First and foremost behind every great cinematic wedding is good story telling.

These types of wedding videos require a certain level of “corporate video” pre production. Just like a corporate video these types of wedding videos require research and scripting to a certain extent.

The production company needs to have a game plan. Most cinematic wedding have interviews or narration. The interviewees need to have the right setup questions to yield great answers. A skilled producer should write a list of pre-wedding questions that capture emotions and compassion. Once the correct answers are given they are generally overlayed on the wedding footage and are edited in an elegant way.

Cinematic wedding also require great imagery. Shot composition and subject placement within the frame must adhere to industry rules and standards. The videographer needs to have a good eye and someone that pays close attention to detail. Talent from the film business and television are some of the best for the job. They have been cultured to capture shots that will bring to life feelings and emotion.

Some technical aspects of cinematic wedding videos are the use of pro video tools. High Definition cameras in the last few years have endured a huge surge of innovation and hype. Prices have allowed consumers to buy up “HD” cameras at a huge rate. However this has also made it affordable for want-to-be filmmakers to use low quality equipment for business. High-end production companies generally spend anywhere from 25-50 grand to get set up with the right equipment for video production. Video resolution is key. Most affordable cameras shoot in 1080 but there’s a big deference between 1080i and 1080p. I wont go into detail in this entry but all HD is not a one-size-fits all.

Another way to judge cinematic weddings is the frame rate. In Hollywood there’s only one frame rate they use for television and movies. This is twenty-four frames per second (24p). Good cinematic weddings use this frame rate. It gives the picture a more natural look and takes away the home video look. Another great tool for videographers is a Glidcam. It’s and ingenuous tool that keeps the camera balanced when you walk or run. It is basically like mounting your camera on a gimbal. They use them in  movies and TV shows. Pro audio is essential to any cinematic wedding. Even if there’s great shots and nice editing, if the video has poor audio the whole piece will suffer. Make sure to have wireless audio during the ceremony. Also, make sure to have the videographer patch into the soundboard at the reception to capture all the speeches in perfect clarity. Shooting your wedding with multiple cameras can be great. Especially during the ceremony when you have both the bride and groom. It’s nice to have one camera on the Bride and the other on the Groom capturing both sets of emotions. It also comes in handy during the reception. One camera can capture cocktail hour while the other camera captures the formals. It’s just a great idea to have two cameras if you can afford it.

Pre-interviews can be fun and exciting. Capturing the essential people such as the Bride & Groom and the parents talking about how great and exciting their wedding day is going to be. These interviews make for interesting editing and tell the story of the wedding day.

One of the most popular cinematic editing techniques is a wedding highlights video or a “movie trailer” of the wedding day. These are generally filled with nice aesthetic detail shots of the bride and groom throughout their wedding day cut to music with special effects. Music is another way to add real production value to your wedding video. Not just popular music but good quality music from a music library. Music helps to move the video along and sets the mood and tone for certain scenes. Special effects can also add to the value of a cinematic wedding. The use of black&white filters, color correction, soft focus and other filters can really add to the overall look of the video.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of what to look for when searching for a cinematic wedding video. If you have more questions feel free to email me at ben@mcelroyfilms.com.

FaceBook Fan Page

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We offer periodic fan prizes and keep you up-to-date with all the happenings at McElroy Films.

Things you’ll find.

- Industry news
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New Canon EOS 7D HD Footage

Some new HD footage from the Canon EOS 7D.
Lenses used
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS
Watch on Youtube!

Canon EOS 7D Footage from Ben McElroy on Vimeo.

Canon EOS 7D Sample Footage

Canon has finally unveiled the new Canon EOS 7D. This is one of the most anticipated Digital SLRs of 2009. Features include the ability to record HD video in 1920×1080 24p. On the photo side of things, it’s packing a whopping 18 megapixels.

Read our full blog post on this camera by clicking here.

Below you’ll find some sample footage we quickly through together from the Canon EOS 7D.
Click here to see the youtube version

Click on the video below to watch the Canon EOS 7D handle 60fps. We tagged along on a soccer shoot to get some great images.
Click here to see the youtube version