The key to understanding how viral videos spread is knowing what motivates people to share things with others. What common traits do sucessfully branded viral videos share? I’ve been researching videos that have amassed millions of views in an attempt to find the common denominator. This is the first in a series of articles examining the most viral videos on the Internet produced by brands with the original intention of going viral. This ten part series will offer a sampling of branded videos I have grouped into the following genres: Continue Reading →
The Blog
Mixing it Up: The 5 Ingredients Behind Good Video Content
Contributed by New York Film Academy.
How do you keep your web video content from sounding like a Television ad? It seems to be the one aspect of business video making which stumps. However, understanding the fundamental differences between what makes for enjoyable content and what serves well in a straight-up advertisement will get you most of the way there. Continue Reading →
5 Awesome Commercials Directed by Wes Anderson
Commercial production and ads support many independent would-be filmmakers dreaming of shooting their first feature film. Some may look at these ads as a troublesome stepping stone to the “big break”. But for seasoned feature filmmakers like Wes Anderson, directing commercials offers a fertile playground for experimentation. Continue Reading →
10 Business Website Video Integration Mistakes
Many businesses are now integrating video on their websites. Unfortunately, the integration is sloppy in some cases. Why spend the time, resources and energy making a great video just to fall short on the final delivery? Here are 10 common mistakes businesses make when integrating video on their websites. Continue Reading →
Adobe Anywhere Offers Collaborative Video Editing Across the Web
Adobe has just announced a new service/feature called “Adobe Anywhere” that allows video editors to collaborate on editing projects across the web. Using Adobe Anywhere, video editors can work with remote assets over the network and work on a single timeline without having to copy or transfer files to local systems, apparently without a loss of quality or speed. Seems a little too good to be true, but then again, so are most Adobe products (yes, I’m a fanboy). Check out this video to find out more. Continue Reading →
Introducing Über Producer Online Film School
Cognitive Films recently launched a new “online film school” called Über Producer. The site features a collection of awesome film and video production lectures, tutorials, interviews and case-studies we are compiling from all over the web. If you are interested in learning about the art of filmmaking, scriptwriting, fundraising, cinematography, editing, sound, and more, ÜberProducer.com is the place to be.
Robert Rodriguez on Digital Filmmaking at UT
Robert Rodriguez visits the UT campus to host a conversation with students and inspire what he calls, “the next generation of innovators.” covering the push and acceptance of independent films in the 1990s, the rise and explosion of digital film around the new millennium, and the profitable return of the 3-D genre in the 2000s. A significant portion of this lecture is focused on the his new cable channel “El Rey,” set to premiere on Comcast in 2013 - Recorded on May 2, 2012 Continue Reading →
Get Camera Ready on Kickstarter!
I recently came across a really interesting Kickstarter project by journalist and former BBC reporter Manoush Zomorodi. Camera Ready is a multimedia e-book that will contain what she says is a culmination of her life’s work as an on-camera reporter and media trainer. I naturally look twice at books related to journalistic or documentary video production, and devour pretty much any video I see that is available on the subject. Continue Reading →
Say No to Vertical Videos
Camera phones have come a long way in the last few years. The HD video capabilities on the new iPhone are amazing. Some have even tested the iPhone 4S camera to prove that in certain light the quality can almost rival a DSLR. Millions now hold the power to shoot decent video right in their pockets. That is why this PSA is so important. Continue Reading →
Experimental Filmmaker Kelly Sears Speaks at 29th Street Ballroom in Austin
On May 23rd, Experimental collage filmmaker Kelly Sears will be presenting a presentation with a Q&A session at 29th Street Ballroom in Austin. Sears’ Films include: Once It Started It Could Not End Otherwise, Imprinted, Cover Me Alpha, Voice on the Line, The Body Besieged, Jean, The Believers, He Hates to be Second, The Drift, Angels Chant Like Witches, Devil’s Canyon, and Charles and Christopher.
I had a chance to view some of her work, and I was very impressed with her unique and dark style. She combines archival footage and stills with motion graphics (analog and digital), patterns, and minimalistic music and sound effects. One of my favorites is Voice on the Line, an layered mashup of vintage telephone operator footage, flickering wallpaper patterns and hypnotic voiceover. Continue Reading →
