Sometimes the simple gets complex.

For instance...

Digital technology translates our stories into ones and zeroes.

But our stories are told, shared and heard in between the ones and the zeroes.

In that place of love.

Our heart.


--Tom

Is There Too Much Digital in Your Story?

Imagine this.

You're thinking about building a new home. You decide to send an email to a general contractor. You write a note that goes something like this...

"I'd like to have a new home built. How much would it cost to build a home with six rooms, two bathrooms, a small garage, and a nice yard? Please tell me how long will it take to build it. Thank you."

It's pretty likely you won't get a response that is helpful or accurate. And chances are it won't move your vision forward.

Believe it not, I've seen emails like this requesting how much a video project will cost. So have many other producers.

The simple solution, of course, is to pickup the phone and call a producer. Share your idea to see if your vision can be turned into an opportunity.

When it comes time to begin a new video project, a model worth considering comes from marketing expert and Fast Company writer, Nick Rice. Nick has a fabulous riff on determining the reality of an opportunity. Nick calls it "The Opportunity Framework."

Nick's framework has three components.

1. Determine if there is a real problem that needs to be solved.
2. Determine if there is an opportunity to move the project forward.
3. Determine if enough resources are available.

I think this is a great framework to quickly evaluate weather or not to move the conversation forward.

Send an email?

I've found most filmmakers love a good conversation :-)

---Tom

P.S. This post was inspired by another headline challenge from Brian Clark over at Copyblogger.

P.S.S. Brian's first headline challenge inspired "My 22 Best On-Camera Interviewing Tips Ever" also featured on LIfehacker.

One Email No Video Client Should Ever Write

Check out Kathy Hansen's blog, A Storied Career.

Kathy "explores intersections and synthesis among various forms and uses of storytelling, including journaling, blogging, organizational storytelling, storytelling for identity construction, storytelling in social media, storytelling for organizational entry (job search), and career advancement."

"Story Log: Running List of Storytelling in Marketing and Pop Culture," is filled with great links on current trends in storytelling. Guaranteed to keep you busy for a while :-)

---Tom

Looking for Links on Story, Marketing and Pop Culture?

So what the heck is a "YouTube video?"

Beats me.

And my film crew. And editors. And writers.

But as filmmakers we hear this more and more. Hmmm. So I got to thinking....

When someone wants a "YouTube video," what does that mean from a producer's point of view?

Is a "YouTube video:"
Professionally created?
Consumer created?
Expensive?
Cheap?

Does a "YouTube video" include:
Actors?
Non-actors?
A call to action?
A great story?
No story?
A weak story?
Interviews?

Does a "YouTube video" look:
Slick?
Beautiful?
Home-made?
Hollywood?
Campy?
Mysterious?

Does a "YouTube video" feel:
Funny?
Serious?
Sad?
Optimistic?
Negative?
Surprising?
Joyful?
Scary?

Is a "YouTube video:"
Musical?
Poetic?
Educational?
Inspirational?
Thought-provoking?
Staged?
Captured live?

Phew! I'm just starting. But I think you get the idea.

The next time your producer looks confused when you ask for a "YouTube video," remember...

YouTube is a distribution channel...not your video story.

---Tom

Huh? A "YouTube Video?" What's That?

Listening to a customer's language can sometimes point to their world view.

Knowing a world view can tell you a lot about expectations.

For example, one world view says:

• We need a video.

  
  

The other world view says:

• We need our story told.

  
  

Things to think about:

Which one is more powerful? Energetic? Meaningful? Inspirational?

Which one would you want to watch?

Which one would you choose to say?

---Tom

Making Videos? Or Telling Stories?