Mar

16

We’d like to thank the Academy…

March 16, 2009 | 2 Comments | Written by Lindsay Talsness

Metro Studios was recently honored with four awards (otherwise known as ADDYs) from the American Advertising Federation of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. We had a great time working on these projects and are extremely pleased with the results they’ve produced for our clients! Here’s a rundown of the honored projects:

Client: Clearheart Spirits
Project: Internet Marketing Campaign
Silver ADDY – Web/Online Campaign
Metro Studios created a new website for Clearheart Spirits, as well as optimized the website for optimal search engine placement. To further launch their internet marketing efforts, John Whaley, our director of internet marketing used social networks such as YouTube and Facebook to help drive traffic back to Clearheart’s website. We also completed an online media campaign including banner and video ad placement within a variety of vertical markets.






Client: The Rose Company
Project: Identity Collateral
Silver ADDY – Collateral Material: Stationery Package

The Rose Company is a local retailer who supplies specialty promotional products. Metro Studios was responsible for the design of their logo, as well as the creation of a unique set of identity materials for the company. We chose a light green paper stock that complimented the rose icon and solidified the brand.



Client: University of Iowa Children’s Hospital
Project: “Letters” video
Silver ADDY – Public Service – Broadcast/Electronic – Audio/Visual

Metro Studios was commissioned to write, produce, shoot and edit this touching fundraising video for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. The hospital wanted a video that they could play at a series of fundraising dinners they were holding in various locations around the state. At the very first dinner where the video was played, the goal was to raise $50,000, but the hospital ended up with $100,000 by the end of the night. The Children’s Hospital Medical Director said “of all the videos we have done for twice the budget, none came close to the quality and emotional pull as this one produced by Metro Studios”.



Client: St Luke’s Hospital
Project: Women’s Health Interactive Flash Video
Gold ADDY – Interactive Media

Mark Jones, Metro Studios’ Manager of Web Services, built an interactive flash video application for St. Luke’s Hospital Women’s Health. The video featured a variety of experts and everyday women addressing women’s health issues.



Mar

6

Great expectations

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest and fastest-growing organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. When Metro Studios was chosen to produce JA Worldwide’s new volunteer orientation video, there were large tasks ahead of us - Junior Achievement’s current orientation video was more than 15 years old! Needless to say, JA’s more than 220 offices across the world were clamoring for an updated video.

Globe trotting!

At Metro Studios, we were up to the challenge. As an international organization, it was important for JA to show the different environments where their programs are held—from inner-city schools to suburban classrooms. Our video shoots took us across the United States to Los Angeles, Phoenix, Peoria, IL, and Cedar Rapids, IA.

More than just a training video

Our goal was to create a video that was informative, inspiring, encouraging, and creative. To accomplish this goal, we even incorporated our own version of a reality TV show into the project! We followed a brand new volunteer through her JA experience – from preparing for her first session with a group of at-risk high schoolers all the way through to her last session with the students. Hearing her testify how her weekly sessions probably turned her students around is amazing. (You can check out her interview here – her segment is entitled, “Experience It!”)

Writing it right

Junior Achievement wanted nearly all of the training information to come from testimonials. We interviewed a diverse group of people including: brand new and seasoned volunteers, students, and school administrators. Writing good questions for the interviews, and arranging to interview a diverse group of people made scripting a challenge—in a good way! There were so many great quotes and stories that ended up on the cutting room floor!

Not another boring training video!

Throughout the 51 minute training video, we added several fun segments such as having some 5th grade students spell “entrepreneur” and including a series of student bloopers. The kids we worked with were great, but despite their best efforts, we eventually caught them doing some pretty silly things on camera!

Delivered!

To top it all off, we shot the entire video in HD. That way, it was easy to transfer our footage to a hard drive for JA, enabling them to use the footage in-house. In the end, the DVD had a menu with 9 video segments, as well as an original designed folder that detailed each segment. You can watch the all of the segments at JA’s website. Or, check out some of the highlights on our own site.

Inspired!

To meet the volunteers and hear their stories about why they volunteer…and then to hear the students’ stories about how JA turned their lives around—it was amazing! Metro Studios was proud to be a part of this wonderful project, and the videos were truly a labor of love.


Mar

4

Amateur Video Editing: Tips & Tools

March 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment | Written by Eric Jacobs

Do you dream of being the next YouTube phenomenon? The explosion of digital video in the last decade has brought about many changes.  Now, more and more people are dabbling in amateur video editing. However, the key to creating truly outstanding videos is to know the tricks of the trade that will elevate your video from a wet rag to wildfire viral content:

1. Choose the right software.
Today, most computers come with a pre-installed video editing program. While these programs serve basic functions, the serious amateur editor may want to consider purchasing a more robust editing program such as:
•    Adobe Premier
•    Final Cut Pro
•    Sony Vegas
These programs enable users to really dig into the entire editing process, including fine tuning and trimming of video clips.

2. Cut and trim!
Cutting and trimming is a vital – yet often painful part of video editing. While you may love each and every second you’ve filmed, it’s likely your viewers will not. If you find it hard to determine what areas should be trimmed, have someone else review your footage and provide feedback on what parts seem unnecessary. Overall, “trimming the fat” from your video will leave exactly what you’re looking for – the juicy goodness that is the “meat” of your video.

3. Use Transitions Sparingly.
A transition is how a video moves from one clip to another, and can be a tricky part of video editing. I strongly believe that the fewer transitions you use, the better. Flashy transition techniques make videos look cheap and amateurish.

Yes, it can be tempting to use a cross fade, a quick dip, or a burst of color to transition clips, but overall, the best transitions are those the viewer doesn’t notice.  “So,” you ask, “why do video editing programs provide all of those flashy transitions if I’m not supposed to use them?”  We may never know. But until we find the answer, consider this: When was the last time you saw a movie, sitcom, or commercial that used a transitional technique such as a “star wipe” or “cube spin”?  Probably not for more than 20 years!

4. Remember, it’s not Star Wars.
Special effects are similar to transitions in that most special effects will have the greatest impact when used sparingly.  It’s best to leave the special effects to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

5. Don’t Tune Out the Audio!
When editing, it’s easy to become so immersed in the video’s appearance to lose track of how it sounds. You could shoot the most beautiful footage imaginable, but without high quality audio, you may as well be staring at a picture on the wall. After all, video is meant to be a multimedia experience.

6. That’s a Wrap!
By following these editing tips, you’ll be well on your way to separating your video from the masses. If you’re interested in producing a video that truly makes an impact, contact Metro Studios. We have the expert script writers, talent, directors, and audio & video editors to ensure that your video has an outstanding professional touch.

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