Details
Category: Blog
Hits: 2979

International flights are my opportunity to have personal time - rarely does my scheduling allow for eight to ten hours of reading and reflecting. Since most books seems to market to a 220 page length, my present level of reading and comprehension lends itself to throwing a couple of those open to complete. 

The flight from Frankfurt to Denver was my opportunity to read InSignificant: Why you matter in the way God is changing the World, by Chris Travis. 

The author records his two years of teaching math in what was categorized as one of the toughest schools in the nation, in the inner city of Harlem. The tension between student and teacher - disrespect, abuse, pride, fighting - the worst side of the human condition played out in the classroom and school environment.

Chris shares his vulnerability and struggles as he seeks to make a positive impact. His frustration and the resulting changes to his heart and soul make this a valuable read.

Chapters deal with Power, Service, Generosity, Dependence, Love and other core values. Some of the stories brought a smile to my soul, some made me cry.

My takeaway from the helpful book is that those who want to leave a legacy, a positive change in a dysfunctional world, will find it more challenging than they could imagine. There will be great self-doubt in the process that makes a person question motives and personal determination. 

Pastor, church-planter - you will find the book personally rewarding should you pick up a copy. 

Details
Category: Blog
Hits: 5099
 

This is a continuation of yesterday's blog.

7. Task breakdown

{gallery}stories/graphics/20130402,height=700,single=task_breakdown.jpg,scaption=tasks,single_gallery=0,salign=right,ratio_image=1{/gallery}

Having a checklist aids me in making sure that all aspects have been thought out - mainly this will keep me aware of the time yet to be allotted.

8. Overlays

Looking for an edgy feel to the piece, the overlays needed to be adjusted. For this piece movement and placement was key.

9. Final render

Now it was time to get the piece to press. This is the final result. In the next few months we will be using this piece to send to young adults as part of a follow-up campaign.

That is the workflow I presently use to produce videos.
 

Details
Category: Blog
Hits: 3988
 

This is a continuation of yesterday's blog.

4. Storyboard

{gallery}stories/graphics/20130402,height=700,single=storyboard01.jpg,scaption=Storyboard,single_gallery=0,salign=right,ratio_image=1{/gallery}

This is one that so many people shortcut - just grab a camera and shoot some footage. To be honest, that will get you in trouble fast. You will end up reshooting so much, most likely due to the fact that you do not have an overview and something was either forgotten, or you did not get a proper angle.
 
I use the left side of my page to sketch a rough image of the shot I envision. I do have a rough idea of how the transitions are to work and those are also marked.
 
Knowing how long the audio track is will determine how many shots I require, plus the length of the pieces. I have not noted that on my storyboard, but it sure would have been better to do so.

5. Shooting

A production assistant lines up talent and indicates to them when to arrive, how long they will need and how to dress.
Leaning heavily on the storyboard, I can indicate to the talent what to expect, how it will appear and how long the shoot will be. I try to provide the amount of shots that we will be shooting, just so that their curiosity is quenched.
 
By the way, as a rule of thumb, shooting about 7:1 is the general format - for every second on screen, we need seven seconds of footage. For one minute on screen we will require a minimum of seven minutes of footage.

6. Second draft

Returning with the footage to the edit bay, footage will be color balanced and prepared for usage.
In the footage provided I used stills and footage from a visit to New York for the transitions, and shot the talent in about three hours on a Saturday. I also scouted out scenes for an hour in advance, so that I was prepared for their arrival.

Dropping that footage into place then allowed me to make minor adjustments to the overall flow of the piece and then drop in a few special effects.
 
 
Tomorrow: Task breakdown, overlays and final render

Details
Category: Blog
Hits: 4285
 
For those that have moved into utilizing videos as an additional communication platform, you quickly realize that just owning readily available software does not automatically enable you to produce compelling videos.
One of the biggest hurdles at the beginning is to establish a workflow. In other words, how do you go about conceptualizing the a 60 second piece?
 
Over the next couple of days I will breakdown my workflow into steps. Once that is established, your creativity will be unfettered and free to get things into into your video timeline.

1. Script

{gallery}stories/graphics/20130402,height=700,single=storyline.jpg,scaption=Storyline,single_gallery=0,salign=right,ratio_image=1{/gallery}

When you have defined your audience - which will guide what you are attempting to communicate - then write a script. Put all the words onto paper. Rewrite if necessary. Most often I will write longhand, but if I am traveling, then I use the iPad.

2. Audio track

Although many of my friends start with footage and then drop in the audio, I start with audio. This will generally take me a number of attempts - even a couple hours to find appropriate royalty-free music. I do not have the time presently to write and produce my own tracks, so I use the work of talented artists.

3. First rough draft

With the script, including transitions, I produce text holders that will serve as markers to get the general feel of the piece. This will indicate whether it might work, or whether adjustments need to be made. I do not proceed until that rough piece has been completed.
 
 
Tomorrow ... the storyboard, shooting and second draft.

Details
Category: Blog
Hits: 3342
Photo credit: Nicole_N at stock.xchng (link)
One of the biggest challenges in scaling an organization is how to keep everyone in the loop and connected. In a highly mobile, decentralized work culture, people can still remain connected when information is passed swiftly and efficiently. As one person said: Information keeps the team "in formation".
 
There are tools that will aid you in managing that tension.
 
The breakdown in any organization will be the level of communication that workers can attain. Believe me when I say it, the level of communication that your staff presently embraces is not enough to get to the next level. Without learning new skills, without adapting to the needs to communicate with others, the Facebook style of spot reporting events will simply not be enough. At the end of the day, lurkers will not get the organization to the next level. Requiring everyone to attend frequent meetings will cause mutiny.

  1. Church-Planting in Germany - Q&A Part 4