We interviewed Dr. Strayer recently in his Applied Cognition Lab on campus for our forthcoming educational video, “Deadly Driving Distractions.” He also provided us with an on-camera demo of the Lab’s $100, 000 PatrolSim II Driving Simulator.

Not only did Dr. Strayer scare the bejabbers out of us with findings such as “Impairments associated with using a cell phone while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while drunk,” he also provided straightforward, easy to understand data that will resonate with the educational video’s target audience of teens and young adults.

From the MotionMasters video vault, here are a couple of pro bono spots that we shot on our back porch. Betty did her usual great job and her co-stars in the spots are pretty cute, too. Take a look.

Video email always used to mean a message with a link to a site: click on link, wait a few seconds and then see the video referenced in the email. Roundabout, but industry norm, right?

Things are changing.

There are now two categories of video email: click-to-view video (as described above) and video in email (video is embedded to play within email; no click-through).

But, neither Flash, Java or any of the other traditional video-playing technologies work with video embedded in email. There are some alternatives, however.

An animated GIF sometimes approximates a video-like experience but without sound. Animated images/videos work everywhere except Outlook 2007; are subject to image blocking and are problematic when viewed on mobile devices.

For now, animated GIFs are the only realistic choice for getting videos to “play” in email. But new options are on the way. For example:

Google just announced a new feature in which Gmail identifies YouTube links to allow users to view the video without click-through. This suggests that inboxes may eventually open up to embedded video content where either the sender or the video source is clearly identifiable and trusted.

As certification and authentication processes evolve, we might soon see wider availability of “true” video email…But maybe the important question is not how to put videos in email, but whether you should put videos in email. We’ll discuss that topic in our next entry.

That’s Part Two. Here’s Part One: in mid-December, we set up and shot three student-discussion groups led by our former intern, Concord University student John Meadows.

We brought students from area high schools together and asked them about their driving habits. They were candid, sometimes shockingly so. When we asked them how often they checked their cell phones, the median answer was once every three minutes.

We asked the students to turn off their phones while the discussion group was in progress and then asked if it were difficult to be without instant-messaging. They all agreed that it was really hard and asked for a phone break! (Some of the students in our discussion group revealed that the average number of texts they send each day is anywhere from 200 to 400.)

Ward Hiney and Wesley Poole were each manning a camera to capture the fast-paced discussion. With the three discussion groups held in early December and an interview session (as reported in the Daily Mail on 1/15/10), the shooting for “Distracted Driving” is now moving into the expert interview stage and B-roll shooting. If you have stories or incidents involving distracted driving, send them to us via this Web site and let us contact you to talk about them.
Go to our Flickr site to see all of the pictures.

Consider these stats:
- as a nation, we watch about 16 billion Web videos each month
- that’s up 25% from just a year ago
- 80% of online viewers recall seeing a video
- 52% take action and
- 16% of online video viewers make a purchase.

LET’S TALK TRANSMEDIA

Transmedia is using multiple platforms and adapting various productions to reach—and build—an aggregate audience.

Engaging in transmedia is simply a matter of telling your story and distributing your brand message via traditional and new media outlets: radio, blogs, earned media, TV, Twitter—and a video on your site!

VSEO

When you put a three-minute video on your site, you significantly improve your rankings on Google and other search engines. It’s also been reported that a video can raise response rates by more than 100%!

Companies of all sizes and types, with products or services to sell, or a B2B message to convey, are good candidates for online videos, including law offices, retail establishments, ad agencies or colleges, churches and universities.

“If you invest in just one new marketing effort before the year is out, make it an online video,” says Diana Sole Walko, CEO, MotionMasters.

According to MotionMasters Videographer Wesley Poole, “We got lots of great angles and close-ups of the food, but we never got to taste any of it because we were shooting 100 percent of the time. I was starving when we finished!”

MotionMasters also shot interviews and cover video for an EPK, an electronic press kit that will be used by ABC affiliates to promote “Jamie’s Food Revolution.”

One hundred woks were set up by Oliver’s student chefs and hundreds more of the local residents turned out to prepare a healthful, delicious meal—and see a TV show in the making.

“It’s a very big production,” said MM Executive Producer Brian Peterson of the ABC/Disney shoot. “Well coordinated and well executed. We’ve done two shoots for the ‘Food Revolution’ series. Maybe the third time will be the charm and we’ll finally get to taste something.”

Multiple Crew Call

While Oliver’s crew (and there were plenty of them) were assigned to taping him in action at Frankie D’s Italian Chophouse, the TV show “Extra” called on us to shoot footage for its story about the much-touted “Naked Chef” (which is the name of his first TV series on the Food Network, not a reference to his commando-style of cooking).

“Extra” needed an experienced crew with state-of-the-art equipment and we supplied it. Executive Producer Brian Peterson, along with our production manager/videographer,  Doug Morris and Production Assistant Ward Hiney, signed on for the assignment in Huntington and once there, jockeyed for camera and mic positions among Oliver’s crew.

On the day we were on set, Oliver and several of his student-chefs were preparing a dinner for Huntington’s community leaders (and the kids’ parents) as part of the chef’s “Food Revolution” storyline: teaching kids how to improve their lifestyles through better nutrition.

“The restaurant was teeming with producers, directors, cameras, mics and still photographers,” says Peterson. “But Jamie took it all in stride and interacted with his young chefs in a really warm, personal way.”

We also were present (and rolling) when Oliver was presented with his designation of honorary West Virginian, a title he seemed genuinely touched to receive.

Stay tuned to this blog to find out when the “Extra” segments will air in the coming months. Check out these pics from the shoot and take a look at more on Flickr.

Why online video works so well

A simple three-minute video on your Web site can sell, influence, persuade, inform, explain or introduce products, services and staff. It can be a demonstration, a quick lesson, a life story, a limited-time offer or testimonials from clients and customers. It can even be crazy and weird and go viral. But most of all, video is personal and it’s a sure-fire way to connect with visitors to your Web site.

Online video gives your firm an advantage over competitors without Web videos. Once visitors get to your site and see you or your staff in action, they’re more likely to become engaged with whatever you have to tell—or—sell them. Showing somebody something almost always trumps telling somebody about something.

Who uses Web video?

Companies of all sizes and types can make good use of online video, especially if your product, service or offer translates well to a visual message. Consumer goods or business-to-business services generally fit within this category. But so do attorneys, physicians, real estate agents and financial advisers. “Meet” your potential customer, client—even a future patient— with a video on your Web site and earn instant credibility.

To keep your video from having too much of a home-made look and feel, it’s wise to have it shot and edited professionally. We can help you with budget, script, props, wardrobe and everything else you need to make your online video boost that bottom line. Remember, it’s not a vanity piece (although you will be proud of the way it works for you); online video is an investment that’s sure to garner a strong return.

See some of our online video work at www.MotionMasters.com or give Diana Sole Walko a call at 304-345-8800 to talk about putting online video to work for you.

Whether it is shooting underground in a coal mine or in a hospital operating room, MotionMasters crews know how to work closely with the client to tell a compelling story without compromising the team at work.

Doug Morris (in foreground) and Brian Peterson recently traveled to Beckley, WV to videotape an operation at Raleigh General Hospital.  Both are experienced at working in surgical settings.

MotionMasters has videotaped in hospitals across the country producing informational videos ranging from emergency room operations to joint replacement and birthing units.

The footage from Raleigh General will be used in a continuing series of television commercials shot by MotionMasters about new technology and skilled staff at the hospital.

(From the WV Record – 8/25/09)

CHARLESTON — A 27-minute documentary about the history of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the Supreme Court Chamber designed by architect Cass Gilbert, and the structure of the West Virginia court system will be debuted at 6 p.m. September 2 at the West Virginia Culture Center.

“Foundation of Justice: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia” will be shown to an audience of invited guests at the conclusion of the West Virginia State Bar’s annual reception for the Supreme Court on the first day of its Fall Term of Court.

The press is invited to join the Court’s guests to watch the film after the Bar reception ends.

The film will be shown to the public at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 3 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The Supreme Court in September 2007 agreed to fund the film, which was produced by MotionMasters of Charleston and completed late this spring. It is narrated by Justice Thomas McHugh.

Supreme Court Administrator Steve Canterbury suggested McHugh would be perfect for the project long before anyone knew about Justice Joseph P. Albright’s illness, or that then-Senior Status Justice McHugh would be appointed to fill in for him either during his illness or after his death.

“I wanted to narrate the film,” McHugh said. “I felt very close to the judicial branch of government. I wanted to do my part to tell others about the judicial branch.

“I really wanted to see our history more documented. Our history has been lost sometimes. I wanted to give those who follow us a glimpse of how we performed our duty to West Virginia.”

The DVD is designed to be the length of about one class period, plus allow for some discussion time. McHugh made a presentation about the DVD to the West Virginia Board of Education on Aug. 13, and he received the Board’s permission to distribute it to state schools.

The Supreme Court since has sent copies to middle school West Virginia studies teachers and high school teachers of civics, history and law courses, in both public and private schools. Accompanying class activities are available on the Supreme Court Web site at http://www.state.wv.us/wvsca/kidspage/FoundationJustice.htm.

Members of the Court staff are working with the West Virginia Civics Literacy Council on coordinating use of the DVD with Constitution Day activities. Constitution Day is Sept. 17.

Each year the YMCA of the Kanawha Valley pays tribute to an individual in our community whose life personifies the spirit of giving. This marks the 9th year that MotionMasters has produced the video tribute. MotionMasters collected approximately 200 pictures, conducted several interviews and uncovered archival video to weave into the production.

Charlie’s truly an inspiration. See for yourself!

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Pew found that 62 percent of its survey respondents said they’d watched a video online, up from 33 percent in the previous survey.

That figure outranks by a large margin the portion of adult Americans who spend time social networking sites like Facebook (46 percent) or on status-updating sites like Twitter (11 percent).

Read the full article here: Social Media Leading to Web Video Boom