On the Set

<p>
If you are a filmmaker and probably not getting a breakthrough in TV broadcast or Cinema, your best shot is probably capturing events. The money is not as good as in filming for TV but that doesn’t mean you must compromise the quality of your work. Why? …Because it is your name that is on it.<br />
<br />
In my career, I have come across quit e a number of DVDs; be it for weddings, product launches, festivals, seminars or workshops. The common mistake that I have spotted is that most of these DVDs are not different from footage that has been dumped into the DVD and the only added element is music or a few video transitions here and there. There is no pace, no mood, let alone an interest created for the viewer.<br />
<br />
How then do you create TV quality material with no script? Firstly, upon receiving a brief from your client, try as much as you can to find out about the people attending the event. Get old footage from the client in the form of pictures or videos. When capturing the event, always make notes of what speakers talk about. Get relevant cutaways within the event. At times, you may need to take an extra day to gather more footage that will make your product interesting. Yes the client won’t pay for extra days of shoot. Just hide that fee in your quotation.<br />
<br />
Once you have all your footage, take some time out to view it from beginning to the end before you start editing. Then decide on what genre you want to present it. I normally choose between documentary and magazine. Then create a twenty seconds montage for your intro.<br />
<br />
Make sure that your final product is interactive from the beginning. You achieve this by having random interviews with the people at the event. Have these people serve as commentators in your video. Let them tell the story of the event. Your main speeches should be the main body of your product.<br />
<br />
Remember, you are a filmmaker and your name is on everything you produce. For more on this and other tips on cinematograph, visit and like our Facebook page Jamnjazz Media Holdigs. Be Informed! Be Empowered!</p>

On the Set

If you are a filmmaker and probably not getting a breakthrough in TV broadcast or Cinema, your best shot is probably capturing events. The money is not as good as in filming for TV but that doesn’t mean you must compromise the quality of your work. Why? …Because it is your name that is on it.

In my career, I have come across quit e a number of DVDs; be it for weddings, product launches, festivals, seminars or workshops. The common mistake that I have spotted is that most of these DVDs are not different from footage that has been dumped into the DVD and the only added element is music or a few video transitions here and there. There is no pace, no mood, let alone an interest created for the viewer.

How then do you create TV quality material with no script? Firstly, upon receiving a brief from your client, try as much as you can to find out about the people attending the event. Get old footage from the client in the form of pictures or videos. When capturing the event, always make notes of what speakers talk about. Get relevant cutaways within the event. At times, you may need to take an extra day to gather more footage that will make your product interesting. Yes the client won’t pay for extra days of shoot. Just hide that fee in your quotation.

Once you have all your footage, take some time out to view it from beginning to the end before you start editing. Then decide on what genre you want to present it. I normally choose between documentary and magazine. Then create a twenty seconds montage for your intro.

Make sure that your final product is interactive from the beginning. You achieve this by having random interviews with the people at the event. Have these people serve as commentators in your video. Let them tell the story of the event. Your main speeches should be the main body of your product.

Remember, you are a filmmaker and your name is on everything you produce. For more on this and other tips on cinematograph, visit and like our Facebook page Jamnjazz Media Holdigs. Be Informed! Be Empowered!