Strife.tv

20/10/2022

Are you a creator that wants to get paid to make videos for a big brand?

That was me when I was a film student. The dream of creating commercials for huge brands so you can have bragging rights to your friends and family that your work is on network TV.

Although, that pathway toward producing commercials wasn't easy or taught in schools. Directing a commercial for Nike wasn't a simple, cut-and-dry career path but was actually guarded by gatekeepers who wanted to only work with creators with extensive credits or friends that they wanted to give a chance.

Over the years, I've learned different ways to work with big brands like Amazon, Ring, Colgate, and Spotify, and it's only made my portfolio better to close bigger deals.

In this video, I'm going to teach you how I find and pitch to brands, close the deal, and work with them so they want to hire me again.

21/09/2022

If you want to keep your clients or your job, you have to stop taking things personally.

From notes to suggestions for your work, you have to play the political game to keep your client so they pay you more in the future. This also applies to y'all who work in-house or on a production that needs to know how to act around your boss so you get promoted or a raise.

I've worked with various contractors recently and the ones I kept on hiring were punctual and friendly, while the ones I let go were arrogant and late.

It's important for you to know how to conduct yourself in front of clients and bosses so you can advance in your career. You can be the most talented creative in the world, but if no one likes working with you, they'll just hire someone just as good as you but who has the social skills to keep their job.

In this video, I'm going to run through some tips and advice on how to act in front of your clients or bosses so you impress them and you keep on working.

12/09/2022

Some creatives don't like talking to people, let alone going to business meetings to land a sale.

Most creative folks I know are shy introverts with a small group of close friends that prefer to create alone at home. Some of them can hold up a conversation at a dinner party but freak out when they're pitching a project in a business meeting or looking for new contacts at a networking event.

I'm one of those people and get incredibly nervous when I have to speak in front of a large group of people, schmooz at an after Sundance after party, or pitch my business in front of a room filled with executives.

How do I get over the jitters and make myself seem socially gifted?

The greatest book on this subject is "How To Win Friends And Influence People" by Dale Carnegie, which helped me enhance my business networking, pitching prowess, and social skills.

It's important for creatives to learn social skills and be good at it because unless you have unlimited amounts of cash to create the projects you want or a flexible job that pays well so you can finance your passion with your paycheck, most creatives have to pitch their projects to people with money to get them made.

In this video, I'm going to go through some very simple tricks to help you deal with social interactions and business conversations so you can not only look like you're the most likable person in the world but that you actually care about what the other person has to say.

06/09/2022

You're missing out on your dream job because you have a horrible online presence.

Get more work by optimizing your branding so people see your work, understand your experience, and can contact you directly.

I've recently been looking to hire people for various roles for my production company and I'm surprised to see so many talented folks getting cut from the short list because they didn't take the time to update their LinkedIn profiles or even both to have a website.

How does an employer like myself learn about your skillset and reach out to you for work if I can't even watch your reel or access your email online?

This is crucial for a lot of creatives out there who are looking for gigs, jobs, and work. Optimize your online presence by doing the simple steps in this video and you'll get employers putting you on their shortlists because you took the time to look professional online.

15/08/2022

Budgeting a project properly will make or break your production. If you don't have enough money to pay your crew, you have to go out of pocket, ask for more money, or stop production.

You also don't want to budget too high and price yourself out of a deal. So what's the proper way of pitching and managing a budget?

In this video, I'm going to give you some tips I've learned from managing hundreds of productions and hundreds of thousands of dollars in budgets over the past 15 years.

From what you should be pitching to a client, how much you should be keeping as a company, to adding contingencies to make sure you have some money left over for emergencies.

I've learned this from managing budgets for brands like Zapier, Amazon, Stella Rosa, and more so my goal is to give you some guidance as to how to budget videos so you get the best quality, pay your crew and talent, and your client is happy with the product while keeping some profit for your company.

12/08/2022

11/08/2022

Are you editing remotely and need to share your screen so your team or client can give you notes live?

A lot of video and film editing has gone remotely since the pandemic and has made it easier for teams across the world to collaborate.

Although, it's tough to go back and forth on notes on a video for minor changes when an in-person meeting would usually clear up any questions. But what's the best way to have a meeting without having it be in-person?

The solution is screen-sharing platforms so that video editors can share their screen, have their video project and editing program open, and let the team or client watch the screen and talk via video chat.

There are several ways to do this but you need to be able to stream high-quality video that doesn't crash your system, glitch from bad wifi, or look different from what you're seeing on your editing program.

In this video, I'm going to talk about 4 platforms that the film industry uses, as well as a cheaper option for freelancers.

01/08/2022

Do you need to hire a crew for your next video shoot but don't want to pay posting fees? Are you a freelancer that's looking for the best platforms to find work?

I've produced a lot of video shoots and finding the right talent is an art form in itself. It's a balance between finding the most talented and the most cooperative so you end up with a set that runs smoothly without drama.

Most job posting platforms require you to pay a fee to post. Others don't have the best talent and are filled with scammers. After years of hiring videographers, hair and make-up artists, and sound recordists, here are the top 3 platforms that have been my go-to for finding talented video crew members for free.

25/07/2022

Do you need to color your video using Da Vinci or an outside vendor?

You can also color with Lumetri within Premiere but you won't have the power and range that you get in DaVinci Resolve. Sometimes it's best to work with a professional colorist so you can have a 3rd party opinion on your color and extra hands to help the project move forward on schedule.

Prepping your files for color can be confusing but there are 3 simple ways of going from Premiere to DaVinci for the whole color workflow. As for people who edit on Final Cut or Avid, this will also be a similar process using EDL's, XML's, and uncompressed files.

In this video, I'll walk through the 3 ways to color your video in DaVinci Resolve and prep your files so your colorist has what they need to execute.

21/07/2022

Are you curious about the post-production process? Do you need to upgrade your workflow or see how the professionals do it?

As videographers, we're used to doing everything on our own. From shooting to editing to color correction to versioning. Although, as you get bigger budgets and projects, you are able to hire other departments to execute the vision and take the weight off your shoulders.

Whether you are a director or video editor, knowing the proper post-production process will help you complete projects faster, work with bigger clients and agencies, and also streamline your workflow so you can take on more projects.

I learned this recently working with a broadcast commercial production company and one of their clients, which is the everything store (hint hint). I thought I knew everything about how to finish a video after you've shot it but I'm learning a lot about offline and online editing, versioning, finishing, and how to prepare files for colorists, VFX artists, and sound mixers.

In this video, I'm going to give you a quick overview of the post-production process the commercial industry uses and tips on how to avoid mistakes.

15/07/2022

You need to invest in a video collaboration tool if you want a better experience working with clients.

These websites and platforms allow your clients or creative team to add notes to your videos so you know exactly where to make edits without being confused about what to change.

From annotating on the screen to syncing with Adobe Premiere, these tools will give you the ability to determine which parts of your video cuts your viewer wants to modify, consolidate notes, and give your clients a professional experience.

These are the top 3 tools out there right now and I'm going to break down why they are great and why you should invest.

29/06/2022

If you're producing a video, you need to know how to manage projects to make sure you deliver on time.

There are many methods and techniques that you can apply, but at the end of the day, it's all about knowing the key things you need to keep track of and keeping everything organized so nothing falls through the cracks.

But face it, no one is perfect and productions can sometimes divert from original plans.

You can download apps, use a daily planner, or even hire an assistant but you can't escape the inevitability of managing people and their diverse personalities to get them to do what they need to do to execute the project on schedule, within the budget, while keeping the original vision intact.

In this video, I'm going to discuss the different ways that I prep myself and my crew to make sure that I manage a project effectively while still keeping everyone excited about working.

20/06/2022

Livestreaming is an essential part of a video strategy and a lot of companies are investing in the medium.

So what are the best tools and equipment to use for a professional live stream?

Streaming has become ubiquitous these days with Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, and other social media platforms that make livestreaming a native feature.

Since the pandemic, a lot of people are familiar with using Zoom to hold meetings as well as live virtual summits and webinars.

There's also OBS Live and Restream, 2 apps that I use to stream high quality video to multiple platforms.

So in other words, it can get confusing and overwhelming when trying to figure out what are the essential tools to have to stream professionally for yourself or a client.

In this video, I'm going to give you some tips, tricks, and an overview of what I use to stream for myself and for clients.

15/06/2022

Having the right team in post makes it easier for you to deliver your video on time without doing everything by yourself.

Most videographers started their careers as the camera operator, director, producer, and editor which is ok for small projects but can be a headache when you're dealing with lots of footage and quick deadlines.

Filmmaking and video production is a team sport, so finding and developing the right team can make everything not only easier but also more fun because you get to actually be creative rather than stress out about taking on multiple roles.

In this video, I'm going to talk about the steps I take to find and manage talent in post.

09/05/2022

Do you know how to produce a video without things falling through the cracks? Have you ever produced a video perfectly beforehand only to have accidents happen on set?

Coordinating and managing a video shoot is much more difficult than it seems. But after years of experience, I've learned a thing or two about how to produce an efficient video shoot.

It really comes down to communication, organization, and problem-solving. The main components to organize are the crew, talent, equipment, and locations.

You have to get everything approved and confirmed before the shoot and make sure everyone knows their role and expectations. As a director, you have to tell the talent the vision of the video so they can perform accordingly. You also have to establish the roles of crew members so no one is too overwhelmed or you have extra PA's sitting around doing nothing.

In this video, I'll talk about what I've learned over the years that have helped me ensure that my shoots are organized, efficient, and fun places to work at.

02/05/2022

A video is nothing without a script.

The script is the crux of all filmmaking and is an essential part of the production process. Though, if you're not a writer, how do you write a script for a brand that both markets its product and keeps people watching?

It's a careful balance because if you sell too much, people will be turned off by the video but if you don't sell at all, then the brand won't get any positive ROI or the results they want - unless it's just a fun piece they want to be involved in.

Videos, films, and content should consist of a beginning, middle, and end - or 3 acts. For marketing, there's also Call To Actions, the pain points and solution the product solves, and the value propositions that the company offers that make them unique

All of these factors play into writing an effective script for branded content and marketing videos so I'll break down all of these points with more secrets in this video.

18/04/2022

After working with Zapier, Sony, Spotify, and more, I've learned the 3 things that they look for in videos in 2022.

Working with big brands is exciting though it is a lot of work. You have to produce high-quality content with a short turnaround time that needs to be approved by a bunch of executives and departments.

I've pitched and closed some big national brands and they always ask for the same things when it comes to deliverables. You of course need to feature their logo and CTA somewhere so it drives brand recall and conversions.

You also need to provide multiple aspect ratios for all social media platforms for ads so make sure to film accordingly.

There are several cutdowns you need to create so it's not just one video.

Plus you have to make sure everything is legally allowed to be distributed, as in music, 3rd party logos, talent, etc.

I'll walk through the top 3 things brands look for in videos and will let you know how to make brands love your content so much they'll hire you again.

11/04/2022

Need a website for your video business that converts and gets you clients?

I've been researching websites for production companies, marketing agencies, and video creators for years to perfect my own website so I can get more clients.

The idea is to show people your past work so they know that you can execute their video project.

Add testimonials for social proof and case studies so people can see how your services have helped other companies and individuals.

Make your contact page and information easy to find so people can contact you about hiring you.

Tell the story of you and your company's background so people can know your story and connect with your brand.

Break down your services and how they help your target audience get their dream outcome.

Having a website is crucial for you to be competitive in this digital world, so watch this video to figure out how to create a website for a video business.

04/04/2022

Do you have a solid onboarding process for your clients so nothing falls through the cracks?

Having to do reshoots for a client is time-consuming and costly, so having a proper onboarding process that gets everyone on the same page is crucial in ensuring that the project gets shot correctly.

It all starts with the proposal and contract so each of you knows what needs to be delivered by when. A creative brief is necessary to make sure all creative aspects like story, message, and tone are established. Moodboards, shotlists, and scripts are also needed to make sure you are able to convey the client's vision through video.

All these steps require strong communication and it's always good to have a kick-off or onboarding call to hammer out all of the details and answer any questions.

In this video, I'll walk through my onboarding process that has helped me execute multiple projects at the same time without having to reshoot.

28/03/2022

You will be more successful with your video career and business if you targeted a niche rather than doing all types of videos for any industry.

If you create wedding videos, music videos, short films, and food videography, your company doesn't have any focus and is spread too thin when it comes to specialization.

Target a specific niche and when you dominate that niche, start tapping into other industries. Amazon started as an online book store and now creates streaming content - it started with books but grew into an everything store.

In this video, we'll talk about how to find and target that niche so you can have a specialized video business in spaces that have less competition.

21/03/2022

Pitching to big brands can seem daunting but they are leaning on creatives like yourself to tell them what to do.

Getting bigger clients and higher-paying deals requires you to pitch and close deals with companies that have big budgets. Closing those deals requires you to pitch.

This can be done in person, over Zoom, or sometimes over email. The idea is to get it done in person or on a call or video chat so you can handle objections and build rapport. Trying to pitch via email may save time, but doesn't help with establishing a positive relationship that can overshadow a lack of experience.

I've been able to close deals with Colgate, HBO, Zapier, and by knowing what the brand truly wanted, explaining my unique solutions to their problems, and customizing my pitch according to their current state and questions.

The trick is to do it within 20 minutes while making them trust you, trust your product, and trust your company.

In this video, I'll go through the steps to take to craft a solid pitch that will help you close deals with brands.

14/03/2022

Having trouble closing deals? Want a more professional sales process so your prospects say "yes" and feel comfortable working with you?

Sales is a tough part of owning a business and can be confusing. There are a lot of sales gurus, courses, books, and information out there that have all the high-pressure, "always be closing" sales tactics that can make you come off like a used car salesman.

The best way to get clients is to listen and understand their needs and wants, and then provide a solution that's tailored to their business.

To do this, you must listen to your prospect, then provide your unique solution, and then lay it out in clear writing with examples so they can see your solution visually.

This can be done with a discovery call, demo call, and proposal. In this video, I'm going to walk you through the 3-step process that has helped me land 5-figure deals with multi-million dollar brands.

07/03/2022

Having trouble managing your team when trying to complete a video project?

Creating videos is fun but can be difficult when you are working with a lot of people. There are egos to deal with, working styles that clash, and personalities that may not align.

This usually results in creators working by themselves or with a small team they trust, but when budgets and productions get bigger, how do you manage a team so you are all on the same page creatively and you get the job done on time?

In this video, I'll talk about the 3 ways that have helped me manage my team towards completing a video - in pre-production, on set, and post-production.

28/02/2022

Do you want to hire an animator to add some cool animation to your video?

Having animation or motion graphics on your video can add an extra level of production value. You can try to do it yourself, but working with an animator or animation studio is the best way to ensure you get high-quality animation.

Working with an animator can be difficult if you don't convey your vision properly and clearly for them to understand. Plus, it may take a little longer and cause you to delay your deliverables.

The idea is to send reference videos and images, provide pre-made designs and assets, and communicate your notes clearly.

In this video, I'm going to give you some tips on how to work with animators so you can get the best animation that aligns with your vision.

22/02/2022

Want to know how to direct talent so you get the best performances on your video?

Directing actors and talent can seem difficult and challenging but if you do it right, you can end up with an amazing video.

Leadership and directing go hand in hand and I always believed that acting is a skill just like a camera operator, make-up artist, or sound recordist. You're all part of one crew that has a unified goal for the day - capture all the shots on schedule.

With that in mind, you have to make sure that you have a comfortable set that actors can feel safe in so they are ok with being vulnerable to truly express the character they perceive should be on-screen.

You have to know the craft of acting itself and how to speak with actors so they understand what you are trying to convey in your direction.

There's also knowing how to communicate your notes and adjustments clearly so you get the performance that you want while keeping the talent inspired and motivated to keep going.

All of this also applies to real people that you capture for corporate interviews or documentaries. Make sure they are comfortable on set and know what you truly want from them on-screen through clear communication.

In this video, I'll discuss all of this and all the things I've learned from books, mentors, courses, and experience which have helped me earn the reputation of a great director with a positive, safe set.

14/02/2022

Do want to hire a virtual assistant but have no idea what they should do?

Hiring your first VA is an exciting but daunting experience. You have someone that can handle the work that you don't have time to accomplish so you can spend more time being creative or building your business. The thing is, you need to lead your assistant they know what they're doing rather than just sitting around all day, getting paid to look at their phone.

After years of hiring numerous VA's, I have a solid team that I can trust and makes my life easier. I've found that the top 3 things they need to do on a daily basis are lead generation, scheduling and confirming meetings, and checking direct messages and emails.

In this video, I'll show you how I have my VA's do these tasks and more, and how to make sure they don't ruin your business with mistakes.

07/02/2022

Directing and shooting videos remotely can be difficult.

Because of COVID, more companies are opting for this option as Zoom has made it easy for people to video chat.

Also, webcams aren't the best quality and laptop mics aren't the best.

So how do you prevent yourself from having to reshoot?

In this video, I'll go over the top 3 mistakes I've made directing remotely and what I've done to solve them to prepare for future shoots.

24/01/2022

Are you trying to manage a team remotely and want to know the best apps to make make sure everyone is on the same page?

Growing as a video creator can be fun but also tough when it's time to actually manage and run a business. Even hiring a team to execute a video idea can be hard for most creatives because you're so used to just being an artist and getting things done on your own.

Delegation is key when growing a business and also creating a high-quality video in higher budget ranges. Films aren't created with 1-person teams so leading a crew is crucial when producing videos with bigger budgets.

Let's not forget running a business and making sure your assistant, producer, editor, accountant, and other staff members are on the same page, while you try to write a script for your next project.

So the best way to keep things organized is to use apps that make leading teams easier. In this video, we'll talk about the 3 apps that have helped me manage and lead teams so I can continue to be creative while my team can produce videos without me.

20/01/2022

Want to get more leads and increase sales for your business?

I'm going to show you 3 techniques that I've used that's helped me get clients and projects consistently without having to spend money on ads.

It's about utilizing Affiliates and Partnerships with other companies and agencies, Personalized Mass Emails, and Industry Specific Networking Groups.

Watch this video in full and learn how to automate 50-100 emails a day so you're prospecting in your sleep.

13/12/2021

Creating video content is a team activity. It's tough doing everything by yourself and it can get frustrating trying to take on multiple projects. That's why building a team is essential to your video production growth.

But how do you build one without sacrificing your voice and quality?

In this video, I'm going to teach you the steps I take to build a successful video team. From a 2 person to 50 person team, I've learned how to get people on board, collaborate on set, and feel proud to be part of my production.

Watch this video to help you delegate to a talented team you get along with so you don't end up burning out doing everything on your own!