As amateurish as our debut foray into the exciting world of video is, I have seen worse. That’s only part of the good news. I am also proud to say that we can only improve from this point forward. And, having been through it once, we have a better idea of how to improve, plus we have put a large chunk of the learning curve behind us.
I’ll share a couple of observations and one plea.
Observations:
- No matter how I tried, walking through a home while shooting video is all but impossible for one of limited talents and equipment. (That would be me.) The resulting shakiness made me seasick. Therefore, I concluded that the best solution would be to use a combination of stills and video to get the message across.
- Five minutes is too long, but I really had a hard time editing out my beloved Scripps Ranch footage, so I didn’t.
- I have absolutely NO future in film WHATSOEVER, and by this I mean neither from behind nor in front of the camera.
- I had a tendency to be too far away, which is good from an ego standpoint but bad from the perspective of viewing experience.
- The audio sucks, which brings me to the…
Plea:
Can anyone recommend a good microphone and where I might purchase said microphone? A sound studio is definitely not in my future, and while having the home videos professionally produced would address this issue, we are going to have to crank out a half-dozen of these a month, which makes that route both time and cost prohibitive.
Now, on with the show.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Jason Mook
02.04.08 at 8:40 pm
Not bad at all for a first production. I think you did well to work with stills and keep the live shot to a minimum. Plus, you’re the only agent that I’ve seen actually add humor successfully to a listing video. Hearing your mouse click to end a recorded section made me chuckle a bit, but I think you did a pretty decent job Kris.
Kris Berg
02.04.08 at 8:55 pm
Jason - You are being too kind, of course. So, what is the answer to the all-important microphone question?
Keeping live shot to a minimum. Hmmm… Thanks.
Our standard visual tours are great. The only reason for taking it “video” is to introduce the human element (perhaps a bad strategic decision, considering the outcome) along with the ability to introduce the community.
I’m on the fence, honestly.
Alex Mather
02.04.08 at 10:03 pm
A few things to consider, refute, or ignore:
1. Save the neighborhood info for the end of the video. The house is star of the film.
2. Figure out a way to stabilize your camera and scrap the still shots. I can scroll through 15 still photos at a much higher quality in 5 seconds. With video, users are looking for grittier, less staged view of the home. Imagine a dating website and only seeing airbrushed glamour shots of your potential date. At some point the serious shopper is going to see the home in less-than-perfect lighting.
3. Wear the same outfit throughout the video. I knew it was you because you’re somewhat of a RE.net celebrity but I still got confused for a second and thought there were two agents presenting the home.
Jeff Brown
02.04.08 at 10:11 pm
Can I have your autograph?
Sean Purcell
02.05.08 at 7:06 am
Kris,
I thought it was tremendous. Other than agreeing with Alex as far as wearing the same outfit for continuity I don’ think I would change a thing. It is comfortable and conversational, much as I would expect were I looking at the property with you in person.
I believe marketing success in Real Estate is usually personality based. Clients are going to do business with you, Kris Berg, because they see themselves in you (or you in them, or a better version of themselves in you, or… I’m never sure about the whole metaphysical thing.) People like people like themselves.
Watching this I enjoyed the property, smiled, laughed and felt like I was interacting (electronically) with a real person and not a professionally designed image of what a marketing firm thinks I would find appealing. KUDOS!
Kris Berg
02.05.08 at 7:43 am
The outfit thing - Let me explain. It was raining on off and on for a week. Not the charming, misting kind of rain that gives ones hair an attractive sheen, but a “where did I park my ark?” kind of downpour. So, when the rains came, we had to abort. When it was reshoot time, dufus (me) forgot to turn her mike on for half of it, so I had a lovely five minutes of silent movie footage. Who knew that a bunch of men would notice what I am wearing?
I knew the result would be either so bad it’s good, or just bad. Either way, give me props for trying! We’ll get better.
Jay Thompson
02.05.08 at 11:38 am
“Who knew that a bunch of men would notice what I am wearing?”
No comment.
I liked it. Your fab personality showed, and I’m with Sean — that is crucial.
Is is too long though. I’ve never done one, but I suspect leaving something on the cutting room floor is as difficult as whacking out a portion of a blog post. Sometimes it’s hard to let go.
As for the mike, beats me. Try Jeff Turner, Mike Price or the Zebra. Those videoheads may have the answer.
Jason Mook
02.05.08 at 12:03 pm
I don’t know the answer to the microphone question personally. I think Jay’s got the right idea.
I agree with Alex that you could mention first that you’ll be showing your viewers the neighborhood at the end, jump right in to the house, and then of course tackle the neighborhood last.
I disagree with Alex though that grittier is better. Unless you have a multi-thousand dollar steady-cam, shooting a “walking tour” of a home can be off-putting. Taking a bumpy roller coaster ride through a home after dinner isn’t my idea of a good home tour. I think the video narration should highlight the most interesting (or most important to your sellers) aspects of the home, and leave the rest to still or moving pictures (not video).
I thought you had a good mix of audio with stills and live video/audio. The change in audio from recording on video to recording on computer (???) was probably your weakest part - which wasn’t terrible. Could you record your audio only parts on the camera and peel it off with your program? Consistent audio would be a big plus.
Jason Mook
02.05.08 at 12:07 pm
Here’s some decent steady-cam work. I don’t mind watching this.
Kris Berg
02.06.08 at 7:41 am
Jason,
That is a great link - Thanks! Well done, but (alas) professionally done. So, the answer may lie somewhere in the middle. Have a professional do the steady cam work, and I splice in live (with me or Steve) footage and voiceovers in during post.
Which leaves me with the audio issue. Grabbing just the audio from the camera is not a bad patch, but there has to be a better way.
I appreciate all of your help, guys.
Don Reedy
02.07.08 at 8:26 am
Kris,
Lots of good comments, and yep, I noticed your change of attire as well. We’re not just XY chromosomes, you know!
A few comments: I’m in the process of attempting the same type of videos, and know intrinsically that a good mic is needed. (But I have no info for you, and need the same advice). Your video highlights that. Was struck by the well lit inside stills and the rather cloudy exteriors. Again, just a “sense” of unease, but not critical. Also agree it’s a bit too long, for XY’s that is.
How about this for a comment? Your writing is exquisite, and brings all your attributes to life. Your style is mature, comedic, sometimes pragmatic, and always unexpected. Soooooo, you should create your videos around trying to highlight and expose the properties with the same style.
I would look for you to create your own persona via video. What’s your favorite visual style or pleasure? For example, do you like Emeril or Rachel Ray? Are you a Fox Alert kinda gal, or PBS viewer? Do you enjoy Katie Couric or Bill O’Reilly? Which commercials do you actually watch? Does your video have a beginning, middle and end? What’s the “rest of the story” about this home?
Every home has a story, and in the hands of a skillful “author” the video has to bring texture to what you would write, if that was all you could do. How about if you did NOT try to show all the features and benefits of the home with the video, letting the stills do that in a section of the film, but rather created the video component around only one or two features or benefits that really turned you on? If you did that, then the skill set/passion that shines and prospers in your writing would find its alter ego on film. And thus, a Star is Born!
Conclusion: I watched the TV show this past year where young film makers squared off to create small films and then go on to work with Spielberg. I was struck by the fact that it’s the writing that eventually makes the piece work or not. You should be very proud of your first actual filming. When you do your next one, though, ask yourself if you’re willing to let your personality out of the box for people to see, just like you do when you write. I hope the answer will be “yes.”
Kris Berg
02.07.08 at 12:16 pm
Don,
Wow! Your comment probably took more time than my video.
That’s a lot to think about. I’m off to think outside of the box, although copying others has always felt a lot safer.
Don Reedy
02.07.08 at 3:22 pm
Kris,
Wow is right! I can get pretty wrapped up in a single thought, and to me it seems such a short time. Sorry about the lack of brevity.
And you don’t have to “think outside the box”……just let yourself “go free outside the box.” I think you’ll find your wings out there.
Sven
02.13.08 at 1:12 pm
Looks good!
David at Propety Technology Blog
03.05.08 at 11:13 pm
I really liked the piano under-toning throughout the stills.
As for a microphone, I think a good wireless lavaliere would suit you quite well here. It needn’t be too expensive, as you are just doing voice recording. But something you clip on will help even out your sound; I counted 4 different recording environments here. Start at your local Guitar Center and ask for help with a microphone. Explain what you want to do as well as the equipment you have (your camera, computer, editing software, etc.), and they will make sure you walk out with everything you need.
Kris Berg
03.06.08 at 7:52 am
Thanks, David. Time dictated that I take a break from tackling the home video projects, but I do plan on getting back to it. And, thanks to my 15-year-old, I do know how to get to the guitar store.