CMC TV Commercial

[saabman]

As part of our efforts to get the word out in the County we have decided to make a 30 second commerical to air on WAGM.

Time is short to produce the commerical. We have 7-10 days to get it done. Matt has stepped up to secure the voice over talent. Justin do you want to do the video.

The key points I feel should be conveyed

- What is the event (Autocross)
- Where is it (Loring, Limestone)
- When is it (Aug 21/22)
- Who are we (CMC)
- Where to get more information (our website)

The commerical needs to be produced in standard definition with a total run time of 30 seconds. From my experience, we should put 1/2 second of black on the head and tail (within the 30 seconds)

A/X is a moving sport, so we need some good snipets of video. Not youtube but the source video you sent recorded. 1-3 seconds of high energy footage (video and sound). Quicktime, or AVI preferred. I am happy to collect the materials.

This used to be the business I was in, but my studio no longer exists so I am not in a position to do this but I can consult.



First order of business is to create a storyboard and work up a script.

[White&Nerdy]

Wow. Well, I have plenty of autocross video in my archives (which is good, because on this timetable we can't go shoot fresh video at an event soon enough). I save everything, and I'd be happy to share. My editing software is no better than Windows Movie Maker, and I'm less enthused about the Windows 7 version I currently run than the old XP version with more features.

At any rate, I'm in for sharing video and being involved in the process. Pam said she's willing to provide voice talent if we can work out the scheduling (during a weekday, or some evening after her son is in bed). She's done voiceovers professionally.

[saabman]

Making an effective video is not about the tool, but about the vision and creative talent. Can you talk during the day, PM me your number and I will call you. Time is very short.

I have buyout music and special effects audio that is available for use in the project too.

[Zoomy]

I think another major key point should be that we want the local population to bring their cars out and participate and to try autocross. This is a whole new automotive sport to the folks up that way and there are a lot of people (that I spoke to personally) that don't have a clue as to what autocross is and that they can be a part of it using their cars. Should also stress the $10 discount for registering online (money is tight up in the county) and also FREE ADMISSION for spectators. A lot of people will come out and watch simply because it's new to the area especially knowing that it's not going to cost them anything.

[Zoomy]

Is it possible to do sort of a split screen ad? For instance one half of the screen filled with video of cars competing and running silent or perhaps with a bit of engine sound while the other half talks about the event location, time, price, etc. Just trying to think of a way of maximizing the visual effect to spark interest while still fulfilling the info side of the house.

[Zoomy]

Sorry to keep posting, but another thought just came to mind. When I recently wrote a radio ad for a festival the salesperson told me to limit the ad to 100 words or less. That was pretty much the limit as to how fast a professional DJ could speak clearly and effectively without talking so fast that the info would be missed. That's part of the reason why I was thinking about the split ad scenario...capitalizing on the visual info as well as the audio to pack in as much as possible without overloading peoples' senses.

[DirtyThirtyIX]

The singer for Ten Penny Grin has agreed to do the VO.

[saabman]

So Carl, do you want to work up the script??

[Zoomy]

So Carl, do you want to work up the script??

I'll give it a try...we can talk tonight before/after the meeting about it.

[saabman]

Sounds like a plan. See you there tonight.

[White&Nerdy]

Just catching up on this. I'd hoped to make it to the meeting, but got stuck on the road till 6:45.

I agree, Chris - it's all about having an eye for what looks good. Nobody cares if you used Premiere or WMM if it looks good. I don't have a way to do split screen, but I can do captions, transitions, and such.

I think the best thing to do at this point is work up a script (go, Carl!) and then match appropriate footage to it. I've got a bunch of my own from the past few years for starters. Once I have the recorded voiceover, I can assemble the footage around it, though I can start selecting shots to use before then. Add a dash of royalty free music, and serve.

[Zoomy]

Just catching up on this. I'd hoped to make it to the meeting, but got stuck on the road till 6:45.

I agree, Chris - it's all about having an eye for what looks good. Nobody cares if you used Premiere or WMM if it looks good. I don't have a way to do split screen, but I can do captions, transitions, and such.

I think the best thing to do at this point is work up a script (go, Carl!) and then match appropriate footage to it. I've got a bunch of my own from the past few years for starters. Once I have the recorded voiceover, I can assemble the footage around it, though I can start selecting shots to use before then. Add a dash of royalty free music, and serve.

Matt and Justin, looks like we need to get together and coordinate a good script and plan of attack for this video ad. Seeing where as we all live relatively close to each other this works out great. We will need to have the ad ready to market by Friday of next week. The woman I spoke to up in Ft. Kent who approached me about the TV ads said that we should put something on the air at least 2 weeks prior to the event so that people will schedule ahead and make plans to be there. The ad should probably air a day or two prior to the 21st as well.

What's a good time to meet up? To be honest the only free day I have for the next few days is late afternoon/evening this Friday and Sunday.

[saabman]

Do you want access to my buyout music? I have two different sets (many CDs)

[White&Nerdy]

Chris, yes, that would be great!

For a meet, Pam suggests our place, tomorrow, 7:30 or later so the boy is in bed. I'll PM Matt and Carl with specifics.

[saabman]

I gathered up all of the buyout music I have and loaded it in a box. Now the trick is figuring out how to get it to you.