Question 1

What is an Explainer Video?

Accepted Answer

This is the top query we receive. It may be interesting for you to note that Crystal Pyramid Productions has been producing Explainer Videos since the eary 1980s, the infancy of professional video production. At that time, they were called Industrial Videos, since they were very costly to produce and only the larger corporations could afford to create one. These industrial videos generally lasted from 12 to 15 minutes, and many times longer. They were videos explaining the company's services and/ or products.  Today, Explainer Videos are affordable to most small businesses and entrepreneurs. They can range from 30 seconds to a minute or longer. Now, instead of producing one 15-minute video, a video production services company can theoretically produce 15 one-minute videos for a client which can be placed on their website home page or Youtube channel at designated times. It is wise for someone who wants to produce an Explainer Video to jot down everything they want the viewer to see in the video, and then consult with a top video production company with a good track record, who will be able to create the video you want in the most resourceful way. Always compare apples to apples when comparing various video production companies. Do not make the fatal error of trusting your Explainer video to an amateur. One mantra to keep in mind when producing your Explainer video is this: "Good, fast or cheap - pick two."

Question 2

Where can I get sand bags?

Accepted Answer

Video production crews know very well the caveat "Safety first," and this is what sand bags are all about. After all, you do not want your hefty light fixture to fall on the talent's head, and you don't want someone tripping over the extended leg of a C-stand. (If that happens, in all seriousness, you had better have some good video production insurance.) This is where sand bags come in. If you are traveling to a different city to shoot video, it makes no sense to bring sand bags. It's a good idea to rent them as needed from local grip equipment rental entities. A quick Google search will yield some good results, for instance "sand bag rental" in whatever city you are looking. We recommend checking out Sharegrid for sand bags and other grip supplies.

Question 3

Why video advertising?

Accepted Answer

Today's demand for video to advertise your product and/or service has only increased over the years. It is interesting to reminisce about the early days of corporate video production (late 1970s and early 1980s) when we had to make cold calls to various companies to CONVINCE them that video would be good for their ROI. Now everybody knows that video is the best pathway for your business to attract customers. Think of all the social media platforms that are voracious for content. If you explore SEO more deeply you'll find that photos indeed attract "eyeballs," as a picture is worth 1,000 words, as the old motto goes. But video is even more popular than still photos. And if a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a video is worth tens of thousands.

Question 4

Why green background for videos?

Accepted Answer

Green is the color most used by video production service companies as a background when the purpose is to subtract the background color and add a different background, such as a forest, an ocean scape, a carnival, or anything the client wants that will deliver the desired message of the video. Why neon green? Other colors can and have been used, but neon green is a color that people seldom wear, so there won't be as many complications in the editing bay. You've seen weather people on television; that's a population that uses green screen on a daily basis. The editor keys out the green background, and you can then see the weather graphics. If you are observant you may see a very thin green outline on the meteorologist, if the keying is not perfect.

Michael Wood

DP/ Camera Operator, Live-Streaming Technical Director & Operator & All-Around Trouble-Shooter

Biography

Portfolio of Work

Unturning Steel, a Documentary