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COVER PAGE |
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IBT |
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ISG |
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MATERIAL HANDLING |
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PT |
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FLUID POWER |
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IBT MEDIA |
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SAFETY |
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ELECTRICAL |
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IMT |
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LUBE |
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LEAN SIX SIGMA |
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Lights, Camera, Action!
by Bayley Morrow
It wasn't until I was actually behind the scenes of a video production that I truly understood what it takes to make the magic happen. As an intern in IBT's marketing department, I was able to spend the day with the IBT Media Group during an actual "shoot."
I experienced the background and the reality behind the camera, on location at a life insurance company in downtown Kansas City. Setting up at Americo Life, Inc., a holding company providing life insurance and annuity products, the assignment was to video Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Rob Foster as he introduced a revolutionary new sales tool, the Americo Sales Builder.
Video production can be complicated and time consuming. A team of two -- Craig Campbell and Joe Biesterfeld -- started off by loading all of the equipment onto a cart. They were joined by Debbie Jones, who supplied and ran the teleprompter.
Setting up included many different tripods and small lights, as well as a larger fluorescent light designed to help balance the harsh light in the room. Balancing light is one of the key steps in making the shoot look real. There needs to be enough outside light in the room (which appears blue on camera) in order to balance the warmer tones of inside light. To keep the light just right, Joe and Craig placed tinted sheets of blue and green in front of the small lights to keep the scene looking natural.
The next step was connecting the teleprompter to the camera and the rest of the equipment. The teleprompter is a screen in which the script can be read from a distance. This avoids taking extra time for memorization and it also eliminates errors in reading.
After the teleprompter was connected, the crew started running color bars out of the mixer to balance the video equipment, and tested the tone for proper audio levels and balance. These steps are for the editor, so that after the shoot is completed, they can bring out the specific colors and tones that were there.
With everything in place and ready for video, it was finally time to bring in the talent. Spokesperson Rod Foster sat down in the chair and rehearsed the script with professional polish. Debbie took her place behind the computer to run the teleprompter. Joe made final adjustments with the sound. Craig applied powder to Rod Foster's face. Finally, they were ready. "Stand-by" was the final cue and the next thing I knew the camera was rolling…
Foster ran through the minute-and-a-half long script with no problems. The crew decided to do one more take, asking for slightly more enthusiasm and positive energy. The second take was a keeper. Before I knew it, the shoot was wrapped.
It was definitely more of an effort to move in, set up, and tear down all of the equipment than it was to actually shoot the video. Although they assured me that not every shoot seems to run as smoothly as this one did, I was definitely impressed with how well everything went.
What I saw was that The IBT Media Group makes shooting videos look easy. This, I suppose, is what makes them so good at what they do. What may seem to look so simple when it's finished can actually be a long and complicated process.
I am learning that IBT as a whole is a very complex and diversified company. The Media Group's quality and professionalism shows yet another way of providing the service and satisfaction that IBT customers are looking for.
So, it starts with "lights, camera, action" And it ends with "cut." In between, there is process of communicating with style, power and imagination. Just like in the movies.
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To learn about what IBT Media can do for you, contact us today!
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