The Summer
of Video 2023
VIDEO STYLES FOR SUMMER 2023
Rule #1
Break The Rule of Thirds by challenging how things are framed. Are you filming a Podcast, interview, or demonstration? Try centering your camera instead of left aligning it, or try adding more headroom to let the editor decide the framing in post-production.
Break the Rules
Verticalize It
Film in 4K?
Both vertical and horizontal videos have their place. The key is knowing what orientation you want to use for your media. When you are unsure of which orientation to use, switch from HD to 4K, hold your phone horizontally, and frame a little wider than normal. This will give you a good horizontal video, but also allow the editor to crop in to create vertical videos during editing.
Authenticity
Embrace the power of story telling
Embrace the power of storytelling and authenticity by putting the story first. People care more about an authentic story than an ultra-polished production. Capture true experts and get footage of what they are discussing. Things might feel messy in the field, but viewers like seeing behind the scenes. By prioritizing these elements, you have the opportunity to deeply engage and connect with your audience, leaving a lasting impact.
Here's a Tip
Remember, genuine stories that reflect the human experience have the ability to inspire, provoke thought, and foster meaningful connections, transcending the boundaries of medium or discipline. So, let your creativity flourish through authentic storytelling, and watch as your work resonates with others in profound and transformative ways.
Lower Thirds
When should you use them?
Lower Thirds (LTs) are seeing their role in media change as the industry shifts to more decentralized community-generated content. LTs are generally considered to be a thing of the past when editing for social media, but they still have their place in certain contexts.
When should you
use Lower Thirds?
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Social Media clips: generally, default to not using LTs. This is because the video should be either posted by the individual or the comment/caption that goes with the video should mention the individual.
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Featuring famous or notable individuals: this is a key exception when a lower third can add value to help boost fast recognition in your social posts.
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Long-form content: LTs become highly relevant and almost a necessity for longer-form content. Testimonials, brand videos, live event broadcasts, and video podcasts all should have LTs.
Branding
"Less is more"
In the realm of branding, the mantra "less is more" holds true. When creating social videos, avoid the temptation to excessively display your logo on the screen. Instead, focus on subtler yet impactful branding techniques that align with your company's identity.
Utilize your company colors strategically by incorporating them in text overlays or incorporating them into the visual elements of your videos. This creates a cohesive and recognizable brand experience without the content feeling like an ad.
Here's a Tip
When featuring team members in your videos, consider incorporating subtle branding cues. Have them wear company shirts or position them in front of a logo, showcasing your brand in a casual and authentic manner. This subtle association reinforces brand recognition while maintaining a genuine and engaging approach.
Onscreen Text
Engage with your audience
To amplify the impact of your videos, harness the power of captions and on-screen text. By utilizing these elements, you empower viewers to engage with your message even if they aren’t listening to the video. It's crucial to recognize that a staggering 92% of people prefer watching videos on their phones without sound, relying solely on visuals and captions. As we all shift toward doing more work and watching more videos on our phones, this statistic becomes increasingly relevant for B2B.
Without onscreen text
With onscreen text
Stock Footage
Narrate your story
Using stock footage to visually narrate your story can be a good option when b-roll is unavailable. Incorporating relevant stock footage into your video adds visual appeal, which can help keep viewers watching longer into your video.
TikTok
Creators
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Use very unpolished additions of photos and videos, which have had a major impact on short-form videos.
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The choice to include stock footage depends on the creative direction you envision for your video.
Case-Study
Videos
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Utilization of b-roll and stock footage helps craft a compelling narrative.
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These visuals support and enhance the storytelling process, painting a comprehensive picture for the audience.
Podcasts
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Primarily rely on carefully selected images that align precisely with the story's focal points, emphasizing and reinforcing key points.
Consider the impact, desired tone, and level of polish you would like for your video as you determine the possible addition and appropriate balance of b-roll vs. stock footage.
Overall Video Look
Simplicity and cleanliness
The essence of exceptional videos lies in simplicity and cleanliness. Incorporating captions, branding, or overlapping stock all require thoughtful consideration of framing. Avoid overwhelming your video with a cluttered look and feel by ensuring ample space in your frame if you would like to include any of these elements.
When incorporating captions, it's important to frame your video slightly wider than usual. Various platform interfaces occupy on-screen space, affecting the placement of captions. By accounting for this, you can ensure that captions are positioned appropriately for optimal visibility and readability.
Instagram Guide
To assist you further, refer to the guide which illustrates the space occupied by the Instagram Reels interface. This serves as a helpful reference in determining the optimal framing for your video. It is also a great reminder that you will have the opportunity to provide a caption or other text context pretty much everywhere you share your video.
By striking the right balance between simplicity, clarity, and accommodating necessary elements, you can create visually appealing videos that effectively engage your audience.