Studio Blog

As 2009 comes to a close, we asked the editorial team to tell us which of your articles and videos from the past year inspired them.

We have really seen a lot of talent and growth this year from our filmmaking community. The overall quality of the segments we receive continues to improve and impress us on a daily basis, so choosing a favorite video of the year is a tough challenge. Obviously, the topics you are most interested in prove to be the most useful……so, as a woman who tries to maintain my own sense of style, my choice is a video from the series NYC Fashion Tips.

How to Select Sunglasses According to Face Shape

Who shot it: Nathan Blair

What I Like About It: Being stylish can sometimes be difficult with busy schedules and tight budgets, but the advice given by this top notch expert was simple, useful, and pragmatic. Amy is very charismatic on screen, which made her overall presentation more believable……I trusted that she knew what she was talking about. The setting was so professional, and examples relevant. After watching these segments I wanted to go shopping and reinvent my wardrobe!

How You Can Copy It:

Recruit High Quality Talent. The person you choose to show on screen speaks volumes about how the content is perceived by the audience. If an expert does not speak well, or stumbles, it immediately discredits the information being presented. Confidence is key.  This particular expert had been showcased on several network television shows, so her previous on screen camera experiences worked towards her advantage.

Location. Location. Location. Not only is the expert knowledgeable in this series, but the setting is fantastic! The studio space is professional, clean, and hip (seeing the skyline of New York through the windows doesn’t hurt either!). A great expert presentation can be ruined if the location is unprofessional or irrelevant. The inclusion of various NYC shots gave the segments another layer of interest, as you are immediately pulled into the place and tone of the segments.

Attention to Details. There were two very simple things that really elevated these segments to another level.......and both feel so natural that they are easy to overlook. One was that the filmmaker made sure to gather close ups of all needed items and articles of clothing. There is nothing worse than not being able to properly view what is being presented. Another is the use of a model instead of a mannequin. Seeing another person actually wear the clothing breathes much needed life into the segments. It is therefore more interesting and conversational. Beauty related topics generally benefit from this type of engagement. Being aware and acting upon all of the small details will ultimately enhance the overall quality of any piece.