Like the film on Facebook to stay up to date with the progress.

1. Interview & edit content thematically:

There were a handful of themes we wanted to touch on in this film. First, we wanted to highlight the scope of their dedication — 20 years. We did so by having each subject reflect on their memories from 20 years ago, both at the University and beyond. Some talked about the Redskins winning the Superbowl while others talked about teaching a law class during OJ’s trial. Other themes we focused included innovative teaching, their work outside of the classroom, and finally, their ongoing dedication to the University. We interviewed each subject in a way that would elicit content to fill out these themes and in the edit room, grouped the content accordingly. Not every subject appeared in every thematic section, only in those areas in which their comments were strongest.

2. Utilize each person’s storytelling strengths:

There are some people that are great generalists. They can speak really clearly and broadly about their connections to a place and people. Others are stronger at sharing single detailed stories. And then there are the comedic storytellers who can lighten the mood with the delivery of one short line.  When interviewing a large group of people, you’re bound to find a mix of storytellers. So utilize each of their strengths and cut them together in a way that as a team, they make up the “perfect” storyteller: someone who can speak in compelling detail, someone who can frame things in terms of the greater meaning, and someone who keeps it all light and fun. Notice in the introduction, the male philosophy teacher tells a story about arguing publicly with an anti-gay speaker his first day. Next we cut to a female teacher who says, “In twenty years, I don’t think I’ve changed that much.” While she’s referring to her own life, her comments expand on his. In fact, in 20 years, the philosophy teacher continues to challenge ideas and advocate for those who have the least.

3. Think in narratives:

Even in short videos with multiple characters, try to think in two to three-act narrative structures so that there is some continuity and connection with the subjects.  We may see them in the beginning of the video and when they appear again later on, their story is resumed.  For example, in one section, the biologist talks about her ground-breaking work studying bottle-nosed dolphins. Then later, when she talks about the future, she says that dolphins live until they are 40 so she’ll be studying geriatric dolphins as she becomes geriatric. And the doctor who is working to fight GI cancers says at the end Georgetown has clearly allowed him to live his dream.

4. Accept that some people will receive more air-time than others:

Even in non-fiction there’s an element of casting. Some people are simply naturally better than others on camera. And so you’ll find, as we have, that some people just receive more air time than others. It’s an important thing to accept early on in the process, and your product will be of better quality because of it.

The lovely Josephine Butler Parks Center

We’re finally settled into our new offices in the lovely Josephine Butler Parks Center in NW Washington, DC.  We wanted to be in a space that was historical, inspiring and energetic, and this building is all of that and more. It was built in the 1920s as a potential site for the Vice President’s home but now houses a multitude of local non-profits, creatives and community builders.  Below are some photos of our office, which comprises two adjoining rooms.  Please come and pay us a visit!

]]> http://www.eidolonfilms.com/2012/03/19/eidolons-new-office/feed/ 1 http://www.eidolonfilms.com/2012/03/15/eidolons-dp-ben-crosbie-featured-in-panasonics-blog/ http://www.eidolonfilms.com/2012/03/15/eidolons-dp-ben-crosbie-featured-in-panasonics-blog/#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:05:02 +0000 eidolonfilms http://www.eidolonfilms.com/?p=1864

Eidolon’s own Ben Crosbie was recently featured on Panasonic’s blog.  The article details his recent work on Eidolon’s independent and client projects using the AG-AF100. Read it HERE!

1. Begin with a compelling visual introduction that doesn’t reveal too much.

Your audience doesn’t need to know all the information right away. Some element of mystery in the very beginning keeps them watching to learn more about the individual profiled. In the very introduction, we used a collection of abstract visuals to get a hint of place and action as it relates to the individual.  We coupled that imagery with commentary that spoke of her big-picture inspiration more than the specifics of where she works and what she does, information we provide later in the video.

2. Dig into what compels people to do what they do.

Usually the passion and drive behind a career choice can be more compelling than the specifics of the vocation.  Most people we’ve interviewed throughout the years have a philosophy developed from some experience in their life: a death in the family, a challenge, or a mentor that inspired them.  Dig into that story as that’s the information that will connect people to the character and keep them interested in watching.

3. Widen the lesson of the micr0-story.

Individual impact stories can be a very effective tool for connecting individuals to your organization, but it’s important to make a connection between the single micro-story and the wider communication goal of your organization. In this case, the wider goal was to fund scholarships for the next generation of Wall Streeters. Georgetown as an institution takes pride in educating students who are “men and women for others”, a value that this honoree has demonstrated in her work and passes down in her teaching. So at the very end of the video, we utilized comments focused on the students receiving these scholarships, and why they would best be poised to address the problems of the global economy in the future.  This brings it back to to subject of the profile, a woman who has addressed these problems throughout the course of her career.