🎬 Start with the Story, Not the Shot: The #1 Way to Make Better Videos
Start with The Story When most people think about making a video, the first questions that pop up are:“What camera should I use?” or “What lens will make this look amazing?” I get it. Gear is fun. But after decades of directing, shooting, and editing, I can tell you: 👉 The best videos don’t start […]
Birthday Tribute Video Case History: My Brother’s 60th
Birthday Tribute Video Case History: My Brother’s 60th This Memorial Day my annual family gathering was dealt a horrible blow: RAIN! So although we cooked outside under the eaves, we had to eat and celebrate inside, which can lead to a fairly dull time without access to a sunny outdoors and frolic in the pool. […]
Best On-Camera Microphones: Top Picks for 2026
Best On-Camera Microphones for 2025 Audio quality can make all the difference in the world when it comes to capturing video, whether it’s for a professional production, a vlog, or a simple home video. While built-in microphones on most cameras tend to have mediocre sound quality, an on-camera microphone significantly improves audio recording and ensures […]
Did Ken Burns Invent “The Ken Burns Effect”?
Did Ken Burns Invent “The Ken Burns Effect”? I think it Actually Was Invented Across the Country by Early Slideshow Makers https://elements.envato.com/watching-television-at-night-PSKMEF3 Ken Burns has been credited with devising the “smooth moves on stills” tv effect that has permeated his various award-winning productions. But, for history’s sake, I’d like to claim that this effect was […]
Lessons from a Lemonade Stand
Customer Service Lessons from a Lemonade Stand My corporate client and I were deciding on a suite of videos for the next all-company meeting. We decided to color code them. When we got to yellow, we both yelled out “lemonade!”This would be the perfect analogy for customer service, one of our messages that needed to […]
Why I Wrote “Make Tribute Videos”
Why I Wrote “Make Tribute Videos” There are moments when large groups of people expect something special. The perfect toast. The sacred moment. The encore. The motivational speech. The crowd applauds, then roars. We all have these moments, if sometimes on a smaller scale. But they are just as important. The wedding. The anniversary. Retirement […]
“Make Tribute Videos” Book Out Now!
“Make Tribute Videos” shows you how to make videos honoring friends, coworkers, family, and others to celebrate anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, retirements, and more. Nineteen chapters are devoted to the basic tools, techniques, and technology needed to make your first tribute video. Once you know how, you can create and show this video to an appreciative […]
That’s Not Noise, That’s Art
Tony Schwartz (1923-2008), was a master of electronic media, created more than 20,000 radio and television spots for products, political candidates and non-profit public interest groups. Featured on programs by Bill Moyers, Phil Donahue and Sixty Minutes, among others, Schwartz has been described as a “media guru,” a “media genius” and a “media muscleman.” His […]
Themes for Corporate Videos
Key storytelling themes for corporate videos There are hundred of approaches you might try on your first, ot next corporate video. Here we’ll discuss the best of the best and explain why they work. (Particular favorites are bold-faced in the explanation.) Traditional / historical. If a company is taking its first stab at telling their […]
Starter Camcorder You Can Build a Business Around
When you decide to start a freelance or larger business, there are many concerns. How to build a demo reel. How to find business. What equipment do I need? When you get your first job, depending on the budget, you’ll have a choice: hire a shooter or be the shooter. This of course depending on […]