Local video production studio introduces instant online estimating system |
VideoWorks Production Company unveiled an online estimating system that allows business owners and managers to get an immediate “ballpark” estimate of production costs for virtually any video project.
The VideoWorks Ballpark displays as a baseball diamond. Visitors click their choices as they proceed around the bases. Script development, program length, number of actors, narrator, graphics, animation, stock footage, music track, special camera tools—each are clicked in turn. The “ballpark” estimate appears on screen instantly.
VideoWorks president, Jim Gray said, “More than ever, video is the way to communicate with customers, prospects and employees. More people expect to see video on company websites. With our Ballpark estimating system, busy business owners and managers can get estimates of video production expenses instantly and begin moving toward winning
the hearts and minds of more customers with broadcast-quality video.”
Getting to the VideoWorks Ballpark is easy. Click here to get started.
VideoWorks Production Company, with a studio located on Tuckerton Road in Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, comprises a team of communications professionals who are zealous about creating compelling video. The team uses top-of-the-line digital video equipment, creative flair and decades of production experience to craft
every story in a visually powerful way.
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VideoWorks Helps to Fight Steroid Abuse
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VideoWorks Production Company has established a working partnership with The Efrain Anthony Marrero Foundation.
The Foundation fights illegal steroid and performance enhancing drug use among our youth by educating coaches, athletic directors, teachers, parents, and youth about the dangers of steroid use. The organization communicates its message through speaking engagements, seminars, video and printed materials, and the Internet.
The non-profit corporation is based in Vacaville, California. The Foundation also has a local presence in Temple, Pennsylvania, home of the organization's Northeast Regional Vice President.
The Foundation, a program under the Health Education Council, was formed in 2005 in memory of Efrain Anthony Marrero. Efrain took his own life on September 26, 2004, three weeks after he stopped using steroids.
VideoWorks has been responsible for producing a steroids awareness video for the Foundation. In addition, VideoWorks was instrumental in the design and direction of the Foundation’s new web site, which includes numerous audio and video clips pertaining to steroids. For further viewing, check out www.nosteroids.org
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6 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Your Video |
There's no reason to waste money on your video project. Follow these suggestions to make the most of your budget. You'll get a high quality presentation and save money—without cutting corners. (more)
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Happy Holidays: A Dickens Christmas
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Ed Redding from R&D Communications visited the VideoWorks studio and produced a Christmas greeting to share with clients, family, and friends. The greeting is posted on his website, and he also gave us permission to share it here. (click play to start video)
Merry Christmas!
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Video For Fun—The Power of Humor |
Adding a little humor to your message will get you noticed and remembered. When your audience is laughing, they become an active participant in your message. The key is to make sure your message doesn't get lost in the humor. |
At VideoWorks we recently completed a few commercials for the Reading Parking Authority. Like previous advertising campaigns we've produced for them, humor was an important ingredient. (To watch the commercials, click here.)
This time we produced the spots in the style of one of those 1960’s educational films. You know the ones. You might have seen them in driver’s ed. or (shudder) health class. We assisted the Parking Authority in communicating messages about street cleaning, parking in marked lots on the night of a downtown event, and their new drive-up window--all with a fun, light-hearted approach. |
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While these commercials are entertaining, we were careful not to let the fun upstage the message. If you see a TV commercial that strikes your funny bone, but forget the message, then the only thing the advertiser did was throw money away. We don’t let our customers do that. Humor is useful, and often appreciated, but if you’re paying for the air time, you deserve positive results from the ad.
Humor is also useful in longer-format videos. The United Way of Berks County recently held their victory celebration dinner, and we produced a fun spoof of the 6 Million Dollar Man. This light-hearted video used humor to celebrate campaign volunteers’ hard work . It also spawned quite a few laughs as it entertained the evening’s audience. To watch the video, click here.
Do you want to have some fun and boost moral? Make your employees or customers smile? Get your company’s name remembered? A bit of comedy, if pulled off correctly, can do the trick.
Give us a call at 610-916-1066 or send an email to info@videoworksproduction.com. VideoWorks is standing by and ready to start brainstorming with you.
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VideoWorks Wins Prestigious International Award |
VideoWorks Production Company received notice that the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) has bestowed the International Silver Davey Award on the firm's video production entitled "These Are Your Lives." This production was created to support the 2007 Schuylkill United Way campaign.
With more than 3,500 entries from across the United States and around the world, the Davey Award honors the finest creative work from the best of the smaller firms, agencies, and companies worldwide.
The concept for the award-winning United Way program was based on the 1950s television show "This Is Your Life," which honored prominent people by showing highlights of their lives.
According to scriptwriter Ed Redding, "We took the concept and adapted it to reflect the Schuylkill County lives that were touched by United Way agencies. The program also recognized the contributions of viewers whose support and generosity make the work done by our agencies possible."
VideoWorks president, Jim Gray, credits his team for bringing the concept to life on the screen. "It's great when a team of hard-working, talented people are given recognition as representing the very top of their profession. Everyone here appreciates the award. It inspires our determination to achieve more," he said.
(to view the video, click here.)
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What's the story behind the TV with the eyeballs??? |
That's something we're asked every once in a while. Of course, we respond, "That's our mascot—Phil."
He came into being while we were trying to unwind after a marathon editing session. It's funny what the brain does when pushed a little too far.
In our lobby, you'll see a few pieces of television memorabilia: some old test equipment, a few technical manuals, and a couple of old TVs, one of which is a 1953 Philco Predicta. I don't remember who it was, but someone said it looked like a big bubble head sitting on a skinny neck attached to broad metal shoulders. |
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The next thing we knew, we were cutting out eyes and scotch-taping them to the tube. Voilà! Phil (short for Philco) was born.
Phil’s been on our countdown slate and business cards for years, and now he’s invaded our web site. You’ll see him popping up all over the place, but don’t worry, he doesn’t bite. He doesn’t even have a mouth.
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Schuylkill United Way Video Is Number One—Again
For the second time, the Schuylkill United Way won first place in Pennsylvania for its locally written and produced campaign video.
The video, entitled “These Are Your Lives!” was a complement to last year’s campaign theme, “Good to Be Home!” and featured local families who were helped by the 16 member agencies.
Board President Henry H. Nyce said the local video is an important aide to the campaign process each year.
“We started producing our own video several years ago as a way to highlight the numerous services that each of our agencies provide for the communities in Schuylkill County,” Nyce said. “Even though the United Way has been here for over three decades, there’s so much that we do that people aren’t aware of, so we hope the video will convey that message.”
United Way of Pennsylvania distributes awards each year to United Ways throughout the state that exhibit outstanding campaign initiatives, ranging from Best Campaign Kit to Best Online Communications. UWP President Tony Ross said the Schuylkill United Way video demonstrated the most creative use of relaying the United Way mission.
“Every United Way strives each year to come up with compelling, persuasive campaign elements that gets the message across to the communities they serve,” Ross said. “The Schuylkill video was entertaining to watch while powerfully presenting the United Way mission.”
The Schuylkill United Way won two awards two years ago from the state for Best Campaign Video, Priorities, and Best Special Event for its 2005 Pacesetters reception entitled, “Festival of the Arts.” Priorities highlighted five United Way agencies, while the reception featured entertainers from each of the agencies who displayed a wide range of talents from ballet to artwork.
Executive Director Kelly Malone said it’s important to the United Way to focus on the families that are served by its 16 agencies, since they are the motivation behind the entire campaign.
“The Schuylkill United Way always represents its agencies and everyone who receives services or attends programs from each of them,” Malone said. “We’re proud of our agencies and what they accomplish every year, so we’re pleased to feature them in our videos.”
Last year’s video was unique because it incorporated a theatrical element to the story. Ed Redding of R&D Communications directed the video, which was taped and edited by Video Works Production Company. He said the concept was based on the 50’s television show, “This Is Your Life,” which honored prominent people with highlights of their lives.
“We took that concept and adapted it to reflect the Schuylkill County lives that were touched by our agencies,” Redding said. “It also acknowledged the viewers whose support and generosity make everything done by our agencies possible.”
The Schuylkill United Way began local production of a video three years ago as a way to reach out to its contributors. Each year it’s customized to reflect the current campaign theme.
Redding said production of this year’s video is underway, and will highlight the theme, “We Are…Community Strong!”
“Anticipation is growing as we get closer to unveiling the video prior to the campaign kick-off in September,” Redding said. “I hope we will meet expectations.”
The Schuylkill United Way kicks off the 2008 “We Are…Community Strong!” campaign on Sept. 7.
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VideoWorks Collects Tops Prize in 27th Annual Telly Awards Competition
The creative team of the VideoWorks Production Company learned yesterday that their entry in the international 27th Annual Telly Awards entitled “Locomotive Intro” has earned the highest honor - a Silver Telly Award - that judges of the competition can bestow.
The production by the Berks County-based firm was created for the Reading Royals hockey team to serve as an introduction on the video display board above the arena in Reading’s Sovereign Center as the team went onto the ice
VideoWorks president, Jim Gray, credits video editor Heather Baver with taking the lead in the development and execution of the creative concept that linked Reading’s historic railroad legacy with the dynamism of its winning hockey team.
The Telly Awards is the premier accolade for honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. Winners and finalists represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.
Judges evaluate entries to recognize distinction in creative work. Entries do not compete against each other, rather all are judged against an independent standard of merit.
Fewer than ten percent of entries are awarded a Silver Telly, the highest honor.
Gray noted, “Our production won the Silver Telly Award in the Sports, non-broadcast Category. It’s quite an honor for everyone on our team. We are ecstatic.”
VideoWorks Production Company, with a studio located just off Tuckerton Road in Muhlenberg Township, comprises a team of creative professionals who are passionate about making video. The team, using top-of-the-line digital video equipment, brings creative flair and decades of production experience to the task of telling each client’s story.
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VideoWorks to Judge Prestigious Industry Awards
VideoWorks Production Company was recently appointed as a member of the national judging panel for an influential video production awards competition, the Aurora Awards.
The Aurora Awards are designed to recognize local, regional, independent, and industrial video production excellence. Projects from all 50 states are evaluated. Productions can be in English, Spanish, or French.
Aurora judging panels are chosen from award-winning video industry professionals located throughout the United States. The effectiveness, creativity, and production quality of each entrant is judged individually against an absolute scale of excellence. This process allows programs to compete on their own merits rather than by arbitrary comparison with others.
VideoWorks’ executive producer Jim Gray and his staff evaluated 14 independent productions from across the country. “We were blown away by the opportunity to review and evaluate the creative work of these producers. All were first-rate, and several were really superior,” he said.
VideoWorks’ own national awards portfolio includes a 2003 Aurora Award, a 2003 Telly Award and several Vision Awards for prior work on a number of Berks County United Way campaigns. The company serves clients throughout the mid-Atlantic region from a fully-equipped video production studio just off Tuckerton Road in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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Award-winning Video Production House
Completes Several Programs for Local Site Developer
VideoWorks Production Company recently announced the completion of three industrial video programs that showcase the capabilities of Brubacher Excavating, Inc., a widely respected excavator and site developer with headquarters in Bowmansville, Lancaster County. The title of the series is “Shaping the World We Live In.”
Brubacher intends to use the presentations for employee recruitment and orientation, marketing, and trade show support.
VideoWorks’ producer and senior editor, Randy Bjorken, traveled to work places across the state capturing job site scenes featuring earth moving equipment and equipment operators. “The capabilities and dedication of the Brubacher team are incredible. I amazed by their work ethic and attention to detail,” he said.
Bjorken used leading-edge digital equipment to capture the images and edit the programs. The programs are available on VHS, DVD and CD Rom to support quick and easy distribution to prospective employees and customers.
VideoWorks’ national awards portfolio includes a 2003 Telly Award, a 2003 Aurora Award and several Vision Awards for earlier work on Berks County United Way campaigns.
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VideoWorks Website Relaunched with a New Look
The VideoWorks website has been completely reconfigured to provide visitors with a more interactive experience. The new portfolio section is filled with video clips to watch, and the narrator samples will prove an important tool for clients to select a voice for their project. To celebrate the relaunch, VideoWorks sent out an email with a link to a video message.
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