Two Dogs Barking

Speaking for your company: 3 Scenarios - 3 Lessons - 3 Ways to Own It

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to know how to move your story forward by finding, booking and coaching people - from customer to CEO - to best represent you, your company, or your non-profit.  Here are three scenarios you may one day find yourself in:

Scenario #1:  You are in charge of setting up a luncheon for employees.  You have to have the Corporate Division Manager or maybe the largest donor to your non-profit speak.  You just assume they can pull it off just because of who they are.

Scenario #2:  You are going to finally ad video to your website.  Your employees will be featured.  Uh-oh, it looks like some are willing, some aren’t.  Some have great things to say, but aren’t the top producers.

Scenario #3: You need a video featuring testimonials about your company or non-profit.  There are so many possibilities.  You have narrowed it down to the customers you want but you really don’t know how get them to actually go on camera.

All three of the problems presented in these scenarios come down to one important thing:  How do you book the best talker for your project?  Let me define ‘best talker’ for you.  This isn’t the guy (or gal) who blathers on incessantly about whatever is on his mind.  This is the person who can articulate your message in a concise and compelling way that moves your story forward.  This is the person or people who are coached to provide specific information to weave the layers of your story.

There is a saying in television, “There is no such thing as spontaneous television.”  The best shows, the ones that keep viewers glued, are the ones that have been produced to make you see the drama unfold as if it were natural.  It’s not.  Don’t think for a second that despite Oprah or Ellen or Letterman looking surprised, that there wasn’t someone behind the scenes orchestrating every one of those ‘aha’ moments.

You may have never booked a guest for anything, ever. Most likely, you are not trying to land a celebrity or nationally known spokesperson.  If you are, I’ll touch on that later.  What you are more likely faced with is booking from a ready-made pool of candidates ~ clients, bosses, donors, etc.  I want to walk you through how to manage those people to get the most out of what you have to work with.

Let’s break it down based on the scenarios I presented at the top of this post.

Lesson #1.  Sometimes you get stuck with people and you have to make it work.  Your boss, someone very important to the company, the largest donor, etc. may not be the most dynamic speaker.  Or, be very uncomfortable in front of a crowd.  Or, they may be too comfortable and have delivered the same schtick a hundred times.

Own it. Take control by knowing exactly what points you want delivered. No one will stay insulted because you told him/her what you want delivered if what he/she delivers is a crowd pleaser. Own the show.

I have been, at times, intimidated by a host or MC who has years of experience doing the job. One time I hired someone who delivered a spot on show for me at an auction that raised a lot of money.  I hired the same person for a different client and instead of being very specific about what I wanted, I let him ‘do his thing.’ Big mistake.  Some of the same jokes, totally different group, ended with a much less successful evening.

Listen, no one wants to look stupid in front of a crowd.  But they won’t give you the power to direct them if you are intimidated by them.  Know your material, know your audience, know what has to be delivered.  Expect it. Demand it. Own it.

Lesson #2:  Video makes an impression.  Just because you are a hot- shot salesperson for the company, that may or may not translate favorably on camera.  The company jokester may not make the best choice represent the company on camera.  Base your decision on who can deliver on camera, not in the break room.

Own it.  If you are responsible for delivering your companies message in a video, you must base your on-camera decisions on who can best articulate the company’s story. Own the message.

Look at the company pool of potential on camera speakers.  Who most clearly represents your clients?  Who comes across as the warmest and most genuine?  One thing is almost always true:  When you take the ‘live’ audience away from the class clown, and his audience becomes a camera, your video is destined for disaster.  Not everyone can perform on cue.  You don’t need that person.  You need the one who can tell a compelling story of why your company is the best and I why need you. Or why your non-profit is so deserving, and I need to write a check. Booking the right people for your video, is not a popularity contest.

Lesson #3:  It’s not true that everyone wants his/her 15 minutes of fame.  But it is true that you can schmooze just about anyone to go on camera.

Own it.  Know exactly what you want delivered in the video.  Key in on not only who has a powerful story, but also who can drive the emotion of that story.   Own the content.

Here’s the trick to getting anyone to go on camera.  Friend them.  Not in a Facebook way.  Make sure they know that you’ve got their back.  You are not going to put them in an embarrassing situation.  You are going to hold their hand through the entire experience.  If they trust you, they will go on camera.

Stick to your standards.  Only accept the people for your project that represent the ‘face’ of your company or non-profit that you want to share.  Choose them based on how they benefitted from what you do and how you do it.  But, more importantly, choose them based on how well they can tell your story. Then coach them to get what you want from them.

So, are you wondering:  “What does she know about booking the best talkers?  What makes her think she is an authority on this?”

Well... besides producing and writing, I’ve made a career out of booking guests.  In fact, I have a former boss who often calls me ‘The Happy Booker.’  Here’s a couple of the reasons why:

-When he needed to find a little boy who had been shot by his father and relocated to Florida for a Moyer Foundation TV special, he called me. I found that boy, booked him, and got him back to Seattle.

-When he needed nearly 20 guests with a variety of expertise on the subject of Small Business for a Microsoft 2-day web show.  He called me and I filled every slot with some of the hottest new voices on the subject.  It was so successful we turned around and did it again six months later - with a whole new slate of amazing talkers.

I am fearless.  These are just two examples of the literally hundreds, probably 1000s, of guests I have booked for TV shows, marketing videos, panel discussions, lecturers, MCs, and just about every other format you can think of.

Let’s be honest. When you’ve done this for as long as I have, you definitely develop a sixth sense for a good guest.  You also instinctively know when to cut the conversation and move on to the next potential candidate.

If you don’t have the time to deal with booking, or if it puts you in an uncomfortable position to choose co-workers or clients, or if you need someone who can land the ‘big fish,’ I am your best choice to make that happen.

In my world, when you finally land that ‘ringer,’ it’s called ‘the get.’ And I am very good at ‘the get.’

"I’m talking about the reset button—a reinvention that changes the game." Seth Godin

I recently read an article from Seth Godin about reinvention on Successmagazine.com.  I was particularly struck by this article because it falls right in line with how I have been changing - or reinventing - myself and the way I have learned to approach business and life.

I have a certain set of skills.  You have a set of skills.  If we narrowly consider those skills only in the context of the here and now of what our 'job' is at this moment, or was last month, last year, or if you are unemployed, then you are not stuck, you are trapped.

Fifteen years ago I was a rockin' TV producer who worked 60+ hours a week.  One day my husband came home and suggested we had a baby.  Ok, how bad could that be?  I did not anticipate how having a baby would completely shake my confidence as a professional.  My life up to that point evolved around my career.  I defined myself completely based on that career, highs and lows.  I seriously believed that because I chose to stay home with our son, I doomed my future in television forever.  I was certain I would never work again and there was no way I could get back on that track.  We are talking about a whole seven months away!

I did go back to work part-time and even worked on some national shows.  Somehow, it truly wasn't the same.  I'm not sure anyone treated me differently, but I certainly felt my career was basically over.  That was the first time I had to hit the 'reset' button.  

I took a job teaching at the Art Institute of Seattle.  What I discovered was I had a deep understanding of television production and the knack f  or sharing and teaching what I know.  I learned, along with my students, I had a lot to give.

Once our son hit preschool, I was pretty skilled at seeing opportunity to reinvent or more accurately rewrite the sell on my skills.  I volunteered - A LOT.  I chaired an auction, which led to paying jobs as an event coordinator.  Did I suddenly have a new skill set?  No.  I just realized that what I knew how to do could translate into a lot of other areas... succcessfully.  Event planning is about details, organization, creativity - that is what a producer does.  That is what I had been doing for years. I did a reset and changed my game.

Two things I have learned that can lead you to a reset:

• Look at your skills, really look at them.  If you aren't working, get yourself into a volunteer situation where your particular talents, and ideally passion, can shine.  Every minute you are using those skills - whether you are paid or not - you are honing those skills.
• Don't be afraid to jump on what scares you.  Afraid you have missed the social media wave? Nonsense. Read a lot of books.  Embrace the idea of teaching yourself.  Then do it.  We all make social media mistakes - you learn from it.  Friend everyone on Facebook whether you know them or not.  I have learned so much from my virtual friends. I have tripled my circle of influence by friending people in my community and city.

Recently, I stumbled upon an organization that had a mission and a message I like, called ChickChat. It was started by a go-getter gal named Tracy Klinkroth who saw an opportunity to host 'savvy soirees for smart women' in order to grow her research company.  We met. I pushed my reset button.  A few short weeks later I was hosting my first party for the South Sound addition of ChickChat.  

I am using my entire skill set - refined over years as a producer and writer - to create events that I call 'connectworking.'  I haven't walked away from who I am.  I am still at my core at Producer.  I love my company - Two Dogs Barking - but like a puppy it has grown and changed and now has a bigger bark heard around a bigger neighborhood.  I often refer to all the 'other things' I do as the four legs of Two Dogs.  Reinvention!

This is your time. Throw yourself into what moves you. Talk about it endlessly on Facebook. Learn to tweet. But more importantly, to quote Seth Godin again: 

"Do work that matters.

Those four words are available to anyone; they’re available to you if you want them. The economy just gave you leverage—the leverage to make a difference, the leverage to spread your ideas and the leverage to have impact. More people have more leverage (more chances and more power) to change the world than at any other time in history. What are you going to do about it? When?"

Starting a Motion Media Conversation for Small Businesses... there has to be a way.

CONTACT: info@twodogsbark.com     253.970.1900

   One of the driving missions of Two Dogs Barking Productions is to take what we know how to do best and share it with the small business owner and non-profits.  We all know that having an online digital media (ie. video) presence is a powerful tool to tell their story, share their passions and most of all, be current.  Often what we find is that most people think video is cost prohibitive. 

    This reminds me of a conversation I had recently with a very astute marketing professional.  We were discussing this very subject and she mentioned she had hired a fellow who was willing to go anywhere, shoot anything.  This is exactly what I am facing down every day.  We don't do run and gun shooting.  We don't own a flipcam.  We do quality, professional production.  Here is the real word you won't hear from the guy she was talking about... PRODUCE.  We produce our work.  We plan.  We prepare. We CRAFT.

    Like most creative types, I have my very best ideas at 3 AM or when I'm stuck in rotten traffic.  It was there - in traffic - that I realized that if I planned a full day of shooting, divided into 8 to 10 slots for the same number of business owners, I could offer an exciting way to have that presence at a very affordable price.

    MEDIA IN MOTION was born!  A potential client could have a 1-2 minute professional produced/shot/edited piece to post any where they choose that would give them a high-profile presence in the virtual world.

    How it works.

• Sign up for an hour studio shoot time.  A particular day of the month that has been booked for just this purpose.
• Recieve an hour consultation with me - 20 years of producing/writing experience.  Half an hour will be dedicated to determining your content direction.  Ie. customer testimonial, special offer coming up, our a 'who we are' shoot.  The other half hour will be dedicated to my doing script consultation and copy editing for video.  (There really is a format, formula, and craft to this!)
• During the hour at the studio, client will be professional lit and coached by one  of the Northwest's premiere Directors.
• Clients can provide 2-3 stills or 2-3 video clips for the final edit.  We can negotiate to shoot the video clips as well for an additional cost.
• Within 48 hours of the studio day, we will deliver to your email a professionally edited 1-2 minute quicktime movie that includes your provided stills or video, graphic identifier, with a motion background that matches your branding.

    Post it on websites, upload to YouTube, feature on Facebook, send it via email.  Use it to introduce yourself, to share customer testimonials, to promote an event or sale. 

Do it all. Client Price: $300!

    Here are a couple of examples from work we've done with this idea in mind.  First, this is the closing statement from a training piece - the background is a motion background.

 

 This one is an 'About Us' piece for the Dugan Foundation.

 

    The challenge of finding a way to bring what we do to the forward thinking business owner has literally kept  me up at night.  The time for everyone to use the video/digital medium for websites, social media marketing, and email blasts has finally come.   But, how do I give these hungry businesses a chance to sample it affordably while still getting a high-end professional product?  MEDIA IN MOTION just might be the ticket to premiering your business in a new and exciting way.

Striving to Serve: Giving without expectations

THE POINT IS...

We all have mortgages to pay.  We are all trying to make a living.  Small businesses are difficult to keep afloat.  In our case, we are a service business so we are also working daily to educate the world on the value of what we have to offer.  Still, for us, there is no greater joy than to take the skills we have and use that to support organizations whose goal is really the greater good.

"Find a non-profit you believe in and offer to help them in any way you can.  Non-profits always need support from small businesses.  But do it because, in your heart, it is the right thing to do, not because you have any expectations for what your partnership will do for your company."

This advice was given to me when we decided to open our office in Tacoma.  It has guided Two Dogs Barking Productions every day for over six years.

THE PROCESS WAS...

We wanted to get entrenched in our community after working in the Seattle TV market for many, many years.  We are residents of Tacoma and we love this town!  I read about the Dugan Foundation in the Tacoma News Tribune not long after I was given this advice.  And I am very proud to say Two Dogs Barking and Dugan Foundation have enjoyed a fantastic relationship since the very first time Julie Dugan and I met at Meconi's for a glass of wine.  During that meeting, I told her what we do and asked her how we could help.  She had zero budget for video.  It didn't matter to us one whit.  We believed in the Dugan Foundation mission, and that was enough.

THE FINAL RESULT...

In the years that have followed, and we believe it is partly due to the non-profit education we've received from the Dugans, we have had many opportunities to work with other non-profits in a variety of ways - from videos to event management.  Every time we partner with a non-profit, we walk away with a sense that we have had played some very small role in helping them reach their goals.  There is a euphoria that comes with that ~ a feeling that doing what we do is more than a job, it can change lives.

I don't want to make us sound more philanthropic than we really are.  Over time, the Dugan Foundation managed to find a budget for having us produce videos for the Fur Ball.  And somehow, Julie persuaded me to stage manage the event... which I do with gladness in my heart as an unpaid volunteer.  But also through that relationship we have formed life-long friendships.  We have been given free access to the ups and downs to starting, growing, and managing a non-profit.  We have also developed a trust with them that allows us to be an on-call creative brain trust.

A LITTLE PIECE OF DUGAN...

A couple of examples of what a great relationship can look like...

First, this was pulled from a larger video produced for their main fundraising event, which included a peak at a PSA we produced for them.

This one helped the Dugan Foundation raise around $15,000 during the fund-an-item portion of the Fur Ball in 2009.  Not bad for a day's work.

MAY I OFFER THIS ADVICE...

Business is about relationships.  Go out and find a non-profit that stirs your soul.  Give freely of your talent and skills.  Do it without expectation.  You will be the one in the long run that reaps the greatest benefits.

You know. You think. You assume. So, what's keeping you from adding video to your marketing plan, website, etc.?

It has been my experience when discussing video with a potential client three things are almost always guaranteed:

1. Client knows they want or need video support for website, event, marketing, etc... AND,
   
2. Client thinks they know exactly what they want the video to look like, or who should be in it... BUT,
   
3. Client assumes they can't afford to have the video professionally produced.

I think we can universally agree that you would be hard pressed not to stumble upon some sort of video just about every day.  You see amateur video taken from a cell phone featured in the news.  You hear about some viral video that has launched a new singer or product.  You surf the web and it seems one out of two sites have streaming video - there are billions of sites streaming video right now.  Seriously, you'd have to be living in a cave not to know that video is where it's at in terms of engaging your audience and spreading the word.  If that were not true, why would 27+ million people be paying for digital cable?

When a potential client knows video is needed, so we go to the next step.  Because they have been inundated with so many images on a daily basis.  Clients often have a very strong preconceived notion of what they want their video to look like and why the owner of the company or a favorite customer should be in it.  Let's be really honest here, what were you thinking the last time you saw a 'home grown' commercial featuring an unusual fellow hawking mattresses, cars, etc?  I'm not into corny.  So if you are looking for someone to produce your video while you are dressed as a tire and doing a Salsa, I am probably not the person to call or hire.  However, if you are the kind of person who has in mind a purpose or a plan, but is willing to entertain that we might know a little more about the process, please let's talk.  There may be a hundred reasons why you need to feature a particular person... there might be one really good reason not to.  Good producers work with you to clarify your vision and design an appropriate strategy for getting where you want to be.

The last point - and the biggest assumption made about video - has to do with cost of product.  Yes, I do this for a living.  But I have no reason to inflate numbers to make my point.  Which is this:  There is no better use for your marketing/event/advertising budget than to invest in video production. Unlike a print piece, which runs once and has then outlived its usefulness, video really is forever.  Every frame of video shot is one more piece of inventory that can be re-purposed in a multitude of ways.  If your project is properly produced, you are shooting footage that can be used on a website, in a commercial, in a Powerpoint presentation... the list goes on and on.  With the innumerable options available to use video, it pays for itself very quickly!

To quote David Garland at Smallbiztrends.com:  "The opportunity is there.  The eyeballs are there.  Are you there?"

Visit smallbusinesstrends for a wealth of useful information about running your business.

Make a good guess, and hope for the best ~ Advice from Two Dogs (junior):

Open a book on 'how to blog.' Log into a blog on blogging.  There is one guaranteed piece of advice waiting for you:  To start blogging, just write about what you know.  The theory is that if you write about what you know, you will come across as 'authentic.'  (One of the most over-used words out there.  Right after 'organic.) But I digress.

I have been a TV/video producer/writer/booker for nearly half my adult life.  Oh, I know things - some that I could not, would not ever put out into the virtual Neverland.  And if I did, to what purpose?  So I struggle with what to put here for our loyal followers to read - yes, I'm talking about you... our small, but mighty, loyalists (Hi, mom.)  You see, talking is my game.  Faced with taking my pithy, humorous chatter to the page - I go blank.  Unless it is in 140 characters or less... then, I am nothing short of brilliant!  (I pay homage to Twitter regularly.)

Now, in my defense, I have a long list of blog topics to write about - each with a clever and memorable title.  I am, after all, a  producer.  Which in essence, means I am an organizing list-maker with a fancy title.  But when I look at the list, I always wonder what is the purpose of this topic.  Will anyone read it?  If they do, will anyone care?  What is the take-away value?  What is the ROI (of time)?

As I was going through my litany of self-doubt questions this morning, it occurred to me that I suffer from the same shyness that many small businesses are ailing from when it comes to the use of video in their marketing/branding strategy.  That brought me to the realization that I probably do have something to offer to the blogosphere and hopefully over the coming weeks, you might just agree.

To wrap up this therapy session, I want to give you some take-away value for your time investment to get this far.  

My 11-year-old son calls these our 'catch-phrases.'

From me... 'When in doubt, trust your gut.'
From Sean... 'Make a good guess, and hope for the best.'

Cheers ~ Kerri O'

Three Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Creative Partnership

Working with a creative group?  Struggling to see their vision?  Here are Three Tips go getting the most out of that partnership (and how to ease your frustration!):

• GIVE PRAISE FIRST.  Creative people are basically all insecure.  We need to hear that our great idea was indeed great.  You can rein in after the praise, by the way.  Honestly, we'd almost rather have your undying adoration for the amazingly brilliant creative idea we just shared, than get paid.  I said 'almost.'  Also, we like to live the illusion that we are hipper and cooler that 'suits.'  Let us live our dream! 

• TRUST OUR PROCESS.  I said 'trust,' not 'understand' or 'embrace.'  We do understand deadlines (see #3), but our timetable probably doesn't look just like the one you are operating from.  In the A&E show 'Mad Men,'  Don Draper delivered what could be my all time favorite TV line:

  "You came here because we do this better than you, and part of that is letting our creatives be unproductive until they are."  Some  of my best ideas come at 3am, almost always.  You have to trust that we will deliver on time but maybe not in the way that is of your choosing. Trust.

• GIVE US STRUCTURE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES.  Give us a deadline.  That deadline can be a date to deliver the final project, it can also be benchmark deadlines so you can see the progress being made.  But, don't try to corral us by laying out hard boundaries like we are accountants.  That kind of thinking will such the creative juices dry.  It paralyzes a creative thinker.  Let us cross over into areas that we see fit to explore until we reach the creative path you have hired us to find and execute.  Micromanagement is the Cryptonite to your Superman creative partner.

I am in no way suggesting that creative people are better than any other type of partner in a project.  I am voicing an opinion after working for 20 years with both creative types and 'suits.'  There is a difference.  You can get more than what you hoped for from a creative person, if you are willing to open your mind to a different way of thinking.

Finally, are you hitting a dry spell in creativity yourself?  Go to lunch with the most creative person you know.  You can refuel on the energy creatives generate!

How to Get Your Story on TV - It's More Than The Pitch

    In the past 20 years, I have produced everything from news, talk shows, on-line informational shows, documentaries, commercials, how-to videos, to magazine programs.  In that time, I have been pitched just about every idea imaginable.  But considering there are only so many hours in a day, so many minutes in a show or segment, can you guess how many of those pitches made it to air?  Would you believe maybe 3-5%?  The question then becomes:  Why did I choose the ones I did, and why did the others get tossed, deleted, unanswered.  The answer:  The pitch started with a compelling sell that was clearly directed at my target audience and came with a memorable story.

    Say you have a company, service, or product your selling.  If you pitch just that, I can promise you, you will NOT get a call back from an a Producer.  Here's an inside tip:  Producers work hard!  They have a tremendous responsibility to define content that is true to the nature of the program - broadcast, online, etc.  If you are calling a Producer to say, 'Please put me on your program so I can talk about my new (name of product/service/company here).'  And that's all you offer, don't wait by the phone.  A call is not coming your way.  If I have to work too hard to figure out what your angle is to elevate my show, you've lost me.  I've moved on to someone who 'gets' it.    I want you to 'get' it.  I want you to know what to say and how to say it so you can pitch any entity you choose with confidence.  Here are five action steps to take, before you send off a press release to a Producer or show.

• THINK.  Really look at the media source you want to approach.  Put on your temporary Producer hat and ask yourself:
• • What is this show about? What purpose does it serve in the marketplace?
    
  • Who is its audience?  KING-TV in Seattle is about to debut its new talk show - New Day Northwest (I've attached the show's new open below - which will give you a very good idea who they are producing for).  The show is Monday-Friday in the morning.  Who is this show's audience?  Women, ideally 30-45, but more likely 35-60.  Is what you are pitching of interest to them?  Perhaps not on the surface, but maybe it could be. Dig, rethink how what you are pitching could be a fit.
    
  • How could my product/service/company relate to the viewers?  This is what I call 'take away value.'  When I book guests, I always ask myself what will the audience take away from this segment.  Is it information? Is it a story that will resonate?  If you can figure out how to weave a compelling story into your product/service/company, you will get booked. 

• WRITE.  Take a page from Twitter.  Sit down and write a 140 character sell.  If you can tell me in 140 characters the general angle of your pitch, you'll have my attention.  Start your pitch with that.  Follow that with the 50 word synopsis of what you are offering, why I should care.  Take the advice from Nicole Donnelly in her book "Ride Like A Penguin," ask yourself if what you've written is newsworthy, interesting, or surprising?
  

• EDIT. You need to discover the hook to your pitch.  But, you also need to really think about who is going to sit in that chair with a host and talk, representing you.  Leave the ego at the door, it might not be you!  Good Producers develop a sixth sense for good talkers.  I can decide within a five minute phone conversation if I am booking a particular guest or not.  Can this person articulate succinctly answers to my questions? Does this person give me answers that naturally lead me to the next question that moves the story along?  Nothing is more painful that to have a guest on a show who give you 'yes,' 'no,' or one sentence answers.  Next harsh reality:  Who's going to look good on camera?  I'm not talking about Hollywood glamour here.  But I will tell you when I worked in New York, we always had potential guests send a photo.  We literally wanted to make sure the person had teeth!

• PLAN.  You are going to pitch a Producer who is over-worked and underpaid.  Don't shoot yourself in the foot by not planning on the possibility that you will get a call or he/she will research you before that call.  If I am pitched, and I go to a website, blog, etc.  and it isn't current or it is a completely different arena than what I was just pitched, it's over.  I won't do the extra work to find you.  I won't take the time to glean your story from your busy website.  For every pitch I get, there are a hundred other people waiting to take that spot.  Plan for a Producer to check you out.

• PROVIDE.  This is where you can completely set yourself apart from others trying to get a Producer's attention.  Give him/her everything you can to make the job easier.  You know your story.  You can talk well and be interesting.  You look pretty good on camera.  What else does a Producer want?  Think about interviews you have seen before.  Which ones were the most interesting?  When I was producing a talk show, I really didn't want to look at the guest and the hosts for 6 minutes non-stop, and I don't think the viewers did either.  We occasionally had enough of a budget to send out a camera crew to shoot was in the biz is known as 'b-roll.'  That is the footage that the director rolls in over the 'talking heads.'  These days budgets are tight and a show may not have the capability. But, you can provide it for them.  Hire a crew - yes, like Two Dogs Barking Productions - and have footage shot of you doing what you do, of your product, etc.  THEN, have that crew shoot a testimonial or personal story that will elevate what you are doing to a personal level.  You give a Producer that footage - you are one step closer to 'Lights, Camera, Action!'

Marriage of partners: words & pictures

Strong visual storytelling depends on a marriage between two partners – words and pictures. In a society inundated with visual stimulation, it is the goal of Two Dogs Barking to refine and elevate the impact of images by going back to the basics of telling good stories. Two Dogs Barking has built its reputation on the highly creative craft of matching message to image.

Much like the partners of words and visuals, Two Dogs Barking principals are a partnership personally and professionally who strike a balance of skill and experience.    Both have enjoyed highly successful careers for many years prior to marrying their individual talents (and each other). Since then, this 17-year union has sent them around the world telling stories for regional, national and international broadcast and corporate clients.  If our principals track record – with the hardware to prove it (Emmys, Tellys, Peabody, etc.) – is the backbone of Two Dogs Barking.  Then, their mutual passion for telling great stories, and for using their talents to visually illustrate those stories is the heart of Two Dogs Barking.

Two Dogs Barking cultivates clients who want to have their story told through visual expression to all types of audiences. From commercials/PSAs, to streaming video, to webisodes, to corporate training video, to special event production, to conference openers -   Two Dogs Barking has the depth of experience, the vision for conceptualizing a message, and the demonstrated ability to deliver a high quality product for our clients.That's who we are.  And, we are doing what we love.

Two Dogs Recipe for a Successful Video Shoot: Bramble Berry Soap Making

Ingredients for a Successful Video Project

Start with a forward thinking business owner

The most difficult challenge of operating a small video production company is finding new clients who understand the power and multi-uses of video (dvd, streaming, etc.).  Fortunately, there are those occasions where just such a person crosses my path. 

Anne-Marie Faiola is the brains, the beauty, and the business-owner behind Bramble Berry Soap Making Company.  I met Anne-Marie after I booked her on a pilot for the program 'Maximum Living with Randy Alt.'  From that meeting, the idea of creating a 'Learn to Make...' dvd was born - which you can buy on the Bramble Berry website, or on Amazon.

Mix equal parts: client who knows her product  and
producer who knows her role
Anne-Marie is the Soap Queen. She is ridiculously knowledgeable about her product because she is so passionate about what she does.  The key to our working relationship was the mutual respect we had for each other's knowledge in our respective fields.

Slowly stir together a collaboration of ideas
Anne-Marie knew what she wanted the end result to feel like for her customers.  But, she also was open minded and eager to hear about how, as a producer, I was going to get us there.  In the end, the final project is a balanced mix of both our ideas and vision - as it should be in any video project.

Add a detailed, formulated shooting plan
My job as the director/producer on this project was to make sure that we had a strong plan when we went to shoot.  As a producer, my number one goal is to do all the pre-production work so the actual production will go off seemlessly.  It starts with a strong script, add a great crew, and finish with a second, third, fourth check of all the details.


Blend creative crew with room for new ideas
Hand-picking a crew to suit the particular shoot allows me to bring in the right mix of creative energy to the shoot.  Each member of the crew adds a different perspective based on their own experiences on past shoots and projects.  To allow the crew to have a voice elevates any project.  It is the role of the producer to check the ego at the door and ask for input.

Sprinkle in a dash of humor
Production is hard work.  There's never enough time.  There's rarely a big enough budget to hire enough people.  Every one there knows that every shoot is a learning experience as every shoot is different.  To be successful, both client and producer must find the humor in the moment, roll with the problems and have a positive outlook on finding the solutions.

Thank you Anne-Marie and your staff for a great experience!  Learn more, follow Anne-Marie, here:

supplies: www.brambleberry.com

blog: www.soapqueen.com

retail store: www.otionsoap.com

learn: www.soapqueen.tv