Promo video - is it worth the extra $$?

[jmbjandfam]

I'm admittedly biased because this promo video is from some friends of mine but this might give you some ideas.

 

[mikewalker]

#3 is the accepted practice around these parts. But it is a good idea to make sure to have the same drummer who played it on the recording - note for note drums are the most obvious visual clue ( if they are boogered...)

 

[floridagatorfan]

I would go with #3 if you can afford it. Ut #2 is good too. You guys sound excellent btw.

 

[faulknersj]

Trying to work out whether spending extra on getting a semi-pro promo-video done was worth the $$, or whether a DIY job is perfectly adequate for getting higher-end gigs?

If you have a few mins, please have a listen to these clips of my band through headphones and let me have your thoughts on whether we did the right thing in spending the extra on getting a semi-pro video (#3) done?

The three clips (which should come up if you click on the links) are:

#1 fully DIY ($"free" - obviously after I had invested in a video cam, a decent mic and some video editing software! I used a Panasonic V750, a Rode Stereo videomic and PowerDirector 15 video editing software). Set up the camera on location, with -10dB mic input to avoid distortion, and took the recording from two separate events to provide a bit of variety.

#2 low budget promo-video by a mate ($100) - hobby enthusiast with a couple of cameras in a bar, one stationery and one hand held to get more interesting clips.

#3 medium budget promo-video ($950) - sound separately recorded in the studio and "live" video overlayed with the drummer using a click track to keep us to time! A couple of days time and effort involved.

2 things

1). Don’t listen on headphones. That is not how prospective clients will listen to it.

2) yes...the videos you paid for blow your DIY out of the water.

 

[faulknersj]

#3 is the accepted practice around these parts. But it is a good idea to make sure to have the same drummer who played it on the recording - note for note drums are the most obvious visual clue ( if they are boogered...)

Average people who book bands likely don’t notice or care...just keeping it real.

 

[Al Krow]

I would go with #3 if you can afford it. Ut #2 is good too. You guys sound excellent btw.

Really nice of you to say, thanks!

 

[Mister Boh]

#2 kind of lost me at pumped up kicks. Not sure if it was sound or too much focus on guitar. Maybe both. Since it's made i'd just cut the entire song. Otherwise looks good. I agree with more focus on the singer and crowd.

 

[squidtastic]

#2 was the clear winner, IMO, because #1 seemed too unprofessional and #3 had weaker editing plus you could tell it was lip synced.
That said, I think #2 really needs some editing -- most of the songs go on too long. However, the editing and camera work were best.

 

[bfields]

Thanks for sharing those, they're good, and it's really interesting to see the differences in results for different levels of effort!

I want to hear from the other side: I've never been in a position to get a bunch of band promos and have to make a decision, I"d like to hear what that's like!

If you're basically cold-calling people then I'm guessing having any video at all is the biggest step, as that proves that you are in fact a real band and not just deluded. Beyond that I'm curious how important quality is.

I agree with the comments about the singer, but I'll dissent on the advice here slightly just because I think you can see she's a good front-person from a few seconds of video, and I bet there are diminishing returns from focusing on her even more. I don't see movie trailers zoomed in on the most engaging cast member for their whole running time--I'm guessing the people making them know that a few glimpses are enough to capture your interest.

I'd fear your audience may make up their mind and move on very quickly, so I'd shorten the title screen on #1 and maybe figure out a way to cut to the singer sooner in #3.

 

[BassAndReeds]

The video looks great. The extra money, well, you definitely got a better video from it. If you are good with marketing and know your market, then it will probably have been a worthy investment.

I wouldn’t worry if it was the right thing, and I’d start sending your product out to agents/venues and advertise where you can. The band sounds great.

Good luck.

 

[FenderB]

#2 for me. World of difference between 1 and 2, not so much between 2 and 3 for the difference in money. You guys have a great sound. Like the band name also. Good luck.

 

[gln1955]

I'd go with #3. One problem I have with #2 is with a B&W shoot, lighting is everything and this falls short. #3 would of course be better with good live audio, but most potential clients may not even notice.

 

[roller]

Trying to work out whether spending extra on getting a semi-pro promo-video done was worth the $$, or whether a DIY job is perfectly adequate for getting higher-end gigs?

If you have a few mins, please have a listen to these clips of my band through headphones and let me have your thoughts on whether we did the right thing in spending the extra on getting a semi-pro video (#3) done?

The three clips (which should come up if you click on the links) are:

#1 fully DIY ($"free" - obviously after I had invested in a video cam, a decent mic and some video editing software! I used a Panasonic V750, a Rode Stereo videomic and PowerDirector 15 video editing software). Set up the camera on location, with -10dB mic input to avoid distortion, and took the recording from two separate events to provide a bit of variety.

#2 low budget promo-video by a mate ($100) - hobby enthusiast with a couple of cameras in a bar, one stationery and one hand held to get more interesting clips.

#3 medium budget promo-video ($950) - sound separately recorded in the studio and "live" video overlayed with the drummer using a click track to keep us to time! A couple of days time and effort involved.

#2 was the most pleasing to my eyes and ears.

I think they're all a bit too long for a promo video. Max time for a quick promo video that showcases a handful of abbreviated tunes -- 90 seconds. Get in, cover what you need, get out, don't make your viewers sit too long or potentially bore them. YMMV.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Trying to work out whether spending extra on getting a semi-pro promo-video done was worth the $$, or whether a DIY job is perfectly adequate for getting higher-end gigs?

If you have a few mins, please have a listen to these clips of my band through headphones and let me have your thoughts on whether we did the right thing in spending the extra on getting a semi-pro video (#3) done?

The three clips (which should come up if you click on the links) are:

#1 fully DIY ($"free" - obviously after I had invested in a video cam, a decent mic and some video editing software! I used a Panasonic V750, a Rode Stereo videomic and PowerDirector 15 video editing software). Set up the camera on location, with -10dB mic input to avoid distortion, and took the recording from two separate events to provide a bit of variety.

#2 low budget promo-video by a mate ($100) - hobby enthusiast with a couple of cameras in a bar, one stationery and one hand held to get more interesting clips.

#3 medium budget promo-video ($950) - sound separately recorded in the studio and "live" video overlayed with the drummer using a click track to keep us to time! A couple of days time and effort involved.

I think the issue here is the dramatic jump in price. I would continue working to improve your diy stuff while looking around in your area for someone who can do a good job for less money. Especially as a promo video. Really one of the biggest issues with the first video is it just isn’t as nice of a venue/setting as the others imo.

I mean we did this for $300


This music video video even has drone footage, actors, several locations and we didn’t pay $900


This was like $40

 

[roller]

This. Except for focusing on one person more than the other.

If you are looking to get bookings, and want to have easy access media, make a combo of all videos and keep it under 2 minutes.

We did that and it has helped some.

Here is my bands “promo”. You can get the idea from these two videos. I made the second one with audio and video clips collected throughout the first 4 years we were together. The second is a low budget pro shot. Not that great but I think it was like $150. This sort of thing seems to work here around Chicago. YMMV.

We have a booking agent so he just emails a link of the video to the new venue that is interested in us.






Hope it helps.

Perfect lengths... nice stuff.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

I am torn between what I learned about video production in college years ago and what I like to personally see as a video presentation...I think a musical group can look more than what they actually are..and also less than what they actually are..do you over promise and under perform..or is it the opposite..is it true that less is more..or is more really more..?..I think a video presentation is just that..a presentation for the eyes..to stimulate the imagination..along with what the ears hear musically..so which is more important..would you rather be blind or deaf.....I would rather be able to see..so therefore most people..I think want a strong visual impact..which is what I think is missing in all your videos..even though black and white can work in some situations..I want to see a spectrum of color..I think the videos all looked too much like "daytime"..and the overall settings just didnt do anything for me..I think the video should be done on a professional stage with a tall ceiling..stage curtain as a backdrop possibly with a band logo..or a graphic presentation of something behind the drummer.. I also want to see colored stage lighting combinations for an overall stage color wash.. something like blue and purple..blue and green..red and yellow/orange for color floods..and lightly colored individual spot lights for the individual musicians (flesh tones with high enough intensity to see some detail..but not overly bright to wash out the image..I like the professional colorized stage look.. the drummer was wearing shorts..and for me..that is out..the band was just not dressed well enough..looked kind of frumpy..the two guys on stage right looked like their shirts needed pressing..the wrinkled look is just not good..and I just didnt see enough overall enthusiasm going on..you need more laughing..smiling..pointing..or something..the facial expressions were bland..and I didnt get the feeling like they were having any fun..you gotta make it look easy..not likes its a chore for pay....a larger stage ..in this case..would allow for more movement or action from the musicians..and you will need multiple cameras for broad shots..and for the cropped in shots..at least 2...I would also include a ballad..something that highlights emotion..and could capitalize the persona of the vocals..and maybe move into a soaring guitar lead..it wouldnt take that much money to do all this..just some thought and planning and maybe the use of a nice spacious stage at some club..

 

[Al Krow]

Some really useful bits of feedback guys - really appreciating you all taking the time to both listen to the clips and providing your comments! Please keep them coming.

 

[awakefie]

I like # 3. I wish we would do that. We do the shooting video on iPhone and frankly, I get embarrassed watching our videos.

To me #1 shows you are a musically talented band, #2 shows an artistic take with multiple camera angles, #3 screams "We can handle any gigs, even a big event". #3 costs more but it should get you more, and better paying, gigs.

 

[garp]

Out of interest did you get all the way through #1? (If you didn't, that says something in itself!) - we did get a bit of a change of camera angle with the different clips.

In all honesty, I didn't watch all of #1 the first time through, because in this rather unfortunate day and age of instant gratification, I wasn't hooked within the first 15 seconds. But after reading your response, I went back and watched #1 in its entirety. My feeling remains that changing the camera angles on different tunes didn't help much there. Any "locked-off" shot (i.e., a fixed, tripod-mounted video or motion-picture film camera) often screams "low budget." These days, good editing with multiple camera angles are essential to capturing the vibe of a live performance. It doesn't have to be super-expensive, either. A few years ago, I edited a video for a band that had almost no budget, so we ultimately went with a locked-off, wide-angle high-definition video shot with audio taken from the camera itself and from the mixing board as a foundation, intercut with multiple fans' iPhone footage. Of course, it wasn't perfect, but the sum total was a high-energy video that placed viewers at the event, rather than watching it all as a fly on the same wall.

 

[Alkali Ike]

This guy could help you. Hint: Star wipes!

(sorry, couldn't resist)