Local video production

Local Video Production

Hear how Video Artisan is demonstrating the power of local video production as an effective marketing tool.

What is the benefit of using a local video production company?  The answer, pre-COVID, was, “not a lot, really!”.  We were all used to travelling, casting our marketing nets further and looking beyond our local business community for business and services.  I dare say some of this was price driven.  We all believed we could, “get it cheaper elsewhere”, and that “elsewhere” could be many miles away. 

I think it was deeper than that though.  We had all broadened our horizons and travelling habits.  We had become entrepreneurial globetrotters – and loved it! Then COVID lockdown hit and our world collapsed. Many companies in our industry were, and still are, extremely nervous and could not see a future for local video production.  Now we must.

No hiding away – Local Video Production is here to stay!

I will mention this now as it must be mentioned. There are many businesspeople that see it as poor publicity to even mention the word ‘COVID’ in any marketing material or conversation.  It is a bit like Harry Potter’s Voldemort – ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’.  Well, here you go… COVID, COVID, COVID!  Writing about it and talking about it is not going to make you get it. It is a fact of life that we must deal with.  The alternative is to roll over and play dead – and we are not going to do that.

I too was a bit in shock for a while after seeing about 80% of our business disappear almost overnight.  Our two main areas of income were derived from the corporate events industry and large-scale military exercises.  Both gone – in the stroke of a pen.  We soon realised it was time to go back to our roots and serve the demand for local video production services. It is there; you just have shorten your sights.

Local video production in Kenya
Filming in Kenya – A while off yet!

Moving back home

When we started Video Artisan back in 2012, I spent some time looking at what businesses were in my local town – Loughton in Essex.  I trawled through local business directories, drove around all the local business parks and commercial zones noting down address and company names (both physically and virtually using Google street view) and built up a database of local marketing targets.  I drafted a letter, addressed to ‘The Busiest Person in the Company’, because I didn’t have an actual name, and posted out about 250 letters announcing the offerings of my new local video production company. 

Within a couple of days, I had picked up a handful of clients that kept the business going through the first three years.  I am not claiming to be any kind of marketing guru, but that one single activity got me through what are often the most challenging years for any new business.  It was my ‘zero-to-hero’ moment and the COVID crisis has brought my focus back to my local community today.

Local films for local firms

Within a few weeks of lockdown we was starting to plan our return into the local business community.  Of course, we had never really left it but all our marketing efforts up until then been on a much wider scale.  That made sense pre-COVID, but like any marketing the wider you spread your message the thinner it becomes.  Local video production marketing is a lot more intimate and directed – and relatable to your intended targets on an otherwise difficult to achieve level.

Our first task was to make sure all our online efforts had a strong element of “local” about them.  In practice this means you’ve got to make sure your website content is location centric.  In the longer term, when we are all dashing about the globe again, this will not be wasted effort as your location is still an important part of your business make up. 

We also made sure our Social Media content and connections were inline with our local targeting. If you are selling local video production services, you want to make sure any search engine results include you when the term “near me” is typed in by a user (a very common thing users type into Google… “XYZ near me”).  Google My Business settings, the Facebook and LinkedIn Groups you belong to etc all should reflect your local ambitions and interests.

Local Video Production Show and tell

We then needed a piece of marketing collateral to hang our ‘local video production’ message on and the only logical medium we could use was a short video entitled ‘Local films for local firms’.  We had to put our money where our mouth was, and it was less than 24-hrs after releasing this through Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter that we had three strong enquiries. 

At the time of writing this blog two of those enquiries have been converted into completed films (turned around in a week).  The first was for a local retailer, and the second a local structured cabling company (see two videos below).  The third (a prospectus for a local school) starts in production at the beginning of July.

And this success has not stopped there.  We are now talking to a further three companies about their local video production requirements. 

Your turn to look more closely at Local Video Production

If your business is local to Loughton – or anywhere within Epping Forest and the surrounding areas – and want to explore ways we can help you to raise your profile through video, please get in touch.  We are sure we can introduce ideas into your marketing that will help you do more business locally too.  See our showreel here.

Please contact Kevin Cook on 020 3602 3356 – or email kevin@video-artisan.com

Key benefits to doing business locally

1 – Supporting local business helps the local economy, creating healthier financial surroundings for your own business to trade in.  What goes round, comes round!

2 – Supporting local business means less travel pollution and is kinder to the environment. Full stop!

3 – Local businesses will understand many of your business challenges more intimately.

4 – Local businesses form networks with other local businesses are more likely to trade with their connections. Get yourself connected too!

5 – Working with local businesses promotes and develops business intelligence for future employment.

Video to DVD Service – Formats

VHS and Video to DVD conversion service

Video to DVD Service – Saving memories at Video Artisan

Our video to DVD service continues to broaden here at Video Artisan. Whilst the bulk of this is converting VHS videotapes to DVD, we’ve also been converting all manner of family memories.  This includes those stored in photographs, slides, cine film and every other common videotape, camcorder hard drive or memory card format. Many were predicting the demise of DVD which was tipped to be overtaken by BluRay or Cloud storage.  But good old DVD has managed to keep a firm hold on its position as the playback medium of choice.  Regardless of whether that’s via a DVD player, Games Console or a computer. Nearly all older videotape formats and home movies are recorded in standard definition, so there is little advantage in converting to a high definition format (such as BluRay).
VHS to DVD video to DVD service
VHS – the most common video to DVD service

Video to DVD service – it’s all about archiving futures

Whilst DVD is still the most appropriate and convenient format to have your family archives copied over to, we also keep our eye on where things are moving to in the future. Online or Cloud storage is expanding fast and it can be a very smart way to share your memories with family and friends through social media platforms or through privately shared online storage solutions.  To meet this demand Video Artisan offer a conversion service to MP4 on a USB stick.  These sticks can be played using most modern Smart TV sets – and the MP4 file can be easily shared using platforms such as YouTube (for more information on Video to MP4 see our more detailed article here). Whilst DVD and USB sticks are a great playback format, some customers want to edit their films further once converted so we offer delivery in a wide range of editable digital formats which are ideal for either PC or Mac editing programs.

Growing demand for video to DVD

Video to DVD - formats Common formats (from top to bottom) VHS-C, DV (or DVCAM), 8mm (or Video 8), Camcorder Cards (or Hard Drives) and Cine Film (Standard or Super
Common formats (from top to bottom) VHS-C, DV (or DVCAM), 8mm (or Video 8), Camcorder Cards (or Hard Drives) and Cine Film (Standard or Super8)
VHS tapes were first released in the late 70s and remained as the main consumer videotape format for over 20-years until DVD was introduced in the late 90s. At their peak there were more than 200 million VHS players being sold each year and many, many millions more VHS tapes were manufactured and used for off-air recording as well as for recording home movies. And despite many variations of the format being introduced (Super-VHS / SVHS-ET / VHS-C / W-VHS / Digital-S / D9), the last standalone VHS player was sold by JVC in 2008. Whilst videotape is now considered to be obsolete, there have been many more tape formats, both analogue and digital, that have been used to record family films and home recordings. The more popular of these include Video 8, Hi8, DVC, MiniDV, MicroMV, Digital 8 and HDV. The result is billions of hours of home movies and family films that are gradually becoming harder for people to see as the players become faulty or discarded. Having a videotape to DVD conversion is therefore a really great way to bring those memories back to life.

Tips on how to store your old videotapes

Here are a few tips on how to keep your old videotapes in the best possible condition. Videotapes do deteriorate over time, so getting them converted is the best possible way to keep your memories safe and make them much easier watch and share.
  • Keep them in their box – as this will help prevent dust and moisture getting to the tape.
  • Store in dry conditions. Moisture can cause the oxide particles to separate from the tape.
  • Keep away from magnets. The recording process is based on the magnetisation of metal particles on the tape – so avoid storing near speakers or other appliances with strong magnets.
  • Avoid storage in places with varying temperatures.
  • Store the tapes upright to avoid the tape slipping on the reels.
  • Rewind tapes fully before storing.
  • Do not handle the tape it’s self.

Videotape to DVD Turnaround

We normally turnaround videotape to DVD conversions within a week – but often much quicker. This does depend on the volume of work as all videotape to DVD conversions have to be carried out in real time.  Our studios are based in Loughton, Essex – but we service all parts of London, Essex and Hertfordshire. Please contact us for details on pricing and discounts for bulk videotape to DVD conversions – call 020 3602 3356 or 07771 535692 or email kevin@video-artisan.com.

Showreel

Essex and East London Corporate Video and Business Film Showreel

Video Production Showreel & Samples

This is a showreel of recent works by Video Artisan. Films will be added to as and when they are signed off by clients.  Please contact us for additional showreel samples which are not in the public domain.  All works are copyright of Video Artisan unless otherwise stated.

Gellyball!

Gellyball is fun, action-packed party activity for kids and adults. Using mess-free water-based gellyballs as ammunition, this indoor/outdoor activity is perfect for ages 8 to adult. The low-impact, gellyballs work with interactive scoreboards via protective vest sensors to create a really competitive and fun activity. For more information, visit www.gellyball-kids.co.uk now.

Beat the Media

Beat the Media is a Media Training presentation combined with a highly focussed team-building activity – with each team acting as a TV news gathering unit. Your delegates will be the people in-front and behind the camera; tasked to produce an entertaining 2-minute News Package.

Infinity Gazebos – Introducing their Premium Range

This short SEO Video was produced to highlight the features of Infinity Gazebos’ Premium Range of products. With plenty of still images of installations, Infinity wanted a video that would demonstrate the mechanical features and moving parts of their luxury gazebo range.

M&IT Agency Challenge 2022

The M&IT Challenge events are all about audience engagement – the modern way to use fun and competition to get sales messages remembered. It’s all about high energy, inspiration and creativity. Suppliers present their messages to the entire audience of agency professionals while our hi-tec knowledge tests ensure maximum engagement between audience and presenter.

M&IT Awards 2021

The M&IT Awards is the leading awards event for suppliers and buyers in the corporate travel, events and incentive travel industries. Held at Battersea Evolution in London, hundreds of event professionals gather each year to celebrate the very best in the industry. This short documentary gives an incite into the event and is used to attract sponsors, participants and attendees.

M&IT Agency Challenge

This short documentary gives an insight into the 2021 M&IT Agency Challenge event held at Wyboston Lakes Resort. This is a unique networking event for event and corporate travel agencies which fosters greater understanding between them and their providers. Video Artisan not only shoot this documentary over the two days but also provide one of the most popular team challenges. Each team has to create a 2-minute film on a given subject – which are then judged and screened as part of the final gala night dinner.

Trinity Catholic High School – 2020 Enrollment Film

Faced with the challenges of running their normal enrolment open-day amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this film was produced to give potential students and their parents an insight into the values, principles and benefits of attending this very well respected Church school.

Haynes Group – The core of your connected future.

This is an example of what can be achieved using just stock images only – coupled with some scripting, a professional voice (by Andy Ivy) and an appropriate music score. It was created in just three days and will be used by the Haynes Group as part of their sales presentations and also for online distribution.

Smith’s of Loughton – At your service!

Here’s a short video we’ve just completed for this local high-end kitchenware, tableware and giftware retailer. Pretty much everyone in the local area will be familiar with Smith’s – but if not, this short film will give you a good idea what they’re all about.

M&IT Agency Challenge 2019

This short event documentary explores the benefits to MICE agencies and sponsors of participating in CAT Media’s M&IT Agency Challenge.

Kainos Evolve – Paperless Healthcare – Customer Reference Film

This short customer reference film tells the story of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals innovative drive towards delivering a paperless healthcare system to their local community.

M&IT Awards 2019

Video Artisan were, once again, commissioned to produce a short film on this amazing awards ceremony.  This event celebrates the very best in the UK’s business meetings and events industry.

Siemens – The Culture Difference

This short investigative documentary was produced for Siemens Financial Services (Region North) to demonstrate the positive effects of cultural change within the business.  Used as a recruitment tool, this film prepares delegates on the company’s expectations of everyone working within the business.  (see full story here)

Handheld Vs Shoulder-Mount Video Cameras

This is a short documentary about the benefits of using a shoulder-mount camcorder over one of handheld design.  Sponsored by JVC Professional, this film concentrates on the features and benefits of their GY-HM850 camera.  (see full story here)

M&IT Agency Challenge – Landmark Hotel London

This short documentary tells the story of the M&IT Agency Challenge – an event which brings together buyers and suppliers within the corporate travel industry who participate in a range of activities and presentations to create an atmosphere of learning whilst having fun. (see full story here)

25-years of the Supadance National League

This short event documentary tells the story behind the success of this amazing ballroom dance league and it’s finals that took place this year at the Norbreck Castle, Blackpool. (See full story here)

Nipper Clipper at the Baby Show 2013

This short video diary covers the first exhibition showing of the revolutionary Stylfile baby and toddler nail clippers – The Nipper Clipper and its accompanying Timmy Tickle Baby distraction app.

Same-Sex Dance Festival Documentary

So you think you know all there is to know about same-sex ballroom and Latin dance?  This short documentary will certainly give you the bigger picture and supports the view of same-sex dance being incorporated into mainstream dance.

Robertson Sumner – IT Sales Recruitment Specialists

This is a good example of how simple and effective a website promotional film can be.  Running for just 1-minute 44-seconds, Robertson Sumner’s managing director, Marc Sumner, gives an introduction to their specialist IT sales recruitment business based in Gerrards Cross.

BT Workstyle Managed Service – Short Version

A short film produced for BT on the adoption of their Workstyle Managed Service by South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT). Called WorkSmart internally by SEPT, BT provided a comprehensive planning, integration, support and hardware solution which enables the Trust to adopt mobile working practices.

CAT Publications – iScream Norway Challenge

This short film was produced for CAT Publications to promote their Corporate Away Day event services.  Video Artisan also supported the event with filming kits for delegates to create their own film as part of the activities.  A more detailed blog on this job can be found by clicking here.

Stylfile Nipper Clipper Promo

2-minute (or so) website promo film introducing the innovative Nipper Clipper nail clippers and the Timmy Tickle distraction Ap.  Shot in a day – edited in another.

Eiger Safety – Musical Short

This short video was commissioned by Eiger Safety to act as a introduction to their sales PowerPoint presentations to give the audience a quick overview of the range of height safety systems and services they provide. A longer form documentary is also in production that gives a much more in-depth view of the company and their work.

Supadance – Shoes for Dance

(winner of Best Open Category at the 2012 IOV Awards)
Website short which had a simple objective of showcasing Supadance as a UK/London based dance shoe manufacturer.  The video is used as part of the video SEO activities and screened on their stand at various ballroom/latin dance competitions and events throughout the year.

Bees & Wasps

(2nd place in Best Documentary Category at the 2012 IOV Awards)
Short website documentary about the relationship and differences between the honeybee and the wasp.  Used as part of SEO activity for www.beemovies.net

Supadance Same Sex Open

(short-listed in the IOV’s Video of the Month for January 2013)
Another one of five videos produced for Supadance in 2012 as part of their video SEO activities.  This short film gives an insight into this pioneering event and explains why Supadance were one of the main sponsors.


Supadance National League

An insight into this major Ballroom and Latin Dance competition finals held each year in Blackpool.  The purpose of the video was to give a brief explanation of the competition and how to enter.  It is used by the organisers to attract dance schools to the competition and also by Supadance as part of their video SEO activities.

Freelance Video Production Services

Freelance Video Production Services

We provide a wide range of freelance video production services to video production companies, agencies, videographers and client producers. We have extensive experience in various video production roles. This includes videographer, freelance camera operator, freelance video editor, lighting, sound recording, script writing and directing. We are happy to work in either a hands-on or a consultative capacity.

Furthermore, we can also work on a project-price basis and are happy to work as part of a creative team. Please click the link below for details on our rates and kit.

CLICK HERE – Rate Card

Freelance Services Freelance Video Production Services Video Artisan
Shooter for hire at Video Artisan

Collaborative Productions

Furthermore we are willing to consider collaborative projects and help produce video content with sell-through value and royalty-based returns. We are happy to discuss any potential projects under standard non-disclosure agreements.

Freelance Video Production Service… UK-wide, Europe-wide and World-wide Coverage

We are located right on the edge of Epping Forest, Essex and the East End of London. We are therefore only a few minutes from the M25 and the UK’s motorway network.  As a result Central London is within 30-minutes via Loughton’s Central Line Underground station. This is only a couple of miles from our edit suite and office.  We are also within easy reach of either Stansted, Heathrow, City of London and Luton Airports.   In addition we provide freelance video production services on short and long-term overseas projects.

Other Freelance Services

Please visit our dedicated section for details on our script and copy writing services, and the consultancy services we offer either manufacturers or dealers within the video production sector… Copy WritingConsultancy

Video to DVD

For videotapes and cine films to USB or DVD visit our sister website Tapes2USB
Click on the image above to visit our sister website, Tapes2USB, for information on our videotape to USB or DVD Services

PLEASE VISIT WWW.TAPES2USB.CO.UK

Are you looking for a great local Video to DVD or MP4 Conversion service? 

Pricing – Video to DVD

Our video to DVD service is simple, fast and so cost effective.  We make a direct copy of your videotapes to a single-layer recordable DVD – which can be played back in either your DVD player or on your computer. Each tape will be recorded to its own DVD and compressed according to the duration on the tape. (for further information please read our blog article here)

Cost for each tape converted 
Up to 2-hours = £20.00
(additional copies = £4.00 ea)
Over 2-hours = £25.00
(additional copies = £6.00 ea)
BIG DISCOUNTS FOR BULK ORDERS – SO CALL FOR DETAILS

Pricing – Video to MP4 on USB stick

Our videotape to MP4 on USB stick service is a really neat way to preserve your memories. We will digitise your videotapes and convert them to MP4 at the most effective compression ratio to maintain the original quality, and then supply them on our branded 32GB USB stick/s.  Each USB stick can contain up to 24-hrs of video* – enabling you to store many tapes in a very compact medium.   (For more information on video to MP4 please read our blog article here)  *Duration of video depends on the original quality. The example given is typical of VHS, Betamax, 8mm, VHS-C and other standard definition videotape formats.  As a result High definition digital video formats will require more USB space.

Cost for each tape converted 
Up to 2-hours = £20.00
(additional copies = £10.00 ea)
Over 2-hours = £25.00
(additional copies = £10.00 ea)
BIG DISCOUNTS FOR BULK ORDERS – SO CALL FOR DETAILS

Contact us now!

Kevin Cook F.Inst.V. (Hon.)
Tel: +44 (0) 203 602 3356 Mobile: +44 (0) 777 153 5692
Email: kevin@video-artisan.com

Studio – Off Clays Lane, Loughton, Essex IG10 2SA – United Kingdom
Office – 174 Roding Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 3BS – United Kingdom
Connect…  Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn

Drop off & collection

During normal office hours you can drop off your Video to DVD orders to our Loughton Studios in Clays Lane (see map here).  You can also drop off evenings and weekends to 174 Roding Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 3BS.  Please call first to ensure we are not out filming – 020 3602 3356.

We are ideally situated to serve the Loughton, Debden, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Epping, Woodford, Chingford and Theydon Bois communities.  We are also served by the Central Line and very close to junction 26 of the M25 – therefore allowing us to serve the Essex and East London and Central London customer.

Mail Order

If you would rather, we are also happy to carry work out by mail order.  Please contact us for more details – 020 3602 3356.


Videotape conversions carried out with care

Since VHS and other videotape players are disappearing fast, now is the perfect time to preserve your precious memories with our Video to DVD or MP4 conversion service. We can convert your videotapes to either DVD or MP4 quickly and at the highest quality to ensure your home videos and other important memories are digitally preserved for you and your family – and for generations to come. Common video transfer formats include VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Hi8, Digital 8, DV, Betamax, MiniDV, DVCAM – and we can therefore pretty much any other format to another format of your choice.

Video to DVD Conversion service
Read on for details on our quality Video to DVD conversion services
Videotape to MP4 on USB sticks
Videotape to MP4 on USB sticks

Our video to MP4 conversions are supplied on USB stick. These can be played back directly on either modern TV sets, on computers and tablets, via media servers or in games consoles. USB sticks can also be easily copied and backed up without any specialist software.  Furthermore our MP4 files are also ready to be uploaded to YouTube so you can share your memories with family and friends around the world.  For more details on the benefits of videotape to MP4 see our blog entry here – www.video-artisan.com/videotape-to-mp4/


Further information

If you’re not quite ready to get your tapes converted, please watch this public information film on how best to store your tapes until you are ready to get them digitized.


Other formats and cine film conversions

We can also convert many other video, film, photo and slide formats – so it’s probably always worth giving us a call for a quotation!

Terms & Conditions of VHS to DVD or MP4 Conversion Service

1. We assume that you have full copyright clearance to instruct us to copy any materials on your behalf. We do however reserve the right to decline offering you this service if we believe copyright clearance probably has not been obtained or the material is in violation of any laws or could expose us to any private or public litigation.

2. Unless otherwise agreed, payment for any of these video transfer services is upon delivery of the completed works.

3. Any liability for the damage or loss of materials which occurs during the video transfer process will be limited to the replacement of the blank media, howsoever caused. We do not accept any liability for the contents within the recording.

4. Once we have supplied your DVD we will immediately delete this from our system. In conclusion any additional copies will therefore be charged at the full conversion rates listed above.

5. These special terms are in addition to our general terms and conditions of business are outlined here.