Bordertown Films https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au Specialists in Storytelling through Videos Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:49:37 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/wp-app/uploads/2022/03/bordertown-films-favicon-150x150.jpeg Bordertown Films https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au 32 32 How To Use Humour In Your Corporate Video https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/how-to-use-humour-in-corporate-video/ Sat, 04 Jun 2022 20:05:00 +0000 https://bordertown.dijio.dev/?p=542
Take a chance to score the bullseye with your target audience

Humour? In a corporate video? Whaaatt? You are a serious company. A legit company. You have a professional image to uphold.

Yes, yes and yes. We know. Hear us out.

First of all, corporate videos. What are they? And more importantly, what are they for?

Corporate videos is an umbrella term for videos that are generally non-commercial. So, #NotAnAd (loose definition by yours truly). They can be anything from product explainers to customer testimonials, training videos and more. The goal of these videos, and any video, really, is to communicate and connect with your target audience. They can be your existing buyers, your potential customers, your staff.

Using humour in your corporate video doesn’t mean you don’t take your brand seriously. We understand that companies shy away from comedy because they are hesitant to come off as jokers, or worse, charlatans.

But comedy is a wide spectrum. From light-hearted to laugh-till-you-cry, there are countless ways to create and execute a comedy concept in just the right way so it fits and elevates your brand like a tailor-made suit.

Why comedy?

As for: why comedy? Simple. Comedy because everyone likes to be entertained. Everyone. Even your accountant. With the glut of videos these days, the way to get your audience’s attention is to entertain, rather than just inform.

So your audience feels they are getting something i.e. entertainment, rather than just another company trying to push their own message and sell them something.

When your audience is entertained, they are more likely to share it, which means higher engagement. Higher engagement = effective messaging = better results!

Done right, your brand comes across as clever, professional and you get effective cut through to your target audience. Here are a few examples of different tones and styles to give you some ideas:

  1. Apple: The Underdogs
    With close to 4 million views to date for what is essentially a 3-minute long corporate video (Arguable. Some call it an ad, some say comedy brand film. Doesn’t matter in this case), this goes to show that if it’s good entertainment, people will watch it. This is a comedic narrative about an underdog team that gets a rare chance to pitch their concept to the big boss. It works because it’s funny and people relate to and root for underdogs.
  2.  Slack
    This customer testimonial video is clever in the way it’s scripted to look like it isn’t scripted. The editing and choice of soundtrack adds to its entertainment value, and the graphics show the product off in a seamless way.
  3. Dollar Shave Club
    And of course the classic explainer video by Dollar Shave Club, which arguably sparked off a new wave of explainer videos. It’s a great script, packed with gags, delivered by the founder who has comedy experience. With over 26 million views to date, this style obviously works.

That said, we know comedy can be hard to get right. You’d need to work with creatives with the right instincts, skills and experience, who have honed sharp comedic sensibilities (you know where this is going)… like us!

Why us?

We’ve made heaps of comedy content from commercial and corporate videos, to original short films. Here are 3 examples of our past work:

Corporate


Dan directed this piece, “The Flying Dead”, about zombies on airplanes for Scoot’s YouTube channel.

Commercial

Dan directed this piece, “Grab, Don’t Flag”, about the dangers of flagging for a ride-sharing app.

Original short film


Check out our comedy short film, Home Brew, about Aussie mateship and magical beer.

So there you have it! Hope this has given you some inspiration for your next video campaign. As always, if you want to discuss ideas, give us a holler!

]]> How Much Does it Actually Cost to Make a TV Commercial or Corporate Video for My Business? https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/how-much-does-a-video-cost/ Thu, 03 Mar 2022 20:13:00 +0000 https://bordertown.dijio.dev/?p=547

While some of our videos are produced for as little as $600, others can cost tens of thousands. So why the difference?

Basically because videos come in all shapes and sizes, depending on what the client may need, there are: interview led corporate videos, property walkthroughs, event videos, TV commercials and so on. However, for our example here, let’s look at one of the more expensive types of videos, with some bells and whistles, like a TV commercial or high end corporate video – see our Tourism Korea or Sanctuary Cove videos. Roll camera!

But first, a disclaimer. These prices are for reference only and should not be quoted. Crew and equipment rates do vary depending on the type and duration of the project and may be more or less than what is stated here. Also note that when it comes to high end TV commercials, say for an international brand, budgets can go into the hundreds of thousands.

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However, for our purposes here, we will be talking about local productions and from our past experience, this is a good ballpark. Also note that while some productions shoot over a number of days (or weeks), the rates here are based on a 1 day shoot.

Ok aaaaaand action!

EQUIPMENT

Cameras

Firstly, let’s look at cameras. With these 2 clients, we’re selling travel and lifestyle.

It’s aspirational, so it has to look premium – which means using higher end cameras and lenses. Something like an Alexa, Red or a Sony FS7 with cine lenses. These more expensive cameras shoot at higher resolutions with faster bit rates and better codecs than your prosumer cameras.

Essentially, they can capture more information and process that information more effectively, giving you richer colours, greater latitude (the amount of detail in the highlights and shadows) and ultimately produce a more pleasing image. These cameras though are not cheap, costing tens of thousands to own.

Camera Rental – $1,500

Lenses

Having nice lenses also makes a huge difference. You could write a book on the intricacies of lenses, but essentially a nice piece of glass on a camera can really lift an image.

A good lens can capture better colours, allow more light onto the camera’s sensor, give you a shallower depth of field (the distance that is in focus), affect the bokeh (the shape and detail of the out-of-focus area) and affect the sharpness of your image. Ultimately a good lens will treat the overall image with an artist’s touch and give you images that you fall in love with time and time again. However good lenses are often
more expensive, again, they can go into the tens of thousands to own.

CP2 Prime Lens kit – $500

Lights

Next is lights. Some people wonder why we’re bringing lights when we’re shooting in the day time. The short answer is, even when we shoot in the day, the ambient interior light is very flat and boring.

Having lights allows us to shape the light around our talents’ faces, making them more angular, more interesting or more beautiful. Lights can also help your subject stand out from the background capturing the viewer’s attention.

Another reason is if you want to try and balance the interior and exterior light . If you have an indoor scene and it looks out to a beautiful park, you may want to try and see as much of that park as possible, however if you don’t use any interior lights, the park will be over exposed, as the outdoor sunlight is so much stronger than the interior ambient light.

We therefore use lights to increase the interior exposure so it more closely matches the intense exterior sunlight.

Lighting Van – $1,000

CREW

Producer

Let’s start at the top. The Producer. Even though The Director may beg to differ, the producer is in charge of the entire production. They’re in charge of the budget (and are therefore rather scary), they approve if you really need that 40ft crane or if you can just settle for a dolly shot.

$700

Director

Next is The Director. The Director is in charge of the overall story. They’re the ones with the creative vision, the one who decides if you’ll shoot handheld at 25 fps or in B&W slow mo. They should have a fair idea of how they want the finished video to look and feel even before you all walk on set. They will work closely with the actors to make sure their performance has the right tone. They will also work closely with the DOP (he’s next) to make sure the video has the right look they’re going for. Perhaps most importantly, the director should be working closely and communicating frequently with the client, ensuring that they’re informed of what’s going on and are happy with what they see.

$2,500

DOP

Having nice cameras, lenses and lights means nothing if you don’t have someone who knows what to do with them. That’s why you need to hire a dedicated DOP or Director of Photography. They’re the ones that handle the camera and (along with the gaffer) the lights.

A good DOP is extremely important, as not only are they in charge of the technical aspects of operating the camera, but they’re also responsible for the composition of the image and the direction of the light. DOPs are extremely important when you need to achieve high production values and they charge accordingly.

$2,000

1st AD

The 1st Assistant Director is the Director’s right hand wo/man. Often the 1st AD will only be used on bigger sets like large TVCs, TV Shows and Movies. They’re responsible for the running of the set and making sure everything runs on schedule.

They’re the ones cracking the whip, hopefully with a smile.

If the sun is about to set and the Director is being indecisive or decides he needs another 3 shots, it’s the job of the 1st AD to manage the situation. They must be highly organised, have excellent communication skills and command respect.

$700

Camera & Lighting Assistants

Having more lights, bigger cameras and better lenses also means having more crew to help manage and move them. That’s where our amazing camera and lighting assistants come into play. They help our DOP with the technical aspects of the camera, such as changing lenses and filters, they help wrangle data (transfer files from the camera to hard drive backups) and they help move lights and grip equipment around location. Having good assistants is extremely important in ensuring the shoot runs smoothly and on schedule.

$650

Grips

Grips are in charge of all the equipment that helps move a camera: dollies, cranes, jibs and rigs. Lifting heavy bits of steel-laden parts and machinery all day means they’re usually the strongest members of the crew and are therefore not to be messed with.

$800

Gaffers

Gaffers are the DOP’s right hand man and look after all the lights on set. Similar to grips, gaffers lug around heavy lights all day and will usually win any lunchtime arm wrestling championship.

$800

Hair and Makeup

With the clarity of the cameras nowadays, having a good hair and makeup person is imperative. There’s nothing worse than having a beautiful actor looking like they’ve just walked out of a hurricane. A good hair and makeup artist can make your attractive talent gorgeous and work miracles on the frumpy plumber you had to ring in at the last minute.

They can also help save you when your lead talent rolls up his sleeves to reveal full arm tattoos that the client hates. With a bit of time they can make those tattoos disappear!

$700

Sound(wo)man

One thing that separates amateur videos from professional is having good sound. Having crisp, clear, rich sound is crucial to producing a great piece of work. While not all productions need location sound, when you have talent speaking or multiple actors in a scene, sound peeps are a must-have.

$900

Talent

Having the right talent can make or break your production. Usually they’re the focus of every video, therefore it’s super important to ensure you get the right ones. Not only do they have to have the right look, they also have to be able to give the performance you need, particularly if you’re doing comedy or drama.

However for these purposes, let’s use the example of a lifestyle TV commercial – someone who
looks good, acts naturally and knows where to hit the mark.

$600 (Non-agency talent)

Editors

While filmmaking does attract a certain amount of geekery, editors are usually the geekiest of the lot. Often with pale skin and bad backs from hours seated over a bunch of computer monitors, they’re the ones who take days’ worth of raw footage and piece it into a 30sec or 1-3min masterpiece. While there are a lot of editors in the world, good ones are a dime a dozen and are an essential element in the filmmaking process.

Editors are the major cog in the wheel of what we call Post-Production, because it’s after the production’s shoot. As well as the offline edit (assembling and structuring the footage into a coherent story), you also have online editing, which is the finishing touches such as colour grading, sound design and motion graphics. This process can take days or weeks depending on the type of project. Post-production could take
up a whole post in itself, but for these purposes, let’s just focus on the editor for this example.

$700/day

Ok so let’s add it all up:

Camera Equipment – $2,000
Lighting Equipment – $1,000

Crew
Director – $2,500
DOP – $2,000

Producer – $700
Grip – $800
Gaffer – $800
CA’s – $700
Soundie – $900
Hair & Makeup – $700
Talent – $600
Editor x 4 days – $2,800
$15,500

Keep in mind, that’s what it costs the production company, before they add their margin to keep the lights on. Also as mentioned above, it’s for a 1 day shoot and is a very rough example. There may be other costs in a production such as: Writers and Concept Development, Catering, Transport, Wardrobe, Location Scouts, Casting Directors and so on.

Well that’s it, hope that gives you an idea of how costs are calculated when producing a video. As we mentioned earlier, this is for a lifestyle TV commercial with nice production values. Something like the examples found here.

If you’re after a more simple, interview-led corporate video, the cost will be far less, as you won’t need as much equipment or crew. If you’re not sure what you need, don’t hesitate to contact us or give us a call just to have a chat, we’re really cool (mum says so anyway).

]]> The Top 8 Film Festivals in Melbourne in 2022 https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/the-top-8-film-festivals-in-melbourne-in-2022/ Tue, 01 Feb 2022 11:18:00 +0000 https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/?p=2317 Film festivals are a great way to elevate your movie-watching experience. There is a lot of excitement around seeing the latest movies before they go mainstream. The movie festivals being held in Melbourne and Victoria this year feature movies from Australia as well as many others from Europe and America. These film festivals are also a great way to watch movies you might not hear or know about any other way. So, which film festivals are coming to Melbourne and Victoria this year?

Melbourne Documentary Festival

Date: 24 – 27 October 2022

Venue: Classic Cinema and online

Website: https://www.jiff.com.au/

Tickets: https://www.classiccinemas.com.au/events/armageddon-time-jiff-opening-night

The Jewish film festival has been around for more than 30 years, and it is meant to showcase the best of Jewish films. This year, the festival features 52 films from all over the world. You can enjoy deep dives, comedies, true stories, and various movies from other genres. 

While all the movies will be available through Classic Cinema, some titles will be released online for your enjoyment.

Apart from Jewish movies, the festival will also include the screening of different Israeli films, presentations, and special screenings.

Japanese Film Festival

Date: 18 November – 5 December 2022

Venue: Various venues around Melbourne

Website: https://japanesefilmfestival.net/

Tickets: https://japanesefilmfestival.net/tickets/

The Japanese film festival is brought to you by The Japanese Film Foundation, which has its headquarters in Sydney. Also known as “J-Film”, this film festival brings you stories from the west and the east. The festival will be touring different cities in Australia including Melbourne.

The main attraction is the screenings, which will include animation and action. There will also be comedies, thrillers, documentaries, and thrillers being screened. The festival will start with various outdoor screening sessions before moving indoors for a more intimate experience.

Ali Italian Film Festival 

Date: 13 September – 16 October

Venue: Palace Cinemas

Address: The Aston Theatre, Palace Baldwin, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Kino Cinema, Cinema Nova, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Westgarth

Website: https://www.italianfilmfestival.com.au/

Tickets: https://www.italianfilmfestival.com.au/eticket-bundle

The St. Ali Italian Film Festival will be beginning a taste of Italy on the Australian shores this September. The festival will feature movies from different genres including documentaries, romance, tragedy, comedy, and drama.

This is the biggest Italian film festival outside Venice and there is a lot to be excited about. You can visit the festival’s website if you would like to watch trailers of some of the films and special screenings that you can expect during the festival.

British Film Festival

Date: 19 October – 16 November

Venue: Palace Cinemas

Website: https://britishfilmfestival.com.au/

Tickets: https://britishfilmfestival.com.au/eticket-bundle

The British Film Festival celebrates the British film industry on Australian soil. This year, the festival brings you 37 exceptional films from different genres. The organisers say that the list of films will feature some actors you might know about and some of the emerging talent in Britain and across the world.

Perhaps the biggest reason to go to this year’s festival is the Bond showcase. James Bond will be on the big screen as the festival seeks to celebrate over 60 years of Bond films. Attendees will also get an opportunity to enter a draw where they get a chance to win an 8-night, all-expenses-paid cruise from Sydney to Tasmania.

Flickerfest

Date: 17 February to 17 October 

Venue: Select venues across Australia

Address: Bell, Wandoan, Cairns, Bondi Pavilion, Merimbula, Burnett Heads, Mullum, Warra, Meandarra

Website: https://flickerfest.com.au/tour/

Tickets: Ticket information and availability are only available at the physical locations

Flickerfest started as a short film festival in Bondi Beach over 30 years ago and has grown to become one of the biggest film festivals in Australia. The festival is a celebration of the different short films from Australia and the rest of the world selected from its competition.

While the main tour is for 10 days at Bondi Beach, the festival tours the rest of Australia until the middle of October. Because this festival tours the whole of Australia, you do not have to travel far to see the short films highlighted because it will be coming to a town or city near you soon. Check the festival website for a list of venues and dates near you.

Irish Film Festival

Date: 30 September to 15 October

Venue: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and online

Website: https://irishfilmfestival.com.au/

Tickets: https://online.irishfilmfestival.com.au/

The Irish Film Festival is a not-for-profit event that started screening in Sydney in 2015. The festival has expanded enough that it now has screenings all over Australia. The festival is supported by the Irish Embassy and Consulate and it aims to showcase the best of Irish culture.

The festival this year will include 6 new online titles and 6 cinema titles that you might have missed because they came out in the last year or so. If you decide to follow the festival online, you can choose from four additional bundles—women’s voices, documentary, online exclusive, and full festival—all of which have additional content.

You can visit the Irish Film Festival website to learn more about the lineup, films that will be screened as well as what the different bundles have to offer audiences.

Greek Film Festival

Date: 13 to 23 October

Venue: Palace Norton Street

Website: https://greekfilmfestival.com.au

Tickets: https://greekfilmfestival.com.au/melbourne/tickets

The Greek Film Festival is back in 2022 in an in-person format to celebrate the best classic and contemporary Greek cinema. There are 13 films being showcased this year at the Palace Norton Street cinema. These include three documentaries and diverse films that are part of the student film festival portion. There will also be time dedicated to local art and films as well as generational history entries.

This year’s festival is also happening on the 100th anniversary of the  Greco-Turkish War (the Asia Minor Catastrophe), which is described as one of the most significant events in the region. You can get more information as well as ticketing information for the various venues on the Greek Film Festival website.

Palestinian Film Festival

Date: 2 to 20 November

Venue: Various locations around Australia

Website: https://www.palestinianfilmfestival.com.au/

The Palestinian Film Festival Australia was pushed back due to the pandemic, but it is now back with in-person screenings organised for this November. The festival focuses on showcasing the best stories from Palestinian cinema.

Those who attend will be treated to over 10 films from the Palestinian community both inside Australia and from all over the world. The festival is also meant to celebrate the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people who have been supporting the Palestinian community in their regions.

The festival is open to all artists of Palestinian origins, with diverse views and experiences welcomed on the screens at the festival. 

The Palestinian Film Festival Australia is a social impact event that is meant to promote the Palestinian culture, art, experiences, and life.

The different film festivals happening in Melbourne and Victoria in the next few months give you a unique experience to see films from all over the world and to experience art and culture from these different regions. You also get to see films that you would have otherwise have missed out on and that might be coming to the theatre before everyone else. What a wonderful opportunity for film buffs!

]]> The Top 8 Film Festivals in Brisbane in 2022 https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/the-top-8-film-festivals-in-brisbane-in-2022/ Tue, 01 Feb 2022 00:38:00 +0000 https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/?p=2326 Brisbane has seen some significant developments in recent years on the arts and culture scene. The consequences of this have paved the way for a great number of new and established film festivals to take root in the city. Rapidly becoming a prime feature of Brisbane’s appeal, these festivals vary in both purpose and function. They attract visitors from all over the world, and it’s easy to see why. Despite the beautiful sunshine, sitting through some of these film screenings will never feel like a missing out kind of situation for avid film aficionados because there are unique qualities to each festival. Here is a guide for the top 8 film festivals you can find around Brisbane. 

Brisbane International Film Festival

Date: 27 October – 6 November 
Venue: Brisbane cinemas and theatres across the city. 

Website: https://biff.com.au/

Tickets: Tickets range in price depending on the venue. Starting at $18 for an adult ticket and $15 for concession tickets, various venues also have tickets available for special film events. 

This festival is a whole event worth visiting. It is typically home to over 150 unique film depictions for viewers’ delight. It has been up and running for nearly 30 years, so that is just a testament to its popularity. It is a combination of both Australian born film projects and international ones too. Expect filmmakers, cast members, crew team, and more to be in attendance and ready to talk about their projects as well. 

BrisAsia

Date: Usually, this festival is held in the first three weeks of February. This tradition is expected to carry on.
Venue: Various venues across Brisbane city, depending on the chosen event in the festival. 
Website: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/whats-on-and-events/brisasia-festival
Tickets: Tickets are priced per individual event, as found online. 

BrisAsia is a collaborative, multi-performance style event that encompasses the best of Asian culture right here in Brisbane. There are various stages, genres, films, music, food, theatre pieces, and more to pick from. That is why it lasts as long as it lasts because there is simply so much to be found. Live performances are truly breathtaking and you can find the likes of famous performers from all over the Asian culture scene come together in a vast collection of intriguing features. 

Iranian Film Festival

Date: There are events for this festival throughout the month of November. 
Venue: New Farm Cinemas, Brisbane. 
Website: https://iffa.net.au/
Tickets:

Tickets for opening night tend to start at $30. There are package deals available that account for a three, five, or full week pass depending on how many and which films you actually want to view. A five film pass has been $88, and an eight day pass for $135

Celebrating the successes of the Iranian film scene, this festival brings the most impactful pieces to a new light and a new stage for a wider audience to appreciate. All the new, most emotive and creative developments are shown during this festival and it is definitely one to watch. 

Queensland Film Festival

Date: May 26TH is set as the opening night of the festival. It will run over the course of a few weeks. 
Venue: There are multiple venues across Brisbane. New Farm Cinemas, Elizabeth Picture Theatres, The Gallery of Modern Art, and Institute of Modern Art all participate historically and are expected to again. 
Website: https://qldff.com/
Tickets: Adult tickets start at $17, and child tickets are $14. 

The Queensland film festival is well-known for its variety. It showcases contemporary cinema and the organisers hope it will re-energise local film culture by encouraging people to discuss the films they watched and enjoyed. Filmakers are encouraged to submit their movies for consideration but they must not have been screened on TV or online in Australia and Queensland respectively. 

Greek Film Festival

Date: August
Venue: All around Brisbane in various cinemas, galleries, and theatres. 
Website: https://greekfilmfestival.com.au/
Tickets: Ticket prices start at $22 and go upwards depending on the package price and the number of events you attend. 

With government sponsorship, this event spans a vast range of insightful projects brought to life on the big screen in various formats. With native filmmakers and international ones too, there is a variety of genres and a range of acting, themes and general stunning visuals to be found here.

Australian Cinematheque

Date: Every Wednesday and Friday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons all year long. Exceptions are holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day.  
Venue: Gallery of Modern Art,
Website: https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/cinema/
Tickets: This ongoing event usually has free entry. On rare occasions, there are some ticketed movie events but these are advertised in advance as to avoid surprises on the door. 

This non-traditional festival focuses on the classic films of days gone by. Each week there is a screening of an old favorite to be seen in a thematic format. With original cinematic techniques, each film is presented as if it was in its infancy. This event has the advantage of general free entry unless it is a specific special focus day. So, if you love an old classic you can find one shown four times a week at the Gallery of Modern Art. This is a popular one, so if you are considering attending, make sure to arrive in plenty of time. 

British Film Festival

Date: 19TH October – 16TH November
Venue: This festival takes place across Palace Film Cinemas in Brisbane. 
Website: https://britishfilmfestival.com.au/
Tickets: https://britishfilmfestival.com.au/sessions/brisbane

Festival Overview

The Cunard British Film Festival showcases over 30 new films of emerging British talent. The focus, as the name suggests, is on the British film culture scene and is for new-ish artists to bring their films to the spotlight for people of all backgrounds to experience. There are lots to be found here, and the event has more than enough space to accommodate for whoever wishes to attend. Filmmakers are often in attendance at the premiers and there will be opportunities to see the people behind the magic. 

Spanish Film Festival

Date: April-May 
Venue: This festival takes place in Palace Film Cinemas across Brisbane. 
Website: https://www.spanishfilmfestival.com/

Tickets: https://www.spanishfilmfestival.com/sessions

As the name suggests, there is a Spanish theme. Latino films and filmmakers are also featured heavily, and the whole festival centers around Spanish and Latin culture through the medium of videography. This multi-media approach encompasses all that Spanish culture has to offer, and there will be multiple (30+) films and more to be seen throughout the month. Plenty of opportunities throughout the month will also mean people get to meet the people behind the scenes and have their interests met with answers and engagement. This is a well renowned, popular festival and well worth attending, and that is why Brisbane supports putting it on year after year. 

Brisbane has come alive with culture in recent years. The last decade has seen such a big change that more tourist revenue comes in from festivals alone than ever before. Film festivals are always a popular subscription, and the opportunities that they present to explore various cultures across the world open up the door for not just native creatives, but international ones as well. A platform this wide with such a variety is an amazing example to set the world, and it’s no surprise therefore that so many people attend every year and each festival continues to be renewed in both interest and funding

]]> Corporate Video Shoots, How to Rock Your Interview on Camera https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/corporate-video-shoots-how-to-rock/ Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:58:00 +0000 https://bordertown.dijio.dev/?p=534

If you’re a senior company representative, chances are at some point, you’ll be asked to do an interview on camera, be it for a corporate video or social media explainer video, etc.

Having shot hundreds of interviews, we’d say way more than half of the people we meet experience some form of discomfort when they know they have to be in front of a camera. Their reactions range from being distinctly awkward to actively volunteering another colleague to do the interview instead.

We get it. It’s weird having a camera (or cameras) pointing at you, and a bunch of strangers scrutinising your every gesture. It’s so… set up.

But guess what? We’re here to make the best video possible, which means making you look and sound your best too. So here are 3 tips that we commonly share with our camera-shy clients.

1.Don’t memorise your script word for word.

We strongly recommend that our interviewees prepare by jotting down the key points beforehand. However, you may feel more prepared having an entire script written out. That’s fine, but don’t memorise it word for word. Instead, highlight the key phrases you need to hit, and hand it to us to prompt you when necessary.

Because the fact is, the moment you recite your script word for word on camera, it shows. And unfortunately, it ends up coming across as less genuine.

2. If you must check how you look and sound, do so after the interview.

Unless you’re used to seeing yourself on camera, you’re very likely going to cringe. Don’t panic. This is normal. Most people think they look and sound weird (they don’t).

So, because this is a common reaction, we recommend you not take a look at the footage till you’re done with the interview. If you have a look in between, you’ll likely start having doubts, over-think every gesture, anxiety will amplify, then you will end up looking and sounding stilted. So resist the temptation to sabotage yourself. Do the interview first, then have a look after.

3. Work with us, i.e. the video production company to do up a list of interview questions.

Your boss or communications director will probably have a list of things they want you to say, but do get us to weigh in as well. Why?

Our ‘layman’ status makes us similar to your target audience (unless your audience are industry insiders). The questions we ask are likely to be the same questions your potential new customers want to ask too.

Additionally, though we are not experts in your field, we are experts in interviews, corporate storytelling and video production. So, make full use of us to help you weed out unnecessary jargon and tailor your content to better engage your target customers.

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We’ll be sharing more tips so do follow us at our LinkedIn page or join our mailing list if you’re interested in learning more. And if you have advice to share, please don’t hesitate to let us know so we can pass these gems forward to our next clients. Cheers!

]]> Sydney’s Top 7 Film Festivals in 2022 https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/sydneys-top-7-film-festivals-in-2022/ Tue, 04 Jan 2022 01:20:00 +0000 https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/?p=2323 Most in-person film festivals in Australia are now back. These film festivals give movie lovers a chance to watch films they otherwise would not have, with production houses and movie executives getting a chance to discover new talent. There have been a lot of them happening in 2022, so we will only be focusing on the best ones; the ones we think you should attend.

Sydney Film Festival

Date: 8-19 June 

Venue: The State Theatre and various cinemas and locations around Sydney

Website: https://www.sff.org.au/

Tickets: https://www.sff.org.au/tff/tickets/

The Sydney Film Festival is perhaps the biggest film festival held in the city, and it will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2023. This festival has brought us some amazing films, and it promises to continue bringing the best, strangest, greatest, and most exciting films and art projects that Australia and the world have to offer.

As has been done in many other years, the Sydney Film Festival will bring you the best new films over 12 days, with other activities like talks, parties, premieres, and presentations also arranged for the festival.

There are 12 films to be showcased during the festival, with eight other cash rewards to be awarded during and after the festival.

Flickerfest 2022

Date: January 2022

Venue: Bondi Beach in January and other locations throughout the year in numerous other locations

Website: https://flickerfest.com.au

Tickets: https://flickerfest.com.au/ticket-info/

Flickerfest is known as the film festival for short films because this is where the best short films are showcased. The festival will be celebrating its 32nd anniversary next year. The short films to be showcased come from Australia and from around the world, some selected through competition and others selected as special showcases. Daytime films will be shown in an air-conditioned cinema and 9 pm showings outdoors. 

Food and beverages are served and a Mexican food truck is parked near the festival garden bar. There are lots of comfy seats for a top Flickerfest experience. 

Sydney Underground Film Festival

Date: September 8-11th

Venue: Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney

Website: https://www.suff.com.au/

Tickets: https://www.suff.com.au/tickets

The Sydney Underground Film Festival is held every September and is meant to showcase talent from individual and independent creators. Many of these films are experimental projects that would have a hard time getting screened anywhere else. If you love these kinds of projects, obscure ones that would otherwise not be screened anywhere else, this film festival is for you.

The organisers say they started this festival to give new filmmakers and creators a platform to showcase their work and creativity. Many of the films you will see here challenge traditional and common filmmaking styles, and they range from short films to documentaries and feature films.

The festival also gives awards for the best films in each category and has workshops where the visitors can see the filmmaking process in action, and where creators can hone their filmmaking skills.

Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival

Date: August to September

Venue: Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney

Website: https://www.sydneysciencefictionfilmfestival.com.au/

Tickets: Ticket sales from individual venues

The Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival is the biggest, official science fiction film festival in Australia. The festival focuses on showcasing the best horror, science, action, cult cinema, and science fiction projects.

This film festival is different from other science fiction film festivals in that the creators have to submit their projects themselves. Most of the films and projects that end up on the festival’s screens are pledged by these creators. By doing so, the festival ensures that indie filmmakers have a fair chance of getting their films showcased during the festival.

The festival also includes a Q&A section where the creators get to interact with the audience as well as different after parties depending on who will be in town. Audiences love this festival so much because, apart from the different films and projects, they also get to interact with different international and Australian filmmakers.

Sydney Short Film Festival

Date: February 2022

Venue: Ritz cinema

Website: https://sydneyshortfilmfestival.com/

Tickets: To be announced later

The Sydney Short Film Festival is an independent Festival that is held in February every year. It will be celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2023. Its creators say they created it to highlight short films which are usually left out in some of the bigger festivals.

Although it is held in Sydney and mainly showcases Australian films and projects, it accepts submissions from all over the world. The judges then sift through all the submissions to put together a list of the films and projects to be showcased during the festival.

The festival also includes a Q&A session, networking session, and an awards ceremony where the best movies in each category according to a panel of judges are given an award. These include the best short film, best short action, best short animated, and best director. Winners in 2022 included《Go lesson》 by Xue Liminga and Primal Therapy by Santtu Salminen.

Antenna Documentary Film Festival

Date: Oct 14-23, 2022

Venue: Verona, Chauvel, Museum of Contemporary Art, Dendy Newtown & Riverside Theatres

Website: https://antennafestival.org/

Tickets: https://antennafestival.org/tickets/

The 12th edition of the Antenna Documentary Film Festival will be held next year, and it is a top film festival to attend if you love documentaries. The festival brings you some of the best documentaries from all over the world every year.

The festival was started to celebrate and promote creative documentary filmmaking and documentary cinema. The festival showcased 50 of the best submitted documentaries from all over the world.

The festival is also the perfect place for those who would like to start creating documentaries. This is because they get a chance to meet some of the best documentary filmmakers from all over the world at the festival. There is also an award at the end of the festival as well as networking opportunities for young filmmakers who are getting started or want to get started making documentaries.

Europa! Europa Film Festival

Date: Starting 17 February 2022

Venue: Ritz Cinemas

Address: 45 St Pauls Street, Randwick

Website: https://www.europafilmfestival.com.au/

Tickets: https://www.europafilmfestival.com.au/venues-and-tickets

Europa! Europa is a festival celebrating the best films from all over Europe. The best European screens will be showcased on Australian screens through the 3-week festival, with the festival aimed at celebrating the diversity to be found within the over 50 countries that make up Europe.

The director, Thomas Caldwells, says he attended the best and biggest film festivals in 2022 to put together a list of the best European films and this roster is what he will be bringing to the festival. These include films that tell different stories, that make you think, that tell you of the harsh realities of the world, and some you can enjoy by yourself or with the whole family.

In addition to the films, the director says that the festival will also focus on fostering great filmmaker and film lover communities with special events and live music included to elevate the experience.

Although not confirmed yet, the art director says that the 2023 event might incorporate at-home and online festival activities.

Conclusion

Numerous festivals are worth attending in Sydney. These are diverse festivals that cater to all different types of creators and movie lovers. You are sure to find a festival offering something you will love!

]]> Charting a New Normal in Video Production https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/charting-a-new-normal-video-production/ Sat, 22 May 2021 17:17:00 +0000 https://bordertown.dijio.dev/?p=249 At its height, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the video production industry. But with clients still needing video content, Bordertown Films knew it had to adapt and innovate. It responded swiftly with innovations like remote viewing technology, and also developed CovidSafe protocols for cast and crew, including:

  • A CovidSafe plan
  • Completion of DOH COVID-19 Infection Control Training before shoots
  • CovidSafe practices observed on shoots
  • Availability of PPE supplies

read more about two project examples

Source: Local Leader Magazine

Published since 1969, Council Leader is the most important communication tool for local government in Queensland. Working directly with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), the magazine has become a trusted source for its coverage on the latest issues, council profiles, features and new products and services. With a distribution of more than 2820 per issue, Council Leader reaches the top tier of the industry, including mayors, councillors, CEOs, town planners and federal and state parliamentarians.

]]> Lung Foundation Launches Campaign with Real Patients and their Families https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/lung-foundation-campaign-real-patients/ Tue, 11 May 2021 17:20:17 +0000 https://bordertown.dijio.dev/?p=251 The Lung Foundation Australia has created a powerful TV commercial featuring real patients and their families, reminding us that lung disease impacts people from all walks of life, young and old.

The campaign was created by Queensland based Bordertown Films and Oyo Studio, and captures genuine, emotive moments with patients and their families.

Michel Itel, who stars in the television commercial with his wife and daughters, was just 42 when he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

For weeks, Michel carried the weight of his shocking diagnosis with the support of his wife.

Michel’s two beautiful daughters lost their Mum at a young age, so telling them that their Dad also had a terminal illness was heart-wrenching.

“With such powerful stories like Michel’s and Ethan’s, we knew we didn’t need to embellish anything, we just tried to capture the genuine love of these families and show that lung disease affects regular people, living normal lives,” Bordertown Films director Dan Stevenson says.

read more

Source: Ad News

]]> Every Breath You Take Gives Hope in New Lung Disease Tvc Via Bordertown Films + Oyo Studio https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/every-breath-you-take-gives-hope/ Sat, 08 May 2021 17:20:43 +0000 https://bordertown.dijio.dev/?p=253 As millions across the globe gasp for breath in today’s COVID world, a powerful new TV commercial featuring real patients and their families reminds us that lung disease can strike people from all walks of life, young and old.

The campaign was created by Queensland-based Bordertown Films and Oyo Studio for the Lung Foundation Australia and captures genuine, emotive moments with fathers, mothers, teenagers, young children and their families.

Michel Itel, who features in the television commercial with his wife and daughters, was just 42 when he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

For weeks, Itel carried the weight of his shocking diagnosis with the support of his wife. Itel’s two beautiful daughters lost their Mum at a young age, so telling them that their Dad also had a terminal illness was heart-wrenching.

Says Itel: “Research means I’m fortunate to have access to life-changing treatment as part of a trial. This treatment is giving me more precious time with my family – more birthdays, more holidays, more moments.”

Says Dan Stevenson, director, Bordertown Film: “With such powerful stories like Michel’s, we knew we didn’t need to dramatize anything. We just tried to capture the genuine love of these families and show that lung disease affects regular people, living normal lives.”

read more

Source: Campaign Brief

]]> The Lung Foundation Australia Creates Emotionally Charged TV Commercials To Help Launch Hope Research Fund https://www.bordertownfilms.com.au/the-lung-foundation-australia-creates/ Sat, 01 May 2021 06:18:00 +0000 https://bordertown.dijio.dev/?p=552

The Lung Foundation Australia has created a powerful TV commercial featuring real patients and their families, reminding us that lung disease impacts people from all walks of life, young and old.

The campaign was created by Queensland based Bordertown Films and Oyo Studio, and captures genuine, emotive moments with patients and their families.

Michel Itel, who stars in the television commercial with his wife and daughters, was just 42 when he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

For weeks, Michel carried the weight of his shocking diagnosis with the support of his wife. Michel’s two beautiful daughters lost their Mum at a young age, so telling them that their Dad also had a terminal illness was heart-wrenching. Michel said, “research means I’m fortunate to have access to life-changing treatment as part of a trial. This treatment is giving me more precious time with my family – more birthdays, more holidays, more moments.”

read more

Source: B&T

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