Hi, Just wanted to get your feedback on my new video Promo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3cZCUvTRDY

Thanks
Richard

Hello Richard,

I'm a big fan of good quality video-- who isn't? And yours is. My only thought running through my mind though would be: where's all the client listings? Corporate quotes? If I was a booker, I'd want to see that. Here's what I would see-- I'd see that you do some amazing visual stuff- large audiences- personable, but then there's the resumee. Just something to think about. Great video, it will surely help you get booked for sure. The great thing about promo videos- for me, is it does all the bragging for you- so you don't look arrogant spilling it to the client yourself. Agents etc will only look at this video once. Beef it up with anything and everything. Great piece man!

regards,
Matt Wayne

regards,
Matt Wayne

Thanks for your feedback....I did think about adding my client listing...When I was playing with the video it was suggested to leave the client listing to the trailer but add it to my web page...which I'm working on now......My web page will be displayed at the end of the video....Do you think this makes sence....your feedback is greatly appreciated...

Again thanks...
Richard

Nice video, the 'special' fx were good... did you perform in front of a blue / green screen? anyways, its a nice video. I strongly agree with Matt, client listing, and comments added by the clients would really make a difference to the showreel. at least, potential clients wanting to book you would have solid evidence of how good you are.

For added pop and "professional" touch, have someone (other than yourself) narrate the client listing and resumee items. Voice talents aren't always cheap, but really add an incredible amount of credibility to a video or sound byte.

Thanks for your thoughts about my video....I'm looking into changing a couple of things such as "music" "listing of clients" and possible add close-up/audience participation....

Again Thanks

What's the point of your video?

Is it ego stroking? Or promoting your act?

I really missed something here.

OK Robert not to sound mean, because I have never been attacking in my posts. But your comment was kinda rude. I think the video was very well done, could use a few things, but then again, we all have room for improvement. And as far as the comment on ego-stroking, no mattert who you are in the entertainment world, a certian degree of ego-stroling is needed, to keep your self confidence level up, it just cant be over done where you look like an utter jack---. But the way you phrased it sounded very attacking.

Robert, I looked at your site, and you seem like a preaty well rounded entertainer. I look forward one day to seeing your show, I am sure it would be a pleasure. I was not attacking you in my pervious post, only wanted to state, that we need to be carefull that we don't sound like we are attacking eachohter in our posts. I look at it this way...

We all bring our own flavor to the dinner table, some of us may be prime rib, and some of may me bacon bits, but guess what...there are people in this world that like bacon bits more than prime rib.

Lets just be carefull how we sound, we need to back eachother up, every other indsutry spends all its time tearing one another down, we should go aginst the grain and try to build one another up. There is so much we can do in magic to impact those who come to see our shows.

Peace, look forward to getting to know you, and everyone else in the fourm. We have some great talents here, and some really creative minds.

Very good special effects, and great video all together.

Nice video....

Hi Richard,

The begining was good, but once the pictures started I had to force myself to watch the video. When the face to face shot came, I could barely watch it. A video should be a persuasive ptich to book you. You need to identify the market you are after, and then show yourself performing in that market. The street scene looks cool, but your client won't envision you performing in their theater or company event with that type of footage.

To create a persuasive pitch, you need to find out what your client wants. Then use a voiceover and video to clearly show that you can deliver. The best advice I ever received about promo videos is to turn the camera on your audience. When a client sees the audience enjoying the show, giving you a standing ovation, and laughing, then they can envision their audience dong the same thing (sell the sizzle, not the meat). Then follow it up with several on camera testimonials from your clients saying how great you are, and more importantly reinforcing your persuasive pitch.

I highly reccomend purchasing Adam Christing's video series on producing a killer promo DVD. It's expensive, but worth it. He focuses a lot on scripting and creating a strong argument for clients to book you.

Hope this constructive criticism helps.

Brock Edwards

I would ask this;

Who are you trying to reach?

What is your target audience?

What is the message you are trying to convey?

Why did I just watch this video, why did you want me to watch the video?

It's waaaaay too long, cut out 2 minutes and drop the still photos. I notice you duplicated some photos? Agents don't want to spend more than 45 seconds watching your promo stuff. And at that you're lucky if they spend 30 seconds. Think of it like a commercial on TV. The longest one is 1 minute and in that time they spelled everything out for you. You will even notice the same commercial edited down and it still gets the massage across.

Work on your POSTURE.

Good luck.

I agree with Aaron....you need a good voiceover talant for your demo. I use Nick Alexander...the best there is. Check him out at http://www.nickalexanderproductions.com

Thanks for all your comments, and I do understand that there is allot of work that still needs to be worked on to provide a better product....so all your comments are well taken and will be taken seriously.

By the way RobertBloor, your comments to me was totally worthless....I do appreciate well educated information that will enhance my status as a performance, but your comments are way out of line....I've been performing magic for over 25 years, so ego...is not something I need to express.....nor display. I don't know you, and therefore I will not comment more, but I will give you a word of advice,,, When you provide constructive critism you should provide some sort of well educated response.

Again thanks for all of you that guided me in making my video a better product.

Richard S.

I did not like all the edits durring the effects, they take away form the magic, they also give the impression that you are using trick photography. Edits between effects is one thing, but durring an effect-not a good idea.

This is also a problem re. the special effects, they distract from the video and also sugest trick photography.


The stills with all the bars passing in front of them, why have stills in a video

You are covering too much in only just under 4 minutes.

As far as your comment to RobertBloor, you ask for feedback, you did not ask for only good feedback.

John thanks for the feedback....As far as your comments go about RobertBloor, to me that is not feedback but more of worthless information without constructive critsism....I don't mind negative feedback "like in your case" but at least your provided a good foundation in why you felt that way...and I have to say...you have some great valid points...like many other magicians provided me with. To say "I don't like it" or in his case "Boost my Ego" without backing up your answer is worthless as it does not give me idea in why.....

My time is upmost important, like I imagine that is yours, and everyone in this forum, so when I ask for an opinion I don't expect worthless feedback with no backup... "I'm a firm believer that feedback both good and bad can only make you a better performer...."BUT FEEDBACK THAT HAS MERIT"

Again that for your feedback....That kind of information is good to know.

Richard

Hi Richard
I had my girl freind watch you video, she is a layman and dhe did not understand what your were doing, the effects were not clear, she also lost interest watching the stills.

I hope this is helpful

Thanks....I agree that it is hard to understand...The performance I used for the videos were from two television appearances....The first show is about 12 min and the second about 6 min.....just too long to put in a promo....So, I have to figure out how am I going to break it down to reduce the time without taking away from the effects. I do have more video appearances, but the more you put, the more I have to cut.....making it more complicated....This is my first run on the promo and with all this good info the forum is providing will improve the second version...

Thanks again

Richard here is a very detailed look at your video. I am a freelance editor and have been producing promo videos for a few years now. Here are my comments:

We don't see you for 23 seconds...too long. If I'm an agent looking at this I need to know who this is immediately. Or it needs to set the tone for what they are going to see.

Sell one thing with the video... Lose the card trick at the end of the first illusion sequence. It doesn't fit and you could use the reaction at :52 for the conclusion of that sequence.

:54- The watch sequence you can lose all that footage. It doesn't make sense. You borrow a watch then cut to a lady holding a scarf and you pull it out of her hand...

1:13- The applause track you used starts too early. Fade it in at 1:15 when you cut to your entrance (which I like- but lose the middle sequence of you walking and cut directly to you and the illusion. That should tighten it up a lot)

1:37- Very bad jump cut here. If you want to keep the footage before it, use a fade or a flash transition it will cover the discrepancy of the jump.

As already mentioned lose the stills and add in a clientele list.

Here is an example of a promo video that I think does the job nicely. It is a tad shorter than yours but the action moves better I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ72JUPD76c

I should also say that I do tend to focus on negative things in videos and most if not all promo videos can be better.

Oh I should ALSO mention I am for hire, if you need someone to do the work... never hurts to let people know right?