The Creative Jungle

Damien Chazelle is a phenomenal director. So it's no surprise the latest short he made for Apple, using the iPhone 11 Pro, is a beautiful example of vertical video content. But it's not the kind of exercise that should get your internal marketing team thinking they have magical filmmaking powers right in their pocket. We discuss just how practical iPhones are for video production and what it really takes to modify your phone footage from glorified selfie to cinematic elegance fit for La La Land.

It certainly got our attention just for the shear volume of clips the editors of the video went through. But beyond some serious post-production fortitude, Arty and Justin share their reactions to the concept, execution, and overall messaging involved in Nike's latest viral hit. What appears to be a very complicated edit, may have started off as a very simple concept.

Writing a script that translates to video requires a lot more than a list of product features. There are intangibles like pace, tone, and creativity that DIY writers don't always think about. If your script is clunky or flat out boring, your video content is off to a rough start before you record a single frame. Arty and Justin share their tips for writing better scripts that avoid information overload, present a clear objective to the video content you're producing, and spark interest for your brand.

Arty and Justin discuss what video production will look like as states begin reopening amidst COVID-19 regulations. Besides higher sanitation standards with the amount of human contact involved in filmmaking, businesses have adjusted to using video as an everyday tool. What are the new expectations for video marketing producers and directors? Is production 101 knowledge now a requirement for everybody? We weigh the benefits of these new trends including how comfortable you should get with zoom meetings.

Media training has always been an essential part of video marketing. Since the COVID-19 lockdown, presenting yourself on camera has become an even more necessary skill set for daily video chats while working from home. Arty and Justin are here to tell you that you're right, reading off a teleprompter is the hardest thing ever. One take wonders are rare. A studio set up can be intimidating to walk into. And surprise! We encourage our clients to invest in their internal video teams. Push play to hear why.

Is there such a thing as trying too hard to be funny in a 30-second commercial spot? We think so. Arty, Justin, and Director Jordan Brady describe what "funny" really means for commercial directing whether it's designed for broadcast or social media. How do directors get the best out of their comedic talent through scripted and improv takes? Is LiMu Emu funny? Plus Jordan reveals his tip for filmmaking gold you can find at your local 7-11 and just how interested our families are in our production work.

Jordan will provide days of riveting behind the scenes stories and lessons from his extensive commercial directing resume if you ask him. Or you could take his brand new online masterclass, available now. Together we break down some of Jordan's most infamous commercial campaigns and the significance of directors managing on-set relationships. Plus Jordan shares the secret reasons why he gives so much of himself to the filmmaking community with his podcast, Respect The Process. commercialdirectingmasterclass.com

The Animus Super Shorts Club was founded to expand the skill sets of the creatives at Animus Studios while practicing what we preach, finding the fascinating stories we want to tell through our passion for filmmaking. It's not just a tagline. It's what we believe in. (The acronym is also not lost on us!) Hear why Arty and Justin invest in giving their crew the opportunity to explore their filmmaking passion projects, the type of stories that are in our hearts, and the value it brings to our clients.

EJ McLeavey-Fisher is a film festival vet whose documentary work has garnered selections to AFI, Nantucket, Montclair, and Big Sky's prestigious exhibitions. His latest success, The Guy, is a brilliant docu short about Hollywood stuntman Brian Donahue. But EJ believes his passion projects are what give him a marketing edge on obtaining and delivering captivating work for others. Hear our discussion on bringing out the best in your everyday work by keeping the fire lit on your own creative courage. animusstudios.com

Jess Bachman, the Digital Strategy Director at Nail, an award-winning advertising agency in Southern New England, talks about their widely successful digital marketing campaign for Woodchuck Cider. While initial strategies were somewhat typical, a surprising fan response from an unorthodox platform forced a marketing pivot that became a hit with audiences. Which one was it? Press play to find out and hear how Jess combines metrics with his team of content creators to get their clients more attention.