The Creative Scramble

A discussion between Cal (Director of Photography) and Kieran (Director / Producer) all about the money, budgets and production value when it comes to making a video.

One of the greatest mysteries within video production is ‘how much does a video actually cost?’. This is largely down to the scope of which a project can take; ranging from a self-shot piece of disposable content filmed on a phone or entry-level DSLR, through to a 2 minute specialist brand film with a lot of moving parts. (And that’s not even getting started on the Netflix-style 10 part documentary that many brands are looking for these days). Many brands have a set budget and that gives us a strong direction from the off - but for those that don’t know what they want to spend, there are some things we need to know.

We need to understand early doors what the video is needs to say, achieve and who you’re speaking to.

Once that’s clear, we can look at the resources required to deliver those objectives and provide a good idea of budgets, not to mention giving us some parameters to work within when looking at creative concepts.

This podcast is for clients looking to get an understanding of what video costs in 2020, production values and the importance of delivering more than one video asset.

Follow us @deadpixelfilms.

Kate Rostance is the exec producer and chief plate spinner at Fat Free, a Nottingham based video production company.

Kate gives a very honest account of how she manages her companies finance, creating financial goals to live the life you want and when to invest in people or equipment. We even hit super interesting topics such as penisons/ investments. This episode is perfect for any small business owner looking to get a handle on their finances in order to focus on the more fun creative aspects of running a business.

Instagram:

@hellofatfree

@katerostance

To find out more about the creators of the show, visit www.deadpixelfilms.com

The Creative Scramble podcast has been live for two years now and, during that time, both mine and Matty’s careers have developed considerably.

Over a year ago, we interviewed Kieran Edwards who, at the time, was a Director at a creative agency with a team of 50. Fast forward a year and Kieran is now my business partner and co-owner of Dead Pixel Films. So, as Kieran is going to be featuring more across the podcast as a host, we thought episode 30 is the perfect opportunity to share our story.

Far from two film-makers coming together to simply make more films, Ep. 30 gives you an insight into the results of combing two very different skill sets, and how we as operate Dead Pixel Films. www.deadpixelfilms.com

G6 Moco refer to themselves as film-makers, producers and visual engineers but what the hell is a visual engineer?

Visual engineering is about crafting the perfect shot for video using precision high speed robots, pneumatics, top of the line software and a whole load of creativity. A shot that in previous years was impossible to achieve can be repeated within 0.01mm of precision over and over and over again.

With clients including JD Sports, Manchester City Football Club and Boohoo. The G6 team have only been going a year but have all ready shaken up the industry and invested heavily in equipment and staff. Based at Manchester’s Sharp Project we discuss the risks vs rewards for entering a new industry, developing new software and overcoming issues with hiring new staff.

To find out more about G6 Moco visit: www.g6moco.com

To find out more about the creators of the show visit www.deadpixelfilms.com

With credits including Blue Planet 2, One strange rock, Earth from Space and Blue Planet Live it’s safe to say Mark is a fairly well versed and experienced underwater cinematographer and nature film-maker. He’s also a drone pilot.

Mark gives great insights into the world of nature film-making and seeing big nature up close and personal. He gives tips for entry level film-makers and sheds light on his interests in environmentalism.

To find out more about Mark visit: http://www.marksharman-cinematography.com/

To learn more about the podcast visit: www.deadpixelfilms.com

Cal - “I absolutely despise networking events….”

Hear from Matty and Cal as they discuss Matty’s experience of a meet up in London with fellow creatives and entrepreneurs.

Matty - “It’s the only environment where its socially acceptable to shake someones hand and walk away to talk to someone else more interesting”

What are your experiences with networking events? Do you love them, loathe them or yet to give them a try?

Adam Riozzi is a commercial director currently based in Sweden working worldwide. He began life as a graphic designer and soon progressed to in house production team for creative agency McCann Manchester. There he created TV commercials and branded online content for the likes of Aldi, Team GB and Typhoo tea.

Adam discusses agency life, what’s next for TV commercials and stepping into freelance directing. View Adam’s work here:

w: https://www.adamriozzi.com

i: https://www.instagram.com/dir.adamriozzi

To learn more about the creators of the podcast, visit www.deadpixelfilms.com

Andrew Sandler is an award-winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles, with a portfolio of videos that have amassed well over a billion views. He has worked with some incredible names in the business including, Chris Brown, Nikki Minaj, Diddy, Usher, Ariana Grande and Mary J. Blige...to name a few!

In this episode, Andrew shares his journey as a filmmaker both in the music video and documentary world as well as his ambitions for the future. He also discusses the importance of networking, taking advantage of social media as a creative, having good mentors around you and simply having a strong passion and work ethic for what you do.

To find out more about the creators of the show visit

www.deadpixelfilms.com

Jon got the bug for prosthetics at an early age after watching very age inappropriate horror films with his Dad. He would then practice make up and prosthetics by giving his parents black eyes and scars.

After studying for a short while he headed out into the field and began working on short films offering his skills to everyone and anyone. He then moved down from Leeds to London and started working on low budget feature horror films and it seems the rest his history.

His credits now include Harry Potter, Dr Who, Fury, World War Z, Guardians of the Galaxy and many more. His gives a really interesting insight into working with huge special effects teams on massive Hollywood feature films all over the world whilst sharing some fun ‘horror’ stories along the way.

To find out more about the creators of the show visit www.deadpixelfilms.com

Follow Jon on Instagram here: http://instagram.com/jonmoorefx

Andy Mckee is Manchester based Film Editor with credits including independent features 'In Another Life' (Winner of Best UK Feature at Raindance 2017) and the upcoming comedy 'Eaten By Lions'.

In this episode, Andy talks to us about his non traditional rise as a feature film editor in the independent film world - and his recent work in the world of scripted TV. We cover topics including freelance editing rates; staying healthy whilst desk bound and the importance of 'meaningful editing'.

Eaten by Lions trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD_0i_fByBI

You can follow Andy here:

https://www.instagram.com/andybobmckee/

website: https://www.andrew-mckee.net/