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Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts |
Hi everyone,
I've been working on replacing my old and broken demo video. I've just uploaded a new cut and I'd appreciate your thoughts (good/bad/indifferent.) Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nXA_KMci24 Thank you in advance, Michael |
jugglery New user 29 Posts |
Hi Michael,
Great footage of all of those standing ovations! That says a lot, right there. There are many strengths to this video. But there are a few things that I think could use some tweaking. Overall, the video isn't targeted effectively enough. You have street shows, corporate events and private parties all mixed in. I would say that it is better to pick just one genre and concentrate on that. For example, as fun as those reactions are from the UK clip, there are very few people who are going to hire you for a street show. It doesn't further the conversation that you want to engage in - the one that brings in the booking. Put some testimonials up in the front of the video. Graphic text or a VERY short video testimonial. People are convinced by others' experience with you. Get a voice over that tells why you are perfect for their clients/audience/event. Keep it about their needs. You do a great job of keeping yourself out of the video (and I mean that in a nice way). What I remember from this video, having seen it only once, is all of the standing ovations. That is the great benefit. Most magicians just like to show the tricks. You show the reactions, and that is a very good thing. We don't need the huge list of clients. Most of those names mean nothing to me. Concentrate on the globally recognized ones and leave it at that. The video testimonials lack impact. Probably because they are minimized and are covered by the graphic text. Find the core quote in each of those clips and edit everything else out. Make the image large, so we can see the truth in the eyes of the speakers. I also don't know who those people are. Might be good to give them a name or at least a name of the event/client, etc. I can get my uncle to say good things about me, but that doesn't mean much. Give the testimonials some weight by attributing them. Overall, the best thing you could do for this is to give it a voice over. Use that to SELL your product. Make it benefit-driven. Why are you perfect for an event? You have some great clips, you could just organize them differently to more effectively sell the show. All the best, Steve |
Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts |
Steve,
Wow, thank you for the time you took and all your feedback. I'm going to work on restructuring the videos to include a voiceover and better highlight the testimonials. I'm on the fence about the street clip and definitely see you point. I'll keep working on it. Thank you, again, for your thorough and expert feedback! -Michael |
jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
Michael, I think the reactions on the street magic clip are great; as a thought, perhaps you could include it as part of a montage.
Instead of labeling a clip as a "Corporate Event," can you include the name of the corporation? I think that would be stronger. You've got some great moments in that video! Joe Libby San Antonio, TX
My new FREE ebook on the classic Mismade Bill trick is ready for you:
https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/ |
JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
At first I was put off from the clip of the guy saying "oh s**t, oh s**t!" But then I thought that is a very strong testimonial. Not sure if corporate producers will be put off by it. Might be a good idea to send the video to some corporate clients and see if they don't mind it or not.
Also, I wouldn't have your client list scroll over the video testimonials. I like the music though, it draws you in. Josh
Josh
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Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts |
Joe,
That's a great suggestion, I don't know why I never thought to include the company names on the various corporate clips. I'm also working on Steve's suggestion to name the individuals or companies for the Testimonials. I always liked the street magic reaction clip and originally included it there both for the reaction, but also because I get a lot of enquiries from clients specifically asking for me to perform "street magic." as opposed to, I suppose, frilly shirts and squared circles with stenciled oriental characters painted on them. Josh, I suppose I could bleep it out. I never thought about it to be honest but I should. I've had some extremely conservative clients book me in the past and that clip has been in my demo video for several years. I'll solicit feedback from a few clients and see what they think. TBH the _worst_ thing ever said on my video was in Italian. My old video had a slightly inebriated italian guy reacting to a trick and his response was quite vulgar and much clearer. If you look at my old (current) close-up video that's still on my website, I'll bet I've lost the most work from the clip of Jay Sankey's "In a Flash" filmed on a carpet floor at a venue. I wonder how many people thought "I don't think I want they guy setting stuff on fire on my carpet..." Thank you guys, for all your feedback. |
jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
I didn't hear the "S" word before. Yeah, I would be inclined to bleep it, particularly if you are using it to target corporations.
Joe Libby San Antonio, TX
My new FREE ebook on the classic Mismade Bill trick is ready for you:
https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/ |
Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts |
Tbh I think most people miss it. I didn't notice it for a long time...
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jugglery New user 29 Posts |
Michael,
If the street clip helps you get work, then by all means use it. I didn't think it fit in with the clips of other, higher-toned venues. But, I do think it goes on too long. You get one big reaction, and then the clip continues while we watch the crowd regroup. I'd cut it down, considerably. I'm eager to see the next version! Steve |
MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
You're off to a beautiful start. I agree with having a couple of talking heads with name, position, company would help. The value of the testimonials at the end was muted by the scrolling company list and small frame size of the testimonials.
I know your end product will be great. |
Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Doug Higley voice over, I highly recommend. I'm a satisfied client, friend, and neighbor.
I would have also enjoyed a brief comment from you at the end to reinforce and show some of your personality. I believe it helps the client to get to see if you are likeable. Likeability is more important than mere "tricks", as you very well know. Having said that, it was great getting to see some of your audience reactions brother. I would agree that the scrolling text was a distraction to the testimonials. I'm looking forward to the next evolution of this project. Please keep us posted hermano. You Rock! |
Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts |
Thank you, everyone, for your feedback. Although there's no voice over yet but here's a new cut for your feedback:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfafu5kALA |
jugglery New user 29 Posts |
I think you have a wonderful promo here,if you just stop it at 1:30. For me, the testimonials are the weakest link. If you ditch those, I think you would end up with a killer 90 second promo. Perfect length.
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
First up the promo for our Company Science in a van need to be re done. And I have been looking at ways to make it beeter. And your video has lots of great things about it. I love the opening seen of this video. Your charming smile and the spectator reaction is what would make me book you.
Things I would add I have contact details at he beginning and end. With the company names in the clips you don't need a long list of names at the end. Also I would cut down to one video testimonial as I do think your video is a bit long and runs out of steam at the end. This is all from a guy with a terrible video. Take care next I will Google film makers.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts |
And it's done. I've given my old demo videos a viking funeral.
I moved the best testimonials off to the side of my webpage and kept a succinct 90 second showreel front and center. Watch the final cut here: http://www.trulymagic.com Thanks for all the feedback, guys! |
jugglery New user 29 Posts |
Excellent!
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bond19 Inner circle Blackpool, England 1338 Posts |
Been thinking of how to produce a stellar showreel and you've give just given me the rocket up my a** that I needed.. Great demo and I'm totally inspired.
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