From The Blog

Filming Real Estate and Developments – with Ben Kelly Lanbury The property market has seen a massive growth in searches over lockdown, reports from search company Pi Datametrics state that numbers have gone up over 50% year on year. However a lot of these estate agents can’t offer full viewings due to social distancing, or quite simply prospective buyers don’t want to visit properties. The ones that have been successful are estate agents who offer virtual tours or even full length films of their properties. And the more expensive the property is the more that is invested into these films. I spoke to Ben Kelly from Lanbury, a property development company in London “We saw in early Spring – the start of the porters selling year, that Estate Agents who offered virtual viewings made more transactions than those that solely relied on house visits.” “Also the numbers on YouTube and even TikTok were becoming huge. You can now get 100,000s of views for a pretty basic 4 bedroom house video.” Significant revenue in Property filming real estate But when the high level filming comes in is for the million pound or even 10 million pound house. Or better still, then type of thing Ben Kelly and Lanbury deal with – the new residential property development. The specialist real estate agencies can be paying anything from £10,000 upwards for a virtual viewing video. It can easily be ten times that for the premium properties. Think drone footage, hovering over the long driveway, circling over the orchards and gardens, swooping down through the front door and then past the living areas and out through the back door and gliding over the swimming pool. These multi-million pound properties also need to stand out from the crowd. The quality of the video and the footage, doesn’t just need to sell the house, it needs to exude the luxuriousness of the property, and convey the elegance of the stately home or the chicness of the city townhouse. Ben Kelly-Lanbury “There’s a lot of money in this. But it’s also a sector that is only just starting. Property developers aren’t the most creative types, so for the right video content agency, there are a lot of quick wins”.

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Are you looking to engage your employees with Internal Communication Videos? Internal Communications Videos can be a really effective method of corporate communication. Collaboration among participants is one of the main pillars for success in modern business. Whether you’re a small town local business, or a fortune 500 company, internal communication has a direct impact on your business. Engaging employees with internal communication videos should be a crucial factor in your business. Internal communication is the future of work. It refers to several devices or processes that are in charge of information flow and collaboration between participants. Simply put, it involves communication between all levels of company hierarchy, from the first line managers to base line employees. If you engage employees with internal communication videos, their work experience is going to positively transform, which in turn influences their productivity also. The manners by which you communicate with your workforce reflects on their productivity, engagement, performance and teamwork. Question is : How to engage employees with internal communication videos? First, developing an effective internal communication strategy  is a great way to take your employees to the next level. Next, in order to engage employees with Internal Communication Videos, you need to find an Internal Communication Video Agency in your area. Finally, you need to incorporate your internal communication videos in your workspace so you can engage your employees. This article will instruct you on How to Engage Employees with Internal Communication Videos, by explaining the science behind Internal Communication Videos. Also, below there are ways in which you can use internal communication videos to drastically improve internal communication in your business. How to Improve Internal Communication? Improving Internal Communication can be a tricky task to manage in your business. I have done some research. As it turns out, around 40 percent of employees feel that managers are not clear regarding the company’s vision and 70 percent of them don’t understand the corporate strategy. Usually, having an effective internal communication means being open and transparent. This makes sure that the employees understand the mission, and everyone is on board with the company’s objectives. Completing this milestone will make sure that you improve internal communication in your business environment. Improving communication in the workplace is highly sought after. In a recent statement, top level CEOs, affirmed that a successful business looks not only to create long-term value for their shareholders, but also takes time and effort to invest in their employees. Thus, sending a monthly email newsletter to your employees, to update them regarding company roadmaps or future milestones, is not the best way to keep them in the loop. Instead sharing visual contents such as videos will keep your employees engaged and will also improve internal communication. Why Use Video for Internal Comms? Using Video for Internal comms will transform the way that your team or employees receive your message. Your workforce is made up of people that enjoy watching videos. We all do. Watching a few minutes of visually appealing content keeps us focused and excited. But why use Video for Internal Comms? According to a recent research, more than 90 percent of workers find videos helpful with understanding the business. That doesn’t only apply only to base level workers. High level executives watch work-related videos on a weekly basis. That simply tells you that video for internal comms should be an essential part of a successful internal communication strategy. Viewing this from another angle, consider remote workers. In today’s world especially during recent times going to work can have different meanings. “Work” is no longer a place. So, what is the most efficient way to communicate with your remote employees? You guessed it. It’s videos. Using video for Internal Comms allow members of your company to avoid long emails, collaborate effectively no matter their time zone, and simply put, providing some visual aid helps an employee feel more connected to their peers. In conclusion videos are highly effective in the internal communication in an organization. But how does one use videos for an effective internal communication? Here are some ways that you can use video content for your internal communication. Human Resources Videos Human Resource Videos are a vital part in the human resource department. The most sophisticated human resource department in the world use these  simple HR videos  for improving internal communication. The HR department handles recruitment, payroll, employment policies, benefits and last but not least, they handle employee training. Good human relations, and good human resource videos translate to a good work environment. Using on-demand video such as HR videos on the training program, allows you to educate large groups and because it is very convenient and accessible, the education process is faster.  The most sophisticated human relations departments in the world use human resource videos to boost their communication. These HR videos help in simplifying complex information and provide a different range of tutorials for any task that an employee might have to fulfill. Thus, the employee is no longer confused, rather very clear on the mission which leads to an effective internal communication. Don’t sleep on online learning. It might prove to be very useful for your company. Speaking to Your Employees Speaking to your employees should be one of the main goals of your company. Connected Employees mean a happy business. Let’s say your company has fun events, or important ceremonies. The feeling of belonging is quite important. In fact, it is essential to humans. Engaging employees with Internal Communication videos is a very efficient way to make them feel like they belong. Thus, having someone film it, the whole experience, engaging with employees and then later sharing it throughout the company, or watching it at a company event will  pass on positive emotions to your workers and make them feel like they’re part of a family. Keeping employees connected is an important factor in improving your internal communication. If you don’t trust me, go watch a corporate, or business party HR video that

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The Best Places to Film in the UK The UK is simply bursting with lovely, interesting scenery, from serene, landscaped vistas to bustling cities, making it an excellent country for film locations. That’s why we decided to look a little deeper and based on the research here are the best places to film in the UK. So if you are looking for the best place to film in the UK? Then look no further – here are the best places to film in the UK in 2021! #5 – Best places to film in Liverpool Liverpool is an ever-growing, dynamic city that is full of life – and it’s full of endless media production possibilities, too, with its diverse range of filming locations and bountiful media industry. It is the most filmed city in the UK after London, after all! So where are the best places to film in Liverpool?   Cost Costs for a film crew in Liverpool depend entirely on the type of footage and content you’re aiming for, so the best way to find out a realistic price is to get a quote from several video production agencies in the area. However, you can expect these costs to be around £3000-4600 per day.   Knowledge – Quality of People Filmmakers in Liverpool will be glad to know that there are a myriad of excellent video production agencies and casting agencies in Liverpool to choose from for your next project! Casting agencies in Liverpool Looking for a cast for your film project? There are plenty of casting agencies in Liverpool that can help you find the perfect actors, such as: RedBook Casting Harmony Casting Video agencies in Liverpool Like in other major locations in the UK, Liverpool has a host of video agencies to choose from to film your next project, including names such as: Hurricane Films Concrete Films   Locations The beauty of filming in Liverpool is that it can serve as the perfect shoot location for any setting. Need a shot set in New York? Liverpool has you covered. Looking for a period location instead? You can find those in Liverpool, too! Here are some of the best: Stanley Dock – the Victorian warehouses that surround this dock have provided a background to hits like Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011’s Sherlock Holmes, and Peaky Blinders. George’s Hall – this magnificent building has proven to be the ideal backdrop for many shoots, such as for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, as well as for the upcoming The Batman. Water Street – if you’re looking for a location that can double as the streets of New York, then be sure to give Water Street a visit! Crosby Beach – serving as a location for Peaky Blinders, Crosby Beach is the ideal place to shoot if you need a sandy set.     #4 – Best places to film in Bristol Bristol is another top choice for many filmmakers, a status further solidified by its title of ‘UNESCO City of Film’. Often dubbed as a smaller version of London, Bristol offers a balance between greenery and cityscapes, making it ideal for a wide range of shoot types. So where are the best places to film in Bristol?   Cost The cost of film production in Bristol is around £2500-5000 per day.   Knowledge – Quality of People With Bristol being one of the UK’s major centres of TV and film production, there is a vast number of talented production agencies in the area. Casting agencies in Bristol Though Bristol is a hub of media production, there aren’t a wide range of casting agencies to choose from. However, that being said, the most renowned casting agency in Bristol is Phoenix Casting, who provides talents for a wide range of roles, whether that be voice-over artists, actors, or models. Video agencies in Bristol Many video production agencies have made their home in the busy city of Bristol. No matter what type of content you want to produce, there is an agency out there for you. Some of the most notable ones that are based in Bristol include: Aspect South West Film Fable Studios   Locations There are several beautiful film locations that production companies in Bristol can take advantage of: Clifton Down – this protected green space next to Clifton village offers a vast area of beautiful greenery, as well as views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge. Birdcage Walk – named after the arches that line the path, Birdcage Walk is a peaceful graveyard located in Clifton that was used in 1990’s Truly, Madly, Deeply. Bristol Cathedral – this location has been used in several productions, such as BBC’s Sherlock, The Salisbury Poisonings, and Wolf Hall.     #3 – Best places to film in Brighton Everyone knows Brighton as a (usually) sunny beachside city that attracts swarms of tourists every summer thanks to its pleasant buzz and lively community, and it’s these qualities that make it an excellent place to film, too! So where are the best places to film in Brighton?   Cost When it comes to hiring a film crew in Brighton, you can expect to pay around £3000 (give or take) for a day of shooting, though this price can highly depend on what kind of content and footage you’re looking for.   Knowledge – Quality of People Much like many other UK cities with excellent filming locations, you can also find an arsenal of excellent video production agencies in Brighton that will be more than happy to help out with capturing the best shots for your content. Casting agencies in Brighton Every great shoot needs an equally-as-great cast, and there are a handful of casting agencies in Brighton that can help you out, such as: We’ve Got Talent The Casting Collective Video agencies in Brighton There is certainly no shortage of video agencies in Brighton, so no matter what type of content you’re looking for, this shoreside city

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Promo Video Production in London UK in 2020 Promotional material in the form of promo video production is absolutely essential if you want to grow your business in this day and age. Without engaging content like video, you won’t capture the attention of the audiences of today nearly as well (we have the internet to blame for that!) However, it can be very difficult to continue with promo video production in London UK in the midst of a pandemic, thanks to health and safety issues, as well as the ever-changing restrictions set in place. This, plus the fact that many companies are not receiving their usual income, means that promo video production in London is one of the first things that many businesses have ceased in response to the ongoing crisis. But is this the correct approach to take? Or should businesses reconsider what they prioritise?   Why is promo video production in the uk important during a pandemic? Despite the fact that advertising is often one of the first costs dropped by a company in the midst of a crisis such as a pandemic, this approach is actually proven to be counterintuitive. If we take a look at history, we can see several examples showcasing that companies that continue to invest in promotional video production material are actually the ones that end up surviving through difficult times. One of the most profound examples of this is Cadbury’s approach to the Blitz during the Second World War.   Cadbury LTD continued video production in the UK when  Bournville Chocolate didn’t… Despite all of the horrific tragedies that occurred during the Second World War, Cadbury Chocolate decided to turn a bad situation into something good rather than throw in the towel – and were able to lift the spirits of Britain at the same time. But how did they do this? Cadbury’s approach to this particular crisis was to continue the production of chocolate throughout the war, of course! They were successful in this endeavour thanks to the fact that chocolate was considered an essential ration due to its morale-boosting properties, and they even brought out ‘misery vans’ that delivered hot cocoa to Blitz victims. This meant that, after the war, Cadbury actually saw an increase in demand for their products. Had Cadbury instead opted to halt production and hole up until the storm had passed, it may not have seen the huge success that it gets to enjoy today, nor would it have helped to raise the spirits of so many people during such a difficult time.   Movie production in the UK in 2020 The same principle can be applied to the situation of today, where people need a helping hand from some companies more than ever. Take the movie industry as a good example. During the first lockdown, everyone needed something to do, and oftentimes this ‘something’ turned out to be watching movies. Many movies that were due to release in cinemas in 2020 were put on hold until next year, but there were some films like Enola Holmes that instead took to releasing on online platforms such as Netflix while still putting out promotional video production material – and, for the most part, it worked! Our example of Enola Holmes ended up becoming one of the most-watched movies on Netflix, and it’s safe to say that this may not have been the case had the movie not pushed through and continued to invest in video promo production material. This is a good indicator that promo video production is still worth it, and that advertising your brand may be more important now than ever before.   2020 Promo video production in London So, in short, it’s important that you try your best to keep investing in promotional video production with professional London promo video production company partners. However, you may still think that it’s not worth the additional cost, but the truth is that promo video production in the UK during these uncertain times doesn’t have to be costly and time-consuming, nor does it need to put the health of others at risk! The reasons why promo video production may not necessarily be as expensive as you may typically think? For one, it is especially hard to carry out high-budget video production with government restrictions in place anyway, and secondly, you can easily resort to methods that are less harsh on your wallet. As we will touch on later, there are many routes you can take for affordable promotional video production – and, as an added bonus, you can easily do these in the comfort of your own home! Promotional video production agencies in the UK are also working hard to make sure that shooting footage and producing content is as safe as can be. But how do promotional video production companies keep both the crew and client safe? Simply put, they do so by following specific protocol in line with government guidelines:   How are promo video production companies in the UK staying safe? Despite lockdown and all of the restrictions that have come of this pandemic, promo video production agencies in the UK are still allowed to film content and assemble crews. Naturally, promotional video production agencies in London and in the rest of the UK can only continue doing what they do if they follow the current government guidelines – but how do they do so? What kind of precautions are video production companies taking?   Working remotely on a UK promo video production in 2020 One of the first things that many UK promo video production companies did when restrictions were put in place was resume work remotely, with employees working from home rather than in an office or studio. This, of course, presented new challenges, and working remotely is especially difficult when it comes to promo video production – or any sort of video production, for that matter. However, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Take the American crime thriller show, The Blacklist,

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If you have had to cancel your live event in 2020 because of the Coronavirus Pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions, then creating an online presentation video might be a great solution for your business. Coronavirus has certainly turned our world upside down in 2020, with lockdown restrictions having evolved and grown over the past eight months (has it really been that long already?!). One thing has remained rather constant so far, however, and that has been limitations on social interactions and gatherings.Each country has its own set of specific rules for how many people can gather at one time, but the general idea is that not many people are allowed to gather indoors, and especially not in spaces where social distancing is difficult to carry out. While a necessary measure, this has, of course, affected many people’s lives, with meetings with friends and family being made almost impossible. However, the current virus situation has not only affected people’s personal lives, but their careers, too. A huge shift has been made from working in an office to working from home in order to protect the health of workers, and this has forced many business strategies to change – including live events. Live Events Live events have been an important business tool for decades. They have played a vital role in networking and forming connections with others, and have often been used specifically to showcase products or services to shareholders. Pre-COVID, this is how it would go: the company would invite a group of their stakeholders to an internal event for the day (oftentimes at a hotel), where they would then talk them through, and showcase, their new product or new season of products. This worked incredibly well back then, as talking to people face-to-face is a lot easier and significantly more effective than pretty much any other means of communication. Unfortunately, we are now living in the midst of COVID, where this simply is not possible anymore due to health reasons and government restrictions. So – what do? Well, in this case you take the example of institutions such as schools and universities – you bring things online and create bespoke presentation videos. Online Presentation Videos If in-person live events are not possible at the moment, then the next best alternative is something a bit more digital – online presentation video. The common strategy nowadays is, rather than creating a simple live event video, companies are producing TV show-style videos that are around 30-60 minutes long with high production value, in order to get their message across to their audience, whether that be shareholders or otherwise. Online presentation video will allow you to carry on showcasing your product to your audience in a convenient and COVID-friendly manner, while only sacrificing the intimacy of in-person internal events. However, to some that are used to the face-to-face format, this may seem like a huge (and unwelcome) change – but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom! In fact, you may find that online presentation video comes with a whole host of advantages that you may not have even thought of, and that may actually bring this format ahead of traditional means. There are many advantages of online presentation video, some of which may be surprising to you! Advantages of Presentation videos to showcase your product. You can reach a wider audience One of the main unfortunate disadvantages of live events is the fact that, sometimes, attending an in-person event may be inconvenient to some people, whether that be due to clashes in schedules, travel, time zones, etc. etc. Online presentation video removes pretty much all of these drawbacks, offering a way for you to continue showcasing your products, but in a manner where your audience can view your presentation pretty much anytime, anywhere. This can lead to a lot more engagement with your product, which is never a bad thing! You can be more creative The beauty of the video format in general is just how flexible it is, and using it is a freeing experience – you can take video in pretty much any direction you want! While you may think that this does not apply to corporate online presentation video, you would be dead wrong. Online presentation video allows for a lot more opportunity for editing and enhancements, and often use elements such as stock footage, motion graphics, and live action footage (such as the use of a presenter) to get your message across in the most effective way. Your presentation will be more engaging To add onto the concept of it having the potential to be a lot more creative, the online video presentation format is also a lot more easily digestible and engaging when compared to traditional live events – though this, of course, depends entirely on how entertaining you make it! However, in general, video is a lot more engaging than simply watching and listening to someone talk, and will encourage your audience to feel a lot more favourable towards you and your product as a result. And who doesn’t want that? How to turn live event into online presentation video Making the dramatic switch from live, in-person events to online presentation video may be difficult for some people, however, and this is entirely understandable. And yet, in these strange times many people have had to adapt their strategies with very little notice, and learning how to do so is an important skill to learn if you want to survive in these times of change – this, therefore, begs the question of “how to create online presentation video?” While this process doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated, it can be rather tricky to try and figure out how to make your video as effective as it can be. There are a lot of things to consider – for instance, it’s important to keep the content fresh and engaging so that your stakeholders don’t start falling asleep in their seats, while also getting information across in a direct, effective manner. Finding a

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Best Horror Movies of 2020 (and The Best horror Movies New Releases 2021) Article by Bonnie Cramp Greetings, horror fans. Here are a few hidden gems for anyone searching for The Best Horror Movies of 2020 or The Best Horror Movies New Releases 2021. 2020 has been a horror movie in its own right and maybe one day, 2020 will make one of the best horror movies of all time. This year, despite all the confusion and everything that’s been happening, movies have still been released and some have even capitalised on the global pandemic caused by Covid-19. There have been loads of horror movies to choose from so far in 2020 and new horror movies coming out all the time, but which are the best horror movies of 2020 so far? Grab your popcorn and a nice big pillow to hide behind, and lets dive into the best horror movies of 2020! In this article we have narrowed down our selection to, The Top 10 Horror Movies of 2020 (this included several Best Horror Movies new releases 2021) 10. Horse Girl Release date: 7th February 2020 (UK) Cast: Alison Brie, Molly Shannon, Directed by: Jeff Baena The plot: Sarah (Alison Brie), a socially awkward craft shop worker, with quickly dwindling mental health. There is history of mental illness in her family and her dreams begin to become a reality. Mundane (or seemingly so) details of her life, blend with her growing certainty that she’s a double of her grandmother, as well as a time traveller, come together for a slow change into a new normal for Sarah in this new Netflix movie, and her progressive fear of her own mind.  What makes it great: Impressive in its feat of telling the story of a rapid decline in mental health, from the perspective of a person who can’t see what is happening to them. It’s mysterious, it’s psychological and it addresses mental breakdown. You start of watching a fun, quirky comedy, which quickly turns into something more poignant and sinister, but that feeling of the quirky comedy never leaves you. It’s interesting, it’s different and its one of the best horror movies of 2020 so far. 9. Underwater Release date: 7th February 2020 (UK) Cast: Kristen Stewart, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher Jr. Directed by: William Eubank The plot: Norah (Kristen Stewart) is working at an underwater research site, miles below the surface. There’s no hesitation, it’s right into the action – the hull of the rig cracks. A handful of people survive out of the hundreds; their only hope of survival is to walk along the ocean floor. Soon, they are fighting for their lives against attack from deadly underwater creatures. A true living nightmare. What makes it great: In classic B movie style, this film gets where it’s going fast; no hesitation, straight into the action. If you aren’t a fan of long, drawn out openings, then this is definitely one of the best horror movies to watch in 2020 for you. Kristen Stewart sells Norah’s plight in the horrifying nature of the situation. Tension and extreme close-ups propel you through the movie, one jump scare to the next – definitely one of the best horror movies of 2020. 8. The Scent (The best horror movies new releases of 2021) Release date: 6th December 2020 (UK) Cast: Aidan Whytock, Jet Jandreau, Rick S Carr, Ned Doherty Directed by: Lawrence Jacomelli The Scent Movie Official Trailer -New horror movies coming out The plot: (Not released yet but definitely The Scent will be one of The best horror movies new releases of 2020). An apocalyptic event, brought about by climate change, has destroyed Planet Earth. This unrecognizable  new world is burnt to the ground and covered by an ash cloud leaving it in virtual darkness and brings with it a sickness that wipes out almost all the species on the planet except for a few groups of human survivors. Whilst this lifeless dystopia is no longer hospitable to humans, it’s the perfect environment for a primitive alien life form that has begun colonisation. With little sensory capability apart from that of smell they hunt in the darkness, the only food source left…HUMANS. The central story is of a father and his autistic son who try and mend their broken relationship and stay alive against all the odds. Along with a few other survivors they are forced to wear ramshackle isolation suits made out of spare parts and car airbags in order to contain their scent and avoid detection by the alien creatures that hunt them. But in this bleak new world of fear and loneliness without no sign of hope or future, they must ask the question, “Who is the real monster?” What makes it great: This is the most zeitgeist horror movie you will see in 2020 and thats what makes it our pick for best horror movies new releases of 2020. With all of the world having spent months and months in lockdown and experiencing long periods of isolation the theme at the centre of this edge of your seat hide and seek monster movie makes the content emotionally compelling as well as terrifying. If you care for the characters then you will be more shocked by the horror and that’s the basis for this visually impressive indie horror movie that is a hidden gem and easily one of the best horror movies of 2020. New horror movies coming out – The Scent. Swallow Release date: 16th March 2020 (UK) Cast: Haley Bennett, Austin Stowell, David Rasche Directed by: Carlo Mirabella-Davis The plot: The domestic life of a housewife – horrified. Life begins in a troubled home for Hunter (Haley Bennet), but perhaps life is on the up as she’s just married into the perfect well of family. However, it soon becomes clear that to be accepted into the family, she must obey. Isolated, it all starts to unravel as she starts swallowing objects, a marble is the first. She feels

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