Promo video advice

[Stephon]

I agree that starting with one-liners and going to jokes with longer set-ups makes the video seem longer than it is; either re-arrange them or cut all but the two or three very best.spam

The client montage feels a little long, too. By the time it gets to the third picture, I was feeling like, "Ok, we've got it--you've worked for a lot of people". Also, if the photos are important enuf to include in the video, don't cover them up with the logos; if they're not, cut the photos and make the client montage shorter.spam

Although the balloon jokes both get a good response, they are essentially the same gag--I'm gonna make a balloon animal, but not the one you think I am. Cut the first and keep the swan; it's shorter and still makes your point. In general I agree with Eric that once you've shown the client what you want to show them, don't show them again; it makes the video seem long.

Maybe a little more audio bleed into and out of the quote screens would help pacing. spam

And while Eric admitted that the Indian joke is a hot button for him, and Gav is probably right that he's too close to the topic, it's probably true, for all of us, that even a funny joke at the expense of an absent minority runs the risk of making you look like a bully. But that really has nothing to do with the video, I suppose.

I think you're material and audience interractions are really good and I'd be interested in seeing your show sometime.

[Doctor Eric]

what Gav doesn't know is how absent Indians are from our population. You don't do a show with Indians in the audience, here in the states, unless you're at an Indian function, or there's the third blue moon in a row that month. And that's just generally a good rule to follow, don't pick on races that aren't there. Except for the English, because so many of them look like you could sharpen a rake on their face.

[Doctor Eric]

I second Stephon on the balloon thing, kinda. I kept wanting to say that, but both of those jokes are really funny, some of the best stuff in your video. (The swan joke is funnier though) The koala one is more stock. If there was footage of you actually doing something with the balloon, or the bit going a different direction after those, it'd be okay to use both, but right now, I agree with Stephon.

[Evan Young]

Video Quality:

It's weird about the video quality, it kind of looks like the camera focused on the back curtain, because everything except you looks pretty good. When I look at your face I see soft edges with bleeding colors, but the back curtain and you prop case looks better. I can also tell that the camera was taking exposure off the back curtain, because you were over exposed, which will make colors bleed in facial details. To get proper exposure you kind of need to hire a pro.

HD doesn't really mean that much. My duo show's promo video was filmed with an older camera that was NOT HD, and the footage looks better than yours... it just had a pro behind it who knew how to use it*

Use what you have for now, nobody would be critical of the video quality if we thought you sucked and were only good for retirement homes and kiddie parties.

*(my showoff show promo video is not what I wanted it to be and I am not submitting it as an example of a good promo vid, just reasonably good image quality)

everything else has already been said.

P.S. There is no need to defend yourself against any critiques posted here, take what you want and leave the rest with a smile.

P.P.S. I used to hang out with you at the juggling festival in Columbia MO.

[Doctor Eric]

He's gotten quite a few compliments, comparatively.

[Doctor Eric]

(And I'd say he's done a pretty good job of taking the criticism and working with it)

[amazingarthur]

Here it is again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6NQkUSev-c

I have removed logos, stills at the beginning, added some bounce juggling-with a joke-bad audio-think it's better left out. Still too long. Let me know if I'm getting closer.

[Stephon]

I'm afraid I missed the point of the newspaper clip. I watched it three times, but. . .

The sound dropped out on the second yo-yo clip, thru the ball cascade.

I think I'd cut the bank / yo-yo case joke after "away"; for the purpose of the video, the rest doesn't add anything.

If it were me, I wouldn't completely remove the logos at the beginning. I'd just shorten it significantly, maybe put a photo center screen and have them scroll scroll by, one list down the left side and another up the right--the client doesn't have to be able to read all of them, just see that there is a respectable number of clients, and some of them are big names.

I think a little bit of music from the end of the final laughter thru the end would be a smoother finish that sudden silence.

Sorry if it seems like I'm just picking out things to criticize, but that's actually a good thing; it means the overall video is good, or I'd be suggesting sweeping changes.

[Juggalicious]

I watched this version and thought it was great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7a0nnSGkSw

The only thing I would say is keep taping shows and once you get footage that is better video quality replace clips. Not for the content - for the quality. It's not a deal breaker but it's the main improvement I can see.

lastly, I don't know what Eric is talking about... but then again, I never do.


Alex

[Juggalicious]

also - i quite liked all the logos at the beginning.

[magic_fella]

I watched both of your promo pieces. Having booked performers here are the impressions:

1) Most performers get about fifteen seconds to get my attention. Am I likely to wait for a whole three minute promo to load? Probably not. I have other things to do. So your first fifteen seconds is critical, since I will be deciding whether or not to put up with the load time. My impressions? Here's a guy who is going to be wacky (did you know that the first picture makes you look like Conan O'Brian?), a guy that has enormous credibility...and is going to be high energy.

2) Yup. I would have watched the rest of the video. It's a good thing to tell a client that the performer you've bought for him has all these references behind him.

3) You are wise to focus on your interaction with the audience instead of the juggling. I get a good sense for who you are onstage. Organizers see dozens of jugglers and the tricks they do DON'T stand out after you've looked at so many of them. What I mean is that you can't remember who did what. I WOULD remember you because of the jokes you made. So excellent work there.

4) Let me suggest that you make the video shorter. You can present yourself in a clean manner with great impact in under two minutes. I had the sense that the focus shifted to "a bunch of stuff I can do" in the middle. Pick your "a" killer material and do that. Show me juggling. Then magic...and finally the balloon animal stuff. You know why? The Balloon animal stuff is hilarious, fresh, original and charming.

Overall? A very good video -- much better than most out there.

A few parting thoughts:

1) Keep the testimonials short. Maybe a dozen words. They are hard to read while watching you perform. We already get the idea of who you are from the material and the logo blizzard at the beginning.

2) The font has to be better placed. Don't put it over your face. Is there a way to add a stroke to them? Maybe a bright color?

3) You are correct to keep the phone number on the video. (Operators standing by is funny as well, by the way.) You never know what may make me write it down and call.

I don't find any of the material offensive or racist.

David

[magic_fella]

Oops...I saw the second page a little late.

I guess the problem with asking for feedback is that so many people have so many different concepts of what works and what doesn't. So...with sympathy and serious empathy and respect...here's the feedback on the LAST video:

1) I liked the logos. They gave you credibility. Removing them is a mistake.

2) I am really sensing a much more "handmade" feel here. I go "Oh...gee...another juggler promo piece." Nothing really stands out since it has become a series of tricks. The great personality you presented in the first and second editions has been washed away. I would remember very little specific about this one.

3) I liked "comedy Superhero." It made me smile.

4) Sound compeltely fades out for two segments around the yo yo piece. Your mouth is moving and I can't hear you. Looks very bush to me.

5) What's up with the newspaper?

I think a lot of organizers look at juggler footage and sigh. You expect that these guys will do amazing manipulations. What you are looking for is something offbeat. Something that makes the performer different.

You had it in the first incarnations...not in this one.

Again: just one opinion, offered with respect to another performer. Take it for what it's worth.

David