VERIFIED Stamp of Approval!

Major Motion Pixels, Inc. is now, officially, a VERIFIED Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, or SDVOSB.  This certification/verification means MMP underwent immense scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the company came through with flying colors. Congratulations to us!

The SDVOSB verification carries with it certain contracting preferences. More info at: http://www.sba.gov/sdvosb.

My favorite interview questions for corporate video

How many interviews have I done for corporate video? At least 100.  All kinds of people…NFL players, CEOs, Federal agency directors, billionaires, Admirals and Generals, technologists, veterans, military service members, politicians, academics, scientists, middle managers, entertainers…the list goes on. Whether stand-up exteriors, or sit-down in studio, I enjoy these conversations. 

When I prepare for interviews, I craft questions that will get at what, exactly, we are trying to communicate.  Because I want the editor to have the best possible “selects” to use, I’ll sometimes ask questions in different ways. Sometimes I’ll circle back, and re-ask a question again.

Open-ended, and difference-making:

How has “x” changed?

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen?

Describe why you think “x” has changed?

What’s the biggest challenge of “x”?

How do you define success of (achieving) “x”?

Beyond the obvious:

What is often misunderstood about “x”?

What would you like people to remember about “x”?

How do you see “x” five years from now? 10 years? 15 years?

Always include:

What makes you most proud?

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

In ONE word, how would you describe “x”?

Is there anything I HAVEN’T asked, that you’d like to tell me?

These are some of the things you can ask to make sure your interview is:

1.       Interesting, important

2.       Predictive (forward-looking)

3.       Sincere and personal/transparent

Because I’ve done so much of this, I am usually editing the responses in my head for the video, as I conduct the interview. Those responses later jump out at me from the transcripts, and make it much easier in post-production to find the thread of the story, punctuate the story, and leave audiences with memorable take-aways.
This is Part 1 of “The Interview.” Part 2 will be: My favorite interview responses for corporate video

Do you have a favorite interview question you've asked, or that you've been asked?

For more on media and communications, go to www.majormotionpixels.com!

To create or to innovate...that is the question.

"Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is DOING new things." --Theodore Levitt

Isn’t it interesting that one, single moment can shape your career?

And isn’t it interesting that the one, single moment doesn't have to be particularly monumental? But if you explore that moment, and express it…it can influence and define you.

My moment was when I was working on a video project for a San Diego high-technology consortium known as CONNECT.  They were working with the much-loved La Jolla Playhouse to host a signature event to celebrate innovation in technology and the arts, called “Innovation Night.”  It was a truly momentous occasion to bring together technologist and artist innovators for a lovely evening of networking and a performance of ground-breaking theater.

This video presentation was designed to allow the crowd to settle into their seats and kick off the evening's entertainment, with INNOVATION in mind.

In the course of directing and producing the video for this event, I conducted several interviews with actors, theater and creative directors, financiers, technologists, and policy leaders.  

What did I hear during those interviews that created this defining moment?

Here's what they told me:

• ·      "Two things drive me to innovate. First, DISSATISFACTION with the way things are, and the belief that things can change, and PEOPLE can change." (This one was profound for me, and I think of it often.)
• ·     "The first and foremost definition of innovation? That you’re going to actually DO what you say you’re going to do. And if you’re going to innovate, you do it." (Again, commitment to CHANGE and do things differently.)
• ·     "Breaks down walls." (Gain new perspective…)
• ·     "Where the unexpected becomes the expected." (Being open to the unexpected.)
• ·     "Allows me to do something I've never done before." (Discovering a new part of yourself and expressing it.)

Each of these people I interviewed was on a quest for discovery, for invention of something that was fresh and adventurous. And they needed to find a way to express it. And to share it.

These interviews and conversations rocked my world.  

Think: with a push of inspiration and innovation, you might realize you are dissatisfied with the way things are, you believe things can change, and you want to create the change that will make something better.

Click here to watch the video for INNOVATION NIGHT.

For more on media and communications, go to www.majormotionpixels.com!

3 ways to better connect with your audience in 2014

Beyond the mandate, the mundane, the routine, or the motivating and congratulatory need to communicate…serious legal matters, downsizing, budget cuts, human crises, and critical emergencies require timely communication. 

After all the New Year celebrations are over, serious news in 2014 may call for engagement more than anything, and here are some of the best basic ways to connect with an audience across all communications channels.

Examples, scenarios, case studies

Even during times of seriousness, perhaps more so, it’s important to use STORY to communicate. Authentic situations and characters, or anecdotes, to which your audience can relate make the impossible-to-imagine, the abstract, and difficult-to-swallow subject matter RELEVANT.

Hearing from someone who matters

Hearing from leaders (and I don’t mean CEOs necessarily) is also an important way to convey the seriousness of the subject matter. A respected expert in the field, a company “hero,” a celebrity or other high-visibility individual who has a stake in the outcome or cares about the subject matter…these are potential messengers of important information—as long as the messenger MATTERS to the audience.

Stay focused on the outcome

Yes, recognize and acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. But instead of focusing on reduced funding, challenging markets, or critical safety violations…it’s important to stay focused on WHY you are communicating with your audience. What is the vision, the endgame?

• Have a problem with product quality? Communicate to let your employees and the customers/public know what happened, what you are doing about it, how soon it will be fixed, and how you are going to ensure quality going forward.
• Facing budget cuts and downsizing? Communicate fairness, transparency, responsibility, and transition.
• Have a tragic workplace act of violence?  Communicate to inform, to comfort, to support, and to try to make sure nothing like it ever happens again.
• Have safety issues on-the-job? Communicate to let your employees know their safety is your first priority, what you’ll change to support that, and to assure management/congress/stockholders/taxpayers that you are taking action, and how.

However serious the current situation, it does not DEFINE the company, the organization, the agency, or the employees. Whether you're communicating from a combat zone or a corporate boardroom, make a New Year's resolution to...be timely, stay relevant, make it matter, and stay focused on the optimal outcome. 

For more on media and communications, go to: www.MajorMotionPixels.com.

What do you mean, Happy Holidays?

It's occurred to me that holiday greetings and salutations are similar to business communications. We have to consider our audiences, know our intent, and communicate clearly focused on the desired outcome.

In the movie, Love Actually, arguably a modern day Christmas classic, Mark finally blurts out his true feelings for Juliet via cue cards at her doorstep.

Our holiday greetings don't need to be a confession, but if we peel away the layers of every variation of Happy Holidays, Joyeux Noel, Buon Natale, and Mele Kalikimaka, they all have something in common...an intent to wish something good, as Tennyson said, "...peace and goodwill to all mankind."

Say what you mean, and DO what you say. Express it in the best way you possibly can.

Sharing and spreading those wishes are my intent here too. Beginning with the most basic peace and joy that I possess, I give to you:

"We have within ourselves
Enough to fill the present day with joy,
And overspread the future years with hope."
--William Wordsworth

All the very best to you and yours this holiday season and in the New Year!

More about media & communications at www.majormotionpixels.com.

Ready for "Action!"

How to spend a little, and get MORE when producing corporate video? Here are two of my favorite ways:

People who know me have heard me say: "Put 10% of the budget into AUDIO mix, music, sweetening, and it'll make as much as a 40% improvement in the finished video/animation."

There's another way to spend a little, but get a LOT MORE for your money. Disproportional value, in the right direction. I like that.

By CASTING the right talent, you'll not only get a superior performance, you'll make more progress on set, get more accomplished, avoid overtime, and deliver a top-notch product of which you and the client can be proud.

How to do it? It starts as a conversation with your talent agent or casting director:

1. Be clear about the project, the expectations, how it will be used...broadcast, internet, trade show, print, mobile.

2. Precisely describe what you are looking for...gender, age, ethnicity, "look." 

3. Is the shoot date firm? Don't look at talent who will not be available to you.

4. Don't low ball...but be realistic. Be honest about budget limitations, but this is an area you DO NOT want to cut corners. (IF you start low ball, and then don't get what you need, you'll end up throwing more money at it, but have less time before the shoot date to commit the best talent.  An undesirable trade off for sure.)

5. Communicate, communicate, communicate with your casting director or talent agent. Make sure details of the agreement are in place.

6. Relationships matter. Use a trusted source. 

Think about these guidelines, and be ready for "Action!"  End result:  Happy client!

Thanks to Nanci Washburn at Artist Management in San Diego for providing MMP with great choices for this spokesperson lead, and other actors for our recently-produced scenarios. They made an ambitious production do-able, with uncompromised quality, completed on schedule and on budget. 

Q&A Your Way to Stellar Service

Getting to YES, as quickly as possible, helps customers appreciate and remember stellar service.

Janet Dahle & FANTASTIC friends,
ready for the paparazzi!

A weekend meet-up with long-time friends last weekend at The Beverly Hills Hotel reminded me that there is no substitute for well-staffed, well-trained, genuine, cordial, attentive customer service.  That every member of the staff was contributing to a most memorable weekend experience for us, is what made our stay at this famous hotel exceptional. A little shopping, a little sight-seeing, a LOT of relaxing and catching up with each other...pure bliss! My gal pals had flown in from Australia and the Northwest, so we were very happy to spend time together.

Stellar service began with questions and answers...

Can we order breakfast (at noon)? Of course...24 hours a day.

Could I have sliced tomatoes? Sure.

Could I have those grilled? Not a problem.

Can you come set my iPad up with your wifi? We'll send someone right up.

Is it okay if we check out a little later? Why, of course.

Then, beyond mere Q&A, the concierge, the bell hop, the guest shop clerk, the pool boy, the wait staff...all were willing to not only answer "yes" to every question, but ready with conversation and recommendations. Making it personal. By the pool: "What's that for?" (Shade, would you like me to put it in place for you?) In the Lounge: "May I have another club soda?" (Yes, but you may be interested in trying our juices...) To the Concierge: "We have a car...can you tell us where to tour by celebrity homes?" (We have maps, let me show you...) "What's the most unusual thing a guest has ever asked?" (We once had a woman ask us to get her a role in a movie during her stay).  WOW!

Stellar Service...YES!

Sadly, all good things must come to an end--until next time. Having the car brought up to valet, and our bags already packed away in the trunk for us upon completing checkout...we drove away and I exclaimed, "That was FANTASTIC!"

More importantly, it made me want to share the experience.

No matter what business you're in, you'd probably agree..."FANTASTIC" is the response we'd like to get from our clients, customers, users, or guests.  So start with YES, then make it personal.

(By the way, the juices featured in The Polo Lounge were the best I've ever had...if you're interested, www.pressedjuicery.com. Fantastic and FRESH...who knew kale and spinach could taste so good?!)