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Heidi McLean

disney ears | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

How to trade in your tax visor for Disney ears
How to trade in your tax visor for Disney ears 8399 3628 Heidi McLean

Producing content is chaotic. In your media department, chances are you and your employees already wear too many hats. You don’t need to put on yet another one during tax season.

Would you prefer a vacation over running around tracking down addresses and other freelancer management tasks this tax season? Read on.

 

Hand over that lovely green tax visor and take a spring break instead. Here’s how:

 

1. Get in touch with our partner company PayReel.

PayReel was started when Crew Connection’s founder saw a need in the media industry for simplifying freelancer management. The PayReel team and its custom software instantly replace the paperwork involved with onboarding and paying freelancers while also keeping businesses compliant with federal, state, and local regulations such as paid sick leave and insurance. Chat with a real, live person when you contact PayReel at 303-526-4900 or by emailing us here.

Leave your payroll services and details up to PayReel so you can focus on pulling off a flawless production.

 

2. Hand over the paperwork and the risk.

A lot of productions often means a lot of temporary workers. And all those workers make for a not-so-magical mountain of paperwork. PayReel takes the burden out of onboarding as well as tracking and sending 1099s.

Speaking of those temporary workers, are you sure you’re the right person to classify all of them? It’s only your job and possibly your freedom on the line.

At PayReel, they talk about worker classification a lot. They even created a whole series on the subject. They take it seriously because the government does, too. Meaning they’re more than ready to find companies that get it wrong. But don’t worry, when you work with PayReel, their staff help you decide if the seven dwarves are eligible for full benefits and take the punishment if they’re ever wrong.

 

3. Get back to work.

With PayReel handling your freelancer management, you can get back to your production, or your Netflix binge, or even your spring break. Whatever you do, just don’t get back to worrying about tax management: PayReel makes tax season vacation season.

 

One more thing: There are certain career paths (like tax lawyering) that really require a special type of person. Unless you’re one of those, (which we’re not) you’re not legally allowed to give your employee’s tax advice. Send them to the IRS.

 

 

About PayReel

Juggling content production and freelancer management can get messy. PayReel makes sure their clients are able to hire who they want when they want and that everyone is paid properly. Leave all payroll services and freelancer management (even taxes) up to the PayReel team so you can focus on pulling off a flawless production. Contact PayReel anytime at 303-526-4900 or by emailing us here.

Relax. We got it.

 

road in mountains | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

When the right location means everything, count on Crew Connection
When the right location means everything, count on Crew Connection 5184 3456 Heidi McLean

Where you choose to eat. Where you choose to work. Where you choose to live. Location means everything.

That’s why it’s one of the first things we ask you when you’re searching for a video and post-production provider on Crew Connection. So we must have location filtering pretty locked down, right? Maybe not as much as you’d think. Here’s why that’s a good thing.

Crews who have satellite offices or are based in small cities will often serve locations outside of the standard 25-mile radius at little or no cost. If our stellar crew in itty bitty Mason, Texas, happens to be the only one available to cover your event in Austin on short notice, Crew Connection gives them the flexibility to choose if they want to charge for travel or not. All you have to do is hop into your Crew Connection messages to work out the details with them before booking the project.

At Crew Connection, we strive to empower our video and post-production providers to make their own business decisions while ensuring that you are matched up with the perfect team for your project—whether it’s around the block next month or at each of your international offices next week.

Click here to make sure you’re up to speed on everything you should consider before hiring a non-local video and post-production provider.

 

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection logo

Crew Connection puts a world of video service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Visit CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.

 

animated sheep | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

Is your ad agency conning you?
Is your ad agency conning you? 4200 3000 Heidi McLean

When you’re trying to produce frequent, disposable video content, there’s something really appealing about trusting the people who gave you the vision and the execution for the project wrapped up with a neat little bow. If that same ad agency also happens to provide the most affordable bid, well that seals the deal, right? Wrong. (Sometimes.) It turns out that ad agencies have been illegally outbidding and undermining freelance video production providers. It’s bad enough that the Justice Department is investigating.

 

How is this happening?

Creative departments don’t want to break the budget when they’re looking for fast, frequent content with a short shelf life. As clients begin to expect more video for less cost, agencies respond by creating in-house video firms. Such firms become competitors for editors, pieces and parts crews, production houses, post-production houses, and more. It can provide a one-stop-shop for clients and gives the agency access to a bigger piece of the revenue pie. So far, so good, right?

Sure…if it’s done fairly. The shady part is that some agencies use their unique position with clients to steer business toward themselves and away from independent video providers. They do this by telling independent crews the range they should bid in, underbidding them, and then making it look like their in-house firm won the contract fairly. The bids provide a paper trail to make it all look legitimate when in reality, the process was heavily (and illegally) influenced. Not looking so good anymore.

 

 Okay, what can I do about it?

1. Take the process into your own hands.

After your agency comes up with a stellar vision, get your own bids for the project. This cuts them out of the communication and ensures you get accurate, uninfluenced bids from all parties.

 

2. Make sure you find quality freelance video production providers.

This can feel like a big job to fit into your schedule, which is why even the sharpest clients fall prey to savvy agencies. That’s where Crew Connection hooks you up. We make the whole thing easy peasy by providing the best crews at the best rates—whether you’re shooting interviews at each of your international locations next week or need à la carte services for your next series today.

If you’re not sure if we are (or anyone else is) a good fit, here are five questions to ask about a crewing service to determine if they’re worth their weight in salt.

 

3. Hire the best fit.

If you’ve sought your own bids from the best crews and production teams and you still feel the agency is the best fit for the job, by all means, hire them.

 

Bottom line:

Yes, some ad agencies are playing sheep just as they devour your budget and produce low quality work. But you don’t have to play the game. Be a savvy consumer and skip the con.

 

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection logo

Crew Connection puts a world of video service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Visit CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.

 

car in mountains | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

How do decreased mileage rates affect businesses?
How do decreased mileage rates affect businesses? 3263 1600 Heidi McLean

If you’ve ever sent your video service providers on the road for a project, you know you’re expected to pay for every mile those video field crews drive—and all those miles add up. But in 2017, they’ll cost you just a little less.

Effective Jan. 1, standard mileage rates for using a personal vehicle for business purposes will be lower than they were in 2016. Here is the CliffsNotes on how the mileage rates decrease could affect you and your budget.

 

What are the new rates?

  • 53.5 cents per mile driven for business purposes (down from 54 cents in 2016)
  • 17 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes (down from 19 cents in 2016)
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations (the same as 2016)

As you can see, the decrease isn’t drastic. But as the miles add up, every little bit counts.

If you pay for actual costs, you should still expect to cover maintenance, insurance, and other expenses.

 

What contributes to changing rates?

Standard mileage rates are determined based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. Sharply declining fuel prices contributed to this year’s drop. The decrease was relatively minimal because other expenses, such as insurance and maintenance, increased.

 

What do I need to know about mileage rates?

You can find all the nitty-gritty details and government legalese about mileage rates and more here. In a nutshell: You’ll be paying your freelancers less for the miles they drive for business purposes in 2017.

 

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection logo

Crew Connection puts a world of video service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Visit CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.

man planning with phone and paper | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

5 things you need to look for if you’re considering a crewing service
5 things you need to look for if you’re considering a crewing service 4193 2785 Heidi McLean

When you’re managing a media department, you’re expected to be everywhere at once. It’s not enough to keep up with the newest gear; you have to make important decisions in the marketing, finance, and crewing departments, too. You know you’ve found a good online crewing service when it gives you back time in your day by providing several workflow management solutions all in one.

Here’s what to look for in an online crewing service:

 

1. Time savings

How much time would you free up if you could skip fruitless Google searches and find both domestic and international video service providers in just a few clicks? Time is money and a good online crewing service saves you both.

 

2. A rigorous vetting process

Your shoots represent your brand; so you don’t want just any crew on the job. You want the best crew on the job. A good vetting process ensures you’re not just searching a slightly-filtered version of Google. Make sure your crewing service’s database is made up of high-quality crews personally approved by an in-house team of experienced media experts.

 

3. Usability

Most of us have abandoned a tool that would have eventually made our lives easier because it had too much of a learning curve. An intuitive interface eliminates frustration and saves you time now—not in six months, once you’ve mastered a complex system of workarounds. A simple interface that allows you to search by services, gear, and location makes the process feel as easy as ordering a pizza.

 

4. Detail management

Rates, dates, gear, travel, and more. The details surrounding video productions are endless and can make even the most organized person feel like throwing computers and phones out the window. The best online crewing services provide a simple place to manage all of the details, including rate negotiations, messages, and invoices.

 

5. Human touch

Online services take crewing to a whole new level, but in some cases, there’s no replacement for the human touch. It’s nice to be able to pick up the phone if you hit a roadblock or just want to skip the screen for once. The combination of stellar online usability and real-life human backup is hard to beat.
Who couldn’t use a little more time and a little less hassle? A good online crewing service is a way to simplify your workflow and make 2017 smoother and more profitable.

You’ll feel like you’ve just hired the uber-organized assistant you’ve always wanted.

 

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection logo

Crew Connection puts a world of video service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Visit CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.

 

This article was originally posted to productionhub.com. Read the original article here.

animated electronics | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

What 2016’s video marketing trends tell us about 2017
What 2016’s video marketing trends tell us about 2017 1202 810 Heidi McLean

Videos are more accessible than ever—both to make and to watch. Good thing, too, because they’ve been found to increase engagement on every front from sales to click-through rates on emails and websites. And the sheer quantity of content is hard to fathom. In any given 30-day span, more video is uploaded online than what all three major U.S. T.V. networks combined have created in 30 years.

It all points to one thing: Video is taking over the world. The unmatched effectiveness and saturation of video on the web means it’s more important and harder than ever to rise above the noise.

What 2016’s video marketing trends tell us (in a tiny, tiny nutshell)

 

  1. Mobile video consumption is increasing rapidly—to the tune of about 100 percent every year.
  2. People are watching more videos on more devices and are apt to watch multiple videos on more than one device at the same time.
  3. YouTube has over a billion users. That’s about a third of all of the people on the Internet.
  4. Livestreaming and 360 videos are both on the rise. Video isn’t heavily-edited commercials starring handsome actors anymore.
  5. The Washington Post predicts video content will make up more than 80 percent of web content in the next several years.

Does that last one seem hard to believe? Then take a lesson from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who said in 2007, “There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance.”

Every time someone says, “That could NEVER happen,” the universe conspires to make absolutely sure it does. So what do these video marketing trends mean for you and the eyeballs you’re trying to reach?

Early in their career, a young band called Dispatch got a piece of advice from one of their favorite musicians. “Make them listen,” he said. Spotify and Pandora bring a world of music to consumers’ earbuds. They can skip a song or discover a band in one click. The only way to make someone listen in these conditions is to make your sound so compelling they choose to bend their ear.

If you want to be ready for 2017, hire video service providers who understand your vision and can produce creative, high-quality content that makes people watch, click, and act.

 

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection logo

Crew Connection puts a world of video service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Visit CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.

 

man on phone | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

Four tips to make your webinars not suck
Four tips to make your webinars not suck 5760 3840 Heidi McLean

Being able to communicate and interact with multiple people in multiple locations at the same time is a beautiful thing. But when it’s done poorly, your webinar might just multiply the misery of a bad experience.

Four tips to make your webinar worth texting home about

Be a speaker first and a teacher second

I don’t care how important and well-researched your material is. If you’re standing behind a computer reading from the screen, you may as well be saying “Bueller, Bueller?” Your attendees will be gone by the first slide. While they may do you the courtesy of keeping your webinar on the screen while they scroll through Facebook and Twitter, they’re not really with you.

Have a thoroughly-planned outline and know it well enough that you can speak conversationally instead of just reading it. You can’t make eye contact over the Internet, but you can smile while you speak so people can hear that you’re happy to be there.

We know you have a personality. Don’t be afraid to use it.

Use all your resources, including other team members

Familiarize yourself with the webinar platform you’re using until you feel comfortable with its features. Group chats and polls are a great way to engage people, but if you fumble through them, they’ll end up as a distraction.

Bring in a producer or co-presenter and practice effective ways to manage behind-the-scenes details. You don’t want to be scrambling to read and respond to people while you’re speaking.

Add value

If you want people to pay attention, give them content they can’t ignore. Making content compelling and relevant to attendees’ lives is the best way to engage them.

While contests and giveaways may encourage people to stick around until the end of the webinar, there is simply no replacement for content that adds value to attendees’ lives. In the same vein, refer people to your resources, but don’t use webinars just for sales. Your attendees will see through it and it will leave a bad taste in their mouth.

Make it easy

Don’t send attendees out to watch a video on YouTube and expect them to come back in. Make sure any elements like recorded scripts and videos are inside your webinar. Consider the time of day that is most appropriate for your audience and keep webinars under an hour. A good mix is 30 minutes of content and 15 minutes of questions. Record the material so people can easily listen later or again.

Webinars are an easy way to accomplish a lot. They’re also easy to screw up. These four tips will ensure people don’t approach your webinar as a chance to leave their computers open for appearances while they run out to catch a Pokémon.

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection logo

Crew Connection puts a world of video service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Visit CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.

people in a waiting room | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

Book the best people for your project with these 6 questions
Book the best people for your project with these 6 questions 1000 628 Heidi McLean

Frances Peterson, Production Coordinator at Abernethy Media Professionals for over a decade, connects clients with just the right crews and gear to ensure their shoots go down picture-perfect. Here, Frances shares the six-part litmus test that she uses to make sure the crew and client are a fit.

 

Putting a shoot together is like putting on a show: Everyone has to play their part, know their lines, pick up their cues, and work together with the end in mind—all while paying attention to the details at hand. So it’s important when I’m booking a crew that they have the right mix of experience, ability, and creativity. From a quick talking head with an EX3 for internal communications to a RED Weapon Dragon Forged shoot for a broadcast commercial, I make sure to book the locals with the specialized experience and gear to bring the project to life.

Here are the six questions that tell me if I’m hiring the best people for the project…

 

The AMP Camera Crews Litmus Test 

 

Can this person do the superlative job they told me they could do?

 

Are they a problem solver?

 

Do they know when to ask for help?

 

Do they have good client relations skills?

 

Do they add to the crew’s sense of congruity?

 

Could you go grab a bite and a drink with them after 10 hours together on set?

 

The answer to all of these questions needs to be YES.

An AMP camera crew is made up of multi-talented, experienced, flexible problem solvers who are well acquainted with the camera and lighting packages, audio and grip gear, backdrops, teleprompters, media transfer processes, and upload parameters we have in-house. We are fortunate to have a local pool of production talent both deep and wide at AMP.

While some of our folks have been in the business for over 25 years and some are young Turks, they all have one thing in common—they are here to give you the look and feel that you are striving for on your project. Your satisfaction at the end of the shoot is what it’s all about.

video equipment | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

Everything you need to know before hiring 360 video crews
Everything you need to know before hiring 360 video crews 6000 4000 Heidi McLean

Every latest and greatest innovation becomes old news at some point. With the last big thing—unmanned aerial vehicles or “drones”—more accessible than ever, the next frontier is 360 video and virtual reality. Are you ready?

 Here are 8 things to know before diving in to the world of 360 video:

 

  1. 360 video is not VR

Virtual reality is to 360 videos what the Model T is to the vehicle sitting in your driveway. We think that this article from Wired describes the relationship perfectly when it says “It’s a decent first taste, but 360 video is as far from real VR as seeing the Grand Canyon through a Viewmaster is from standing at the edge of the canyon’s South Rim.”

   2. Viewers don’t need a special device

Put away the Google Cardboard. With the right browser or app, any old computer or phone screen works since you’re only scrolling through a standard video that just has more angles.

  3. It takes some getting used to for producers

To date, those behind the camera have been able to direct viewers’ attention where they want it. Effective storytelling is a whole new challenge when viewers can choose where they want to look.

Also, there is no “behind the camera” anymore. Unless they want to be a part of the story, everyone on set better hang tight to the shooter or get the heck out of the way.

  4. It also takes some getting used to for viewers

Viewers aren’t used to choosing what they want to look at and may not know what to do with that level of control. It might be helpful to include some ideas for how viewers should (and shouldn’t) interact with your video.

  5. It’s easy to make people sick

VR uses sensors to track your head’s movement and create a new reality around that. Ideally, you won’t be able to tell the difference between what is real and what isn’t. 360 video isn’t there yet, so the poorly-done video is sure to induce motion sickness. Get around this by making videos that don’t suck and including a warning (or a humblebrag!) anywhere you share a 360 video.

  6. Nature is calling

The great outdoors offers an amazing playground for shooting 360 videos, especially if you’re ever wondered what it’s like to be surrounded by wild elephants or encounter a shark. It also provides an unmatched perspective for things like being in the middle of a political rally, feeling like you’re on stage with a musician, flying in a hot air balloon, and more.

  7. 360 video best practices don’t exist yet

Traditional techniques for framing, lighting, capturing audio and producing go out the window with 360 videos. The new norms are being formed as you read this, but here are some basic tips on everything from shooting to directing to editing from a production crew who’s already diving in.

  8. It’s the new frontier

In any field, new frontiers are both challenging and exciting. Genres and techniques that don’t exist today will bloom from this new medium. Hiring any video crew is a big commitment, but hiring one with vision in a brand new specialty is a real leap of faith. Crew Connection makes it easier by offering only vetted crews with a solid work history and quality demo reels. If you’re ready to dive in, so are they.

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection logo

Crew Connection puts a world of video service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Visit CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.

gratitude dictionary | Crew Connection
  • Heidi McLean

5 everyday ways to appreciate overworked video crews
5 everyday ways to appreciate overworked video crews 548 294 Heidi McLean

The video production industry is notorious for long hours, quick deadlines, and challenging working conditions. On top of being some of the hardest workers we know, video crews are also tasked with keeping productions running smoothly.

We all know some camera people or producers who run exclusively on coffee and protein bars or scoff at the idea of taking a break. But even video crews who pride themselves on their toughness appreciate an “atta boy” now and then.

Five ways to show video crews how much you value them

1. Keep crews safe.

It seems like it should go without saying, but it’s just so easy to take shortcuts without considering all the possible ramifications. Including safety in the budget shows you have your priorities straight.

2. Pay on time.
This is one of the most effective, simplest, and often-overlooked ways to show you value your crews. Some businesses have made net 90 the norm, but it’s bad for crews and bad for businesses. If you need help on this front, Crew Connection guarantees net 30.

3. Be up front.
Communicate payment expectations before the project even starts. Surprises are for birthdays, not for paychecks.

4. Feed them well.
Pizza that arrives at just the right time works wonders for morale.

5. Add a personal touch.
Send a handwritten thank you note (NSFW, but hilarious). It’s worth the extra effort.

 

There’s nothing extraordinary on this list, I know. But sometimes the simplest things go a long way. And by the way, showing your gratitude is about more than giving someone warm and fuzzies. It’s also good business. A video crew that feels valued will work harder for you and be more loyal.

About Crew Connection

Crew Connection logo

Crew Connection puts a world of video service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Visit CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.

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