It's always good to be asked to shoot content for TV and this month we put our Inspire 2 drone to test with a range of shoots throughout Belfast for local TV station NVTV. We made the most of the beautiful weather we have been having to get some breathtaking images of Belfast's landmarks. We were also commissioned by Clifton House to produce 2 adverts to promote their tours they have available in Clifton House and Clifton Street Cemetery. These were interesting to film and we learned a lot about the history of Belfast in the process. From stories of  body snatchers in the cemetery to historic treaties and laws being created in the house, these tours are not to be missed.

This month we have spent sometime upgrading our kit for future productions. We have now added Blackmagic's URSA Mini Pro G2 camera to our kit allowing us to shoot mages that are superior to traditional broadcast video cameras. We can record  full sensor 4.6k images at 120fps and 300fps in 1080 HD allowing us to create amazing slow motion shots in a cinematic style. We have also upgraded our Inspire 2 drone allowing us to shoot ProRes raw and record 4k video from the air that can be graded to match any camera we shoot with on the ground.

With all that's currently going on at the minute we decided to take our video storytelling course online. There's no better time to touch up on your productions skills and let people know about the products and services you provide.

Here are our TOP 5 TIPS for using video during the lock-down:

1, ARCHIVE /STOCK FOOTAGE - Use with text, music (license free) or voice-over to tell your story.
2, PHONE or iPAD - If you don’t have access to any archive material use your phone or iPad to shoot and edit your videos.
3, SHOWCASE - Showcase a free service or competition you are currently running.
4, TESTIMONIALS - Use testimonials and edit them with music and product photos. If you don’t have any, ask previous clients to send you some.
5, IF NONE OF THE ABOVE - Just produce something. Let people know you’re still trading!

We’ve worked with many companies that produce their videos in-house and have trained them to make professional looking videos that appeal to their audience. They went from finding it difficult to produce videos to being confident and motivated to film and edit their own content.

If you know anyone that's keen to touch up on their productions skills or make their first online video please direct them to our facebook group for more info - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lockdownisntshutdown

This month we produced a highlights video for Victim Support NI at their conference in the Dunsilly Hotel. We recorded speeches, Q+A and interviews with attendees to create a short video summarising the event. We were also asked to travel out to South Africa with Belfast to Blanco 2020 to document the work of the Belfast based charity as they brought a cross-community group of young people to work in townships there. We produced 6 short Video blogs on location documenting the life changing experiences of the young people involved. Along the way we also came across a very moving story that we are editing at the minute. More to come on that very soon!

Over the last few weeks we've been producing an exciting new promotional video for one of our existing clients, The Bytes Project. They are currently working on an amazing new project using an App along with a newly developed online platform for young people. Voices for Impact gives young people the chance to share their stories and network with others on the platform. Keep an eye out for it launching soon.

Shot in 4k video using the Ursa Mini Pro on location at Bytes headquarters.

Check out the some of the other work they do at BYTES website by clicking here.

For more of our latest work including other promotional video for Bytes check out our site here.