How we make videos when we can’t shoot on site

Pre-pandemic, the Seesame newsroom team spent its office time writing articles, editing videos, and reading texts. And then we headed out to conduct interviews or produce videos. And now even though we’re home-working, our clients can still depend on our creative video content production capability. And actually we’ve found innovative new ways to work when strict measures apply.

1. 1. Even better animation

Animation is great because it can put across complex ideas in a comprehensible way. The video we made for our IT client Soitron is about robotic process automation. We’ve long applied the same tried-and-tested thinking: the more complex the issue, the more straightforward the explanation. The video’s voiceover is informative and understandable, the animation is clear, and complemented with text graphics to increase clarity and impact.

2. Photos can replace live shoots

Photobanks evokes an unrealistically designed flawless environment – both unrealistic and unreliable. So that’s really a non-runner. For developer YIT Slovakia, we prepared a video that uses Pradiareň 1900 project photos. Why is a slideshow interesting and appropriate in this case? Pradiareň is a 120-year-old national cultural monument. There are little-seen photos from the building’s past. The renovated building is yet to open its doors – so these photos give the public an exclusive 360-degree tour. We supplemented the ordinary slideshow with interesting information about the project and the building’s past.

3. Safety first

We couldn’t postpone multiple shootings of videos that were related to specific anniversaries or were part of a major campaign months in the planning. It was important to show specific places – and see and hear real people there. Instead of reworking a tried and tested concept, we used props that are sadly familiar today. Masks, disinfection, distancing, body temperature checks, and PCR tests. These measures allowed us to create videos for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the country’s reunification, and a video for Essity as part of the large “At Gemer it’s a given” recruitment campaign.

4. When customers inspire

Finally, one inspiration. We watched this video at Seesame’s online breakfast, which we have every two weeks. Everyone on Zoom was smiling away as we chatted. The video comprises footage from ordinary life that we all have on our phone. And that’s it in a nutshell. It’s strength is the very fact that we can identify with them. So here it’s not about perfectly recorded sound, precise editing, or balanced colours. It’s about authenticity and a willingness to share moments from their lives with the world. Although Slovaks are less willing to be drawn towards it than in the U.S., where the video was made. Such user-generated content from customers and employees can work very well.