Guest Blog by Brett Culp

As different technologies become more accessible and more affordable, their addition at events can go far in adding another layer to the overall design and message. For instance, I loved the use of Brett Culp's video message at the New Orleans Special Events Magazine Gala Awards this year. The night was themed "The Rising" and his video, taken before the show, deepened the meaning of the event for all of us, making it all the more memorable. He shares that video, and more, in this guest blog.
Dave Merrell
Lead designdawg, Creative Director AOO Events



If A Picture Tells a 1,000 Words ...
Think What Video Can Do!

By Brett Culp

Every great event tells a story. The most profound goal of event production is to engage the audience so deeply that they feel that they are part of this story.

Video can have an almost surreal power to pull the audience from its normal world into another dimension or emotional experience. Perhaps no other component of an event can create laughter, tears or even a standing ovation as quickly and genuinely as a well-crafted video.

When I meet with clients my first question is always, "What story do you want your event to tell?" Whether the event is corporate or social, this question always touches the purpose and meaning of the celebration. Often it requires 10 minutes of discussion for the client to reach a single sentence that expresses what I call "the core story." But once we have this, our team is able to make countless suggestions about how to use video to make their audience feel that this story is an extension of their own personal story.

Allow me to share a few illustrations that showcase fresh trends for engaging audiences with video.

3-D

True 3-D video with the 3-D glasses is SO hot right now. With the huge splash of Avatar and dozens of other 3-D films hitting cinemas in 2010, this is currently the most significant cross over between Hollywood and special effects. While there are many technical considerations, true 3-D is now very doable and creates a gigantic WOW for both social and corporate.

Popular applications for 3-D include animated presentations with logos and text, photo montages, and interview videos. We recommend 3-D for short-form videos (three to six minutes).

Our team is currently in the development phase of several projects, but here are some 3-D video images you can view. 3-D glasses with red and blue lenses are required to get the effect. I'm happy to send you a pair! Just send a request with your name and address to: mystory@brettculp.com


Click here for more information...

Death to PowerPoint

PowerPoint is so 2009. Any presenter using standard PowerPoint slides at a major corporate event is just asking for an ocean of LCD light from cell phones to wash over the audience. As presenters communicate with the audience, their information should come to life on the screens with the type of animations audiences are used to seeing on TV. For examples...



Tell the Story

Because communicating the story of the event is essential to engaging the audience, video is often the most effective approach for sharing this story. In contrast to speeches by internal representatives, videos are concise and controllable. You know the total running time in advance and you eliminate any doubt of the message you are sending to the audience.

We have often used video as a solution when the audience needs to hear from many different representatives in the organization. Rather than handing 10 people the microphone and hoping they don't ruin the evening, a video segment of pre-recorded interviews allows each voice to be represented while still communicating a precise, clear and entertaining message.

Video is also the ideal way to bring heart to an event. The proper mix of images, interviews and music can inspire any emotional state, particularly the heart-warming feeling needed for fundraisers, tributes and special awards.

Here's an example of the potential of video to combine with other elements of the event and profoundly impact the mood. We were honored to create several videos that played at the Special Events Magazine Gala Awards at New Orleans this year, communicating the heart and soul of the event.




Brett Culp

Brett is a master storyteller and speaker. His films have captured the stories of Fortune 500 companies, dignitaries, celebrities, rock stars and best-selling authors.

His work is frequently featured on national television broadcasts and Brett has discussed his films as a guest expert on Entertainment Tonight, Lifetime Network and Martha Stewart Radio.