Video production for promotion, influence or training, for web & DVD distribution

Attention spans can be short on the web - as in life. Fast, useful and engaging video can be one way to hold people long enough to let a core message seep through.

video = story + spectacle

Whether what's needed is an emotive image piece, a documentary style report, a staged drama, training, public relations, or a simple record of events or activities, Grapevine can supply striking creative ideas and high production values at competitive prices.

Grapevine harnesses compelling scriptwriting with high-quality video production, motion graphics and photography to deliver affecting, memorable communications for businesses, the public sector and voluntary organisations.

Based in Cambridge, East Anglia, Grapevine offers full video production and allied script writing, project consultancy and graphics production services across England.

For a brief look at video styles, follow this link. Some selected customer comments are here. Or this link goes to some images from various projects.

Thinking about an element of DIY video production? The necessary equipment and software tools are now readily available, and at much more reasonable prices than even a few years ago. Grapevine is always happy to supply just what's wanted to supplement in-house efforts, whether that's script, edit, graphics, shoot or a full production service.

Of course it takes more than composing software to make a musician, and more than a camera and editing software to make a filmmaker. So  if you are considering DIY there are some things to consider:  http://www.grapevinecommunications.co.uk/buyersguide/diy.html

"We piloted the DVD on recent graduate assessment centres and received extremely positive feedback from both the graduates and assessors."    GSK graduate recruiter.

"The pilot went very well and your videos were very well received. Thank you very much for your help and assistance and for making the whole process so enjoyable."  Assistant
Director, Special Compliance Office

Other possibly useful sites:

Online music alternative Bandcamp http://bandcamp.com/

The Film Council: http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/

The British Film Institute: www.bfi.org.uk

The IVCA - corporate video producers' trade association - is at www.ivca.org

PACT - broadcast producers' trade association: www.pact.co.uk 

Some information and links about adoption and adoption agencies in East Anglia 
www.gvid.co.uk

 Grapevine Communications Cambridge UK
tel: 01223 460644
 corporate video production , DVD production, motion graphics, consultancy
e-mail: info@grapevinecommunications.co.uk

Off topic ... :)

Cambridge Netsquared Meetup
This time this delightful small group ("technology for social good"!) heard from John Quinn of the songwriting charity the Nathan Timothy Foundation (?), who talked about the workshops they run in primary schools trying to draw everyone into an inclusive, creative songwriting and music making process. Lots of good objectives, if the technology side was a little sketchy!

Family ties have connected me lightly to the emerging world of smart meters, and it turns out that here in Cambridge we are home to a small, eclectic but seemingly very advanced electronics and physics consultancy group breaking some new ground on this  ....

Micro cams, DSLRs or EVIL cams?
Prompted by customer request, I've started looking again at the range of new low budget camera equipment. Canon, Sony, Panasonic, even Nikon kit at way below pro prices can produce very nice video, it turns out, in the right hands and the right circumstances.  The progress from just a few years back is impressive.

So just what limitations are acceptable, and how far can the likes of the 5D / 7D / D7000 be pushed? Is the  GH2 really a step into the future, beyond DSLRs?  Or do the micro-small  HXR MC50E or HXR NX70E, with their video orientation, offer more? Or is the step up to the likes of the Canon XF100 worth the extra...? Questions to examine !

Music:
After working on some melodies for a poet last year -  dusting off my guitars and keyboard in the process, discovering my old Cubase VST licence would earn me no upgrade discount at all, reviewing music software and switching to  Reaper and FL Studio - it's been intriguing to meet local song-writer and indie music producer Pia Dean to talk over aspects of trying to get decent video for microbudgets.

This has taken me right back into improvisational, no-resource techniques  - looking at ways to make a virtue of necessity and devise a visual style within resource constraints to suit song and singer ... lots of fun!

At this stage I have no idea if this will go anywhere or how it will work out, but so far so fascinating.

Animation software:
I've been so impressed with the cartoon-style business video being produced by Epipheo in the States that I've been looking into the possibility of adapting and enhancing the approach for UK audiences. 

With a couple of good cartoonists already "in my circle" I've been looking into the movement side - the animation. It looks like Anime Studio can do what I want, so the full version is now installed. Over the next few months I should learn how to use it, projects permitting!  The little clown here was drawn by Lois a frame at a time in Xara.