Mark Wonderlin

The Secret Formula for Creating Viral Videos       Visual and special effects can elevate a company’s video from standard to spectacular, allowing stories to be told with more emotion, impact, and imagination. While special effects (SFX) are practical illusions created during live filming—like explosions, makeup effects, or mechanical props—visual effects (VFX) are digitally created enhancements added in post-production, helping bring fantasy, surreal environments, or larger-than-life scenes to reality. They add depth, mood, and excitement to your video content. To better understand how effects can transform your video marketing strategy, check out our blog on creative visual storytelling techniques. If you’re ready to take your project to the next level, explore our video production services and discover how Mosaic Media Films can bring your brand’s vision to life. Advantages of Visual and Special Effects in Production Visual and special effects are pretty versatile, and they offer benefits for all types of videos, including stylized live-action and CGI projects. Here are some of the ways that visual and special effects could impact your video productions: Memorability and Entertainment Visual and special effects are practical and efficient because they help create emotional and visual stimulation for the viewer. Here are some statistics to consider: The human brain processes the images it gets 60,000 times faster than text. Plus, people can hold onto about 80 percent of the visual information they get (which drops to 20 percent for text-style data). Visual information takes up roughly 90 percent of all information sent to the brain. Ultimately, animation and visual effects can: Put the audience at ease as childhood associations make it more easily digested. Animation and visual effects could transform your unattractive topics into appealing messages. Showcase Your Product and Generate Buzz Animation helps you showcase and visualize products for your potential investors before they fully invest in the production. Likewise, animation lets you do things that traditional shooting techniques don’t allow. Plus, when you use animation and visual effects, you can: Insert elements into the footage that can be updated or altered (think screen replacements). Save money on location shooting and talent. Reinforce Your Brand Identity You can reinforce brand recognition using visual effects because the characters, shapes, and colors are consistent with your company. This will solidify your messaging and tone with a broader audience. Hiring a professional video production company can really help you boost your brand identity. Polish Post-production with Error Removal and Clean-Up The effects people don’t notice are more impressive than the in-your-face options, which is the usual style for visual effects. Ultimately, invisible visual effects are subtle, such as polishing a product or fixing blemishes. However, they can be dramatic, including turning winter into spring and day into night. Overall, invisible effects ensure that your content is mistake-free and polished. Highlight Actions or Moments in Time People often choose to highlight specific actions or moments in time. You rarely see the transformation of time because it moves so slowly. Therefore, unfilmable and imperceptible events seem like nothing. However, space is another issue. Changing the camera’s angle can help you slow the events while moving around at a more normal pace. Overall, all the actors do what they want, regardless of time. Types of 3D Graphic Design Elements for Motion Picture Footage Most companies add visual interest to their footage by using 3D graphic elements. These include: Matte Painting Seeing a painted representation of a set, landscape, or distant location helps filmmakers create the illusion of a nonexistent environment. Even if it’s in real life, they don’t have to build or visit it to put it in the film, making it less expensive. Match Moving Match-moving is a cinematic technique that lets you insert computer graphics into your live-action footage with the correct position, orientation, scale, and motion relative to your photographed objects within the shot. Rotoscoping – An Animation Technique Rotoscoping is where the motion picture footage gets traced over frame by frame, which creates realistic movements. It was used in many classic Disney films, such as Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, and the Seven Dwarfs. Modern examples using rotoscoping include A Scanner Darkly and Waking Life. Keying (Compositing) This is a compositing technique that puts two frame images together into one. Practical Effects Video makers use practical effects to offer a sense of atmosphere, environment, and space. Examples include custom-built house sets, textured backdrops and lighting, and smoke. Motion Control Photography This technique is used in motion and still photography. It allows the precise control and repetition of camera movements. Often, it’s used to help with special effects photography. Digital Doppelgangers With this technique, multiple digital images of the actor are put into one frame. Types of Visual Effects Below is a list of visual effects and when they’re used! Practical Effects and Mechanical Effects Mechanical and practical effects within video production are often called physical effects or practicals. They’re usually accomplished on set or in the live-action filming. Ultimately, physical mechanisms produce practical effects, so no computer-generated imagery or post-production techniques are used. This includes using scale models, scenery, pyrotechnics, animatronics, mechanized props, and atmospheric effects, such as creating physical wind, snow, fog, rain, and clouds. Fade In/Out Some effects, including fade-ins and outs, were done in-camera. However, they’ve migrated to the post-production time and are done with video editing using computer software. Special Effects Sometimes, “special effects” are synonymously used with “practical effects.” This differs from visual effects, which are often created post-production through computer generation or manipulation of photographic effects. Stop-Motion Animation Stop-motion animation is considered the first form of special effects and animation. Ultimately, stop-motion was used for short films. However, it captivated audiences, so filmmakers used it for feature-length films. Live-action and stop-motion compositing featured split-screen mattes. This meant creating masks on the glass to isolate sections from exposure. Likewise, filming was done twice to capture the animation and live action on the same film strip. Digital Compositing In the 1980s, digital compositing started to replace traditional optical effects. In the mid-1990s, computer graphics evolved

The Secret Formula for Creating Viral Videos Videos are one of the most effective marketing tools that you can use to engage with your target audience on a more personal level. Whether you choose to go for an animated film or an educational video, it’s important to have a storyboard to help you plan your content and define your visual elements. However, finding inspiration for your next visual project isn’t always easy. This is why Mosaic Media Films – Austin Video Production Company created this article. Here, we’ll provide storyboard ideas to inspire you. What Is a Storyboard? Before we get to our examples, it’s important that you understand exactly what a storyboard is and how it is used in the planning process. A storyboard is essentially a visual representation of how a film or video will progress. It consists of an assortment of squares with graphics or photographs depicting each shot, as well as comments regarding what is happening in that particular scene and what is to be said during that shot. Think of it as a sort of comic book that includes drawings or visual elements that tell a story, which you will later translate into video footage. When creating a video, a storyboard conveys your ideas and serves as your guide. Your storyboard, like a script, serves as an artistic blueprint for the video creation process. By using your video storyboard to plan ahead, you can see which shots you must produce. It allows you to gather input from others in the beginning and make modifications to the plot outline rather than making substantial modifications while filming. Why It’s Important to Use a Storyboard? Storyboarding is essential when during the pre-production process since it provides an outline that can assist with video production. It serves to align creative perspectives, resulting in a unified story and a smooth flow. A storyboard allows creators to envision scenes, arrange transitions, and foresee problems that might arise prior to production, saving time and resources. It is a collaborative tool that helps stakeholders align on the project’s direction. A well-structured storyboard improves communication and reduces misconceptions in a team. It also helps with pacing, ensuring that the narrative progresses effectively. Finally, storyboarding is a strategic phase that improves the overall quality of the final project, making the filming process more effective and the end result more engaging. Creating Storyboards: Essential Elements of a Winning Storyboard Although you can certainly personalize your storyboard format to meet your specific needs, there are certain essential elements that you should add to get the most out of your video storyboard. Project details. Start by including essential project details, such as the title, the date, locations, and more. Scene illustrations. Draw or sketch each scene chronologically or use photographs to depict scenes. It’s also a good idea to add scene numbers at this phase. Descriptions. You should also include descriptions of the entire scene so that anyone reading your storyboard can easily understand what is happening. Define the camera angles. Next, you will need to specify the type of shot for each scene and the camera angles to help guide the video creation process. Narration and dialogues. It’s also a good idea to include details about voiceovers, dialogues, and narration in your storyboard. Transitions. You should also add information about the timing for every scene and how you intend to transition between them to ensure a seamless flow. Other details. Special effects, props, wardrobe requirements, and additional notes for the camera crew can also be included in your storyboard. Read more: The Magic of Visual Effects in Video Production Storyboard Examples to Inspire Your Next Video Without further ado, let’s get into some of the best storyboard examples to kickstart your creativity and inspire your next video creation process. We have split our storyboard examples into categories to help you find one that best meets your needs more easily. Animation Storyboard Examples Animated videos can be a powerful tool that helps you create engaging content and reach your target audience. Here are our top animation storyboard examples to try: 1. Animated How-to Video If you are creating a video to promote a product or describe how to do something, why not animate it? Let’s say you are showing your target market how to utilize your revolutionary new beauty blender. Your animation storyboards could start by describing the problem (i.e., watching your current beauty blender absorb a large portion of your makeup), and in the next scene, the woman could find your product. The next scene could be a close-up of her using the beauty blender on her face to address the problem that you introduced, and your last scene could be her friends complimenting her on her makeup. This scene depicts a simple three-step process: Identify a problem Show how your product can address that problem Demonstrate the benefits of using your product to address that problem 2. App Trailer Animation Our next storyboard example involves promoting an app using an animated video. You could start by introducing a problem, which might be a coffee machine that takes too long to make cappuccinos for guests at a salon. Your first scene could be the salon owner being overwhelmed trying to manage her business and make a good impression on her clients by providing them with a good cup of coffee. You could then introduce your revolutionary coffee machine that can make the perfect cup at the touch of a button. End by depicting her successfully running her business without having to spend a long time on coffee-making. 3. Use Fairytale Imagery Another great idea is to use your animated storyboards to plan a fairytale story that you can use to convey a sentiment or relate a value. The sky is the limit when it comes to animation, so you can truly let your imagination run wild here. You can sketch parts of each scene in your storyboard and show areas where you will include transitions and camera angles that the production team can use to bring

The Secret Formula for Creating Viral Videos Have you ever seen behind-the-scene footage where green screens are used? If you’re wondering what these screens are and what they are used for, then you have come to the right place. In this article, Mosaic Media Films – Austin Video Production Company will take a closer look at these screens, offering insight into this technology and providing a few tips on how to use this method to create excellent video content. What Is Green Screen Footage? Green screen technology, commonly known as chroma keying, has become an essential component of modern cinema, video production, and digital interaction. This approach involves switching out the solid-colored background, which is often either green or blue, with an alternate image or video clip during post-processing. Green screens have numerous applications, including creating alien landscapes and putting material behind news anchors as they relay the latest news report. Where Did Green Screen Technology Originate? Surprisingly enough, the concept of using a green screen when filming can be traced back to the early days of video production. In the early 1900s, filmmakers used painted matte backdrops with double exposure to create spectacular effects. However, the true success with this kind of technique came in the 1930s, when Larry Butler, an early innovator in the field of visual effects, employed a blue screen to produce outstanding effects in the film “The Thief of Bagdad.” The change from blue to green panels occurred later because of the color of the film stock. Green became the chosen hue for this technique since it interfered less with human skin tones and apparel. Green screens have developed over time as technology has advanced, becoming a typical tool in the filmmaker’s toolset. Steps to Help You Set Up a Green Screen Studio If you want to use a green background to take advantage of this technology, we have you covered. Below, we have listed a step-by-step guide on how you can create your own green screen studio. 1. Select a Green Screen Choosing the appropriate green screen is critical to your success with this technique. Go for a high-quality chroma key green background that is wrinkle-free and uniformly tinted. Seamless paper or fabric screens are common options, but they must be big enough to cover the entire frame completely. 2. Focus on Lighting You may not have realized this, but lighting is one of the most important elements to think about when utilizing this method for photo- or videography. Proper lighting is probably the most important part of green screen setup. Even lighting throughout the whole screen. is required to ensure uniform color and easy removal. We recommend utilizing gentle, diffused lighting to reduce sharp shadows. 3. Make Sure You Are Positioning the Subject Correctly Shadows are the enemy of green screen technology, so ensuring that the subject is placed in such a way as to avoid this is crucial. To avoid shadows and spill, position your subject at an ideal distance from the green screen. 4. Make Sure Your Studio Complements Your Setup The next step is making sure that the surroundings complement the green screen scene. Remove any surfaces that can reflect light. This attention to detail throughout your setup can save significant time editing your image or footage in post-production. Overcoming Challenges When Using a Green Screen As we have just seen, using this technique is no easy task. There are a number of challenges that can arise during the process. In the section below, we’ll talk about some of them and how you can overcome them. Spill Spill happens when the green hue of the display reflects onto your subject. To reduce spill, keep the subject at an ideal distance from the green screen. Moreover, consider employing spill suppression techniques when editing to overcome this challenge. Inconsistent Color The truth is that uneven lighting on the green backdrop might result in irregular color, making it difficult to generate a clean key. Use many lights to uniformly brighten the screen, paying close attention to any shadows and moving your subject accordingly. Color Matching A flawless color match between both the foreground and background is required when you use a green screen. Use color correction techniques after capturing the footage to adjust the color balance and ensure a smooth transition. Wrinkles and Shadows As we mentioned before, you need to ensure that your green screen set is free of wrinkles. Because wrinkles create shadows, it’s important to have a green screen that is completely wrinkle-free. To avoid creases, try keeping the green screen taut. Proper illumination can also assist in reducing shadows created by wrinkles. Our Top Tips for Getting the Perfect Green Background With this in mind, here are some of our top tips for using green screen techniques in the content creation process. Make Sure You Are Using High-quality Equipment Although you could technically put up a green screen on a tight budget, purchasing high-quality equipment really does pay off in the long run. High-quality backgrounds, reliable lighting, and durable cameras will not only ensure that your footage looks great but also ensure that you don’t have to invest in more equipment any time soon. Avoid a Motion Blur When taking photographs, you should avoid motion blurs, as this can make it more challenging to isolate the subject during post-production. Test and Calibrate Achieving perfect results with green screen technology requires patience and trial and error to some extent. Make sure you are testing your setup out before using it to ensure that there are no issues that could potentially affect the results. Go for Special Green Screen Software During the Post-production Phase Select a dedicated editing program with a good set of features to ensure that you are left with high-quality results. Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and OBS Studio are examples of software that has powerful tools for precision keying, color correction, spill suppression, and so much more. Keep the Background in Mind When Filming Determine the background you intend to employ in post-production before you start filming. Assessing the lighting you’ll need, colors, and general tone of the