Mark Samuels, the Director of Digital Distribution at C&I Studios, tells the life of Malcolm X – a radical civil activist who disrupted the political landscape in his pursuit of equality and justice for black Americans.
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History Matters | Malcolm X
The Radical Life of Malcolm X
by Mark Samuels
Season 1 Episode 8
Tapping into the International Music Scene
UNCREATIVE RADIO
SAM STAN | EP 8
TV-MA | 26 min
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Joshua Miller connects with South Florida Rapper, Sam Stan, on this episode of Uncreative Radio.
Sam Stan is a longtime friend of C&I Studios. We have worked with him on a number of creative projects from music videos, artist profiles, and recently on the debut episode of our Freestyle Friday series. We invited Sam Stan to the studio to talk about music culture and the grind required to make it in the music business as an underground musician going against the grain.
Sam Stan isn’t new to the rap game. Though, he goes about it completely differently. He’s more focused on building a following and creating valuable poetry than he is on signing a record deal. That’s been his guiding philosophy and it’s working. Sam has been making moves, climbing his way up, and establishing his name among some of our favorite artists. His style is reminiscent of Chance the Rapper but his lyrics are completely unique to his narrative. He’s blowing up on Spotify, exceeding 2 million hits on his single “Vroom Vroom.” And just released the EP Happy Camper. You can check it out here.
On Episode 8 of Uncreative Radio with Sam Stan, he shares his insights on his creative process, how his music is being received by other artists and the value of storytelling in rap.
Be sure to follow Sam Stan on Instagram to track his rising career!
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#UNCREATIVERadio airs every Thursday at 6 PM. Our guests are some of the brightest minds in their industry. Most are self-starters and artists doing everything they can to establish their name among the best of the best. If you have great ambitions in life, then this is your source for art, entertainment and inspiration.
#UNCREATIVERADIO
We Live. We Speak. We Create.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this radio show and/or podcast are solely those of the show’s hosts, producers and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of C&I an idea agency, nor C&I Studios Inc., and/or any/all contributors to this website.
Season 1 Episode 7
A Lesson on the Importance of Balancing Your Social Life and Career
UNCREATIVE RADIO
JOEY WRIGHT | EP 7
TV-MA | 43 min
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All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy… unless he finds a healthy work-life balance.
In this episode of Uncreative Radio with Joey Wright, Josh and Joey share valuable lessons on budgeting time and the importance of balancing work and play.
In today’s technological landscape, we are always plugged in. We carry our lives in our pockets; our work, our friends, our families, our passions… So, how do we disconnect; can we disconnect? Is it possible to salvage our sanity when we are constantly engaged? What happens when our work life becomes the only life we know? Most of us grew up hearing that we have to fully immerse ourselves in our work to be successful. But that was before technology. Now work goes around-the-clock 24/7.
Most of us have learned this lesson the hard way. If you’ve ever snapped and totally flipped out on a good friend or suddenly quit your job then you know what we are talking about. Our generation faces challenges that have never been addressed until now: unplugging when we are constantly plugged-in. Fortunately, you have Uncreative Radio to learn a thing or two…
Joey Wright solved his work-life balance by establishing a social life outside his craft. He has friends who are professional photographers and friends in other careers. This has helped safeguard his passion for photography. Rather than his craft becoming a chore or the only thing he knows/does, it has remained one of the greatest joys in his life. And that has translated positively into both his private life and career.
Before we get into all that, take a walk with Joey Wright and Joshua Miller as they reminisce on the early days of starting out as creatives… And share in the best “getting kicked out” story of all time.
Tune-in August 8, 2019, at 6 PM ET for Episode 7 of Uncreative Radio!
About Our Guest
Joey Wright is a professional swimsuit photographer. You can check out his portfolio by following him on Instagram.
We recently started a new community event for cinematographers, photographers, and models with Joey Wright and Chris Headshots. We host it at our studio in Fort Lauderdale and open it up to anyone with a camera and a vision. You can check out some awesome video recaps and photo galleries on our #UNCREATIVE Blog!
#UNCREATIVERADIO
We Live. We Speak. We Create.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this radio show and/or podcast are solely those of the show’s hosts, producers and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of C&I an idea agency, nor C&I Studios Inc., and/or any/all contributors to this website.
How to Build a Brand, Get More Sales, and Create Communities with Video Storytelling Marketing
You need to pick media that users will want, and fill it with people that they can relate to. Your media needs to fit your platform. If you have a high-energy, innovative SEO techniques on your website, your video should have the same energy.
If your site’s classy, stay classy.
Also, know where your audience is in the journey. If you have a cold prospect that clicked your link, an image may be the hook they need. Or the frame displayed in the video window should catch their attention. A short video probably makes sense. If a user is revisiting your site maybe a longer video would convince them to work with you.
How To Grow Your Brand And Generate Sales Through Video Marketing
Wyzowl’s State of Video Marketing survey says 81% of businesses that added video content to their marketing saw a sales increase. And 94% of businesses felt that video content is an effective tool. Find out how video storytelling marketing can help build your brand.
Have you ever done a Google search, found a post with a great title, just what you were looking for? You start reading. Wow! This is great content.
But as you scroll, it seems to be a never-ending sea of text. It’s some great writing, but your eyes start to glaze over. Staring at paragraph after paragraph almost hypnotizes you.
Is your content boring your visitors? You don’t want your users tediously scrolling. Groaning as they try to extract the information. Find out how visuals can make your content exciting!
Visuals Make Content Memorable
Visuals can break it up and really grab your audience’s attention. Images also evoke an emotional response. Video storytelling marketing basically involves adding a video to your content. But there’s a reason why it’s effective.
Our brains are really good at processing images. In fact, when reading, your brain interprets known words as tiny pictures. Because brains hunger for visuals, you need to satisfy them.
Hubspot recently posted a survey, where the video was identified as the most desired form of content from a brand or business. 54% of respondents said they want to see videos from a company they support.
Your video doesn’t even need an amazing soundtrack or script. Many people watch videos on mobile with the sound off. Include interlude screens or text overlays so your audience knows what’s going on.
Tips for Video Storytelling Marketing
1. Make it funny.
Humor can be rare in business marketing, but it can be effective. Sometimes visitors expect a boring video. But if they find something funny instead, you’ve created a memorable and positive association for your brand.
2. Get creative.
Ask: What’s the main point of my content? Then think of unusual ways to get your point across. If you surprise yourself with an idea, chances are you’ll surprise your audience too.
3. Have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
We’ll have more on this in a bit. But the point is to actually write it out on paper. Create a storyboard. Doing so will help you write a script and help you film it.
4. Show it. Don’t say it.
Think about how you can use your video to share your story. Don’t just start a narration. Can angles, colors, or sound effects tell the story? Videos like this will create more emotional investment.
5. Keep it short.
Figure out how to condense the story (and emotion) into a short video. You don’t need a long time to tell your story. You know that funny five-second GIF you’ve watched over and over? It doesn’t take much time to tell a story.
Steps to Visual Storytelling
1. Find Out What Motivates Your Audience
A buyer’s persona will give you a lot of the info you need about motivating your audience. Typically potential customers come to you because they need you to help them solve a problem.
Their problem is creating an emotional response within them. Emotions influence who we trust. They connect our past by bringing up feelings of nostalgia. And they help us make sense of complex information. As a result, clever stories can be quite persuasive.
Some motivators might include feelings like:
- Want confidence in their future
- Want to feel free
- Want to belong
- Want to feel secure
- Want to succeed
Keep these things in mind when coming up with your videos. How can you build around those themes?
2. Pick a Good Story
You don’t have to (and probably shouldn’t) make something up. Tell the story of your company. Or maybe you have a customer story that you could follow. It doesn’t have to be a long video. But it needs to tell a complete story.
What makes a story? Start with the hook. This needs to catch attention fast. Then ramp up the action. Until you reach a climax. Now show the resolution. The last part and the most important part of your brand is a call to action. Tell the viewer what to do next.
3. Pick the Right Visuals
You need to pick media that users will want. Fill it with people that they can relate to. Your media needs to fit your platform. If you have a high-energy, innovative SEO techniques or website, your video should have the same energy. If your site’s classy, stay classy.
Also, know where your audience is in the journey. If you have a cold prospect that clicked your link, an image may be the hook they need. Or the frame displayed in the video window should catch their attention. A short video probably makes sense. If a user is revisiting, your site, maybe a longer video would convince them to work with you.
4. Test, Reevaluate, and Adjust
Nothing’s forever. Adjust your video storytelling marketing like you change any other marketing. Find out what works by staying dynamic with the times.
Think About the Big Picture
Often you probably come across videos that only discuss a company’s products and services. But these aren’t the most compelling videos. Your video shouldn’t be able you, but what you do for others. Find your company’s “why.” Market that.
If you sell telecommunications hardware, don’t focus on the hardware, all the features, how great it is. Talk about how it helps people connect. With those they love. How they can reach customers. How it can save lives.
Tell compelling stories. Not that your hardware is online 0.09% more than the competition.
Make People Feel Something with Video
Emotion has a way of making people take notice. And act. If they take notice, they might remember your story. If they remember, they might be moved to buy.
Specific emotions result in specific actions. If your video makes someone happy, maybe they’ll share it with someone else. If your video makes them feel sad, maybe they’ll give.
Think about those sad-faced puppies with Sarah McLachlan playing in the background. If your video elicits anger, maybe it will lead to it going viral. That’s more like: EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE THIS! IT MAKES ME SO MAD!
Tell Your Story
Don’t be that boring website with an ocean of text. Or worse, don’t waste time on great writing to have your visitors go numb scrolling the text. Energize your content. Dazzle potential customers with eye-catching visuals.
Add video storytelling marketing to your site. Get quality video and film production services from C&I that will engage your audience. We’ve worked with some of the world’s biggest brands. Contact us today!
History Matters | Helen Keller
The Remarkable Life of Helen Keller
by Kelci Acree
Kelci Acree, a barista at Brew Urban Cafe, tells the story of Helen Keller – a remarkable young woman who defied the odds by learning to read and write despite suffering from being blind and deaf.
History Matters | Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Dedicated Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
by JT Niemeyer
JT Niemeyer, the lead Video Editor at C&I Studios, tells the history of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – a Supreme Court Justice who dedicated her entire life to the shaping of justice in America.
History Matters | The Tuskegee Airmen
The Heroic Lives of The Tuskegee Airmen
by Chris Hedlund
Chris Hedlund, founder of Chris Headshots, tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen – a heroic band of brothers who fought both racial segregation and Nazi oppression to aid America, and the world, in our greatest hour.
History Matters | George Washington Carver
The Studious Life of George Washington Carver
by Jonathan Jones
Jonathan Jones, the lead Graphic Designer at C&I Studios, shares the life of George Washington Carver – an American agricultural scientis who discovered and shared innovated farming technique to help lift American farmers out of poverty.
History Matters | Dave Chappelle
The Comedic Life of Dave Chappelle
by Matthew Bordy
Matthew Bordy, the Co-Founder of Prototype House, tells the story of Dave Chappelle — one of the rare comic geniuses of America who has challenged the comedic circuit with racially charged jokes that have forced deeper discussion into modern-day issues, such as colorism, identity and equality.
History Matters | Albert Einstein
The Brilliant Life of Albert Einstein
by Deanna Kahn
Deanna Kahn tells the story of Albert Einstein – a German-born theoretical physicist who reshaped the thinking of the brightest minds in the 20th century and beyond. His mathematical discoveries guided scientists to unexplored frontiers and urged philosophers to ponder a new age of ethics and existentialism. He is most known for developing the theory of relativity — one of the two pillars of modern physics — and dubbed the worlds most famous mathematical equation.
History Matters | William Shakespeare
The Wonderous Life of William Shakespeare
by Consuelo Pezet
Consuelo Pezet tells the story of William Shakespeare, who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s greatest dramatist. His works have made a lasting impression on theatre and literature, particularly in the expansion of the dramatic potential of characterization, plot, language, and genre. Unlike his predecessors, he used literary mechanics to actively explore his characters’ minds, providing his audiences with authentic depictions of life, love, envy, courage, and tragedy.
History Matters | Trayvon Martin
The Tragic Life of Trayvon Martin
by Caroline Madison
In this episode of History Matters, we’re sharing the story of Trayvon Martin, a young African American who was wrongfully gundowned because of the color of his skin. His tragic death sparked the Black Lives Movement, a modern Civil Rights crusade aimed at providing justice and ending the plight of inequality in America.