Vanpool TV spots at DVinfo.net

Mike Watson · January 26th, 2016, 04:24 PM

Hi,

I was hired to do some vanpool spots several months ago, and after months of work, they started running today!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm9w9mTQIGdZfD5w4Hoik77KchjFLM7Bd
Always interested to hear comments and constructive criticism.

-MW

John Nantz · January 26th, 2016, 07:06 PM

That’s a good gig!

0:09 The freeway is empty. Need to get a shot of Seattle area freeways, er … moving parking lots.
Gas gauge at 0:17 good touch, maybe have another frame on the yellow Empty warning
Recommend deleting the car parking at 1:06 - the driver parked over the line and took up two spaces.
End: the Redesign your commute dot com with a graph paper background - another good touch.
Nice vanpool cast
Good graphics.

With co-riders like Jane those spots should get some action.

Mike Watson · January 26th, 2016, 09:00 PM

John thanks for the comments.

:09 is not a freeway at all. It's a 4-lane divided highway. I needed a quadcopter shot for the effect but really wasn't comfortable flying the drone in that situation over a packed freeway - when we found this nearby highway that resembles a freeway, we used this instead. I agree, I'd have rather had more traffic.

As for traffic, we were requested to not portray traffic as bad either for John or for Jane.. we're promoting other aspects of vanpooling in the spots.

Good catch with the car out of the lines at 1:06! I had him park like that intentionally, but didn't realize it was visible in the finished spots!

Thanks for the comments!

How apparent is it that it was shot on greenscreen? We tried not to make it too "sitcom"!

Vince Pachiano · January 26th, 2016, 10:12 PM

I also noticed the piss-poor parking job - LOL
Also at 0:54, the shadow of the drone. At first I thought it was some CGI artifact.

My biggest critique is not your work, but rather the script. It's not very informative. It tells me nothing new. I already get that if I vanpool, I can relax and get work done. How do I find people that live nearby that work at the same place, at the same time. How much of an extra drive does the van driver have if he has to stop and pick-up four other drivers. Then reverse the whole thing at night. I mean, its a no-brainer for Jane, she basically gets chauffeured to/from work. I suspect the the reality is a little different.

Mike Watson · January 26th, 2016, 10:49 PM

I get what you're saying. The :30s and the :15s really push the website, and those answers are at the website. They felt that information got us in the weeds too far, and I tend to agree.

The vanpool thing is a really good deal. I had the same qualms as you when I signed on to the project, but after learning about the process, the problems don't seem to exist like you'd think they would.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Duane Adam · January 30th, 2016, 09:39 AM

I liked it and am pretty sure the parking lot clip is a non issue to most. As is the case with most of these videos, job one is putting together and shooting the strategy, job two is getting it circulated. I've found it more difficult to get people to watch mine as the novelty of video has worn off and there is so much other content. Noticed you have around 185 views so same issue for this one. Be interested to know how you and others are distributing these for mass viewings.

Mike Watson · January 31st, 2016, 12:15 AM

I think part of the strategy is the very expensive TV buy for the :30s and :15s. :-)

January 26th, 2016, 04:24 PM	#1
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	Vanpool TV spots Hi, I was hired to do some vanpool spots several months ago, and after months of work, they started running today! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm9w9mTQIGdZfD5w4Hoik77KchjFLM7Bd Always interested to hear comments and constructive criticism. -MW

January 26th, 2016, 07:06 PM	#2
John Nantz Trustee Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,254	Re: Vanpool TV spots That’s a good gig! 0:09 The freeway is empty. Need to get a shot of Seattle area freeways, er … moving parking lots. Gas gauge at 0:17 good touch, maybe have another frame on the yellow Empty warning Recommend deleting the car parking at 1:06 - the driver parked over the line and took up two spaces. End: the Redesign your commute dot com with a graph paper background - another good touch. Nice vanpool cast Good graphics. With co-riders like Jane those spots should get some action.

January 26th, 2016, 09:00 PM	#3
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	Re: Vanpool TV spots John thanks for the comments. :09 is not a freeway at all. It's a 4-lane divided highway. I needed a quadcopter shot for the effect but really wasn't comfortable flying the drone in that situation over a packed freeway - when we found this nearby highway that resembles a freeway, we used this instead. I agree, I'd have rather had more traffic. As for traffic, we were requested to not portray traffic as bad either for John or for Jane.. we're promoting other aspects of vanpooling in the spots. Good catch with the car out of the lines at 1:06! I had him park like that intentionally, but didn't realize it was visible in the finished spots! Thanks for the comments! How apparent is it that it was shot on greenscreen? We tried not to make it too "sitcom"!

January 26th, 2016, 10:12 PM	#4
Vince Pachiano Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 307	Re: Vanpool TV spots I also noticed the piss-poor parking job - LOL Also at 0:54, the shadow of the drone. At first I thought it was some CGI artifact. My biggest critique is not your work, but rather the script. It's not very informative. It tells me nothing new. I already get that if I vanpool, I can relax and get work done. How do I find people that live nearby that work at the same place, at the same time. How much of an extra drive does the van driver have if he has to stop and pick-up four other drivers. Then reverse the whole thing at night. I mean, its a no-brainer for Jane, she basically gets chauffeured to/from work. I suspect the the reality is a little different.

January 26th, 2016, 10:49 PM	#5
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	Re: Vanpool TV spots I get what you're saying. The :30s and the :15s really push the website, and those answers are at the website. They felt that information got us in the weeds too far, and I tend to agree. The vanpool thing is a really good deal. I had the same qualms as you when I signed on to the project, but after learning about the process, the problems don't seem to exist like you'd think they would. Thank you for your thoughts.

January 30th, 2016, 09:39 AM	#6
Duane Adam Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 398	Re: Vanpool TV spots I liked it and am pretty sure the parking lot clip is a non issue to most. As is the case with most of these videos, job one is putting together and shooting the strategy, job two is getting it circulated. I've found it more difficult to get people to watch mine as the novelty of video has worn off and there is so much other content. Noticed you have around 185 views so same issue for this one. Be interested to know how you and others are distributing these for mass viewings.

January 31st, 2016, 12:15 AM	#7
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	Re: Vanpool TV spots I think part of the strategy is the very expensive TV buy for the :30s and :15s. :-)