subject: What To Include In Your Event Opening Video [print this page] The main issues in opening an event are content-based. Good presentation and an energized opening are basic needs, but the content is absolutely critical. This is a true example of the presenter's art, and some planning and production is required for success. Live event production involves time factors, and what you present, how you present it and when you present it are all part of composition.
Opening content issues
The other huge advantage of video presentations is that they act as a good focus for both you and the audience. The video provides a "same page" effect, meaning you can concentrate on issues and matters you want to discuss with your audience. That can save you having to laboriously explain each point as
verbal text during a presentation.
Opening content is also a good navigational tool. For business presentations, It also creates an objective approach to your subject matter. That's invaluable. You can streamline your content into a good working synopsis, and simultaneously remove the need to explain issues. "Our new project" spells out what's being done, where, why, and for how much.
Production elements
There are several primary elements required for a good video production:
Information: Information content is the main issue for the audience, and may be required by management. If you've been given a brief for your content, or need to work with a particular audience like investors, these factors will help you map out your information.
For example:
Video needs to present the topics clearly and well. A "new project" video will show:
The project site
The work being done
The products or services involved
Graphics related to the project, estimates, etc.
The strong positives of the project
All of that can be done in 5-10 minutes, it's really a matter of editing and the amount of information that needs to be provided.
Communication: The information must be presented clearly. An event opener is a scene-setter, and you need your information to be targeted to good quality, plain language information levels. Good corporate audio visual material is a very effective promotion tool, and you should use it on that basis.
Speech, or no speech?
Most public speakers will tell you it's best practice to save your voice wherever possible, particularly for long events like conferences where you may be speaking for hours. At the opening of an event, you're best advised to use a voiceover for your video, rather than presenting the video the same way you'd narrate slides, for example.
You can actually do the video narration yourself, during the production phase, anyway. This is often helpful to ensure good content quality, too.
There's a further point in the speech angle- Audiences need a single attention getter for best results. People respond differently to speakers and videos. A great opening video is full of good, thought provoking information and gets its message across clearly. Create the sort of video people want to watch, and you'll get great results.
