Episode 32: Crafting Storytelling into Wedding Videos

John Goolsby is legendary in the wedding video industry for the quality and story-telling in his wedding videos. Yet, he follows the same rules as any other story-teller who wants the audience care about their characters and story.

In this episode, hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan talk with John about what makes a successful wedding video. During the discussion John shows segments from some of his recent video shoots,.

Wedding videos are a huge opportunity for all ranges of filmmakers to work with characters, locations and emotions to craft compelling stories.

“How Editing Enhances the Script” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 12:36

Episode 31: How Editing Enhances the Script

In Episode 30, we discussed how to find the emotional “turn” of a scene and how to shoot it. In this episode, we take the same scene and show how editing can build on what the cameras captured and enhance the performance of the actors.

This 2-part series looks at how to stage and shoot a scene, then take it into post-production to develop the “first cut.” Join hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan as they discuss that the first cut is the editor’s opportunity to put together their version of the story. It sets the framework for the rest of the editing that will follow.

“How Editing Enhances the Script” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 13:32

Episode 30 – Changing Emotion is the Key to Good Storytelling

Drama, by defintion, is emotion. The key is to figure out which character is the emotional core of each scene, then find ways to enhance the audience’s response to the emotional change that character is going through.

Emotion doesn’t always mean yelling, or tears, or fights. Sometimes emotions are subtle; just a lifitng of an eyebrow. But every story-teller needs to find the emotional ‘hook” in a scene and make sure the actors bring it out so the audience can feel it.

This is the first of two episodes looking at how to take a scene from staging to shooting to post. Watch as hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan work with the 2 Reel Players to find the emotional “turn” of a scene, figure out how to make it work and determine the best way to shoot it. This series concludes with Episode 31.

“Changing Emotion is the Key to Good Storytelling” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 11:25

Episode 29 – Lighting Techniques

In episode 12 we looked at how to use color to tell stories. In this episode, we look at how lighting enhances a multiple character dialog.

In this episode, our two actors find themselves at a restaurant. How does the lighting change depending upon which actor is the center of the scene? Join hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan as they look at the power lighting has to tell stores; especially when multiple actors are involved.

The 2 Reel Stage has never looked this good.

“Lighting Techniques” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 9:11

Episode 28: Secrets from a Casting Director

Jane Jenkins is a legendary casting director – Apollo 13, When Harry Met Sally, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Jurassic Park and the Princess Bride, to name only a few of the hundreds of films she has cast.

Jane joins hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan to discuss the process of casting, what she looks for in an actor and casting session, then runs Andrew and Patrick through a sample casting session.

Casting is about 80% of any movie; and the job of a casting director is to get the best people possible. Watch as Jane describes what you need to know.

“Secrets from a Casting Director” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 10:52

Episode 27: Staging a Fight Scene

Fight scenes are as tightly choreographed as any dance number – and much more likely to break a jaw if an actor isn’t paying attention.

Join hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan as they disect a fight scene with the help of the “2 Reel Players.” Discover what makes a fight work, how to place cameras to shoot a fight and how editing can enhance the actor’s performances. The goal of any fight scene is to enthrall the audience without anyone on the cast getting hurt. This session shows how to start.

(This was one of Larry’s favorite episodes. See if you can spot when and how the fight director disagrees with the director.)

“Staging a Fight Scene” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 10:32

Episode 26: How Locations Can Help Advance Your Story

Location – Location – Location. Its not just for retail anymore. Finding the right location can enhance your story, the wrong location can completely confuse your audience.

Watch as hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan discuss the power of locations for story-telling. Along the way, they’ll describe how the script can make finding the right location easy, or hard. How the audience is wired to create stories from what they see – even if it isn’t what you planned. And how letting locations evolve during the story can subliminally enhance story points without a word needing to be said.

Oh! And keep your head down as the jet lands.

“How Locations Can Help Advance Your Story” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 12:21

Episode 25: Good Characters

A character is more than a costume, or a prop. In fact, the costume reflects the character, it doesn’t create it. In this episode of 2 Reel Guys, co-hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan discuss the difference between costume and character.

In fact, and this may not come as a surprise, Norman feels that characters are actually based on the story. Weird, but true. Watch as Norman and Larry try to separate the characters from their costumes. Um, wait a minute… that didn’t come out right.

“What Makes a Good Character” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 11:22

Episode 24: Music Video

TRT: 8:09

Title: Music Videos Are Still About Story

Music videos are just as much about story as any drama; its just that all the characters are singing. This means that all the techniques you’ve learned about story-telling for drama are just as relevant as story-telling for a music video.

In spite of what you may think, music videos are not about hand-held cameras and half-naked dancers. In this episode, watch as co-hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan walk you through the process of creating a music video. Watch as the process evolves from something that makes no sense whatsoever, into a tight performance package that is fun to watch.

Discover the magic of story-telling with music, in this episode of the 2 Reel Guys.

“What’s the worst time you’ve ever spent in an editing room?” Sometimes, those times are easier to count than the good times. Why? Because the team creating the program don’t know how to talk to each other.

In this episode of the 2 Reel Guys, co-hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan share techniques learned from years of editing video and feature film projects. Larry shares his experience of editing video under the pressure of live and nearly-live deadlines, while Norman explains how he gets inside the head of the director to figure out EXACTLY what the scene is supposed to be about.

Creating film is all about collaboration and this episode shows you how. “Improving Communication in the Editing Room” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 10:58

How do you direct actors for the camera? It isn’t rocket science, but it isn’t as easy as you may think, either. In this episode of the 2 Reel Guys, co-hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan discuss the challenges of directing actors.

Unlike traditional theater, film and video has the ability to really get inside an actor’s performance. What can a director do to help them feel more secure, so they can give the best performance? How do you balance wide shots with tight shots, geography with emotion? What should you say as soon as a take is completed and who should you say it to? These questions and more are covered in this episode of the 2 Reel Guys.

“Directing Actors for the Camera” – this week, on the 2 Reel Guys.

TRT: 11:17