In this first episode of The Creative Brief, Josh speaks with Emily Butz Austerberry, editor for the Lighthouse Mission Ministries’ ‘Hope for Bellingham’ 5-part series and mini-documentary. They discuss episodic content, its value, and tips for creating episodic content for your brand.

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Visitor Expectations:

• The Veritas office is open to visitors by appointment only, including on-camera talent during production and current contractors
• All visitors will self-monitor their health, and will not visit or participate in in-person shoots if feeling ill, or if they were in contact/suspected contact with someone with COVID-19. They will alert Veritas staff as soon as possible if they will not be able to participate in a shoot.
• All visitors will:
  • Use hand sanitizer upon entry
  • Wear a CDC-approved mask at all times (Please note that face shields alone do not meet this requirement)
  • Remain at least 6-feet away from others at all times
• Additionally, all on-camera talent will:
  • Wear a mask at all times, with the exception of when the camera is actively rolling (Veritas staff will help advise you)
  • Provide proof of a negative rapid antigen test result received within 24 hours of the shoot if they will be appearing on camera with others
  • Agree that refusal to comply may result in the shoot being terminated. Additional fees may apply.
• Additionally, all contractors will:
  • Disinfect gear and/or workstation (including drives) before and after use
  • Agree that refusal to comply may result in termination of the work contract.

Production Measures:

• When on a shoot/production (in studio or on location), all staff and visitors (on-camera talent and/or contractors) will:
  • Use hand sanitizer upon entry
  • Wear a mask at all times, with the exception of on-camera talent, only when the camera is rolling
  • Remain at least 6-feet away from others at all times
• When multiple people will be appearing on camera together, we require that each person show proof of a negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours of the shoot, regardless of vaccination status.
• All high-touch areas are to be disinfected before and after each production, including (but not limited to):
  • Tripod handles, latches, knobs & dials
  • Camera lenses (focus/aperture rings)
  • Camera bodies (all buttons, handles, grips)
  • Media (SD cards, SSDs)
  • Batteries & chargers
  • Case handles, latches & zippers
  • Teleprompter & controlling computer (power buttons, cables, keyboard, mouse, monitor)
• A designated staff representative will be present at each production to ensure all safety requirements are being met

In the event of a positive test:

• Veritas will fully comply with current Whatcom County Health Department guidance, outlined here. We expect all visitors and on-camera talent to follow this guidance as well.
• If on-camera talent has a positive test:
  • Veritas will work with the client to see if another individual (who has not had contact with the person who tested positive) can fill in to be on-camera talent
  • Shoot(s) may need to be rescheduled or cancelled

Other Day-to-Day Preventative Measures:

• When present in the office, staff will:
  • Use hand sanitizer upon entry & throughout the day
  • Wear a mask at all times
  • Disinfect workstation and surfaces before and after use
  • Social distance & limit room occupancy whenever possible
• Staff will monitor their own health, and will not physically come in to work when feeling ill. If experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, staff will notify management, and get tested as soon as possible.
• Veritas will be in contact with contractors, to gauge availability to step in and cover work in the event that a staff member falls ill.
• The Veritas office is open to visitors by appointment only, including on-camera talent during production and current contractors

Veritas Media thanks employees with an unexpected paid week off

Local small business presses pause for a week to give employees an extended Thanksgiving holiday.

BELLINGHAM, WA — Veritas Media, a Whatcom County video marketing and production agency announced Monday, September 7 that it will be giving all of its employees the week of Thanksgiving off as a paid holiday. No work will be scheduled over the nine days between November 20 and November 28 during what the company is calling its “Thanksgiving Pause.” The additional work days off will not count against any employee’s paid time off (PTO). 

Veritas Media employees have been hard at work during the course of the pandemic to offer creative solutions to local businesses and nonprofits. With the exception of the initial stay-at-home order, Veritas Media has been open, and busy serving the community as a media partner. In 2020 Veritas helped local nonprofits raise nearly $1 Million through virtual events. 

Josh Burdick, Founder & CEO of Veritas Media, is thrilled about the announcement: “It’s been a challenging eighteen months for all of us. We’ve been able to continue operating throughout the pandemic, and have done well—but I’ve noticed a heaviness in my conversations with employees and general fatigue due to the constant unknowns and uncertainties that our clients and our community. I feel like we all need a little space this time of year to breathe, reflect and spend time with family and friends.” says Josh, “I’m incredibly grateful and proud of my team—they deserve to be recognized for the hard work they’ve put in under extraordinary circumstances. The “Thanksgiving Pause”—a week off in the midst of one of our busiest seasons—is one small thing that I can do to let my team and our community know that we value and care for our employees. ”

Veritas Media was founded in 2011 and since has grown to a team of 8 full-time employees. All Veritas Media employees enjoy access to company benefits like health insurance, paid time off, a matching retirement program, and continuing education. 

For more information about Veritas Media, contact Josh Burdick at (360) 812-6450 or email at josh@veritasmediapro.com.

Veritas Media is a video marketing agency in Bellingham, WA and specializes in helping businesses grow their marketing channels through the use of video. Veritas Media is located in the heart of downtown Bellingham, WA at 1213 Cornwall Ave and offers both in-studio and on-location video production and live streaming services.

Veritas Media has been located in the heart of Bellingham, WA for nearly five years. Last year we invested in moving into a new space on Cornwall Ave to give us more room to grow and to serve our clients better. We planned a big ribbon cutting in April but, you know, COVID happened and our plans changed. 

So, today I’d like to share with you some of the highlights of our new space and how it has been carefully designed to meet your needs for more efficient video production, live streaming and other virtual events. 

In the Heart of Downtown Bellingham

Welcoming. Versatile. Professional.

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Soundstage

Our soundstage is optimized for virtual events and professional recording. It has all of the amenities you’d expect of a professional studio, and our turnkey solutions help to save you the extra costs of having our team go on-location (though we can do that too!). The recording space also offers better control over the audio and visual components of your video content. 

Are you producing a virtual event? We can help with both live-streamed and pre-produced events. Learn about the difference between live streaming and pre-produced here.

Soundstage Amenities include:

• High-Speed internet connection to support your live stream and all other devices needed to monitor your event
• Professional lighting, audio, and backdrops
• Professional teleprompter + 4K cameras
• Bathroom/changing room
• Kitchenette with refrigerator 
• Use of the storefront  lobby with a 75” TV to monitor your event 
• Comfortable and practical workspaces to facilitate off-camera work  
• Complimentary bottled water and snacks

Examples of the end results filmed at Studio V (more available on request):

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Meeting Space:

Our professional and convenient meeting space is perfect for board meetings, conferences, seminars and break out rooms. It features a versatile room with high ceilings, natural daylight, and professional multimedia capabilities. Choose from a variety of seating configurations, and bring in your choice of catering. 

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Meeting Space Amenities

• High-Speed WiFi internet
• 75″ TV to use as a display for presentation/video conferencing
• Bathroom/changing room
• Kitchenette with refrigerator 
• Tables, linens and folding chairs (set-up included in rental)
• Complimentary bottled water and snacks

COVID Restrictions

During Phase 2 we’re offering the room for rent for up to 10 people (our max occupancy is normally 48). For events hosted during the pandemic, we require all guests to sign a logbook and maintain social distancing and mask-wearing for the entirety of the gathering. Meeting duration is also limited to 2 hours. 

Booking information and pricing can be found here.  

Interested in checking out Studio V?

We love giving tours and would be happy to show you around! Our physical space is open by appointment only and we follow all recommended guidelines to ensure that your visit with us is safe. Reach out to us on our contact page and we’ll get something scheduled!

If you had any event, conference, gala, or auction scheduled in 2020 or 2021 you’re no doubt looking at different options for continuing to put on a meaningful and successful event. We’ve seen and studied a lot of virtual events over the last 9 months and we’ve learned a lot. 

One of the biggest decisions you will need to make in planning your virtual event is if you want your event to be live streamed or a scheduled and pre-produced program that premieres at a specific time. Both have advantages and disadvantages and I’ll walk through both options below.

What is live streaming?

Live streaming is essentially video content not previously recorded that is broadcast out in real-time to an online audience. Organizations in every industry are turning to live streaming to reach more of their audiences. Live streaming of church services, auctions, conferences, seminars, fundraisers and company meetings are among the biggest users of live streaming.

There are a lot of ways that viewers engage with live streaming, but the most popular platforms are YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo. Each platform offers its own set of features and it’s possible to send the same stream out to multiple platforms at a time (this is called simulcasting). 

Many people are familiar with Facebook Live and the experience of “going live” from a mobile device. In the professional event world, virtual event producers have access to a wider range of tools (software and hardware) that allow for professional cameras and audio to be used. These tools also allow for the use of pre-produced video content that can be queued up to play during the live stream.

Benefits of live streaming 

1. Higher level of trust: The biggest advantage of live streaming is that you’re presenting yourself or your company in the moment. Doing so results in a highly authentic and “natural” experience for your viewers. 
2. Engage your audience in real-time: When you live stream you can tap into other tools beyond streaming audio and video to increase audience interaction. Features like live chat, polling, Q&A, auction portals, breakout rooms or watch parties all add an interactive element to your event and give you instant insight into how your audience is responding to the content you create.
3. Reach more people than traditional in-person events: no longer is your event limited to the people in your geographical region that can physically attend your event. If you do good work in marketing and promoting your live streamed event, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy larger audience. The more novel and exclusive the event
4. It’s impressive: a well executed live streamed event will leave your audience feeling like they got incredible value and enjoyment out of what they just watched—that it was an experienced tailored for them where they’re at. 
5. Boost for auctions and fundraisers: Live streaming works well when you have another activity like an auction happening in real time. While

Drawbacks to live streaming

1. You’ve got one shot: In live streaming there are no re-dos, you get what you get and if their are flubs in your emcee or auctioneer’s performance, you have to roll with it.
2. Audience Attendance: Your audience may be limited and many live stream events have lower than desired turnout. Your event will be competing for your audience’s attention, time and schedule. You can produce the best looking live stream in the world, but if that new Netlix series drops at the same time, the Seahawks are playing, or it’s an incredibly nice evening you might have trouble getting people to sit down to watch your event. If you go the live stream route, make sure you have a plan to promote the event early and often to ensure the highest attendance possible.
3. Cost: Live streaming is often more expensive than other forms of video production. Going live requires a full dedicated team to make sure that nothing is missed and that your event goes off without a hitch. It also requires rehearsal time and more work on planning to make sure everything goes smoothly. 
4. Quality: Live streaming in re-time requires that the video feed be compressed quickly to send out to viewers. Most streaming platforms stream in 720p — this is certainly quality enough to enjoy the experience, but if you compare the live stream video with the same content that isn’t live streamed the picture quality will be much higher (HD or 4K video resolution and far less compression) 
5. Latency: another drawback to live streaming is that not everyone in your audience will have the same experience viewing the event. The biggest performance issue with live streaming events is what is know as “latency”—the time delay from when the subject on camera says something and when the viewer actually sees it. Latency makes it difficult to have any kind of precise audience interaction (e.g., bidding on live auction items). Most of the time you can expect there to be anywhere between 2 and 20-seconds of latency in a live stream.

Examples of live streaming content

Each of the following events were broadcast live. Many of the events that Veritas Media produces contain pre-produced segments to add breathing room to the live portions of the event. Note the different styles used in each live stream. Each of these events also used a third party auction site to host their auctions.

What is a Scheduled/Premiered Event? 

A premiered event is programming that is entirely produced, shot, and edited before it is published. There is nothing spontaneous about this type of event and nothing happens in real time. You basically upload the finalized video file and schedule it to play at a specific date and time. 

Even though you’re not live streaming, you can still engage in some of the features of a live stream by creating a “Premiere Event.” Just like the first screening of a blockbuster movie (remember those?) you can promote the Premiere time and give viewers the opportunity to be the first to see the program you’ve produced. If you use a platform like YouTube Premiere the audience doesn’t have the option to rewind or skip ahead in the video until after the full program. This allows you to set up a live chat that can be moderated during the first playback. After the Premiere you can choose how you want to share the content with your audience—in most cases it becomes a publicly findable video that anyone can watch. 

Benefits of Premiering a video

1. Less stress: Producing a live stream event can be stressful, even with a great team. There is pressure involved in bringing all the pieces together to pull it off. WIth Premiered events the production team does the heavy lifting and delivers the final product with plenty of lead time before your scheduled event. The night of the premiere you can be more engaged with interacting with viewers, and enjoying the experience you’ve created!
2. Maximum control: through the planning, filming and editing process you have complete control over the content and experience and an opportunity to review all content before it ships. 
3. More voices: It’s difficult in a live stream to include lots of different perspectives and voices—especially during COVID-19 where social distancing and occupancy requirements affect how many people can appear together. 
4. Higher production value: While you can get high production value in a live stream event (especially if you include pre-produced content), Premiered content allows you to introduce more complicated and dramatic segments that would be difficult or extremely costly to do live. You also get the advantage of presenting your content in 1920×1080 HD or 4K resolution (unlike 720p that you get with live streaming) 
5. Better evergreen content: a lot of live streamed events are purpose designed to play once to a limited audience. With well designed Premiered content you can create something that will have a longer shelf life and continue advancing your goals long after the first scheduled viewing. 

Drawbacks of Premiered Content

1. No real-time connections with Audience: while you still have the ability to chat live with viewers during a Premiered event, you don’t have the same engagement tools available to interact with you audience. You can’t create polls, take questions (and respond to them) or otherwise interact with your audience. The pre-produced content is static and can’t change during the broadcast.
2. Not usually ideal for auctions: because of the static nature of Premiered content, you can’t really have an auctioneer giving real time updates on items or fundraising progress. And, by the time some people watch the video it may be weeks after the auction and the information presented in the video irrelevant. Auctions aside, Premieres are still great for general asks and Calls to Action for fundraising campaigns.
3. Less novel: Everyone has watched videos on YouTube. Just because it’s scheduled and set to Premiere doesn’t really make it that novel or impressive (though there are ways to create a highly engaging experience to counter act this).
4. Not available on all platforms: Premiering content is available primarily on YouTube and Facebook. It might not be possible to Premiere the video on other platforms like Vimeo, Wistia or more custom players. However, you can always upload the video to other platforms after the initial premiere. 

Examples of “Premiered” Content

The following videos (and series) were all fully produced and delivered before being uploaded and scheduled.

Bellingham School District Graduations

Skookum Kids: Eat, Drink, and Be Giving

The Hybrid Event

One approach we’ve seen work well is creating a hybrid event. By pre-producing large portions of an event you can Premiere the video to a large audience, but offer a smaller intimate experience for VIPs. A good example of this technique is Lydia Place’s Handbags for Housing 2020. Lydia Place chose to launch their virtual event as a Premiered video on YouTube with a companion VIP Zoom experience. Event attendees who bought a VIP package received a box with all kinds of goodies and swag from sponsors. They also got access to a VIP exclusive Zoom room hosted by the emcee for the event. The VIP Zoom experience included networking, games and a first look at all of the items being auctioned. The program feed that general attendees were seeing on YouTube was broadcast through the hosts’ Zoom account creating an exclusive event experience for VIPs.

What’s best for you?

As you can see, there is a lot to think about as you plan your virtual event. Start by asking yourself what your goals are and how important real time viewer engagement is. Both live streaming and Premiered events can create incredible experiences for your viewers. 
If you have questions about live streaming or pre-produced content check out our other resources like our Virtual Events page. Our team is also happy to talk with you about what might work best for you given your goals and challenges.