Video producers/shooters/editors/ need a way to stay busy and make money when the production season is slow? Expert Village.com may be the answer. Expert Village is a website that features “how to ” videos. Topics run the gamut from A to Z.
Expert Village has a listing of over 1000 topics you can produce videos to if you know an Expert in that field. You can also pitch topic ideas to them and most of the time they accept your ideas.
So how does it work? Generally a Producer locates an Expert in thier city and asks them to do 15 or more segments on a specific topic. Each segment needs to be between 1-3 minutes long. What’s in it for for the Expert? Free video production services and promotion. Once completed the segments will also feature the Expert’s bio and contact information. The Expert can actually imbed the clips from Expert Village right on their own site. The Producer is generally paid $20 per segment but it can range from $15-$25. Do the math, and you will see that 15 segments on one topic is $300 in your pocket. The key is to making sure that the shoot and edit are done in a time efficient manner.
I do this by asking my Experts to prepare a cheat sheet with 3-5 key points typed out in the biggest font possible on a sheet of paper. This paper is then attached to the front of the camera to help prompt the Expert during the taping of a segment. Not only does this help the Expert during the shoot but it helps them prepare and get organized for the shoot.
To get started your Expert needs supply you with their bio, contact information, website, phone number , topic and title of all their segments. You will need this to submit to Expert Village for their approval so you can make sure you will be paid. You will be able to download production information from Expert Village that will include releases, production guidelines and other helpful information. Make sure to take a release with you so your Expert can sign it before the shoot begins. After completing the segments and edit, you will be required to send Expert Village the master tape, Expert release form, Footage release, a DVD with data files containing each clip as a .mov file and the Expert’s bio. Usually work received by Wed, pays that very Friday!
Get one or two topics produced and under your belt and then once you have it down to a science you can consider another way to make it more productive for both you AND the Expert. Consider working with Experts that can present at least 4 different topics, which is 60 segments. Four topics with 15 segments would pay you $1200. Offer to pay your Expert $200 for doing the 4 topics, still leaves you with $1000. Shoot 5 Experts that will each do 4 topics, that is $5,000 for the month.
So we have established that you will need to shoot 4 topics in a day or day and half, but it is achievable? It is based on two things….,making sure your Expert is well prepared AND that you are well prepared. The key is keeping set ups to a minimal and locations to one. If you can shoot the entire segment in one shot, it will lessen your edit time. Some Producers have invested in a steadicam or DV Rig so they have the ability to create fluid shots during each segment. Remember you want to produce great segments but in the most timely fashion possible.
Once you are Producer you can go in and view on the topics available but as I said you can also submit topic ideas. I read the paper, both the city, and small local publications. I also attend many different networking events in my city and almost always find at least one or two potential Experts at the event.
Keep in mind, Expert Village is not a fan of “taking heads.” Some topics may not lend themselves well to “demonstration” on video and may be more of a “talking head.” To work around this, plan ahead for B-roll shots you can get use to edit in. This type of topic will of course require more editing.
Two great things Iove about Expert Village: one, they provide you with THEIR shipping account to send everything to them, and two…..they pay straight to your paypal account every Friday.
For more information, please visit www.expertvillage.com
