At Shave, our higher education clients often ask our Boston video production team to produce sizzle reels, or recap videos, of important campus events such as a commencement ceremony or a thought-provoking symposium. The goal of these videos is to not only sum up institutional events in a captivating way, but to create a digital keepsake that resonates with diverse audiences and can be used and posted in a variety of ways.
Here is a wrap-up video that we created for Mount Holyoke College’s Convocation, a spirited celebration that kicks off the academic year:
Creating successful event videos requires careful planning and execution throughout the production process.
Before the event
- Our project leads meet with the client in order to understand the event's purpose, identify key moments and messaging, and come up with a narrative structure for the edit.
- We collaborate closely with event organizers and stakeholders to ensure that we are on the same page in terms of our approach, and to coordinate scheduling.
- If possible, we try to get a sense of the location and the physical layout of the venue in order to plan for any potential logistical hurdles.
On production day
- Shave’s Boston video production team arrives at the event location with plenty of time to set up for the shoot, and checks in with our onsite contacts.
- We set up all of our video production equipment, and confirm that everything is ready to go before the event kicks off.
- During the event, our videographers navigate the venue, skillfully gathering candid b-roll footage, speeches, and any interviews needed for soundbites (both scheduled and on-the-fly).
- We make every effort to operate with a small footprint, so that the event attendees enjoy their experience.
In the editing suite
- Once in post-production, our editors carefully select the shots, transitions, and music that work together to weave an impactful narrative.
- Our post-production team stays in close communication with the client in order to ensure that we are on the right track at every stage of the edit.
In higher education, events are more than just gatherings; they're pivotal moments that capture the spirit and vibrancy of academic communities. Shave has years of experience working with institutions to memorialize events such as commencement, a presidential inauguration, and convocation.
One of our goals in 2024 is to connect with more academic institutions in the Boston area and beyond in order to continue this important work.
Click here to explore more of our higher education video work.