MotionMasters Blog/News

When a client needs a spot (and needs it now), we’ll go to the ends of the earth—literally—to get it done for them. In this case, the Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College needed a :30 TV spot to advertise its new sustainable building and weatherization programs. Something young, hip and fresh. And fast.

Click on image to view commercial

Brainstorming, concept development and copywriting for the anticipated motions-graphic-driven spot happened in a flash. Now, where to find an illustrator? Of course! Romania. That’s right, Romania. Due to the quick turnaround needed for the spot, we hired a talented illustrator 5000 miles away who delivered the goods right in time for our in-house motion graphics designer, Ward Hiney, to bring to life in the animated spot we’re showcasing here. He also designed and animated the type used in the spot to keep pace with the voiceover.

Tech note: Once the illustration cells were completed, they were brought into AfterEffects to be animated; a combination of techniques ranging from 2.5d compositing to kinetic typography and particle generators were used.

Non-tech note: Kinetic typography is just like it sounds—it’s type that has movement and personality. And check out the dollar bills flying into the wallet and the swirling snowflakes and leaves—the particle generator made that stuff happen.

In today’s competitive climate, offering a quality product or service at a fair price is only half of the success equation.

What sets the most profitable businesses apart is their ability to connect with customers. And that starts with a persuasive brand story.

For 25 years, MotionMasters, an award-winning multimedia company based in Charleston, has been helping organizations and businesses around the world reach – and connect with – target audiences through compelling videos, DVDs, commercials, print collateral, websites and streaming video.

Stories have the power to galvanize an organization around defined business objectives, says MotionMasters CEO Diana Sole Walko. “They can spark action, transmit values and foster collaboration.

“If you look back through history, the best and most memorable leaders are the ones who can communicate through story. Unfortunately, businesses are often the worst at that,” she observes. “They want to bombard you with facts and statistics about why you should purchase their product or service. But people are justifiably suspicious of that type of approach.

“Instead, tell them a story,” she says, “by explaining what those facts and figures mean and why they should matter to the customer.”

The Charleston Area Alliance is a good channel for sharing your story with potential customers and fellow business owners, says Diana.

“Early in my career as a business owner, I felt very isolated. I had questions about so many things, and didn’t really have someone to bounce issues or ideas around with,” she says.

Membership and active participation in the Alliance gave her the chance to interact with others facing the same challenges. “All these years later, I still have questions — and so do they…. We learn from each other. And that’s made us, and our companies, stronger.”

The Alliance offers a wide range of programs and services that help businesses and our community succeed.

“Membership has very practical, present value, like the ability to send your employees, or yourself, to training seminars, attend Business After Hours to mine new business, participate in Art Walks, etc.,” says Diana, adding that “for me, however, the real value of my membership is its future value — the community we can build by acknowledging no man is an island.”

At the Alliance, we’re proud to provide a forum for businesses to share their story, and we’d love to hear yours.

Join us at upcoming event and help create “happily ever afters” for you, your business and our region.

To see how the Alliance tells its story through video (many produced with the help of MotionMasters), visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/CharlestonArea.

Are you watching more online video than you did a year ago? You are not alone.

Here is a great article on how to generate video that can lead your customers to the sale.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219625

In Greek mythology, Mentor was the counselor to Telemachus while his father, Odysseus, was away. Mentor was key to Telemachus’ growth by guiding, educating, and protecting him, introducing him to influential leaders, and teaching him valuable leadership skills. Mentor’s role is similar to the challenges and responsibilities faced today in academia in the everyday interactions between a mentor and his or her graduate student.

At the University of Charleston, students in the MBAL program are assigned local business leaders who provide guidance on everything from career development to networking opportunities.  MotionMasters CEO Diana Sole is currently mentoring Dekonti Morkonmana an international student from Liberia.

Read the story about Diana and Dekonti from UC’s Maroon & Gold magazine.

You may view the entire magazine online at the University of Charleston website.

We brought teens from area high schools together for informal discussion groups. We interviewed helicopter-rescue paramedics, a hospital chaplain and an emergency room surgeon. We scored an on-camera interview with the nation’s leading expert on distracted driving. We also interviewed the parents of a young Marine who died while texting and driving.

Our diligence in crafting a hard-hitting documentary-style educational video paid off. Not only is “Deadly Driving Distractions: Texting, Cell Phones and Other Killers” being viewed by students and young adults across the country, it won a 2011 Telly, perhaps the industry’s most coveted and prestigious award.

This is the 32nd year for the Telly Awards and with more than 10,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries in the running, we are pleased to be a winner and to add our latest statuette to the ones we’ve been awarded in years past.

Take a look at a clip from Deadly Driving Distractions.