What is a voiceover?

One key component to most video work is a voice-over. A voice-over is a speech recording from a professional voice actor overlaying a video. It helps to add context to B-Roll footage that is shown on-screen, or narrates an animated video. 

Here’s an example:

In this video we did a while back with The VING Project, a nonprofit that helps teens financially help adults in their lives, we have a voiceover overlaying the animated video explaining the purpose of the organization and how kids can get involved. The professional voice actor that is speaking under the video adds context to the animation and gives teens an explanation of how they can give $1000 to someone to change their life. The voice-over not only makes the video accessible to those who might be visually impaired, but also further explains the buzzwords that are present on-screen. 

Here at Lightswitch, we use Bunny Studio to help our clients choose the best voice actor for their project. Bunny Studio wrote a case study last month about how they’ve helped us to keep up to scale with our projects. 

Want to add a voice-over to your next video? Get in touch to plan your next project!

One of the video services that Lightswitch offers is the ability to have a professional voice actor record their voice over the videos we make. These voice-overs narrate the great services and products that our clients have to offer.

In order to keep up with our influx of client work, we need to outsource our voice-over work -- that’s where Bunny Studio comes in. Through the use of Bunny Studio’s platform where clients can choose from a database of 28,000 voices to find the best pick to represent their product or service, Bunny Studio helps us to keep up with the scale of our projects, and their 24-hour turn-around time makes the process quick and easy.  

Bunny Studio recently posted a case study highlighting how they accelerated our production with 90% successful delivery.

Something that we explain to our clients when we’re talking about the different components of what we offer with our video services is the difference between A-Roll and B-Roll. We use both to create well-rounded videos that showcase what our clients are talking about and have to offer. 

What is A-Roll?

A-Roll is the primary audio and video that often consists of one or more people discussing a topic or relating a narrative. Typically it shows a person speaking directly to the camera.  

What is B-Roll?

B-Roll is supplemental footage that is used to visually support the A-Roll. It’s typically imagery and video that shows what the speaker or audio is talking about.

Here are some examples:

In this video we made with one of our clients, Hadfield Stieben & Doutt Law, we see examples of both A-Roll and B-Roll. 

The video starts with Bill Doutt, one of the partners at HSD Law, talking directly to the camera about how he’s a cyclist, and has been riding bikes his whole life. That’s an example of A-Roll. 

As he continues on to explain how his own experience as a cyclist has influenced his ability to defend cyclists involved in accidents and understand what they go through while cycling, the video cuts to footage of cyclists riding down a road. This is an example of B-Roll. 

Throughout the rest of the video, we cut from A-Roll to B-Roll to help create a dynamic, interesting, and informative visual to complement what Bill is explaining about HSD Law and cycling.  

So what can you do with A-Roll and B-Roll for your next project? Reach out via email at [email protected] or give us a call at 1-800-273-2849 to chat about what would be the best fit for your video needs!

Follow @lightswitchvideo on Instagram for more video terminology and tips, and check out our previous Video Terminology blog post about the differences between various types of resolution! 

Here at Lightswitch we have videographers that we work with all across the country, and we think that it’s about time we introduce you to a few of them! In each installment of our “Meet the Videographer” series, we’ll be getting to know a new videographer -- from where they’re based, to how they got started, what their favorite films and TV shows are, and more!

For this first installment, we sat down with Jacob Dean, one of our videographers based in Knoxville, TN.  Check out what he had to say below.

Q: What originally got you interested in your current field of work? 

A: I've always had a ton of different interests. I've played around with carpentry, photography, writing, machine work, computing, etc., but I guess what's kept me behind a camera is that things just look so good through a lens, and I love being in the field. When you're a young shooter, getting a back-stage pass or getting full access to crazy huge events, big government projects, or incredible talent, is intoxicating. I could never shake how awesome it is, and to this day I'll reflect in work situations that it's incredible I get to be where I'm at, doing what I do. The travel is fun, the access is fun, and at the end of the day you've got some great stories and amazing footage to show for it.

Q: How long have you been a videographer?

A: I've been behind the lens in one form or another since middle school, and working professionally in the field since 2014.

Q: What's your favorite project you've ever worked on in your career so far? 

A: I've never got a great answer for this question, but a few shoots stand out as exceptional. I did a kind of 'How it's Made" shoot at a factory that makes all our favorite snacks and cereals, like Oreos, and it was totally wild seeing all of it made at that scale. Plus we got to keep several cases of snacks that were coming off the line that day! I also did a really intimate shoot with Dolly Parton one time at a recording studio. She was recording some VO material and they wanted some video and photography of the session. She's an incredible talent, and genuinely an incredible person who was a total joy to work with.

Q: How did you first get connected with Lightswitch, and how long have you worked with us?

A: I can't remember exactly how it happened, but Lynette [Lightswitch’s CEO/CPO] reached out about some video content to be associated with a publication, which ended up being several shoots with that same client. It was a great foot in the door, and I think we made a great impression.

Q: What's your favorite thing about working with Lightswitch? How many projects have you worked on with us? 

A: We've probably worked on about a dozen projects with Lightswitch and we always enjoy how easy it is to communicate with the team. So many producers give us the bare minimum, or sometimes no information, about what we're shooting. That makes for difficulty during preparation and complicates anticipating problems we might run into on a shoot. We've always enjoyed that Lynette and Alex [Lightswitch’s senior video producer and project manager] put a concerted effort together to keep us informed.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring videographers/filmmakers, or those looking to enter the industry?

A: Be critical of your own work. In the beginning, everything you make is going to be rough, and the real challenge is getting your skill level to align with the taste that you develop through experience. Also, tough it out through the failures. Failures happen for everyone in every industry, but production has a knack of making any failure feel like the end of the world. It never is. Do your homework, show up prepared, and you'll be fine.

Q: What's your favorite movie and/or TV show of all time?

A: This is always such a tough question. I could speak all day of what I find critically interesting, but at the end of the day I'm a huge sci-fi / space movie fan and Serenity just scratches an itch that others can't. I'm also a huge Tarantino fan, so I'd pop some popcorn anytime for True Romance, Kill Bill, Django Unchained, or whichever flick happened to be at arms reach at the time.

Want to work with our talented videographers? Get in touch to plan your next project!

Thanks to BestStartup.us for including Lightswitch on their list of the 101 Top Illinois Video Companies and Startups of 2021! 

Ever since Lightswitch was started in 2011, we’ve been a part of so many great projects due to the help of all of our amazing clients, partners, and you, who’s reading this right now!

We’ve always been here to help make all of your video ideas a reality -- from commercials, to audio ads, to animation projects, and everything in between. Want to partner with us for your next video project? Let's get started! Reach out to us to talk about what that might look like. 

The term ‘resolution’ gets thrown around a lot -- but what does it actually mean? In this blog post, we’ll break down the definition, and explain three different resolutions that are most common in video production. (Key word being video -- photo resolution is different!)

What is resolution? 

Resolution refers to the number of pixels that appear and are captured in the video. The more pixels on-screen, the higher the resolution. 

What types of resolutions are there? 

• SD (Standard definition)

• HD (High definition)

• 4K or UHD (Ultra high definition)

SD (Standard Definition) refers to the lowest acceptable resolution for television or digital. 

• Often referred to as 480p (or lower)

• 640 x 480 resolution

• 307,200 pixels

As the name suggests, this definition was the standard for broadcast and television for many years. After technology improved, the next definition entered into the “standard” -- high definition. 

HD (High Definition) refers to the now standard resolution for television or digital. 

• 720p OR 1080p

• 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080 resolution

• 921,600 or 2,073,600 pixels

As HD became the new standard, an even higher definition emerged. 

4K or UHD (Ultra High Definition) refers to the tier of resolution above HD. This has four times the lines of resolution.

• 2160p

• 4096 x 2160 resolution

• 8,847,370 pixels

What definition or resolution should my video be filmed in? 

Standard definition is becoming something of the past, with videos being filmed in high definition or ultra high definition. After all, the phones we carry around in our pockets now have various camera settings and options for filming in HD or 4K. Filming in 4K gives you the most versatility with your video.

So what can you do with video filmed in 4k definition for your next project? Reach out via email at [email protected] or give us a call at 1-800-273-2849 to chat about what would be the best fit for your video needs!

Follow @lightswitchvideo on Instagram for more video terminology and tips! 

When we were approached with an idea for a remote project in November of 2020, we didn’t hesitate to say yes. After all, we were coming up on the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant it had also been close to a year of working remotely. At that point, we were used to it and thought, “how hard could it be?”

After nearly 365 days of lockdowns, missed holidays and a universal sense of anxiety that comes with such unprecedented times, one of our clients based in New Orleans hatched up a wonderful idea: a massive, virtual Mardi Gras celebration. For those of you who don’t know, Mardi Gras (also known as Carnival) is one of the many cherished cultural traditions in the historic city of New Orleans. For over 100 years, the annual festivities, which include parades, parties and lots of indulgence, have taken place during the two weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. And while 2020 wouldn’t be the first time Carnival had been formally called off, it still dealt quite a blow to the city’s economy and spirit. But, as we learned soon enough, Mardi Gras is just like most holidays—it simply can’t be cancelled. So, when this client proposed a three-day virtual program that would keep the celebration alive while potentially boosting tourism in the future, we couldn’t say no.

As excited as I was to manage such a special project, I also had my concerns. The fact that we had less than two months to plan, schedule, film, and edit everything literally kept me up at night. Plus, I was a mom working from home with two kids and another on the way, which meant I had to stay in Chicago and do all of this remotely. However, once we agreed to do the project, I forced myself to block out any doubts I had about pulling it off in that time frame so I could just concentrate on getting it done and surprisingly, it worked.

One thing I learned from this experience is that it’s crucial to have a trustworthy team on your side. Aside from the unwavering support from my partners here in Chicago, I was fortunate enough to work with some particularly talented and reliable crews based in New Orleans, who I couldn’t have accomplished such a task without. A project like this would normally take about a year to produce so having dedicated people working with me every step of the way was beyond essential. Well, that and Excel spreadsheets. Keeping track of all 5 crews we had out on the field, who they were working with, and what they were filming just wouldn’t have been possible without those.

Of course, things didn’t always run smoothly and there were plenty of learning curves, but we were able to meet deadlines and work together in a respectful and cohesive manner until the very end. Although we had less than 60 days to shoot more than nine hours of content, we made an effort to focus on the end goal, let go of expectations and cooperate with one another. What surprised me most was the fact that, because everyone was so invested, egos were put aside for the sake of the project, making it easier to navigate obstacles and hurdles that would otherwise slow things down.

Speaking of obstacles, something that surprised all of us was how little COVID impacted production. Despite having strict policies in place to ensure health and safety on site, I was holding my breath during that first week of filming. All we needed was one case for the entire shoot to be derailed, which would have been catastrophic considering the tight deadlines. Luckily, we only had a few scares during the weeks we were filming and everyone tested negative each time. If you should ever find yourself organizing a large-scale production during a pandemic, remember to plan accordingly.

Each day was different, which entailed wearing many hats. I was used to a grind, but this was unlike anything I had done before. Even though I knew I had all the tools and skills to pull through, I really had to draw on my strengths and learn to trust in myself and others in order to cross the finish line. Ultimately, I was just so proud of how well we worked together as a team and how spectacular the final product came out. The aim of this project was to not only entertain New Orleanians in lockdown who were pining for cherished traditions during a time of such uncertainty, but to also give others a taste of the Mardi Gras experience from the comfort of their own homes, perhaps inspiring them to visit one day.

What helped production move along more than anything else was everyone’s love for New Orleans. I even have a special connection to the city, so I was ready to give it my all from the start. It goes without saying that everyone we worked with locally, from our client to the crew and talent, was just as passionate about the project. We all wanted it to work, so it did. At the end of the day, this really gave me a greater appreciation for this resilient city and those who call it home. And while I don’t suggest anyone try to prepare and execute a massive virtual event in under 60 days, I can say with confidence that it is entirely possible, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Meet Emily, the newest member of our Lightswitch team!

Name: Emily Riebe

Role: Video Production Intern

Having grown up just 20 minutes away from the bustling and artistically eclectic city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Emily is no stranger to the world of art and entertainment media. Emily recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in Media Studies and a minor in Theatre Performance. It is during her time at UWL that Emily participated as an actor in dozens of theatrical productions, published research that looked at the intersection of sexuality and gender in post #MeToo media, as well as spent a semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain studying Intercultural Communication as it relates to media. Beyond serving as the Video Production Intern with Lightswitch, Emily also serves as a Producer for small film production company Shake Fly films. 

Get to know Emily:

What was the last TV show you binge-watched?

The last show I binge-watched was Breaking Bad… My anxiety levels are still recovering :)

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy binge-watching reality TV, baking various unhealthy treats for my friends and family, riding my bike around town, writing short film scripts, and hanging out with my precious two-year-old calico cat, Rooney Meow-ra. 

What’s your favorite season, and why? 

I associate a very nostalgic, childlike feeling to the season of Fall so I would probably say that’s my favorite season. My mom always bakes me pumpkin muffins for my birthday in November, so everytime I smell pumpkin spice I smile and think of her. 

What kind of music do you listen to?

I like a lot of music, and what I’m listening to is pretty contingent on my mood. All my Spotify playlists are labeled for specific moods/scenarios that I might find myself in. I would probably say that I am most consistently listening to my mellow mood playlist that has artists like Frank Sinatra, John Mayer, Phoebe Bridgers, and Frank Ocean on it. 

What originally got you interested in your current field of work?

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be in the entertainment industry. I tried out a lot of different avenues of entertainment in my adolescence, from singing and acting to writing and directing, but ultimately found my passion for film and media when I was 21 and studying abroad in Barcelona. From there, I published research in the realm of sexuality, gender, and media and began my career path pursuing roles with production companies to hopefully expand my knowledge of the media industry. 

Connect with Emily:

Personal website 

LinkedIn

The Lightswitch Video team are Telly Award winners! The team took home three awards in the following categories for their work on “Mardi Gras for All Y’all” which was presented by NOLA.com and Mardi Gras World:  

2021 Gold Telly Winner: Non-Broadcast General-Travel/Tourism

2021 Bronze Telly Winner: Online General-Travel/Tourism

2021 Bronze Telly Winner: Online Series-Series: Virtual Events & Experiences

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by the Telly Award Judging Council, a group of leading video and television experts from some of the most prestigious companies in entertainment, publishing, advertising, and emerging technology, including WarnerMedia, NBC News, Framestore NY, and Vimeo.

“Mardi Gras for All Y’all” was a three-day online event featuring iconic artists, chefs, and personalities at famous New Orleans venues such as Mardi Gras World, Antoine’s, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. All three of the videos are available to be viewed through NOLA.com and their YouTube channel.

“In the face of a year like no other, Lightswitch Video has continued to defy the limitations of our new world, in continuing to create compelling and engaging work”, says Telly Awards Executive Director Sabrina Dridje. “This year’s submissions doubled down on what we already know about the industry. Creativity cannot be stopped. Collaboration will always prevail. New ideas and stories will always find a way to break through to an audience.”

 “Aside from the unwavering support from my partners here in Chicago, I was fortunate enough to work with some particularly talented and reliable crews based in New Orleans, who I couldn’t have accomplished such a task without,” says Lightswitch’s Senior Video Producer and Project Manager Alex Clark O’Donnell. “A project like this would normally take about a year to produce so having dedicated people working with me every step of the way was beyond essential.”

Winners are selected for recognition based on excellence in the following areas: Branded Content, Commercials & Marketing, Immersive & Mixed Reality, Non-Broadcast, Series / Shows / Segments and Social Video. The 42nd annual Telly Awards received a 15% increase in entries from the previous year, and we are so honored to be recognized amongst such a talented group of creatives.

We’re so proud of the whole Lightswitch team, from those involved with the pre-production and post-production to the NOLA videographers on the ground that helped to make the event such a success. 

Want to learn more? Read more about The 42nd annual Telly Awards, and view all of the other winners, or contact Courtney Kurhayez at [email protected] with additional questions. 

About Lightswitch Video:

Lightswitch Video is a nationwide video production partner that offers video, photo, html5 and other digital media fulfillment solutions for agencies, publishers, online media companies, digital marketers and more. Lightswitch pairs their network of over 5,000 video professionals across the U.S. with in-house production experts to deliver high quality, on message video production in all 50 states. Visit https://www.lightswitchvideo.com/ for more information.  

Meet Courtney, one of our newest additions to the Lightswitch team! 

Name: Courtney Kurhayez

Role: Marketing Intern

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Courtney’s love for stories has turned into an obsession for all things entertainment — from books, to movies, to music. She recently graduated from North Central College with a double major in Organizational Communication and Interactive Media Studies, and fills her spare time with reading and running her own book blog, playing drums and singing in her band, and recording new episodes of her podcast — all while binge-watching her favorite TV shows.

Get to know Courtney:

What was the last TV show you binge-watched?

The last show I binge-watched was Chicago Fire, and now I’m in the middle of watching Chicago PD.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Aside from binge-watching the aforementioned shows, I love reading and run my own book blog for young and new adult books, sing and play drums in my band with my twin sister, and host a podcast about books, movies, and TV shows. 

What’s your favorite season, and why? 

…of what show? I love the cool weather of autumn — what I call ‘perfect leather jacket weather’ — but in Chicago it usually goes right from Summer to Winter, so unfortunately it’s a very short time frame.

What kind of music do you listen to?

I’m both very picky and not very picky when it comes to music. I like pop, pop/rock, and alternative, and pretty much anybody that was on Radio Disney in the 2000s and 2010s. I’m also biased and listen to my own band, Double Identity, too. 

What originally got you interested in your current field of work?

Ever since I was in elementary school, I’ve always wanted to turn books into movies, and have always known I want to work in the entertainment industry in some capacity, whether it be with books, movies, TV, or music. When I got to college and discovered public relations and marketing, I knew that was a specific direction I’d like to try. 

Connect with Courtney:

Personal Website 

LinkedIn 

Instagram

Twitter 

TikTok