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Concepts Video Productions: “Deadly Scorpion” for Drug Free NJ

Up until now, Creative Director Collette Liantonio thought the most challenging animal to film was the cat.  Cats don’t listen!  But then our company was challenged to brainstorm an original concept for the 2023 anti-opioid campaign for Partnership for Drug Free NJ. 

What is the most terrifying, venom filled creature that is the perfect metaphor for the toxins in the killer opioid Fentanyl?… A deadly Scorpion! Drug Free NJ’s mission is to educate and get everyone talking about the dangers of opioids. The NJ creative team at Concepts Video Productions developed a “killer” concept certain to attention of parents and children alike. We knew our message would get eyeballs on TV, social media, highway rest stop kiosks, mass transit signage, in classrooms and on a Times Square billboard. 

“A scorpion’s sting can kill your kid. Fentanyl can kill all the kids in your neighborhood.” 

Where did we find our “star”, the Scorpion?  Executive VP Jon Calderaro had lived in Costa Rica where scorpions abound, but our budget limited us to the environs of NJ, so he and producer Marissa Ciancitto scouted NJ Exotic Pets in Lodi, NJ, where they found an abundance of scorpions and other venomous creatures. 

Stock footage was not an option given the need for movement following the riveting storyboard created by Art Director Scott English. Thanks to the superb skills of scorpion handlers Megan Betracca and Salvador Galdamez, we were able to film a large scorpion on a white cyc and green screen in the Exotic Pet store. While the scorpion was initially shy, we like to think it warmed up with our DP David Kaptein’s jokes. Soon the scorpion was creeping our greenscreen runway just like a true movie star.

Senior Editor James Nolan and our Post-Production team started Pre-Viz. While we had some success with Blender animation renders, we determined there’s nothing like the real movement of a scorpion.  Their unexpected movement leaves you on the edge of your seat. Our post-production team was able to “cut out” the scorpion and graphically superimpose it on the tombstones containing the likenesses of the young opioid victims of the deadly toxin Fentanyl.  

To pick the right scorpion performance, it meant leaving a treasure trove on the cutting room floor. These predatory arachnids are fascinating and deserve a long-form show. For VFX Compositing we employed the Maxon and Adobe Suites to light wrap the scorpion in the cemetery environment.  Although the topic is heavy, creating scenes from scratch is a post-production pleasure. 

The percentage of overdose deaths due to fentanyl is alarming. No one should lose a loved one to this. We wanted to make sure we hammered this home. The scorpion embodies the scary public health emergency, fentanyl, and we connect it to the somber imagery of teen gravestones. 

Between the detailed filming in an exotic pet store and the remote location of the Boonton cemetery, it was a most intense experience.  Given the lifesaving message, it’s one of the most gratifying ones. We sincerely hope this video can prompt discussion and raise awareness about the danger of fentanyl. 

CLICK TO WATCH CAMPAIGN

www.conceptstv.com | 973-331-1500 | jonc@conceptstv.com

Concepts Video Productions | 90 East Halsey Road, Suite 105, Parsippany, NJ 07054

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Importance of Including Video in Your 2023 Budget

With 2023 right around the corner, it’s time to plan your company’s marketing budget for the new year. Video content in your marketing plan is more important than ever as it can drastically improve your company’s brand awareness, engagement, and sales!  

Professional video content sets your company apart by helping you to share information in an entertaining way. We live in a digital world where online video content and TV commercials give your company a greater chance of cutting through the clutter, reaching wider audiences, and sharing your brand with the world.  

With over 39 years in business, Concepts Video Productions has produced thousands of successful campaigns. Our team works with you through all aspects of the campaign from scripting and casting, production, and editing. 

Whether you’re looking for genuine user testimonials, engaging animation, a how-to, or simply beautiful product shots, our team is ready to produce creative and personal campaigns that will not only attract customers to your company but keep them engaged.  

In a media-heavy world, don’t let your company fall behind. Make sure to prioritize video production in next year’s budget and contact Concepts Video Productions to help you reach those goals! 

www.conceptstv.com | 973-331-1500 | jonc@conceptstv.com

Concepts Video Productions | 90 East Halsey Road, Suite 105, Parsippany, NJ 07054

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Concepts TV Is Ready For Takeoff!

Whether you're looking to create a digital campaign for a great product or a commercial for the next hot tourist location, Concepts TV is ready for takeoff!

The Concepts TV team most recently traveled to India to produce a video presentation for The Kripalu Girls School and raised funds as an effort to break the cycle of poverty while providing education for young girls.

Check out more of Concepts TV's global travels below!
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SCRIPT OR STORYBOARD?

I am a seasoned commercial TV copywriter with thousands of scripts to my credit. I am also a fervent believer that a well written script is a crucial element necessary when creating TV commercials. However, the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” is very true. No matter how well written a script may be, the storyboard serves as a much better blueprint for understanding visual content.  

The layout of a commercial script typically appears as two columns. The audio dialogue or voiceover appears in one column and the visual descriptions, graphics and logos appear in the second column. A detailed script may also include music cues, sound effects, descriptions of animation, text graphics of salient features, prices, ordering information and director’s notes such as CU (close-up), MS (medium shot), WS (wide shot), Zoom In or Zoom Out. The timing of the script should adhere to the varying media buy lengths, such as 60, 30, 15 or 10 seconds.  

However, as detailed as any commercial script may be, it is subject to individual interpretation. Since many persons find it impossible to "visualize", the written script is often subject to misinterpretation.  

A good, detailed storyboard can avoid many issues that occur during the pre-production process. Graphic treatments, supers, logos, and animations are more easily understood. Colors come alive. The proposed wardrobe, props, sets, and talent can be illustrated and agreed upon prior to filming. A great storyboard will save time and money and help create a more cohesive team effort.  

In conclusion, storyboards can help the marketing and creative teams agree on the direction of the creative approach and visual details. Surprises can be exciting but are very expensive when creating visual content.

Collette Liantonio

90 East Halsey Rd, Suite 105, Parsippany, NJ, 07054 

conceptstv.com | jonc@conceptstv.com | 973-331-1500 

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Filming Safely During a Pandemic

 

Shooting commercials during the current crisis is challenging. Large camera crews, talent and production teams are unable to assemble. However, there are many ways in which a production company can still create commercials without creating a super spreader event.  

Recycling old footage, using graphics for the entire commercial, creating animation, filming with an iPhone, and using stock footage from an online source are excellent production resources. We have even directed commercials remotely by Zooming talent and crews. 

Use recycled footage to create a new opening or new product offer for an existing campaign. If new scenes are needed and you’re not a professional videographer, you can film using an iPhone on a 4K setting. Outdoor filming requires less lighting and is acceptable broadcast quality. When developing testimonials or product endorsements, producers send products to peoples’ homes and have the end users film their personal experiences on their iPhones. The director can even assist the end user via Zoom or simple FaceTime. Apple and other major brands have launched a series of commercials using these authentic clips of real people.     

Using stock footage is another great way to create a commercial. There will be hours of online research involved in trying to select the best videos or stills for your commercial and there is a usage fee, but the quality is exceptional. 

Another option is to produce commercials using all graphics or animation. A production company may also create its own YouTube channel, a popular platform. YouTube can provide a playlist with prior commercials organized by category like fitness, wellness, etc. New product introductions shot on an iPhone look more authentic.  

Video-chatting has allowed us to “Zoom” cross country and international clients into our studio shoots. Clients can provide live feedback without risking travel. We produced various commercials by directing talent while they filmed scenes at home locations via video-chat. Get creative, stay safe and don’t let the pandemic stop you! 

 

90 East Halsey Rd, Suite 105, Parsippany, NJ, 07054 

conceptstv.com | jonc@conceptstv.com | 973-331-1500 

 

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Halloween Tricks & Treats!

With Halloween right around the corner, you may be preparing to host a spooktacular Halloween party. Hosting a party can be a lot of work. From decorating the outside and inside of your house, preparing food and drinks, and planning fun party activities, it takes quite a lot to be the head witch in charge. That’s why our team at Concepts TV is excited to share some of our favorite products we’ve produced for a variety of our scariest clients! 

 

An important part of being a great party host is the food you serve for your guests. With All Star Marketing’s Clever Cutter, you can serve spooky snacks with ease. The two-in-one knife and cutting board device can slice a wide range of foods in seconds. Two spooky snack ideas by Clever Cutter include Spider Cakes and Apple Monsters. With Clever Cutter, the black licorice legs for the spider cakes can be cut in half with ease, and the strawberry tongues for the apple monsters can be cut perfectly thin. “Wow” your guests with hauntingly good snacks in half the time with Clever Cutter! 

 

When it comes to decorating for Halloween, it seems like all the focus typically goes towards making the outside of your house look like the most haunted on the block. But what about the inside of your house? With Ontel Products’ Glow Candles, you can make your home spooky on the inside too! Made with LED lights, the candle stays cool to the touch, making it safe to have around trick-or-treaters and party-goers alike. Glow Candles come with a remote control featuring 12 color options and illumination adjustment, perfect for matching to the colors of your Halloween party and keeping the lights dim for a spooky effect. 

Want to make your Halloween party unforgettable? Try Southern Telecom’s Karaoke Duet, the fun, easy, and wireless way to bring your party guests together. The microphones connect to your phone via Bluetooth, so you can sing along to your Halloween party playlist with friends! With buttons for microphone volume, music level, and an option to add reverb, you will be sounding scary good. 

 

Decorating for Halloween can be a hassle. Untangling wires for spooky lights can take hours, and those spider web decorations on the front bushes get ruined in the weather. Want a decoration that is easy to use and won’t take hours to set up? Try TeleBrand's Star Shower Slide Show! Simply set up the device in your front yard, insert the slide of your choice, and watch the animations dance across the front of your house. The Star Shower Slide show is a unique way to get in the Halloween spirit, and your house will definitely stand out from the other haunted houses on your street!

 

Click to Watch:

The Best Zombie Video From

Concepts TV!

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‘Lock Down’ Your Weight Loss Goals

It’s time to lose those pandemic pounds the same way you gained them...in the comfort of your own home! According to a survey by The New York Post, 75% of Americans surveyed believe, “it’s actually easier than ever to maintain their fitness routines in the comfort of their own homes.” So Our team at Concepts TV is proud to share some of our favorite at-home health and wellness products we’ve produced to help you look and feel your best without having to leave your home! 

After being in lockdown, it’s harder than ever to stay motivated and consistent. But with HealthyWager, the program that lets you get paid to lose weight, you can better your habits and improve your lifestyle! HealthyWage uses psychology and large cash prizes to provide the structure, accountability, and motivation you need to succeed. Check out the prize calculator on HealthyWager.com to choose your weight loss goal and your time frame, then HealthyWage will calculate your cash prize... up to $10,000! 
 

Ready to pop, lock, and drop those extra pounds away? Skip the boring sit-ups and crunches but keep the great results with Hip Hop Abs! Created by professional Fitness Expert and Choreographer Shaun T, Hip Hop Abs is always a fun and effective way to burn fat while sculpting your abs. Follow Shaun T’s dance moves while listening to great music and before you know it, your body will be transformed! 

If you’re looking to see quick full-body results before the holidays, Beachbody’s Slim In 6 Rapid Results Program is 100% proven to slim you down in just 6 weeks! This exciting program includes DVDs that allow you to follow Fitness Expert and Trainer Debbie Siebers’s workouts, right in your living room. Devoting less than an hour a day, these high repetition and resistance workouts will slim you down in no time! 


Sharing fitness equipment in the gym is not ideal during these unpredictable times. So, say goodbye to the gym and hello to the comfort and efficiency of The MaxiClimber. The MaxiClimber allows for full body workouts that are perfect for anyone looking to tone and slim down with just one machine. Target your upper body, lower body and your core without ever having to switch machines! 

 

Lost the weight and looking to lean and tone your body? Now with Core Shaper, you can transform your body in just ten minutes a day! Core Shaper is low impact and promises to be an effective and safe at-home workout machine. Get fast results while simultaneously using Core Shaper’s rolling support movement that exercises, massages, and stimulates your muscles. Portable and easy to store, Core Shaper is the ideal workout to get the washboard abs you’ve always dreamed of!

90 East Halsey Rd, Suite 105, Parsippany, NJ, 07054 

conceptstv.com | jonc@conceptstv.com | 973-331-1500 

 

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The Best Use of 10 Seconds: Extra Short Video Marketing Tips

The Best Use of 10 Seconds: Extra-Short Video Marketing Tips

Full-length commercials are a proven effective marketing strategy, but what about extra-short videos that only last 10 seconds (or less)? As it turns out, these are just as effective as commercials when executed properly. To make the most of an extra-short video marketing strategy, you need to make the best use of your time. Here are some tips that will help you get the job done in 10 seconds or less.

Improvise

This goes against all the marketing advice you've heard in the past, but today's consumers prefer improvised content — or at least content that feels improvised. Keep your clips simple, using minimal scripting and no special effects if you want to grab your viewers attention quickly. Authentic improvisation is always best, but if you fake it, make sure it looks and feels like the real thing — because today's consumers are smart and they can tell the difference.

Why this works: Your viewers want you to be real. Today's consumers don't have time for advertising if it's not genuine; they simply don't trust heavily edited commercials. When you share improvised content, viewers feel more connected to your brand because you're including real people, just like them.

Don't Tell the Whole Story

One of the best approaches with a 10-second ad is to treat it like an elevator pitch. Grab your viewers attention with the most compelling message you can create. Leave the viewer with a sense of curiosity, a compulsion to know more about your brand. Then offer additional info through a longer video link, email signup or blog post.

Why this works: A person's attention span is fairly short, but it's even shorter when they're watching an ad. That's an issue when you can't present all the important information in less than 10 seconds. By providing just a snippet of information that intrigues your viewers, you're opening up more opportunities to show them the whole story at a later time.

Form an Ongoing Connection

As with all marketing efforts, the deployment of your extra-short videos may be the most crucial aspect of the journey. With 10-second videos, you shouldn't focus on a "one and done" approach. Instead, create an ongoing connection with your viewers by offering multiple extra-short videos over a significant length of time (the indefinite future is your best bet). You have lots of media options available for this type of advertising. Create an Instagram account, and use the Story feature. Tell your viewers to follow you on Snapchat, or utilize the paid marketing capabilities there. Even YouTube has a six-second video format called Bumper that's great for connecting to an audience.

Why this works: You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: Social media is prime real estate for marketing. Young consumers practically demand it, and the under-30 crowd is a huge percentage of the population. Today's buyers want real-time videos, authentic updates and brands that create ways to connect. When you offer these connections, you're grabbing viewers who feel more loyal to your brand because you're genuine.

Final Thoughts

Short video marketing is a great idea, and they can add a huge boost to your sales when you make the most of the 10 seconds or less approach. Don't be dissuaded by the new format. There are platforms already available for the short video format — just waiting for you to jump in. After all, marketing should always focus on the next big thing, and extra-short videos are it.

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Concepts TV Productions Promotes Sky Hanstein to Director of Production

FAIRFIELD, NJ (August 2nd, 2016) Concepts TV Productions, the NJ based Direct Response commercial Production Company has announced Sky Hanstein’s promotion to Director of Production. Hanstein will be responsible for spearheading the team’s production processes from inception to completion, in addition to introducing Satellite Media Tours to Concepts TV and its new medical division Concepts TV Productions.

Prior to joining Concepts, Hanstein had over 10+ years of experience in Broadcast PR and production management. Hanstein worked at Sony Pictures Television, served as Media Director at Synaptic Digital, and as VP at Vidicom in New York City.

‚“Sky’s new position brings excitement to the team and our clients as he introduces Satellite Media Tours to both Concepts TV and Concepts TV,” said Collette Liantonio, President and Creative Director of Concepts TV Productions. ‚“We are expanding to service the pharmaceutical sector. His knowledge of the production realm and media tours will strengthen the team's capabilities in both DRTV and the medical field.”

‚“As Director of Production, I am eager to oversee and deliver impactful messages to consumers and healthcare professionals through a variety of multi-media channels including broadcast via Satellite Media Tours,” said Hanstein. ‚“With cutting edge technology and Concepts’ new state of the art facility opening in winter of 2016, Concepts TV will deliver video content to medical industries in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.”

Concepts TV Productions, currently based in Fairfield, N.J., is one of the world’s most experienced producers of DRTV commercials and infomercials. Concepts TV Productions has worked with Novartis, Whitehall Labs, Bard Parker, Prestige Brands and medical agencies such as Harrison and Star.

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