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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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The Convergence of Digital Marketing & TV

Video and digital marketing has exploded over the past few years. As brands attempt to reach various demographics, video advertising on all video platforms is key to sales. 

It’s critical for your company to create video assets that perform well on all social media platforms. In the digital world, peers' recommendations are trusted more than celebrities; user generated testimonials have proven to be extremely effective.   

Consumers identify with the real users. User generated testimonials give the consumer honest, unfiltered feedback from peers who share personal experiences and opinions. 

The challenge is to create professional video content with a limited budget. If you’re a brand that markets primarily on digital platforms and are planning for a future TV campaign, you may already have great content for a successful TV commercial. User generated content and social media testimonials often convert into perfect assets when launching a TV commercial. Using these sound bites and/or visuals alongside professional video content will add compelling credibility for your audience. 

Seamlessly blending these video assets is not an easy task to do. It’s important to have the right team of video producers who understand the requirements of the individual platforms to produce your digital marketing needs.  

 

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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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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