Ask HN: Favourite startup demo video and production techniques.

by chrisacky on 4/15/2012, 11:39 AM with 4 comments

Hi guys, The last question on this that I can find was from two years ago.

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1564651

- What are some of your favorite recently launched startup videos.

- If you are offering advice to startups who are looking to create their own inhouse video on a shoe string budget what tips can you offer, (software, storyboarding, pure screencasts etc)?

- If you are advising startups with a $1-$4k budget, how would you recommend that they source an animator/studio for to produce their video.

  • by iamjonlee on 4/17/2012, 4:23 PM

    We did our kickstarter video for #1125. We rented a photography studio for 3 hours for a total of $225, and hired two cinematographers for $900 (Side by Side Cinema).

    We wrote and direct the script ourselves- this saved the MOST money. Most of the video firms we've contacted were lazy and didn't provide any assistance into sharing suggestions or helpful tips on how to make a good demo video. They also were very pushy with the fact that we should hire professional actors so as not to waste their time. While I can understand that professional actors will make your product look better, it really depends on your product. For us, because we were on Kickstarter- it only made sense that we didn't hire anyone so our video seemed more personal.

    Kickstarter video (we also did a bonus skit on the bottom of the page, which was included in the prices mentioned above) : http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/imjonathanlee/persona-yo...

  • by anti-nihilist on 4/15/2012, 7:29 PM

    Don't have any advice to offer, but I love the video on http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/

  • by sachingulaya on 4/15/2012, 3:06 PM

    Having recently explored the startup demo video space the best "baller on a budget" videos I came across were from Sophie Creatives on oDesk. Google them. They were right around 1800 to 2500. Its hard to give advice without knowing what your product and market is. Is there a lot of customer education involved?

  • by losethos on 4/15/2012, 2:56 PM

    I always botch the narration. Sucks. I meant to say "parent" directory, at one point. I said "Screen" instead of "window". Also, there were a host of confusions I didn't see potentially--fucken God did it.

    God says... C:\LoseThos\www.losethos.com\text\BIBLE.TXT

    altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.

    23:1 And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.

    23:2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age: 23:3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations becaus