How it was made :: My Surtex promo video
I can’t believe it, but SURTEX is only 3 short months away. I’m in the heart of planning fun things like my booth and my promotional materials, including a promotional video.
As a first-time exhibitor at Surtex, it’s really important that I do anything and everything to get noticed before the show. So I decided to take advantage of Surtex’s youtube channel and create a video that will create a little bit of awareness for my business and hopefully generate some interest and get people to come to my booth. When I started thinking about the video, it was a bit of a daunting task. First issue — I don’t own a video camera. Second issue — I don’t know how to edit video and record sound. And third issue — I wanted it to shine. So I took a look at the skills I do have, and tried to find a workaround solution. I did some brainstorming and I arrived at the idea of doing a stop-motion video using my Canon digital SLR, my photoshop skills, iMovie, and my imagination.
I had a total blast creating this little video, and it was something completely new for me. I wish I could show you a behind-the-scenes look at how I created it, because it might be kind of comical to see. I took the pictures myself, using a wireless remote that I pressed down with my shoe. And lots, and I mean lots, of trial and error. In late December, the days are short and the sunshine is sparse, so I played the waiting game — waiting for a day when the sun would come out, and then when it did, waiting for the clouds to go away between shots. And everything else… photoshop!
And then there’s the icing on the cake — the music. Due to licensing restrictions (which I of all people should understand!) I couldn’t use music from my favourite artists or bands. And let me tell you… stock music is slim pickings. I wasn’t sure what the heck I was going to do… and then my lovely beau, Dave, swooped in to help. He is a super talented musician and how lucky am I to have someone to whip me up my very own theme song?
The result is something that I’m really proud of and I think speaks to what I do. It’s fun, whimsical and full of pattern. And I hope you like it!
**If the video player doesn’t work, the video can be seen here**
Brenda
February 16, 2013 at 7:15 am //
Totally awesome Elizabeth! Well done
olwen
February 16, 2013 at 10:51 pm //
Thanks Brenda!
Leanda
February 16, 2013 at 10:44 am //
It’s totally brilliant elizabeth! I take my hat off to you for innovation. I hope you have lots of deserved success at SURTEX!
olwen
February 16, 2013 at 10:51 pm //
Thanks Leanda!!
)
tammie
February 16, 2013 at 6:38 pm //
acccck! this is sooo awesome! you’re going to do great. i’ll be walking the show and i’m sure your booth will be busy every time i walk by! (i’ll blow you a kiss from the aisle!)
olwen
February 16, 2013 at 7:07 pm //
Oh man, thanks Tammie, I hope so! I would love to meet you so make sure you stop and say hi!
Melinda
February 16, 2013 at 8:09 pm //
Well done Elizabeth! Your great attitude and positive outlook really shine in your totally unique video! and I’m sure that all that come to your booth will see that and even more amazing design work! Best wishes at SURTEX- I am hoping to get there via the Stationary show to have a chance to look around- might just see you there:) M-
olwen
February 16, 2013 at 10:51 pm //
Thanks for the nice words Melinda! If you go to the stationery show, definitely stop by and say hi! I took a walk through the stationery show last year and it blew — my — mind. So full of such incredible stuff, row after row, it was incredible. Are you exhibiting at NSS or just there to take a look?
Melinda
February 17, 2013 at 4:39 pm //
I would be going as a buyer at NSS. Someday I hope to show, either there or at SURTEX- still trying to figure “me” out:) I will definitely stop by to say “hi” unless, and I imagine it will be the case, your booth is buzzing with activity!!
nicky ovitt
February 18, 2013 at 1:45 am //
love, love, love. been following your progress and this is very exciting and SO YOU!
olwen
February 18, 2013 at 3:22 am //
Thanks for your sweet, sweet comment Nicky!!
Laura
February 18, 2013 at 5:10 pm //
That was the cutest thing I have ever seen. Lol and completely professional too, well done girl! I hope it all goes super well!
Suzie Tremel
February 19, 2013 at 4:10 pm //
Love your video…and the music! It is so playful and fun. I’ll be walking the show in hopes of doing it in 2014. I’d love to stop by and introduce myself if your booth is not busy. I have a feeling you’re going to do very well at Surtex this year!
olwen
February 19, 2013 at 5:00 pm //
Thanks Susie… I’m hopeful about the show being busy for me but please say hello if there’s a gap!
Mary Tanana
February 19, 2013 at 4:26 pm //
Elizabeth, this video was absolutely fantastic! Best of luck at Surtex, if I attend I’ll stop by and say ‘hello”.
olwen
February 19, 2013 at 4:57 pm //
Yay! Thanks Mary! Please do stop by if you go, would love to meet you. And if you’re on the fence about going… Just do it! I walked it last year an it was really valuable.
Mary Tanana
February 19, 2013 at 9:42 pm //
Sounds great! I walked around at Printsource last year and met lots of ABSPD gals, would be great to do it again at Surtex
Sarah York
February 20, 2013 at 11:12 pm //
Love, love, love your video! Your work is lovely and I think you will do really well at Surtex! Wishing you lots of success! I’ll be there this year, just walking the show, so if you don’t look busy I’ll pop by and say hi. Hopefully you’ll be way too busy for that though.
Petra Hämmerleinova
February 26, 2013 at 9:02 pm //
Elizabeth, I love all your patterns.
The video is great and I´m sure it will bring a lot of visitors to you on SURTEX. I hope for myself to manage to exhibit next year, but I will definitly not have a lovely video-invitation like you.
The link to your blog is already in my “Blogs I love” widget.
All the best,
Petra Hämmerleinova
olwen
February 26, 2013 at 9:18 pm //
Thanks for your lovely words, Petra! Made my day!
I’ll be sure to do a post-Surtex post on how it all went down. I walked the show last year with hopes of exhibiting this year and it was definitely helpful to do that. If you can go this year, do it! Thanks again 
Petra Hämmerleinova
February 26, 2013 at 9:35 pm //
I´m realy looking foward to read, how your experience as an exhibitor was.
You´re right, it would be very helpful to visit the show one year before exhibiting by myself. Unfortunatly I live in Europe, so the costs would be high, even just to see how it looks like.
Maybe I could ask you some question per email when you are back in Mai? This would be so nice and helpfull.
I will keep my fingers cross for you ( but your work is so great, you don´t need it).
All the best
Petra