Just like any project, there are right ways and wrong ways to do things. In this post, I’m going to give you several tips on how to make sure you are on the right track when it comes to producing a successful video for your business or organization. Read the rest…

After you have captured all shots that will be used in your safety video, you’ll want to select a professional narrator before beginning the edit process. It’s important that you work with a professional narrator instead of recording it yourself because a professional’s voice will work much better in keeping the attention of your new employees, contractors and/or site visitors. Plus, using a pro will make a better first impression. Trust me!

There are several ways you can find a professional narrator for your safety video. Read the rest…

After your safety video producer has completed and you have approved the two-column video script, it’s time to plan the shoots (or videotaping sessions). By this step in the process, your video producer will have completed a comprehensive list of all video footage, photography, documents and graphics needed to complete the safety video.

The first step in planning the video shoot is to organize all needed video footage into an order that will be most efficient for the camera crew when they arrive on your work-site. Here are some things you need to think about before organizing your shoot day or days. Read the rest…

The first step in writing a great script for your safety video is to develop a solid script outline. Once your outline is complete and has been reviewed and approved by all the members on your safety team, it’s time to forward the outline to your safety video producer so they can begin work on the safety video script.

The safety video script contains two columns. The right column is labeled “AUDIO” and the left column is labeled “VIDEO.” In the “AUDIO” column, your safety video producer will take all the information you included in the script outline and will write the copy that is to be read by the professional narrator. Basically, this is when the bullet points you included in each section in the script outline will be converted into conversational language that can be understood by your employees, contractors and vendors. Read the rest…

You may be wondering if it makes sense for you to produce a safety video for your business. I’ve created a list of questions that can help you determine whether or not a custom safety video is a good investment for your training program.

1. Are you required to train new employees, contractors and/or visitors on important safety procedures and hazards related to your work site?

If your answer is YES, think about how repetitive this task is and how much time you spend delivering basic training that a safety video can do for you. Do you deliver the same training every day, week or month? Could your time be better spent doing something other than basic safety training on a daily basis? I’m not saying that basic safety training isn’t important. But does it have to be administered by you or any other human for that matter? Once you introduce a safety video into your training program, you’ll never look back.

After putting the time, money and effort into the production of your safety video, it will work for you over a period of 5+ years. (I know of several companies that are still using safety videos they produced in the 1980s.) The only time you’ll have to update your safety video is when new standard is issued, or when a new process or piece of equipment is added to your work flow. Updating your safety video is cost-effective IF you work with a video agency that sets your project up correctly at the very beginning. Read the rest…

Now that you’ve decided to produce a safety video for your company, the next step is developing the outline for your safety video script. The most important step in producing a safety video is to write a rock-solid video script. However, without a thorough script outline, getting started on the video script can be a daunting task. Since the process of writing a script outline can be both challenging and frustrating for anyone who isn’t a writer by trade, here are a few tips that will help you get started on your way to achieving success with safety videos.

1. Analyze your current safety training presentation. Much of what you’ll need for your safety video script is already in your existing material. How do you move through the presentation? Do you have main headings followed by sub headings and bullet points? Most training materials will be formatted in this fashion whether its being delivered via PowerPoint or from a handbook. Read the rest…

A few weeks ago, I asked George Moody (Safety Director) and Brandon Meredith (Communications Consultant) of Astec Industries, Inc. to share their thoughts about a safety video I produced for use as part of their new employee orientation program for all 13 subsidiary companies. Here are their responses to my questions:

1.) Why did you  choose to produce a safety video? What were the circumstances that led to this  decision?

We wanted a video/DVD to show new employees the how, what, when, and where about our safety procedures/safety program.

2.) Describe how your safety video is used in your safety training program? Who do you show it to? How do you show it? How frequent do you use it?

After receiving the DVD, all existing employees were required to view it.  From that point, all new employees viewed the DVD during the “New Employees Safety Orientation.” Read the rest…

Slips & falls, machinery malfunctions, fire hazards, toxic chemical spills… often preventable occurrences can become a company’s worst nightmare. Whether a small or mega business, the benefit of using a Safety Video is extensive.

Simple fact: taking a preventative approach to avoiding workplace accidents will increase productivity and reduce associated costs. The most effective safety training programs incorporate Safety Videos.

Did you know? Increasing numbers of top manufacturing, construction and printing companies are turning to Safety Videos for their first source of training. Gone are the days of requiring managers to provide training, and make-up training, and training again – only to lose incredible amounts of their own productivity. And for those companies with a high employee turnover, training may seem endless. Read the rest…