The iconic and most mentioned moment from The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, is this scene with actor Walter Brooke.
WB: Come on with me for a minute. I want to talk to you. I just want to say one word to you, just one word.
DH: Yes, sir.
WB: Are you listening?
DH: Yes, I am.
WB: Plastics.
DH: Exactly how do you mean?
WB: There is a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?
DH: Yes, I will.
WB: Enough said. That's a deal.
…and scene.
Here are two words that have a “great future” for communicating to your audience, future audiences, the media, bookers, managers and venue presenters.
Video Postcard
Video Postcards can take the place of your monthly newsletter (do people actually read monthly newsletters?). Do you want to wait a month to tell your audience something important?
Video Postcards can perhaps add to, or redirect, your Social Media content creation.
What is a video postcard?
In its simplest form, it’s a 30 to 2:30+ second visual and audio soundtrack to a scene, but without any spoken words. The scene speaks for itself.
In nature - think bird and bug sounds, and add the rustling wind
On the beach – think crashing waves, seagulls and kids screeching in youthful ecstasy.
The visuals and the natural audio set the desired tone and impression. A Videopostcard takes you “there.”
CBS Sunday and 60 Minutes often present video postcards.
Your video postcard creates a similar experience – but here, the “there” is you and your “message.”
Using a simple, spare or active scenic setting, you’re talking one-on-one to your audience and telling them about,
Your new recording
An upcoming performance
Your current or upcoming project or initiative
Something that’s on your mind…something that’s relevant to your audience that you want to talk about.
Again, at its most basic, it’s 30 – 90 seconds of content. You can do it at your desk, in your dining room, on stage, on a park bench, the practice room etc.
N.B. All creative, visual and audio standards must be consistent with your own professional standards for music making.
You can insert other elements, video clips, other voices – whatever. it’s up to you. But, if you’re not a professional videographer, I suggest you keep it simple at the start, and then grow your skills.
I’ll be upfront with you. It may take time for you to find your own voice – your authentic self, where you’re both comfortable with your content and how you present it.
It will never be perfect, so no “Take 27s,” okay?
Once you’re there, the rest will be relatively simple and quick.
As always, all you have to do is start, and then everything else will fall into place effortlessly.
