Tips – shaunlawson.video https://shaunlawson.video Norwich based video production, freelance services and Live Streaming Thu, 25 Sep 2025 13:53:45 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://shaunlawson.video/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-Icon-BLK-50-1-32x32.jpg Tips – shaunlawson.video https://shaunlawson.video 32 32 Why music alone, isn’t enough https://shaunlawson.video/video-needs-context/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 13:53:43 +0000 https://shaunlawson.video/?p=25425

why music alone, isn’t enough

Video Needs Context.

Over the last 10 years, digital marketing has seen video content emerge as one of the most compelling mediums for any business – no matter what sector or size –  to communicate their messages.

However, not all video production companies create effective video content that translates your messages.

Video is significantly enhanced by the creation of a well crafted narrative.

This not only captivates the audience but also ensures that the message is conveyed and converts your audience to act on your messages – to take actionable steps – such as visiting a website or making a purchase.

Why Music Alone, Isn’t Enough

Music on a video helps to set the tone and feeling. Music can evoke emotions and enhance the viewing experience

However, it lacks the ability to convey your messages. Music alone can leave viewers confused or disengaged, as it does not provide the necessary framework for understanding the content.

A music tape / cassette

“A well constructed narrative is the backbone of any video content”.

It frames the story that a business wants to convey, providing context and meaning to visuals. Without a strong narrative, videos can easily lose their impact, reducing the viewer’s engagement and retention.

I can help create a compelling narrative to your video content.

It will not only enhance the effectiveness of video but also plays a critical role in engaging audiences and communicating your company’s  messages.

Video needs context.

Let’s get started. Book your appointment with me today
]]> Norfolk a great location for Video Production https://shaunlawson.video/norfolk-a-great-location-for-video-production/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:51:10 +0000 https://shaunlawson.video/?p=25495

Norfolk a great location for Video Production

With my personal top four spots for filming.

Norfolk for Video Creation

Via my video production services, I have been lucky to have filmed all over Norfolk and I think it’s one of the best counties in England to create video content and give an exceptional location for your next video production. 

I know I’m biassed, as I have lived here all my life, and love it, but Norfolk really is a very pretty county that is located in the East of England.

Photo of Norfolk coastline while filming, sunshine, beach and sea - Heaven!

The Norfolk Landscape.

Norfolk has it all, even though the landscape is flat compared with the rest of England, its still has diverse landscapes, along with charming towns & quant villages. Norfolk only has one city, that is the fine city of Norwich.

The county as a whole is visually stunning settings that can enhance any video project.

However beware, Norfolk is the only county in England not to have a motorway, so if you are filming a Top Gear special, think again!

My top 4 locations to create video content in Norfolk

Below is a very small section of beautiful places in Norfolk that will work for any type of video productions, from corporate shoots, training films to documentaries.

Aerial filming Holkham Hall, North Norfolk filming location

North Norfolk

North Norfolk has 45 miles of picturesque coastline offering some of the most stunning views in England. One of which is the town of Cromer, with it’s Pier that is a Grade II listed seaside pier.

If you head inland to the countryside you will discover that there are many stunning Stately Homes. Two remarkables ones are Holkhall Hall and Houghton Hall. These both will offer a uniquely beautiful location for filming. I have had the pleasure of filming at both these location with the TV series ‘The stately Homes of Norfolk’.

Norfolk a great location for Video Production

Norwich City

Norwich is well known for its medieval buildings, with the Guildhall, Dragons Hall, Norwich Castle – which was Royal palace and the city prison – along with the City Walls. All of these are within easy walking distances of each other.

The city has numerous public parks from Chapelfield Gardens in the city centre to Earlham Park and Eaton park on the outskirts.

Great Yarmouth filmin glocation - Beach and and Golden Mile drone shot

Great Yarmouth

Heading back to the coast we find Great Yarmouth, a traditional location for family holidays.

Not only does it have With 15 miles of smooth, sandy beaches with two seaside piers on the Golden Mile, it also rich is heritage with Burgh Castle – the best preserved Roman monuments in East Anglia – only a short drive away.

Norfolk Broads filming location via drone

Norfolk Broads

This is a network of rivers and lakes that not only covers Norfolk, but also its neighbouring county suffolk. There are many boat hire companies available, one of the largest is Richardsons.

I have filmed on the Norfolk Broads many times, and each time I capture something unique for my clients.

Map of the county of Norfolk, UK. Copyright Google Maps

Getting to Norfolk

When it comes to accessibility, Norfolk is well-connected.

Norwich has an International Airport that provides convenient access for both domestic and international travel, with extensive roads, although like said previously, Norfolk doesn’t have any motorways – but it’s still easy to travel to and from the region with the A47 being that main truck road into and out of.

Our railway network directly connects with London, offering a London to Norwich in just 90 minutes.

Norfolk Video Services

Norfolk also offers a range of services to support your video production needs. I can personally recommend some really useful studio spaces,equipment rental services, skilled actors and of course my video production services.

Foundered in 1990 I can offer the complete video production solution, from land and aerial filming, to post-production. I can contribute my professional expertise, with great care and attention to your project.

You’ll find every video service in Norfolk that you need to bring your video production to life.

Norfolk a great location for Video Production

Norfolk is a stunning backdrop for any type of video production.

Talk to me about your next video production in Norfolk
]]> Who is better Agency or Freelance Videographer? https://shaunlawson.video/who-is-better-agency-or-freelance-videographer/ Sat, 06 Sep 2025 10:13:57 +0000 https://shaunlawson.video/?p=24556

Who is better Agency or Freelance Videographer ?

Discover the key benefits

Colour grading with Resolve software

Every business needs video content, but ..

… do you choose an agency or freelance videographer?

I’ve been freelancing to create video material for over 30 years, therefore I’m going to err on the side of using me a freelancer, as the best and most effective method for delivering your video content for your business growth.

So, why does it makes complete sense to hire me as your freelance videographer?

Shaking hands on a video deal to create content for a business owner.

Personally, It’s a big deal

Firstly – and most importantly – your video content is a big deal to me. I handle every single video project on a personal basis. The fact that I have produced thousands of videos for a wide range of clients, from small businesses to well-known brands, makes me feel tremendously honoured and proud.

Some of our clients logos

Consistency

For every single video production, it’s me – and my decades of experience – creating it.

From pre-production, production to post-production & delivery. I’ll be on that journey all the way, and beyond, to help make your video content work for you.

Yes, on occasions when I need skills I don’t have, I will freelance these out to other well respected creators. From voiceover artists to 3D animators. These freelancers work just as hard as me in ensuring their work meets deadlines and is of the highest calibre.

Live streaming and video recording your Live events with camera

The Location Look

Are you worried that I’m not going to have a large crew of people on location filming your corporate video? Don’t be.

All you need is one person who knows the job inside and out. Who is reliable, confident, and skilled in what you want them to create.

I could bring along, an unskilled, unqualified, inexperienced crew members with me just to ‘look good’.

That’s just wasting your budget and often it will hinder the end results. I’ll be relying on them for content, from shots to the direction of an interview, which when I come to the post production stage, they just simply haven’t picked up on.

video camera

Who is better Agency or Freelance Videographer ?

I provide the right service, with the right knowledge.

Let’s tak video
]]> What video length is too long? https://shaunlawson.video/what-video-length-is-too-long/ Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:09:40 +0000 https://shaunlawson.video/?p=24608

What video length is too long?

Norwich video editor working on sound refinement on video content.

Get to the point, fast

Time and time again, when a prospective client asks me how much video content costs, they want three to four minute films that will explain their brand or highlight their products.

To be fair, the length of video doesn’t necessarily matter – within reason. It’s all about getting your messages across, in full. However, video content is everywhere so it needs to be concise, to the point and, of course, well-made.

Your client base has lots of options on where to get their information from.

Make sure yours is easy to consume and does not deviate from the subject.

What video length is too long? Diminishing Attention Spans

A three to four minute video has got to exceptionally well crafted to hold your audience attention.

Sure, 10 to 15 years ago 3 to 4 minutes was the norm, but in 2025, people’s attention span has diminished and so has the amount of time they’re willing to spend watching your content.

Man hand holding smartphone and watching video while standing outdoor..
A lady YouTuber, recording video

Superfluous content.

My pet hate for most of the content on YouTube is they don’t get to the point, fast. Most of them have long, drawn out intros to tell us what they’re going to talk about, even though it says in the description – that’s how you found their video, right?

This is one of the aspects of video production, where many video creators fail. Not editing out superfluous content. (The other is ‘Pace and Timing‘)

In fairness, the algorithm don’t help. Google and other platforms want to keep the viewer, or the end user, on their platform for as long as possible and they offer incentives to the creator to support this initiative.

For the viewer, this is annoying

They can feel frustrated because the information they were promised is buried in a long, drawn out video.

I’d love to help you in create your video content that is succinct – and gets right to the point fast.

Let’s talk video
]]> My Top 5 Video editing Tips for Small Businesses https://shaunlawson.video/my-top-5-video-editing-tips-for-small-businesses/ Sun, 22 Jun 2025 10:50:54 +0000 https://shaunlawson.video/?p=24159

My Top 5 Video editing Tips

Every business knows the importance of creating video content.

It’s such a powerful resource, it’s difficult for companies – of any size – to ignore the power and engagement it can achieve, giving a great ROI.

So, you have created some video clips and, maybe, recorded a few work video calls, have you now you have been tasked with the job of creating a powerful video?

to help you with your video editing project, I have created my five top tips to help with your video creation.

Video Editing Tips & Tricks

Here are five of my essential video editing tips that can help you learn video editing.

Pick your video editing software

Once you have all your video footage saved to your computer. Import them into your video editor software. There are lots of video editing software to use. I personally recommend the free version of DaVinci Resolve.

Resolve is a very stable, feature rich, video editor which will edit your video with ease. I use the paid, ‘Studio’ edition, but for occasional use, the free version will be fine.

As Adobe Premiere Pro has been unstable for many years, I no longer recommend anyone use it.

Sort your clips, make it manageable

Once you import your video clips, create “Bins” for each location or scene to your video. Go through the clips and move the clips to the relevant bin.

This will break down the number of clips you have to work with on each scene. Creating manageable chucks of video content to work with.

Watch the footage

This one is obvious, but I’ve seen this countless times in my working life as an editor. Many editor don’t watch all the record video content! Crazy, but true. They just start editing as soon as the footage is imported into their editing software.

If you don’t know the content, how do you know you are using the very best content.

Not watching all video clips can result in ‘gold’ or the ‘best sequences’ from the filming process being put on the editing floor – never see the light of day!

Make sure you watch all the video footage, and watch it twice is better. This way you will familiarise yourself with all the content that has been recorded.

It will even help you build the video in your head, giving you a clear vision.

Remember your pre-planning concept

When in the edit, be sure not to deviate from your original concept.

With lots of video footage to edit, it can be easy to forget what direction the video was planned go go in. The video edit, can then ‘go off course’ and in a different direction. Resulting in a video that don’t hit the orginal brief or have the correct meaning or message.

For help with pre-planning a video shoot, be sure to check out my ‘how to plan video content creations’.

The story

Start the edit with the narrative, creating the story arc. Once that is completed, move on to B-roll, graphics and all the other embellishments.

Story first, always.

I’m a professional video editor with over three decades experience creating video content for online and TV delivery.

If you need extra help with your video editing, you know where to come. I’ve been video editing content for my client base – which include large household names to small business around the UK for many years.

Video Editing; I’m here to help.

]]> Is your video editor thinking like a stand up comedian? https://shaunlawson.video/is-your-video-editor-thinking-like-a-stand-up-comedian/ Sun, 01 Dec 2024 16:57:22 +0000 https://shaunlawson.video/?p=25440

Is your video editor thinking like a stand up comedian?

The Stand-up Comic.

Believe it or not, video editors can learn a lot from the brave, funny souls who tell their amusing stories on stage – the stand-up comedian.

The beautiful art form of video editing shares a very important – yet very subtle –  similarity to the stand-up comic who is Live on stage, delivering to an audience, in a grand theatre.  Which is polar opposite to a video editor, who works a lot of their career alone in their edit suite.

These comedy professionals have mastered this skill, and realise its utmost importance. 

Does your video editor follow the comic rule?

“For narrative video editing, this skill-set is truly magical”.

I feel it is the most important ability for any video creative to master.

It’s one of the hardest talent to learn – and so often overlooked. Not only for when your audience is watching video content, but also on the timeline, while video editors are crafting the video content – scene by scene  and frame by frame. 

When you get this right, you will feel the edit come alive, feel right and somehow make much more sense.

The similarity that both share is the extraordinary skill of

Pace & Timing

The No.1 Video Editor Skill.

This is the number one skill that will vastly improve the way the audience will enjoy your video production content. 

Pace and Timing is the feel of the film.

This helps your audience feel what you want them to feel.

More often than not, video editors don’t use this method and their edits can become confusing, disorganised, and somehow just don’t feel right to the viewer.

Let me help me create your video content.

I’ll give it the right pace and timing it needs to get your message across to your audience.

 Book appointment today so I can create the perfect Pace and Timing to your video content.
]]> How to create a successful video https://shaunlawson.video/how-to-create-a-successful-video/ Wed, 20 Nov 2024 15:34:07 +0000 https://shaunlawson.video/?p=25431

How to create a successful video

Following on from my previous post last week, entitled ‘Why music alone, isn’t enough”, as this topic is so important to the success of video production, I’m taking another look at narratives for marketing films, and why only one narrative per video creates the most effective communication for your audience, and will result in no mixed messages.

Resulting in a successful video.

Writing saying 'What do you mean'?

Don’t confuse your audience.

When speaking to new clients. It seems they always want their video content to have multiple messages throughout the narrative, and want lots of different audiences to engage with that video. 

Those videos could be disregarded by your whole audience because they don’t know what message is signalling to them.

They become confused and a unsure if your product and / or services is right for them..

I target your videos, to your audience

Leading to better Engagement

Hit the bullseye with your video content.

My method of video production is to create one single, strong, well crafted narrative that targets each of your services or products along with one single audience in mind.

This way, the video that I create is targeted to a specific audience, product or service. Leading to creating much stronger engagement and sales conversion.

Book an appointment so I can target your audience with video.
]]> How to plan for video content creation https://shaunlawson.video/how-to-plan-for-video-content-creation/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:34:56 +0000 https://shaunlawson.video/?p=24122

How to plan for video content creation

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” – Benjamin Franklin

I told a little white lie …

Throughout this website I mention I create video content in “three simple steps”.

Well, that’s not entirely true. Yes, there are three step to a successful video production, and in my defence, I do highlight the importance of step one – pre-planning.

However, I don’t mention that this stage – (the most important of them all) – ‘Planning and Concept Development’, has a further 4 sub-steps.

How to plan a video shoot.

With my decades experiences I’m here to give a helping hand, providing you with a collection of top tips to help you.

Whatever the usage.

Social media videos, YouTube content to building a video content marketing strategy – planning is key.

Planning the video production with storyboard preparation
Video production pre-planning storyboarding

Plan for video content creation

Here’s a little help from me to make your video production hit the spot for your viewers.

Audience first – always

I have to mention this one. Yes, it seem very simple, but it’s far too often over looked. Make sure the content is talking to your audience. Always think, do your target viewer care about the topic?

What’s in it for them?

Find a great videographer to support you

You have a great idea for video content, how are you going to create it? You could use your own mobile phone? Perhaps a friend you know is ‘good with a camera’.

One thing for sure is, don’t cut corners on the video production.

If you do, your brilliant, your well planned video, might turn into the next video nasty and no one wants that! (Unless of course, you are creating a horror film)!

Finding an experienced – nice to work with – video production company or videographer; camera operator, video editor or aerial drone operator will not only make the production feel like a ‘Netflix’ premiere, but also support you at the pre-planning stage.

Which leads me nicely onto the next tip …

Discuss the idea with your videographer

This is right up there for importance. Make sure your videographer is in tune with you about your idea and how it will be created.

An experienced video production company or videographer will not only give first hand experience of how to create your video content, but most importantly give feedback on your approach to the subject. Will it work? If not, how can we make it work.

How to plan a video storyboard (with my free downloadable template)

This suggestion is all over the internet – making sure you create a storyboard. Some videos require a really detailed storyboard, while other video content not so much. It just depends on what you are creating.

It can seem daunting at first, but really, it’s not. Look at it as if you are breaking down the video into smaller sequences, carefully building the video on paper.

I have a simple storyboard template, in the word format, you can download for free. This makes a great starting point for your video content planning.

I’m Shaun Lawson.

A videographer with over three decades experience creating video content for digital and TV formats.

My video production service includes a planning pack that will help to create a concept with you, the story and mood boards, filming schedules right through to the video production on location then, of course, delivery to your online channels.

Let’s chat about your video project
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