We've moved!

We have a new website, and with it, a new blog! 

To continue to get updates from us and read the blog, head on over to www.metro-productions.com/news/ and take a look around. See you there!

Coming in 2012!

We have a big year planned, everyone! Metro had a great 2011, and we're hoping for an even better 2012. We'll have a lot of the usual things (that we love)-- traveling across the U.S. and around the world for our clients, looking for the best and brightest new talent, and finding new and innovative technologies. But we'll also be doing some brand new things-- hiring a Strategic Communicator and re-doing our current website among them! We're especially excited for the new site, which will bring plenty of new features and a better user interface.
We'll continue to look toward the future in all that we do, and strive to bring the best products and methods to the table for our amazing clients. Thanks to everyone who helped make 2011 a success, and here's to 2012!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 2012 is officially here, and we're looking forward to a great year. Wishing all of you a happy and prosperous 2012, from all of us at Metro!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Metro! Hope everyone has a very happy and safe holiday.

Remembering 9/11/01

It's hard to believe it has been 10 years since 9/11/01, one of the worst days in American history. Everyone old enough to remember it can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when the news broke that a plane had hit the first tower, and everyone can recall the feeling of horror and panic they felt while watching the scene unfold-- not just at the towers, but also in Washington, D.C and in Pennsylvania. Many of us were fortunate enough not to lose a loved one in the tragedy; others of us were not so lucky.

However, all of us were effected by 9/11 in some way. It would be impossible not be-- all of us see the world a little bit differently now, and some of us, such as the patriotic few who joined the military to serve our country after the attacks, have completely altered our lives since 9/11/01. The changes since that day for the average American may be subtle-- electing to drive rather than fly, wondering if the subway you're riding is completely safe-- but they are there.

Even 10 years on, the memory of 9/11 stirs strong emotions in our country. Hopefully, on this 10th anniversary, our country will be brought together in remembrance of those we lost, as we were in the weeks and months after the attacks. May we remember the firefighters, police officers, office workers, and everyone else whose lives were taken on that day and as a result of it. May we be forever grateful to those who stepped up to help their fellow human beings, who did everything they could to save the lives of those around them. Let us hope for peace for the families and friends of those lost.

9/11/01: 10 years on, we join together and remember.

Does Your Company Need a Training Video?

Many of our clients have come to us looking for training pieces to use internally, with types ranging from a long, complex process to a simple change in usual process. We always want to create something clean and efficient for these pieces, and we strive to ensure that the video(s) effectively relay the message to the employees while keeping costs low. Training videos are simple pieces, with very little more to them than the pertinent information for the employees. Since these are not used externally or for marketing, the main aim of the video is to inform, not to amaze or excite the viewer. If the employee comes away from the video with the knowledge he or she needed to receive from it, the video was a success.

The training information to be conveyed in these segments could be just about anything— procedure, assembly line, safety and regulations, new employee welcome, and so on. Anything that serves as a training function can be supported by a targeted training video segment.

The structure of a training video is very simple: show or discuss the procedure being taught, and do it in a way that is visually engaging. Shooting is usually on-location in order to show the process being taught, with scripting and information usually provided by the client. Once shooting finishes, editing and audio are simple as well: you want the information to be the focus, and the goal is also to keep costs down.

Metro has created many training videos during our 30 years in business, and for companies that range from consumer products, to defense contractors, to the automotive industry, and many others. These companies use their training videos to teach new employees the process they will be working, as well as to give them an overview of the company culture and important policies.

These segments can be delivered in a number of ways, depending on who needs the video and how they plan to distribute it. We can provide a streaming file, which can be downloaded by several users to their computers, and then shown as needed, or we can also provide standard DVDs, to be distributed to relevant locations for use.

Training videos have been highly effective and useful for our clients, allowing them to ensure that each employee will be trained in accordance with regulations and equally to all other employees, The video is also engaging for them, allowing them to see and hear the process, and learn it effectively.

Everything You Need to Know About Stereoscopic 3D

The next 3D boom is here and it looks like it is here to stay. Are you one of the many people who have watched a 3D program and thought about how you could put it to work for your business? If you are, you were probably thinking that it is way too expensive and complex for anyone except a Hollywood film studio. Well, if that is your thought, then you will be happy to know that 3D can be a cost effective solution for capturing a great number of eyes for your product or your company. In addition, recent industry testing has shown that using 3D video for training can increase retention by close to 30%. Those who work in the training field know that is not a small increase.

When talking about 3D for business purposes, the key point to remember is that you must control the viewing experience. When we say “control the viewing experience” we mean that you must provide your viewer with a 3D monitor and the 3D glasses. You can’t simply make a 3D video and send it out hoping that your audience will have a 3D television. This requirement will, of course, limit the usage for 3D in business applications for the short term, but those that can take advantage, will see a huge benefit with 3D video. (Recent advances in 3D technology indicate the “glasses-free” or autostereoscopic viewing is right around the corner. However, even without the glasses you will still need to provide your viewer with a 3D monitor.) Keeping in mind that we need to control the viewing experience, what sort of businesses can take advantage of 3D video? A big one is tradeshows. If you are running a 3D video in your booth (and promoting it) you are guaranteed to see a huge increase in traffic. After all, 3D is interesting and people want to watch it. Timeshares sales or resorts could also benefit by using 3D tours of the properties they are representing. In that situation, the Sales Representative heads off to get some paperwork, and leaves prospect to watch the 3D video. By the time he gets back they are ready to sign….. well, closer anyway. Like all technology, 3D is moving pretty fast, and delivery/viewing options, and therefore applications are increasing almost every day.

The bottom line is that producing a 3D video for your company or organization is not out of reach. Sure, it is a bit more expensive than producing a standard video, but the benefits far outweigh the added costs. Since the technology is so new, the tricky part will be to find a company that is able and willing to produce a 3D video that will work for your budget. Fortunately for those folks who are reading this, Metro Productions is currently at the cutting edge of 3D production technology and techniques. Contact Metro today if you are interested in exploring 3D video production.