Impacting West Texas Lives
This is our third year in a row to produce the 100 BMWT 2024 Gala Video! We received the call from Brett Womble (Womphis Productions) to enlist our video production services again this year and this time it took on a bit of a twist. Check out the video and the story below!
When we sat down with Brett, he told us this was the final year of the Liggett Law Group to support the 100 Black Men of West Texas as the title sponsor and he really wanted this video to center around Ted and his generosity. We knew that was something we could pull off with ease. Similar to last year’s 100 Black Men Project , Brett gathered multiple scholarship recipients to talk about their goals and aspirations for their future regarding the help of this scholarship. watch the gala video below.
The 2024 100 Black Men of West Texas Video Production
A Familiar Location for the 100 BMWT 2024 Gala Video
This particular interview shoot is always fun, because we typically get an interesting location and see how we can make it work for our needs. This was no different from last year, we filmed inside Tyler Technologies again, in Lubbock, Texas, and had some really interesting backdrops.
After a location scout with Brett, we didn’t want the look to be too similar to the previous promotional video we had done for the 100 Black Men of West Texas. We wouldn’t have access to the same space or background as before, but that suited us just fine. With rare exception, we typically do not want to recycle backgrounds, unless it’s keeping with brand consistency.
This year, we ended up on a different floor and the main waiting area outside of the second conference room was the perfect canvas for Hamil Bros Studios to paint with light and texture.
To give us some shot variety, we decided on two different setups. One would face back into the corridor leading into the office area. The decorative centerpiece was the chandelier. We don’t normally want too much head room, but the chandelier was too fun to miss out on.
The other angle was a near 180 degree turn from the first. This angle was faced back towards the area where the elevators were. An interesting art piece made of drift wood made for a pleasantly textured background.
Image Capture
Hamil Bros Studios Newer Camera Setup
Having recently got our hands on some newer gear, we knew we had to go all out.
Our A Camera was our newly acquired Blackmagic Cinema 6K Full Frame Camera with our Tokina Cinema Vista 85mm, mounted with a passive Meike PL to L mount. The camera was rigged with the Tilta cage and a SmallRig matte box loaded with the Revar Cine PA Tears diffusion, topped with our OSEE G7 7” high bright monitor.
This camera was our static camera mounted on our Manfrotto 503 tripod.
Our B Camera was our tried and true Blackmagic Pocket 4k camera with a Tokina Cinema Vista 105mm PL lens. To adapt the lens to the camera, we purchased a Metabones PL to Micro 4/3rds SpeedBooster adapter.
Covered with a SmallRig half cage, this camera setup was mounted onto one of our favorite tools: the eMotimo ST4.3 motion control system with the belt-driven motor, integrated into our Dana Dolly.
Using the included Playstation controller to program the move, the interview ping-pong motion was quickly set up and ready to go.
Given the motion involved, we opted to go wireless to the main OSEE 21” field monitor with our Vaxis Storm wireless unit, using the HDMI protocol.
The Lighting Setup
Painting With Light
The easiest part of both of these setups were the actual interview lights.
Loading our Aputure Light Storm600C RGBWW COB point light onto one of our Matthews Studios Equipment Hollywood Combo stands with wheels, and diffusing with the Aputure LIght Dome 150, we had our key light. We set the color temperature to a warmer tungsten color to match the practical lights closer.
Utilizing one of our Amaran 200x COB bi-color point lights with an Amaran Light Dome Mini, we set our fill light quickly.
For our hair and edge light, we took advantage of one of our Amaran 150C RGBWW COB point lights with a set of Aputure Barn Doors, set to a very cool 6500K+ temperature to give us some nice teal color separation on the interviewee.
Our first angle, with the chandelier, was polished off with an Amaran 300C RGBWW COB point light blasting through an Amaran Mini Spotlight LE with a gobo and splashing the background with an interesting pattern.. That light was also set to a very cool color to offset the warmer skin tones that our subjects would be introducing into the frame.
Utilizing nearly the exact same interview setup, we lit the drift wood in the background with one of the Amaran lights being suspended over the art with our Matthews Studio Equipment Mini Boom Arm, being offset with one of our home made sand bags.
An additional challenge with the second setup was that the area with the elevators had lighting that we couldn’t turn off.
For this, we deployed our 4×4 floppies to black the horrendous fluorescent lighting off of our background.
Once this was done, we were nearly ready to go.
Seeing and Hearing
The final piece of this video production setup was rigging the audio. Given the size of the room and that we were going with more head room than is typical, we were not going to be able to employ our close-up microphones like the Lewitt LCT-040s or our Slate ML-2s.
Instead, we needed a shotgun mic. We had two options. We could use our Rode NTG-2 or our Saramonic TM1 self-powered shotgun microphone.
As much as we love the Rode, it comes through much quieter than we typically like, so we decided on our Saramonic. That microphone comes with some extra features such as a high-end boost and a high-pass filter, removing unwanted rumble that do not interfere with the human voice, but uses up precious bandwidth.
Always get more than you need
Getting the Interviews
Over the past two years, our collaboration with Brett on each gala video has been exceptionally close and productive. Brett possesses a clear vision for the content he desires from both students and interviewees, and this understanding has been instrumental in the success of our projects.
His approach to conducting interviews is a testament to this clarity. Brett personally undertakes the interviews, a decision that has proven invaluable. He asks very pointed questions, meticulously designed to elicit the precise information and emotional depth needed for the videos. Furthermore, he often requests very specific phrases, ensuring that the narratives align perfectly with the overarching message of the gala.
Each individual interview, remarkably, was completed within a timeframe of roughly 20 to 25 minutes. This efficiency speaks to Brett’s focused methodology and the cooperative spirit of the participants. The entire interview process was wrapped up quickly, allowing for a streamlined production schedule and contributing to the timely delivery of these important gala videos. This close partnership and efficient process have consistently yielded compelling and impactful video content for the galas.
Opening and Closing Remarks
To bring the shooting phase of this video production to a close, our final task was to capture the remarks of Ted Liggett. This particular segment was crucial, as Ted’s insights always add significant value to our projects.
As had become a familiar routine, we transported a carefully selected, modest amount of gear to the offices of the Liggett Law Group, situated in the heart of Lubbock, Texas. Their conference room, a space we had come to know well, was once again transformed into our temporary studio. Every square inch of the room was utilized, meticulously arranged to optimize our shooting setup while still allowing for the necessary flow of our crew.
Our lighting approach for this shoot leaned towards simplicity, a choice that proved effective in highlighting Ted without overwhelming the natural ambiance of the room. We meticulously rigged our powerful 600C, the versatile 300C, and a pair of the more compact 150Cs. This combination allowed us to create a balanced illumination, ensuring that Ted was perfectly lit, with a natural yet professional feel. Careful consideration was given to key lighting, fill, and backlighting to sculpt the image and add depth.
As anticipated, Ted, with his characteristic efficiency and professionalism, completed his parts remarkably quickly. He is a truly well-spoken individual, possessing a remarkable ability to articulate his thoughts clearly and concisely. Beyond his eloquence, Ted is also genuinely kind, and this warmth always makes our shoots with him a pleasure. We found ourselves once again shooting within the confines of his office’s conference room, and it was a testament to our adaptability and Ted’s easygoing nature that we managed to make the space work so effectively to our advantage as a shooting environment.
It’s often amusing to reflect on the process: we consistently spend exponentially more time meticulously setting up all the video equipment, adjusting lights, refining audio, and perfecting the camera angles, than we actually do capturing Ted’s remarks on camera. His quick and efficient delivery means that once everything is dialed in, the actual recording portion is remarkably brief, a testament to his professionalism and our streamlined workflow.
The Icing on the Cake
What we knew, but Ted didn’t, was that this video was going to have something extra special in it. The element of surprise was paramount, as we wanted to create a truly unforgettable tribute for him.
Alongside the heartfelt interviews, Brett (with the invaluable assistance of Ted’s incredible wife, Helen) carefully curated a collection of video messages filled with congratulations and well wishes. These messages poured in from his dearest friends, cherished family members, and even some former colleagues who held him in high regard.
We were truly touched by the overwhelming response; so many individuals rose to the occasion, eager to contribute to this special project. The compilation ultimately featured numerous gratitude-filled remarks, each one a testament to the profound impact Ted has had on the lives of those around him.
Multiple Video Versions Needed
Bringing the Gala Video Together in the Edit
The creation of this video production was remarkably fluid, largely due to Brett’s expert direction, which streamlined the entire process. The only minor hurdle encountered was the necessity of employing advanced AI technology to upscale the various video submissions for Ted’s surprise remarks, ensuring a consistent high-quality output for these heartfelt contributions.
The initial phase involved painstakingly sifting through days of interview footage to extract the most impactful and emotionally resonant segments. This painstaking selection process was crucial in building the narrative arc. Following this, the carefully chosen segments were expertly matched with music.
Drawing from our extensive stock music libraries, we were able to discover tracks that not only complemented the visual content but also significantly amplified the emotional impact, perfectly aligning with the philanthropic spirit of the fundraising video.
A paramount consideration throughout the editing process was maintaining the element of surprise for Ted regarding a specific section of the gala video. This critical requirement necessitated the creation of two distinct edits. The first version, a standard cut, was prepared for Ted’s approval, ensuring he remained unaware of the impending surprise.
The second version, designated for Brett’s approval, incorporated the deeply personal and moving surprise visit from Ted’s friends and family, a moment designed to be a highlight of the gala.
Once both versions received their respective approvals, the project moved swiftly into its final stages of preparation and deployment, marking the culmination of a well-executed and emotionally resonant video production.
The 100 Black Men of West Texas Gala
Finally, the highly anticipated day arrived, marking the grand occasion of the 100 Black Men of West Texas 2024 Gala. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation for an evening dedicated to celebrating achievements and fostering community within West Texas.
To ensure the seamless execution of our responsibilities, we arrived at the Overton Hotel well in advance of the scheduled start time. Our primary objective was to meticulously verify the technical setup, specifically the spotlights and, crucially, the video presentation. Experience had taught us that the technical aspects of events at this particular venue could often be unpredictable, a veritable gamble.
Therefore, it was paramount that we exerted every effort within our power to guarantee the video would play without any technical glitches or interruptions, thus preserving the flow and impact of the evening’s program.
Collaborating closely with the dedicated event team at the Overton along with the team from 100 Black Men of West Texas, we successfully transferred the video file to the appropriate team member responsible for media integration.
Following this, we conducted a thorough test of the video’s playback, ensuring optimal resolution and sound. The event team then seamlessly embedded our video into their pre-existing Canva presentation, a testament to their efficient workflow. With this critical component confirmed, we could confidently declare that all technical elements were meticulously aligned and ready for the gala to commence.
The entire process of getting everything completely lined out was remarkably swift and efficient. This allowed us to complete our essential tasks in a timely manner, freeing us to conclude the remainder of our workday, knowing that our contribution to the success of the 100 Black Men of West Texas 2024 Gala was securely in place. The stage was set for an unforgettable evening.
We went our separate ways, each getting ready to attend the gala later that evening.
The time arrived for the gala, and Hamil Bros Studios arrived, dressed to the sevens, at best. Just kidding, it was more casual.
Dinner was served and the bar was open.
Before long, it was time for the video to be shown. Cameras were set up and ready to shoot Ted presenting scholarships, however the real reason for having cameras was to get Ted’s reaction to the surprise part of the gala video presentation.
After that section of the video was shown, Ted was asked to say a few words. With a huge grin on his face, he whispered in Ross’ ear, “What did you [jerks] do?”
All in all, the evening was as delightful as one could hope for.
Bring Your Fundraising Videos to the Next Level
Crafting a compelling gala video is more than just filming; it’s about capturing the heart of your mission and the impact of your work. The story of Ted Liggett and the 100 Black Men of West Texas is a testament to the power of a video that goes beyond a simple recap—it creates a lasting tribute.
At Hamil Bros Studios, we don’t just shoot and edit; we partner with you to understand your vision, your audience, and the emotional core of your event. From meticulously planned setups to seamless execution and a commitment to storytelling that moves people, we handle the technical details so you can focus on your cause.
If you’re an organization or event sponsor ready to turn your next gala into an unforgettable experience, let’s create a video that tells your unique story and leaves a lasting legacy.
Ready to make your next gala unforgettable? Contact Hamil Bros Studios today to start planning a video that inspires, engages, and celebrates your mission.
As anticipated, Ted, with his characteristic efficiency and professionalism, completed his parts remarkably quickly. He is a truly well-spoken individual, possessing a remarkable ability to articulate his thoughts clearly and concisely. Beyond his eloquence, Ted is also genuinely kind, and this warmth always makes our shoots with him a pleasure.
We found ourselves once again shooting within the confines of his office’s conference room, and it was a testament to our adaptability and Ted’s easygoing nature that we managed to make the space work so effectively to our advantage as a shooting environment. It’s often amusing to reflect on the process: we consistently spend exponentially more time meticulously setting up all the video equipment, adjusting lights, refining audio, and perfecting the camera angles, than we actually do capturing Ted’s remarks on camera. His quick and efficient delivery means that once everything is dialed in, the actual recording portion is remarkably brief, a testament to his professionalism and our streamlined workflow.