Our Product is Explanation
All posts for “video”
Today I was reminded by Brain Pickings that it's Richard Feynman's birthday. He passed away in 1988, and would have been 94 today. I recently became fascinated with Feynman while doing research on the Art of Explanation book. Feynman was a brilliant and colorful American Phycisist who played a major role in the Manhattan Project and later won a Nobel Prize. He was known as "The Great Explainer" due to his ability to help people understand and more importantly, be inspired by science and the... Continue Reading
Lilipip Has Become What Now? Exactly!
Posted by: leelefever on April 2, 2012- 10:12am
Categories: explainer, Explainer Network, producers, video
For over two years a company called Lilipip has been a member of our Explainer Network of video producers. Jen Zug and her team have run the show at Lilipip for while and now that Lilipip's owner has decided to pursue other things, the creative team decided to "keep the band together" and relaunch as a new company. Their new company is called What Now? Exactly! and starting today, it will replace Lilipip on the Explainer Network. We've always loved Lilipip's video explanations and expect... Continue Reading
Guest Post: What Communicators Can Learn from a Highsticking Penalty
This is a guest post by friend of Common Craft, Darren Barefoot. He's a writer, marketer, Canadian and a big hockey fan.
During a hockey game in March, 2010, Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara drove Montreal Canadians forward Max Pacioretty into the stanchion that separates the player's benches. Nearly a year later, it still looks like a brutal hit as Pacioretty 's head bounced off the corner of the boards. Chara received a five-minute penalty and ejected from the game. Pacioretty was sent... Continue Reading
New Video: The Smart Grid Explained by Common Craft
Posted by: leelefever on November 29, 2011- 10:01am
Categories: Common Craft Video, Explanation, smartgrid, video
Today we’re announcing a new video: The Smart Grid - Explained by Common Craft.Watch it now.
This video is a bit of a departure for us, as it focuses on the electric grid that delivers electricity to homes and businesses in the US and is not about the Internet.
But the grid has a lot in common with the Web:
It’s absolutely essential to our modern work and home lives
It’s a network that works behind the scenes
It’s complex and not well understood by the public
Changes to it impact everyone... Continue Reading
New Video: Plagiarism Explained by Common Craft
Posted by: leelefever on October 25, 2011- 10:26am
Categories: Common Craft Video, education, Explanation, ourwork, plagiarism, video
Today we’re publishing a new video: Plagiarism Explained by Common Craft
One of our most suggested titles, this video is aimed at educators who are on the front lines of helping students of all ages understand and avoid plagiarism.
In researching this video it became clear that there are two types of plagiarism - intentional and unintentional. While we cover intentional plagiarism, we also highlight the situation where a person has positive intentions, but lacks information about what... Continue Reading
The Roots of Live Action Animation
Posted by: leelefever on October 19, 2011- 9:30am
Categories: animation, history, history, inspiration, paperworks, video
People often ask about the origins of what has become known as “Common Craft Style” and what inspired us to use paper cut-outs, hands and a whiteboard. The truth is, it was a solution to a problem.
I had been experimenting with drawing on a whiteboard in live action videos and found it frustrating. I felt like such a dork trying to draw and look at the camera at the same time. It felt forced. Sachi, always the problem solver and adult in the room, suggested our current format. She had seen... Continue Reading
Video Explanations by 1/29 Explainers
Posted by: leelefever on October 4, 2011- 2:39pm
Categories: 1/29, Explainer Network, Explanation, marketing, video
From time-to-time we like to show off the work of a member of our Explainer Network of video producers. The videos below are by 1/29 Explainers in Oakland CA.
This first example on Next Gen Web Security from McAfee is a classic story-driven narrative. It works well as an explanation by telling a story through the experiences of a character that is likely to connect with the target audience, in this case, IT managers. It plays on the loss of control that IT managers feel (the pain) and shows... Continue Reading
New Video: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Explained by Common Craft
Posted by: leelefever on September 21, 2011- 9:40am
Categories: Common Craft Video, Explanation, search, SEO, video
If you’re the owner of a website, you know the power of search engines. If your website shows up high in the results, it means more visitors to your website. Unfortunately, it’s not easy. But, there are tactics you can use that help your website look more attractive to the search engines. These tactics are called Search Engine Optimization or SEO. Our new video provides a review of the basics of SEO. Watch it now.
This video, like most in our library, is available with voice-overs in... Continue Reading
One Producer's Perspective on Copying "Common Craft Style" Videos
Posted by: leelefever on August 21, 2011- 12:04pm
Categories: art, brand, Common Craft Style, inspiration, video
After noticing a Twitter conversation mentioning Common Craft, I met Chris Johnson of Simplifilm.
Last week Chris posted a blog post that provides a look at his position regarding Common Craft and Common Craft Style videos in the context of other producers. The post is called: Have Your Own Style (What Happens When We're Asked to Make a Common Craft Video). Chris writes:
They have their niche and nobody good would ever copy their style. Common Craft should be the only people that make a cut-... Continue Reading
Video: Computer Viruses and Threats - Explained by Common Craft
Posted by: leelefever on June 1, 2011- 10:18am
Categories: Common Craft Video, Explanation, net safety, ourwork, video, viruses
Today we're publishing a new video called Computer Viruses and Threats - Explained by Common Craft
This video is part of a series on Net Safety and focuses on the basics of viruses, worms and trojans. It also includes information on the role of anti-virus software, software updates and awareness in preventing problems.
This video, along with our complete library, will be available through our new offering which will be available this summer. If you're interested, you can sign up to be... Continue Reading