Well, the Mayan Apocalypse came and went. Thank God for that! So now here we are at Christmas.
From all of us here at McKenna Video, we want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. May today bring you love, peace and joy.
Blessings,
Chris.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Christmas 2012 Deadline
Good morning and happy December.
Just a quick note to let you know that we still have a little open capacity for guaranteed Christmas delivery. Normally, we cut off the week before Christmas, but this year we were able to work some jobs ahead and without issue (normally film-to-DVD transfers) letting us get a few more projects in before the holidays.
To talk about your project specifically, please send me an email at info@mckennavideo.com .
Blessings and seasons greetings,
Chris
Just a quick note to let you know that we still have a little open capacity for guaranteed Christmas delivery. Normally, we cut off the week before Christmas, but this year we were able to work some jobs ahead and without issue (normally film-to-DVD transfers) letting us get a few more projects in before the holidays.
To talk about your project specifically, please send me an email at info@mckennavideo.com .
Blessings and seasons greetings,
Chris
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy Independence Day
Happy Birthday, USA! from Chris McKenna on Vimeo.
Blessings to all our family and friends. Have a safe and sane 4th.
Chris.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Wal-Martization of Video Production
I found an interesting article on a 'video learning' site regarding what they call the "Wal-Martization of Video Production"-something that I have had to compete with here in the Puget Sound Region.
Here is what the article says:
I'm happy to say that McKenna Video is not one those companies. But having said that, we offer very affordable production rates for every type of business. We have served the large corporate client and produced very elaborate training videos, and we have produced entry-level promotional videos for the small and micro-sized business. We have produced everything from television commercials to wedding films. What's your fancy?
Call us for more information.
Blessings,
Chris
(In the interest of full-disclosure, a few years back we had been a sub-contractor for one of the Wal-Mart video production houses (not any more), and in my opinion, you should call us before you ever call them. You'll be happy you did).
Here is what the article says:
"There are a number of companies that purport to “produce” very low-cost business videos by using inexperienced producers who audition their talents on the Internet and only deal with the business client after a contract has been made. Some of those companies include:
(names retracted so as to not give them free publicity on my site)
Not surprisingly, the videos are pretty lightweight. GeoBeats videos seem to be made entirely of still photos edited into videos with stock music and weak narration. Some are better than others, but it’s obvious that these types of videos are produced very quickly and by-the-numbers.
For a couple hundred dollars, it’s an easy sell to businesses. They may be thinking they are ahead of the game, but I like to look at the number of views a video has had. If only 50 people have seen it in six months, it’s pretty much worthless. And that kind of number is not uncommon in these cheapie videos.
At least they are not (yet) trying to outsource the production to China. These videos are shot at the business owner’s location so they require a local videographer. Young and inexperienced videographers get experience from this work and very small paychecks, but this makes it harder for real production companies to compete. That’s how business works many will say.
Wal-Mart does have positives: Great efficiency in buying and low prices, more choices for the consumer, employment for poor people who want to work. But don’t forget the negatives. Many 'Mom and Pop' stores are forced out of business. Wal-Mart wages and benefits are very low. No one knows your name when you walk into the store. The charm and sense of community of small-town businesses is lost. Economists says that overall Wal-Mart helps the national economy, but I’m not sure it’s worth the cost.(And don't forget the fact that these cheapie videos erode the value of the entire industry).
What’s your opinion of this type of video production company?"
I'm happy to say that McKenna Video is not one those companies. But having said that, we offer very affordable production rates for every type of business. We have served the large corporate client and produced very elaborate training videos, and we have produced entry-level promotional videos for the small and micro-sized business. We have produced everything from television commercials to wedding films. What's your fancy?
Call us for more information.
Blessings,
Chris
(In the interest of full-disclosure, a few years back we had been a sub-contractor for one of the Wal-Mart video production houses (not any more), and in my opinion, you should call us before you ever call them. You'll be happy you did).
Sunday, June 24, 2012
So What's New?
I think that I begin every post with something like "it's been a while since our last post." I'm not going to do that this time, even though it HAS been a while.
Anyway, all here is 'status quo.' We are still busy editing video, transferring video to DVD, transferring 8mm film to DVD (as well as 16mm film to DVD), and a plethora of other projects. We are probably not going to produce any weddings films this year (a smart decision given our current work schedules) and we are fine with that. We will miss the wonderful brides and groom and their families, but if God wills it we will meet them in another time, another place.
Anyway, so what is going on with you this summer. Drop us a line and let us know.
Until next time, blessings!
Chris.
Anyway, all here is 'status quo.' We are still busy editing video, transferring video to DVD, transferring 8mm film to DVD (as well as 16mm film to DVD), and a plethora of other projects. We are probably not going to produce any weddings films this year (a smart decision given our current work schedules) and we are fine with that. We will miss the wonderful brides and groom and their families, but if God wills it we will meet them in another time, another place.
Anyway, so what is going on with you this summer. Drop us a line and let us know.
Until next time, blessings!
Chris.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Thank You
Just a real quick post this evening to say thank you for your patience with us during the transition to our new schedule. We are still here and ready to serve you!
Blessings,
Chris.
Blessings,
Chris.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Online Ordering System Now Available
Greetings family and friends,
I am happy to announce that our online order system for videotape to DVD and 8mm film to DVD transfer services is now online and ready for your use.
At this point, the system will only accept orders for straight video and film transfers. It offers our customers the ability to send the film to us at their convenience and be free from the restrictions of our in-studio hours. And because it is online and simplifies the process, it allows us to drop the price a little.
While the ordering pages are 100% secure (payment is accepted through PayPal), keeping our costs down means that we don't have a programmer on-staff to complete a nice custom ordering page/shopping cart. But rest assured, our top quality film and tape transfer work will still be put into all of your projects.
The page is organized into 3 sections: one for silent film, one for sound film, and the last for videotapes. Be sure if you use this system that you place your order in the appropriate section. If you have a custom order, please call us or send us an email and we will either schedule a time in-studio or send you a custom invoice.
Let us know how you like our online ordering system. And please give us feedback if there is anything difficult or confusing that you find.
Visit the page at www.mckennavideo.com/orders.html .
Blessings,
Chris.
I am happy to announce that our online order system for videotape to DVD and 8mm film to DVD transfer services is now online and ready for your use.
At this point, the system will only accept orders for straight video and film transfers. It offers our customers the ability to send the film to us at their convenience and be free from the restrictions of our in-studio hours. And because it is online and simplifies the process, it allows us to drop the price a little.
While the ordering pages are 100% secure (payment is accepted through PayPal), keeping our costs down means that we don't have a programmer on-staff to complete a nice custom ordering page/shopping cart. But rest assured, our top quality film and tape transfer work will still be put into all of your projects.
The page is organized into 3 sections: one for silent film, one for sound film, and the last for videotapes. Be sure if you use this system that you place your order in the appropriate section. If you have a custom order, please call us or send us an email and we will either schedule a time in-studio or send you a custom invoice.
Let us know how you like our online ordering system. And please give us feedback if there is anything difficult or confusing that you find.
Visit the page at www.mckennavideo.com/orders.html .
Blessings,
Chris.
Monday, March 19, 2012
The History of 8mm Film
Home movies have been around since the early years of America’s Great
Depression (McKenna Video has seen a number of film from this area come to our studio for transfer to DVD). The great leap forward that made it possible to capture
the best moments of family vacations, weddings and special events on
film came in 1932 when the Eastman Kodak company created the 8mm film
format. Until that time, home movies were only available to the very well off. When Kodak launched 8mm film, however, recording special events for
posterity made a sudden and irreversible move into middle class America,
Europe and the world.
By taking what was then the standard 16mm film spool and adding twice as may perforations along each edge, Kodak was able to design a far less expensive option than the 16mm format. The secret came in designing the spool holes so that only half the film was exposed on the first pass through the camera. Kodak’s revolutionary design allowed the camera to be opened and the spools flipped, so that the unexposed half of the film could be used on the second pass.
After both sides of the 16mm film were exposed, the film would be split down the middle, thus yielding two lengths of film, both of which were 8mm in width. Because each of the new rows of film had just one row of perforations, the new process effectively yielded four times as many frames as the single-pass, double-perforated 16 mm film. This allowed for exceptional cost savings, with no loss of quality, making the new 8mm format an instant success. The newest star in cinematography not only appeared on the horizon, it became accessible to the just about everyone.
For almost 60 years, Kodak continued to manufacture 8mm film, albeit with some modifications. In 1965, Super 8 film was introduced and became an instant hit with home movie makers. Easier to use because it didn’t require reloading halfway through the film making process, Super 8 gave better quality and rapidly took over from its aging contemporary. Soon after, Kodak introduced Super 8 with sound. Although the sound is of very poor quality, it did give one the opportunity to record audio right alongside the image.
By the early 90’s, 8mm film in all its formats was facing extinction, though it survived for a number of years in independent film stores and eastern European countries, particularly in the black and white format. Once videotape and digital technology arrived on the scene, 8mm film format was forever doomed. Camcorders have now been all the rage for almost 20 years, and 8mm film has now been consigned to the history books, although some wedding videographers are resurrecting the format for use in their niche story telling.
For more information on having your family's 8mm film, Super 8 film, or 16mm film transferred to DVD, visit our website www.mckennavideo.com or call us at (253) 539-3438.
Blessings,
Chris.
By taking what was then the standard 16mm film spool and adding twice as may perforations along each edge, Kodak was able to design a far less expensive option than the 16mm format. The secret came in designing the spool holes so that only half the film was exposed on the first pass through the camera. Kodak’s revolutionary design allowed the camera to be opened and the spools flipped, so that the unexposed half of the film could be used on the second pass.
After both sides of the 16mm film were exposed, the film would be split down the middle, thus yielding two lengths of film, both of which were 8mm in width. Because each of the new rows of film had just one row of perforations, the new process effectively yielded four times as many frames as the single-pass, double-perforated 16 mm film. This allowed for exceptional cost savings, with no loss of quality, making the new 8mm format an instant success. The newest star in cinematography not only appeared on the horizon, it became accessible to the just about everyone.
For almost 60 years, Kodak continued to manufacture 8mm film, albeit with some modifications. In 1965, Super 8 film was introduced and became an instant hit with home movie makers. Easier to use because it didn’t require reloading halfway through the film making process, Super 8 gave better quality and rapidly took over from its aging contemporary. Soon after, Kodak introduced Super 8 with sound. Although the sound is of very poor quality, it did give one the opportunity to record audio right alongside the image.
By the early 90’s, 8mm film in all its formats was facing extinction, though it survived for a number of years in independent film stores and eastern European countries, particularly in the black and white format. Once videotape and digital technology arrived on the scene, 8mm film format was forever doomed. Camcorders have now been all the rage for almost 20 years, and 8mm film has now been consigned to the history books, although some wedding videographers are resurrecting the format for use in their niche story telling.
For more information on having your family's 8mm film, Super 8 film, or 16mm film transferred to DVD, visit our website www.mckennavideo.com or call us at (253) 539-3438.
Blessings,
Chris.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
McKenna Video Announces Changes to Pickup and Delivery Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(February 23, 2012)
(February 23, 2012)
(Puyallup, WA) McKenna Video Services announced today that they are suspending their free pickup and delivery service beginning March 1.
"Unfortunately, economic conditions dictate that we temporarily suspend our free pickup and delivery service," explains Chris McKenna, owner of McKenna Video & Photo. “We began offering this service as a courtesy to our customers when we began operations in 2005. It has been a popular service for many of our customers, but making this change now will allow us to expand our in-studio hours as our production schedule allows thereby giving our customers more flexibility to schedule their project drop-off and pickups. When market conditions once again allow us to offer this service free-of-charge, we will resume.”
Pick-up and delivery service will still be available to qualified customers. More information can be obtained by calling McKenna Video at (253) 539-3438.
McKenna Video Services is an award winning video studio offering services that include video production, home movie transfer to DVD, and CD and DVD duplication. In 2008, McKenna Video added professional photography to the their offerings and markets those services under the name Chris McKenna Photography.
For more information about McKenna Video Services, visit their website at www.mckennavideo.com or call (253) 539-3438.
###
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Final Thoughts on 2011
Well, here we are, 2 weeks into the new year. 2012! Every time I hear that I can't believe we are 12 years into the 21st century. It seems like just yesterday that we were talking about and dealing with Y2K. Remember that?
Anyway, I thought that for our first post of this new year we would offer a few closing comments on 2011.
Price was a big issue for us last year. Not only do our customers want the high quality that they have come to expect of us, but they also want us to match Costco transfer pricing. First, we don't sell dogfood, pizza, frozen foods, and car tires. If we did, we might be able to bring our transfer prices to their level, but we don't. Furthermore, if we could then we wouldn't really be specializing in video, would we? Also keep in mind, that Costco doesn't do the work themselves-they've aligned themselves with one of the most questionable transfer houses in the county and your tapes and film end up in Mexico to be transferred. Is that where you want your media sent to? And is the risk of your media being lost worth the few dollars you'll save?
Now pricing works both ways as I am also a consumer. And a great big thank you to all our vendors who kept their pricing steady throughout the year to help offset the pain that we on the front line are feeling. And a great big "BOO" to all those vendors that didn't! And you know who you are. And a great big "DOUBLE BOO" to that won't even entertain the notion of helping their customers out. CenturyLink, you are the worst! You treat your good, hardworking customers like crap and I can't wait to rid ourselves of your miserable services!
Standard Definition is dead. At least as far as filming goes. To help our customers out, we offered the option of having their events filmed with our SD cameras rather than the HD cameras (thus keeping the price lower). 2011 will be the last year that we do that since some of them still complained about the quality. Sorry, but you chose standard definition filming rather than high definition. If you wanted a HD picture, you should have chose HD filming. To that end, we are eliminating SD options on all productions.
Weddings. Hmmm, where do I start. 2011 was a miserable year for weddings. We have won awards for our wedding productions and our customers love their productions. Having said that, we are going to discontinue the mvsweddings.com site and discountinue marketing that service. We spend far too much time and money keeping that site alive and talking to the budget bride only to lose the business to the "uncle Charlie's" of the world. We are happy to have the business and will continue to produce wedding videos, we are just not going to pursue them any longer. Weddings start at $2995 and if you are interested in award-winning wedding video, please contact us, if not please don't waste our time. Sorry to be blunt.
For the entirety of our existance, McKenna Video has always offered free pick-up and delivery. It has been a staple of our business. We were happy to go out and meet our customers at their homes or places of business and we still are. However, we are now going to qualify that service for the new year. We require a minimum of $75 in transfer work or duplications to offer free pickup and delivery, or we will charge a $25 pickup and a $25 delivery fee. Sorry for any inconvenience, but economic conditions dictate that we either discontinue the service altogether, start charging for this convenience, or raise our prices across of the board.
In regards to promoting your company, we are working out the details in some low cost HD promotions for your business. Video on your website it a great way to increase your Google ranking and we want to be sure that you can get a video on your homepage at an affordable rate.
We are also starting to offer disc print-only services. We have been resistant to that in the past, but we have seen the light and if you are in need for "print only" we can meet that need. We can also design your disc label for a nominal fee.
Related, if you are producing your own video, but need help with lower-thirds, animated backgrounds, etc., give us a call, we might be able to help.
Well, probably enough for now. (this entry seems like a lot of complaining to me, which is so against my nature). Stay tuned for more announcements in the next few weeks and months.
Blessings,
Chris.
Anyway, I thought that for our first post of this new year we would offer a few closing comments on 2011.
Price was a big issue for us last year. Not only do our customers want the high quality that they have come to expect of us, but they also want us to match Costco transfer pricing. First, we don't sell dogfood, pizza, frozen foods, and car tires. If we did, we might be able to bring our transfer prices to their level, but we don't. Furthermore, if we could then we wouldn't really be specializing in video, would we? Also keep in mind, that Costco doesn't do the work themselves-they've aligned themselves with one of the most questionable transfer houses in the county and your tapes and film end up in Mexico to be transferred. Is that where you want your media sent to? And is the risk of your media being lost worth the few dollars you'll save?
Now pricing works both ways as I am also a consumer. And a great big thank you to all our vendors who kept their pricing steady throughout the year to help offset the pain that we on the front line are feeling. And a great big "BOO" to all those vendors that didn't! And you know who you are. And a great big "DOUBLE BOO" to that won't even entertain the notion of helping their customers out. CenturyLink, you are the worst! You treat your good, hardworking customers like crap and I can't wait to rid ourselves of your miserable services!
Standard Definition is dead. At least as far as filming goes. To help our customers out, we offered the option of having their events filmed with our SD cameras rather than the HD cameras (thus keeping the price lower). 2011 will be the last year that we do that since some of them still complained about the quality. Sorry, but you chose standard definition filming rather than high definition. If you wanted a HD picture, you should have chose HD filming. To that end, we are eliminating SD options on all productions.
Weddings. Hmmm, where do I start. 2011 was a miserable year for weddings. We have won awards for our wedding productions and our customers love their productions. Having said that, we are going to discontinue the mvsweddings.com site and discountinue marketing that service. We spend far too much time and money keeping that site alive and talking to the budget bride only to lose the business to the "uncle Charlie's" of the world. We are happy to have the business and will continue to produce wedding videos, we are just not going to pursue them any longer. Weddings start at $2995 and if you are interested in award-winning wedding video, please contact us, if not please don't waste our time. Sorry to be blunt.
For the entirety of our existance, McKenna Video has always offered free pick-up and delivery. It has been a staple of our business. We were happy to go out and meet our customers at their homes or places of business and we still are. However, we are now going to qualify that service for the new year. We require a minimum of $75 in transfer work or duplications to offer free pickup and delivery, or we will charge a $25 pickup and a $25 delivery fee. Sorry for any inconvenience, but economic conditions dictate that we either discontinue the service altogether, start charging for this convenience, or raise our prices across of the board.
In regards to promoting your company, we are working out the details in some low cost HD promotions for your business. Video on your website it a great way to increase your Google ranking and we want to be sure that you can get a video on your homepage at an affordable rate.
We are also starting to offer disc print-only services. We have been resistant to that in the past, but we have seen the light and if you are in need for "print only" we can meet that need. We can also design your disc label for a nominal fee.
Related, if you are producing your own video, but need help with lower-thirds, animated backgrounds, etc., give us a call, we might be able to help.
Well, probably enough for now. (this entry seems like a lot of complaining to me, which is so against my nature). Stay tuned for more announcements in the next few weeks and months.
Blessings,
Chris.
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