Pro Talk: Interviews

Over the years, Red Swans has been involved in many corporate video productions. We have a number of international brand clients who depend on us to produce quality videos. Producing corporate based videos help us become better videographers as these projects are more demanding and require greater innovation than a wedding videos.

Every year we have the opportunity to conduct numerous interviews with top decision makers in brilliant corporations. However, there is one yearly project that we are very fond of: The Martell VSOP Rising Personalities Awards.

Recording an interview is an exacting process as it is an art form. Some of the main concerns are lighting, location and audio. Often, existing lighting may not reflect the mood we're trying to capture hence we come prepared with lighting equipment. The background a subject is captured in front of is crucial to composing a good-looking shot. Crisp clear audio is obviously paramount in an interview which is why we have a set of special mics to capture sound.

One of the most important aspect of conducting an interview has to do with the subject. We always make the subject feel at ease and warmed up before the interview. This is especially important and worth taking the effort because a tense subject leads to a very bad video production.

Watch a video we produced for Joanne Yeoh, a famous professional violinist. The video we've attached is a clear example of Red Swans' capabilities as videographers. Background, lighting, audio and a relaxed subject are all well considered.

Joanne Yeoh was liked the video so much, she is now our long-term client. We will be her official videographers for her performances.

Venue Review: City Bayview, Penang

The quaint and serene island of Penang off the northern coast of Peninsula Malaysia is but one of the treasures the island has to offer visitors to the Pearl of The Orient.

Penang is a common feature in most multi-national company's calender. Consequently, we travel frequently to this island for video projects, on shoots lasting for days. Comfortable lodging and clean, delectable food guarantee our videography team a fresh and enthusiastic start the following day.

Located just across from the more opulent Eastern and Oriental Hotel but overlooking the sea nevertheless, City Bayview offers comfortable, cosy and most importantly, clean, tidy rooms. Its beds are a joy to sleep in and promises a bright and early start the following morning. The TV channels offer local and cable programmes. Unlike other hotels, there's no need to request a channel from the hotel- they're all viewable. Cable channels are up 27/7 without any offline time.

One of my favourite cafes is just around the corner. Segafredo's panini and foccachia sandwiches are irresistible. Beware for sometimes they don't serve food, only beverages. Countering this unpredictability is City Bayview's 'hawker centre'.

The hotel operates a small row of stalls that serve the simple nasi lemak, roti canai, mee goreng etc. Granted Penang is in a league of its own when it comes to food, most penangites would scoff at the simple offerings of Bayview Hotel. However, the hotel's duck egg char kuey teow holds its own against any other similar stalls. Only the most traveled city slicker can taste the difference. What the hawker stalls lack in variety it makes up for in convenience. The stalls are located just 30 feet away from the main entrance.

One of the joys of staying in City Bayview is its breakfast. I hold breakfast as a sacred ritual, an indication of the day's events. My impression of a hotel is mostly based on its breakfast spread and City Bayview does not disappoint. In fact, it raises the bar for my appraisal of lodging and accommodation.

In addition to the usual fried noodles, rice, porridge, hams, chicken, sausages, various pastries and desserts, City Bayview boasts two stalls that cook roti canai and eggs (fried, scrambled or omelette) on demand so they are always fresh. The omelette version is packed with capsicums, ham, cheese and tomatoes.

Hospitality in City Bayview is top notch. An old hotel with its slightly worn interiors, old fashioned courtesy is never lacking here. Its staff are always attentive, polite and helpful from the cleaners, the bellboys to the check-in desk, the waiters and the room service attendants. The hotel serves a large number of foreigners and are accustomed to their demands hence the practiced efficiency.

Night life consist of an in-house lounge that features live bands 24/7. Adjacent to the hotel is Carmen Tiger Pub, a more upbeat entertainment outlet but the highlight of night life lies just behind the hotel where a host of pubs and clubs line the street from the famous Glo and Slippery Senoritas to Garage and many more. These same streets hold a charity bazaar every weekend.

We chanced upon a wedding reception during one of our stays. The ballroom is cosy but the buffet spread takes your breath away.

Vehicle parking is a little strained as the 3rd floor is not accessible by the elevator. Although parking for hotel guests is complimentary, each trip out calls for a visit to the reception for a stamp on your parking ticket.

We usually have a room that overlooks the ocean with its swaying coconut trees, antiquated bungalows enhancing the scenery and seafaring vessels dotting the horizon. If you do get a room like so, you'll be greeted with a spectacular sunrise. City Bayview has been unjustly labeled as a 3 star hotel so it charges affordable 3 star rates. There's no excuse not to park youself there when visiting Penang.

Our stay in City Bayview have always been pleasant ones and we look forward to more treats like this whenever we have video production projects in the little island of Penang.