Videos help to storify in a tangible way what is most important about the winning invention. They will also shed light on the winner’s personality in order to make his/her work a more interesting topic for the press.
The videos are based on the interviews done at the same time with the photo shoot. Focus is on a relaxed, cozy and ”unofficial” atmosphere in a visually interesting environment. Remember to ask the winner to move and maybe do some work-related tasks instead of just sitting and talking.
We want to use photography that feels sincere and portrays people in an authentic way.
We are confident that the advancements in technology are an opportunity to solve problems we are facing now and in the future. We want to emphasize hope in the times to come.
For the winners the event is joyous, one of their life’s high points.
The event is festive – yet relaxed, approachable and informal. Very serious and staged setting would convey a wrong kind of image.
In addition to communicating the scientific accomplishment, we want to highlight the people behind the achievements. We want to portray the people in a positive light and communicate what makes them exceptional, in a respectful way.
SETTING
The background in the pictures is important and adds good interest. We don’t want a studio setting, with a solid color backdrop or any similarly flat surface. The focus point should be on the person which ensures they are the center of the attention. The background should be blurred with depth of field which enables to use e.g. text over the picture.
Ideally the place should be of importance to the person being videographed. If that is not possible, almost any space (outside or inside) will most certainly work fine and add to the value of the video.
LIGHTING
The lighting should resemble natural light – we understand that at times this might be achieved best by using artificial lights, too. There shouldn’t be stark cast shadows on the face.
STYLE
The prize is awarded every two years, since 2004. The new and previous winners are strongly present in all our communication. The persons awarded are indisputable in their excellence, so we think there’s no need to accentuate their status with pompous style. Less in the style of Vanity Fair, more National Geographic.
The dress style could be similar to a situation, when the person is giving a lecture to their colleagues or peers. All the style choices should feel comfortable for the person being photographed. The clothing, hairstyle and jewellery are part of our self-expression and we like how they communicate about the person and their culture. The media is interested in the person behind the achievements.
To ensure good quality, one should avoid…
a) all black clothing, since they can create problems in detail definition with different production methods
b) elaborate patterns, since they can cause “moiré pattern” in some production methods, or difficulties in compression of digital images.
The set of proposed questions is created by Suvi Ruotsi. She’s is a journalist (magazine and TV), a photographer and author of several non-fiction books. She has worked with Academy of Finland, popularizing scientific texts. See Suvi Ruotsi at LinkedIn here.
Ten questions for a concise 3–5-minute video. Only the most interesting answers will be included in the final edited video.
1.
Do you remember how it felt when you realized that you had made an important invention?
2.
How would you describe the journey from the beginning to the end: was it a great adventure or more like a continuous daily dose of sweat and tears?
3.
Was there a certain main factor that led to the final breakthrough?
4.
What is most imporant about this invention?
5.
How does this invention benefit us all and the globe?
6.
What kind of an impact would you imagine your invention to have after 5, 15 and 25 years from today?
7.
What are your superpowers at work?
8.
Do you have any secret vices of technology?
9.
How are you going to enjoy your well-earned prize?
10.
Are you working on some new future inventions at the moment?
Four questions for the 30-second short video lasting which will be used as a relatable teaser on social media.
1.
Do you remember how it felt when you realized that you had made an important invention?
2.
How will your invention benefit us all?
3.
What are you secret vices of technology?
4.
How are you going to enjoy your well-earned prize?
CAMERAS & MICROPHONE
Please use only professional quality equipment to create the video material (video and sound).
FOOTAGE STYLE
If possible please record the footage using multi-camera filming: one camera for wide shot (on a stand) and one or more cameras for close-ups. If handheld camera is being used, please make sure the footage doesn’t become fidgety. A camera rig would be preferred, to stabilize the shot.
SOUND RECORDING
Please use only professional quality equipment to create high quality sound footage. Take into account the acoustics of the space where you shoot the footage. Use sound carpets or soft materials around the film setting to create an echoless space. Please test the sound recording system before shooting the material. If necessary, clean the sound from unnecessary noise in post-production. In the final film don’t add sound footage of the interviewer asking the questions.
SOUNDSCAPE
The most important part of the sound is high quality recording of the interviewees. All other sounds are secondary to that and shouldn’t make it difficult in the slightest to understand what the interviewees are talking about. Toned down and silent background music is recommended, to create the right kind of mood and to create a nicely flowing rhythm to the edited film. The volume can fluctuate, if necessary to fill silent spaces between the spoken footage.
BACKGROUND MUSIC
We don’t have yet a music composed for us. In the meanwhile, please use music that follows these guidelines:
1.
Word “background” describes what we’re looking for. The music shouldn’t steal attention—yet the theme can grow and there can be a feel of a dramatic structure.
2.
The mood should be gentle, light and uplifting. The flow of the sound should progress naturally.
3.
Try not to create music that is too contemporary and might not age well. We’re hoping that the videos will feel fresh even after ten or more years.
4.
Even if we are awarding people for their technological inventions, the music shouldn’t feel overtly technological. The music could be played with a combination of acoustic and synthetic instruments.
5.
The background music should be constant and loopable. The length of the loop shouldn’t be easy to to spot, preferably even minutes long. The music should endure fade in and fade out, at any selected moment.
EXAMPLES OF ON-BRAND SOUNDSCAPES
These sound footages from PremiumBeat are royalty Free after a purchase. In addition to full length scores, they come come with alternating loop lengths (15-30-45) and with different arrangements. The sound previews have a soundover voice saying ”PremiumBeat dot com”, which is a safety measure of preventing the use of sound tracks without a proper license.
· Bye Bye Bluebird by DarkBlue Studio
· Obscured by Sky by DarkBlue Studio
· Moving Ahead byPeter McIsaac Music
· Tiny World by Remember the Future
· One Last Time by Dan Phillipson
· Before the Exit by DarkBlue Studio
· Making Miracles by Ben Beiny
· Altered Minds by Big Score Audio
Format and ratio
The ratio should be 16:9 (preferably UHD/4K, at very minimum HD), 100 fps. We also need versions of the videos in reduced size for social medias .mp4 (720p), 50 fps.
Colour and tonal range correction
The final videos should have very neutral colour correction – try to achieve a colour balance that looks very natural and doesn’t attract attention. Please make sure the skin colour looks right.There should be tones found throughout the tonal range from shadows to light, with no tonal clipping. The video files we get from the photographer should be ready for all use.
Subtitles
The videos should be subtitled in english (preferred font: Quire Sans). The interviewee’s possible grammar mistakes should be corrected.
Intros and outros
Please use the Millennium Technology Prize animation for intros and outros. The animation can be found on this same page under the section Digital.
Transfer
The files should be sent using WeTransfer or any equivalent service. As a precaution there should be a possibility to obtain the videoclips from the videographer once again without extra charge, if necessary.