Comments on: Ban adjectives in property films

By: Brett Clements

Brett Clements — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:02:42 +0000

I don’t know what’s worse; the video, the house, the flippancy of the Agent, or the whole US housing marketing. Probably, the lot. I did think the editing was good. The funny thing is Greg, does it show you the whole home? Yes. And it does so warts and all. Absolutely nothing got glossed over in this epic. So, at least you know what you’re getting. Today, we can shoot property films on iphones, shoot-for-a-cut-in-camera and upload them straight to FaceBook, using an app like VideoUp. In minutes. I’ve launched a few location scouts this way, just for tests. And with technology getting better and better – take the ‘collision of the worlds’ of photography and cinematography with the new HD-enabled DSLRS – and these types of Do It Yourself Agent videos will fill a need in a marketplace demanding video. As to what it will do your ‘brand’ and its perception of quality, that’s another thing. You spoke of ‘niches’ in a previous post. Instant iphone property vids is certainly of those. I think the next big thing is going to be 3D and that will demand a level of expertise with challenges beyond anything we’ve had to deal with before. They’re shooting test vids in the US now with twin cameras at 125fps. All depends on how you want to project yourself. The Agent could have cleaned the camera lens though and maybe shot it in wide screen. J

By: Greg Vincent

Greg Vincent — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:04:12 +0000

Brett, I just came across this property video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7VWNQLnV_g&feature=player_embedded & I think banning adjectives from property videos is not the only thing that should be banned.

The agent not only suggests that this property would be “Perfect for a Senior Citizen or Little Church Lady” but he then precedes to say “Oh yey & this could be her picture room or if she’s an alcoholic it could be her drinking room” and “where she stocks all her booze”.

Telling us that the neighbours cut the lawn made me feel that the neighbours might be nice, but then they preceded to really stuff it up the moment they walked inside the home.

I understand that the house is only a $15,000 fixer upper & that they wouldn’t invest in a Professional Video, but it demonstrates the lasting impression an agent can leave on potential customers if they get their videos wrong.

By: Anthony Lowe

Anthony Lowe — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:19:31 +0000

Mmmm Anne it would appear you have gone from victim to villain in an instant.
Failing to let it alone despite an apology then make defamatory and personal attacks….
The email is clearly not threatening …?????
“And why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, and not notice the beam which is in your own eye”

Time to move on….

By: Brett Clements

Brett Clements — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:31:15 +0000

OK. Anne. You have called me a thug. A cowboy thug. And now trash. And some would argue you are now bordering on defamatory remarks. All because I sent you an email direct stating: “Get a backbone Anne. What Company are you from? Who do you represent? If we were to trace this, I bet it leads to this…”
In reference to “this”, I know you’re a competitor Anne and obviously we’re upsetting you.
I actually have a copy of the email I sent you Anne. I don’t regard it as abusive or threatening; nor remotely defamatory. Your first post, on the use of Tail Boards, I responded to creatively. You made some good comments. And we’ve introduced them. So thank you for raising that problem. And then you whacked it into me again. Which struck me as strange, and suggested another ‘hidden’ agenda. So I asked you straight out: Who Are you? Where are you from? If you’re going to have a god swing at me Anne, please don’t do so from the shadows.
I have apologized; so many times I’m now even boring myself, and my colleagues. I’ve even thanked you! Peter Ricci has spoken to me personally about this and I have assured him I will never send another email to any other address in respect to my postings. I have taken everybody’s comments on board. But I take great exception to being called “trash”. That is abuse.

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:54:09 +0000

There simply is not much more to say, that has not already been said by a number of people here.
B2 refuses to take responsibility for their own actions of allowing such people to use private information to threaten.
B2 continue to mislead the public by not correcting “Mail (will not be published)” to some thing more suitable ” post at own risk ( as any thug will see your ip and email)

By: Garry Who

Garry Who — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:47:03 +0000

Gee, I don’t know what some of you are all upset about. I have known and worked with Brett over some 20 odd years now and one thing I can tell you is that you won’t find a more professionally dedicated person in his field. He thinks outside the square, which involves risks. But he takes them! And the result more often than not propels him forward, because good or bad he learns from them. He is not afraid to say when he is wrong. And there is nothing wrong with believing in what you are doing, that is what he does. When he commits he commits! But he thinks a lot about what he’s committing to.
Brett you’re a born leader you don’t follow anybody. Technology moves quickly and you move with it. Anyone can point a camera but not everyone can create emotion with it.
Oh and by the way, all this carry on about the model?
As far as I always knew, advertising was about getting something noticed and well by gee, you have certainly done that haven’t you!!
And I think you’re right, the beautiful woman and the joint look right together. Infact If I had the money to pay for a place like that, I’d expect one to come with it! (lol) Top Marks!

By: Brett Clements

Brett Clements — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:54:34 +0000

Thank you Leanne. You actually started me off on this road into property – with a video I still have called ‘A Week In The Life of Danny Doff’, from Laing & Simmons Double Bay. As a film-maker, spending seven days with a real estate agent was a rude awakening – especially coming straight out LA at the time. I didn’t know what hit me. Since then, I’ve always thought if the production world worked as hard as the likes of Danny Doff, and so many of the Agents I’ve had the pleasure of working with along my journey into real estate – the Australian Film Industry would rule the world. I learned a lot from that experience – and many other episodes that followed. It is also great to hear Pete’s views on McGrath statistics in respect to video. Alongside all the Double Bay agents – Michael Finger, Craig Pontey – John was very instrumental in driving video in the early days, with Barney McGrath and also David Ross from ‘Imageination’ – still the finest ‘stills’ Company in the business when it comes to photographing property.
Video has to step up; it has to compliment data on the web; and information printed in the newspapers. All the mediums need to work together. There’s room for every element. I just believe we can’t take the lazy way out and regurgitate the same message. In one medium after another. Videos – I’d prefer to use the word film as I’m a cinematographer – needs to capture the emotion of the moment. Like no other media can. This means thinking and working outside the square.
I’ve learned a lot from this thread. And I thank those who have weighed in. I’d like to thank Anne and Mac and Jim for their views. On both sides. For there are always two sides to every story. I’d like to be able to contribute to marketing property on film for a long time to come. And I have ‘Pilks’ to thank for starting me off on this long road. Cheers everybody.

By: PaulD

PaulD — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:00:45 +0000

Just moving on to a COMPLETELY different topic. I just spoke to my “White Pages” rep regarding the costs for 2010. Just a lazy 20% increase. They’re losing so much money on Yellow Pages, I guess they need to pick it up from somewhere else.

By: Ricky

Ricky — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:03:06 +0000

Stop. Stop, Stop.

I think that Anne has said her piece and I think Brett has learnt his lesson and will be held to account should he transgress anymore.

Lets move on.

By: Leanne Pilkington

Leanne Pilkington — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:48:07 +0000

I certainly have mixed feelings about people freely commenting without being prepared to identify themselves – however thats the internet! Laing + Simmons has worked with Brett since he was first starting his business more years ago than I care to remember. He is fantastic to work with, his product more than delivered what he promises and he always bends over backwards to ensure that both the Corporate office and franchisees were happy with the result. What’s more I think that his posts add variety to B2 and hope they continue.