f16falcon

Looking to get into aviation related video journalism but I'm having a really tough time tracking down aircraft with the manufacturers. It's really confusing to me because the work we do is VERY expensive and to be offering it for free and having to push so hard is strange to say the least.

Here is what I want to do:

-Recommend top jets by category(Best value/Fastest/Most Reliable/Best Resale..)
-Showcase new models like the Falcon 7x(Will I ever catch up to that thing?)
-Provide information to consumers(For example: "Picking your pilot" or "buying your first jet")

Any suggestions on what my best approach should be? I've been trying to contact the manufacturers figuring they would jump on the free publicity in this economy but all I get are empty promises.

FYI: I have no problem providing the photos and video to the jet owners/manufacturers to use for whatever purpose they want at no cost. This is a non-profit venture.

Take a look at some stuff I've done already:

Ford GT(Just to give you an idea of what is possible; quality/style)
YouTube - ‪LibertyRunSampleFINAL.mp4‬‏

Sunseeker Yacht(Here is an actual showcase of a similar product)
YouTube - ‪AMAZING Luxury Yacht! Detailed walk-through! [Portofino 47, $1.2 Million][Part 2]‬‏

Note, I have industry professionals already lined up who are capable of much more than you see in those videos above. Thanks!

Carlyle

Ziggy

My take on the situation is you are trying to advertise to the wrong audience. You should be looking at the consumer end, at least according to your goals. A video presentation might work for an aircraft owner/broker who is a motivated seller!

f16falcon

So the manufacturers have no need to promote their products? Me shooting a Cessna salesman going over the features of their aircraft with some really great shots of the exterior and interior is of no interest to them? I would have thought that they would be hiring people on a regular basis to shoot and produce this kind of video to help them move the jets(especially new ones). Getting done for free should be like winning the lottery for them. They can use the money for something else that can lead to sales.

I also tried calling some of the fractional but no dice. However, not one company has turned me down or said no. It's just that nothing ever gets done, so I assume they place a very low value on what I'm offering. If they don't' want it, then fine, but I'm afraid that they just don't get it. Perhaps "too good to be true" syndrome?

I think you might have something with the sellers though. If I can find people with jets worth mentioning that are trying to sell them, I think I could offer to help them sell it, in exchange for allowing me to showcase the jet to the public as well. So I shoot basically a commercial for them and then use the footage to do my won review of the aircraft. Hmmm

NowCorporate

If there was any market for advertising 40mil jets like they were subway sandwiches you would see them on TV already.

90% of buyers know what they are looking at and the others just hire overpriced consultants.

Your enthusiasm is admirable but I have no idea why someone shopping for or selling a corporate jet would want an amateur grade short video?

Good Luck!

BigMike

Correct. They have marketing departments and advertising budgets and prefer to do everything themselves, which allows them to retain full control over content and distribution.
And what NowCorporate said.

f16falcon

I have to disagree with you. There is certainly advertising done on high end products, but you just won't see it on TV. Exotic car companies for example make some really cool commercials that you will never see unless you are in the right circle. These videos may be presented in a private meeting with a big client or at other venues.

As far as amateur grade video. I'd hardly call my work amateur since I have a professional background and if need be I have people available to me that are much more capable than I am. People who work on films and commercial projects.

As for why a person would want to see the video, well if for some reason I can't see the jet, the next best thing is a video. That could be the first step before I make a decision to actually go see it. Just because you are wealthy, does not make you a helpless invalid that can't take some time to do their own research. Perhaps, I don't want to spend my money on some consultant even though that is a small cost compared to the jet itself. Some people are extremely hands on are penny pinchers to a fault. I for example, don't like to waste money on things I can do myself. Not because money is an issue for me(because it isn't) but just because I don't like to waste money and I don't like feeling helpless. Things like butlers and chauffeur have limited appeal to me.

As far as selling a used jet. Would it not be advantageous to have a video of the jet so prospective clients can see it instantly from anywhere in the world? Even if I had a consultant, I'd still want to see the jet in detail before making any further moves. I would much rather video than photos. Also, what of a fractional business? Would it not be beneficial to have videos to show prospective clients when they come to your office to potentially sign up?

f16falcon

If that is the case, then why not just tell me no? Why lead me on with "SURE, let's set something up when the jet is available! Check back with me in a month.". I think we are both missing something. Really doubt a big corporate manufacturer is afraid to tell me no, but who knows.

f16falcon

YouTube - ‪Falcon 7X Digital Flight Control System‬‏
YouTube - ‪Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X‬‏
YouTube - ‪Dassault Falcon 7X Fly-by-Wire Business Jet‬‏

And look at this really low end video that was done(we could do so much better)
YouTube - ‪Airbus A318 Elite Business Jet Cabin Tour‬‏

BigMike

Well, you did ask a bunch of people that you don't know (who have vastly more knowledge about aviation and corporate jets than you) a question, and then you argue with the answer.
Just sayin'.

The boat video did look pretty amateurish.

You do know what AvWeb is, don't you?
It's like the MSNBC of aviation. It's "news".

f16falcon

I did not argue, just because you ask a question does not mean you will agree with the answer no matter who you have asked. Also, how do you know what I know about corporate jets? Wouldn't you know as much about what I know as I know about you? My knowledge of aviation goes back beyond 1991. My first formal training was from when I was barely a teenager and I joined the Civil Air Patrol where we studied all about the principles of flight and various aircraft. What exactly did you use to base the "vastly more knowledge about aviation" statement on seeing as you don't know me?Thanks for the kind words but that is a multi-million dollar yacht and the company did not share you feelings. In fact I will be shooting a 6 million dollar yacht for them soon. Most aviation videos I've seen tend to be very low grade anyway. They usually look like a video you would see back in junior high or something. Also as I mentioned, I have industry pros available to me, so that video is a joke compared to what is possible.

You do know what "journalism" means right? That is what I said I wanted to do, so an MSNBC of aviation would accurately describe my plans except I would be an independent and much more exclusive. AvWeb has a very dated look compared to what my team can do, but I essentially I'm looking to do what they do. I only deal with the best products though. I won't talk about a jet just because it's popular unless it's popular for a really solid reason.