Thread: Promo Video

Hi folks
I'm playing around with a promo video for these Log HouseBoats and was wondering what you think? This is my first attempt at a video so be nice. The web site at the end is ficticious so don't try that link. I'm not sure if I should add text inbetween slides or just let them speak for themselves. Opinions needed please. Thanks kenb

Sorry here's the link. Harbor

Hi Kenb,

I looked at the intro. The houseboat turns kind of slow. One and one-half times may be too much, although I understand it has to in order to get it back into position for the remainder of the video.

Looks like it will be a nice presentation when you complete it. Great job for your first time.

Hi there
I reduced the rotation to a full 360 for that sequence. If I try to speed up the frames of the rotation, it looks blurred so I will have to live with the rotation speed. I think if anyones interested, 40 sec shouldnt be too long to see the whole houseboat complete.
I also added a step annimation at the end to have it appear as if the houseboat is returning from a day on the lake.
Any more oppinions would be helpfull. Thanks kenb

It looked fine to me and kept my interest. Living in the U.K I have never seen one of these houseboats before.

Good Job

Paul

I have only seen some in Ireland and they were permanantly moored. Floating homes are very popular in Denmark, Seattle, Florida, B.C. and Northern Ontario. This really is a first as far as motor packages go. Best thing "NO PROPERTY TAX". Thanks kenb

So you could go to sleep in one town and end up waking up in another lol.

Yup
If you don't get along with your neighbors just pull up anchor and go...

Hi, I think your getting there. I saw your first one too..I'm in Florida

Oh yeah, I visited a large community of Floating Homes, duplexes, and fourplexes in Marathon Key a few years back and they were just beautifull. They were set up as time shares and catered mainly to trophy fishermen.

I was impressed and loved the scenery and music

Thanks for the nice coments, I'm kinda hoping to not have to write anything on the timeline cause I could be there forever trying to think of something to say about every shot. Not really a talent of mine. I think the music takes care of that for me.

No need to create another thread, Ken!
Things are polishing up quite nicely since you first brought it up a week ago!

You have made some dramatic improvements, and I can only imagine what the final version will reveal!



and on we go....in this thread, right? LOL

Sooory, I think I put it up at around 4:30AM and completly forgot about the previous thread. My Bad. Thanks for checking it out for me though. I'm just registering a new domain name now so I hope to have everything ready in a week or so.

No real biggie...(the Rules, yes, but..)..it is just so much more helpful to all if we can better see the evolutions sites go through, and the various solutions that help to frame up an understanding of "process"......keeping it all within one thread is not only easier to "check in" to find everything, but may also become a "source thread" if all the contributions illustrate a particular concept, right?

Like your expansion of visual arts (the houseboat tweaks) and how the focus has moved into video and dynamic visuals... (this is actually the buzzword in the internet world, similar to "cross-channel marketing" was just 2 years ago.....predictions are that websites that do not have dynamic visuals will flounder, as visitors become more blase with the familiarity of YouTube and other influences. It is another view of how 'gimmicks' are not just extras anymore but essentials.

Too much info? Maybe it explains more of a perspective that is emerging in VodaLand also, and is one to watch!

I totally see what you mean. I may have posted it thinking it was a whole new topic considering it went from pics to video. Can you delete the original thread,(animation speed) or can they magically be morphed together in one?lol BTW I just love creating something from an idea like with the pics and I would be glad to help out if anyone were interested on how some of the dynamic visuals were made. The HouseBoat design I have been working on for over a year combined with similar projects but these background pics ,live water elements and the whole production of the video was accomplished in less than two weeks. I beleive you can go as far as your mind takes you with the dynamic visuals.

Well isn’t it lovely, I’d agree with that … I just may have found my “retirement home” … I could live there forever and a day and be totally content. Do you get to bring your house ashore in wild and whirly storms, or do you hold on for dear life with a huge anchor? That might be the only problem, hmmm … I wonder if my doggie would like it, she can swim.

KenB, this is all so very exciting. Is this your new venture? You are doing a great job on the video and a little more would never hurt. Totally interesting. I don’t know if you need that spinning view of all sides or not? I’d be tempted to open the clip up with a little more calming effect, as opposed to the instrumental type of music you have going. And if you felt you didn’t need the video showing all sides of the house, you could add some pics instead of how you might live there, perhaps show what it could be like, what you might be doing if you did live there, perhaps this would get people in the mood thinking “Wow” I’d love to be there … and bang, hit them with the song “Isn’t it Lovely” and show them the boathouse, and you could add a couple different views. I think what I am trying to say is just those pics of the different view is kind of boring, doesn’t really show much of anything different than the pics you have at the end, but the background in the pics really make a difference

I think whatever you do will be terrific. So what is the price for one of those houses?
And can you have it anywhere, like I am thinking in a little sheltered cover in the middle of nowhere. Does it float on salt water too? Would it get water logged? Would your house look like a piece of driftwood after so many years?

Wow LadyEye where do I start?
Lets go back 1987, I was my last year of high school, and my father had many different businesses at the time (weight loss clinics,home contractor and realestate developer) He also purchased the trademark names of Cigarette and Magnum Marine for Canada. He was looking at selling most of the business and buy a marina in Fort Laurdale Fl.. We went on a few trips down there from Windsor Ont. and came across some two story floating homes and were impressed with the whole concept. I had been co-oping Drafting at the time and loved working with my dad on his projects. We came home from Florida and started designing a floating home for some property my father had that could not be built on for conservation reasons. Although docks storage sheds were permitted. This fit was great for a floating home. After a year of design and model building we started with Harbor Villa, a 20' by 50' beautifull houseboat that is almost identical to the rendering seen on the video. It was prestained grey tongue and groove cedar sided with a hottub on the deck for 4 a spiral staircase going to the upper deck and decked to the 9s inside.
Well we used that houseboat for 5 years and eventually sold it to a doctor in Michigan for his second home in 94. It was insured for $385000.00us and sold for $350000.00. After that sale or rather before that, we were also getting into floating docks for our own purposes and became quite knowledgeable in the process on floating structures.
I see I am rambling on here so to make a long story short we have a company called World Wide Marine Floating Structures that was incorporated in 89' and we have been building floating homes on spec since. For the last ten years our area has seen a huge building boom that kept us very busy on land so floating homes became secondary for us but we have always wanted motors so this design was developed.
This video was made to showcase a new era in houseboating. Lets face it, there is absolutly nothing out there that even comes close to this design.
I am currently building a site around the ******* as well as an identical size model, only that one is stucco finished and has a more Medeteranian look.
There are three dirrerent motor packages available, or they can be permanantly moored using large steel mooring brackets that will alow the houseboat to rise with tides but with no other motion that you would have to be concerned with as far as floating away goes. Other construction details will be available on my new site loghouseboats.com soon.
Prices and availability will also be on the site as details are being ironed out at the moment with a few of our suppliers.
I really appreciate your interest in them. Many floating home owners are artistic type people so it really doesnt surprise me that you would like them. Dogs love them too.
I will take into consideration all of your points on the video and see what I come up with.
I'm sorry if I am being cautious with details as I am not sure if I am going to be selling info packages yet or not.

Video won't even work.

I may have been placing text at the bottom saying Video will begin automatically. So that may have been why.
I found that if I press play before downloading the video it would stagger throughout. It worked fine for me a minute ago. Maybe you could try it again.

Hey Kenb: Your video loaded fairly quickly and did start automatically. I love the design and would live on one of those in a heartbeat...if I was near some water! lol In the meantime, we're going to Lake Powell in a few weeks and will rent one of their houseboats for a week. Absolutely no comparision to yours. I hope you do well with it!

Originally Posted by LadyEye

Well isn’t it lovely, I’d agree with that … I just may have found my “retirement home” … I could live there forever and a day and be totally content. Do you get to bring your house ashore in wild and whirly storms, or do you hold on for dear life with a huge anchor? That might be the only problem, hmmm … I wonder if my doggie would like it, she can swim.

KenB, this is all so very exciting. Is this your new venture? You are doing a great job on the video and a little more would never hurt. Totally interesting. I don’t know if you need that spinning view of all sides or not? I’d be tempted to open the clip up with a little more calming effect, as opposed to the instrumental type of music you have going. And if you felt you didn’t need the video showing all sides of the house, you could add some pics instead of how you might live there, perhaps show what it could be like, what you might be doing if you did live there, perhaps this would get people in the mood thinking “Wow” I’d love to be there … and bang, hit them with the song “Isn’t it Lovely” and show them the boathouse, and you could add a couple different views. I think what I am trying to say is just those pics of the different view is kind of boring, doesn’t really show much of anything different than the pics you have at the end, but the background in the pics really make a difference

I think whatever you do will be terrific. So what is the price for one of those houses?
And can you have it anywhere, like I am thinking in a little sheltered cover in the middle of nowhere. Does it float on salt water too? Would it get water logged? Would your house look like a piece of driftwood after so many years?

Prices will varry, according to what you are looking for.You can have a Floating Home, without motors, that you can park anywhere, (marina, secluded bay, leisure lot, etc). Or you might want the Houseboat Model, with motors and all the necessary marine equipment, completely self sestainable and not requiring any shore facilities, such as fresh water supply, sewage pump out and electricity. This model can go anywhere, and anchor or dock at any destination imaginable. All models have a 21st Century, Mega Fibre hull, that is filled with structural foam, that cannot sink, is basicaly indistructable, and comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. You can literaly cut our hulls in half, (like I'm sure you've seen in Boston Whaler ads), and both halves will still be floating, with people still sitting on each half. Our construction features are State of the Art, as you will see in our Detailed Information Packages.

We will build your Harbour Villa or Houseboat, on your site, anywhere in the world...or you may choose our DIY material and equipment package and build it yourself.

Well have a great time on Lake Powell. Renting houseboats is so popular and is a ever expanding lifestyle. I hope to see some Pioneers out there before summers end.

KenB ... thankyou for such a great review, it is astounding to me, I've seen them, but did never know how it all went together ... well that is so great ... and a lifetime guarantee, well, did I tell you I was only 10 and gonna live to be 200 ... is it still guaranteed ... lol

I look forward to seeing more as you get your site underway ...

And Cindy, I am not surprised that you like this too and you are even going on one for a week, I would love it big or small Cindy ...

Ken B ... Cindy and I are very much alike, in fact we are so much alike that Cindy & Holly are most times Holly & Cindy ... lol

Pics Cindy, Pics, I want to see pics of this on your return ...

So Interesting Ken, thanks so much for sharing all of that, and I totally understand anything you keep under cover for now ....

I liked your intro, made me think about what it would be like and how nice and peacefull they could be. i liked the choice of music too especially the last bit, nice and upbeat and cheery.

I'd maybe speed up the rotation a bit as mentioned before and if possible move the rotation part more to the centre. Otherwise though, very proffesonally done.

Originally Posted by Dream Lady

Hey Kenb: Your video loaded fairly quickly and did start automatically. I love the design and would live on one of those in a heartbeat...if I was near some water! lol In the meantime, we're going to Lake Powell in a few weeks and will rent one of their houseboats for a week. Absolutely no comparision to yours. I hope you do well with it!

I know you'll have a great time at Lake Powell...it is a beautifull place to be. If you have a chance to get to a computer when you are there...I would appreciate any comments on our design from the renters there....and mabee we can build some for owners of the marina you are renting from. The average houseboat, that most people are familiar with, have a lifespan of about seven years. By then they are worn out and have to be replaced. Ours have an indefinite lifespan. Woudn't it be great, if you could enjoy using one of ours, the next time you are there? If we build some for that particular marina...we will let you use one of ours, for a month....absolutely free...as as our appreciation for your efforts to show people....what a Real Housebot should be.

Wow what an offer. One that i'm sure someone will take up. I wish i could but far too busy at the moment but maybe in the future.

Mook25

That offer is available to you....and anyone else that enjoys living or vacationing on a houseboat. Being on a houseboat...is like having your cake...and eating it too! It's a house...it's a boat....and with ours...it's the log cabin that everyone dreams about renting or owning. It's the ultimate boating lifestyle.

Hey Ken: I'm going to Lake Powell in a week. I was thinking about you and wondered how are you coming on your site?

hi there looked at the site and having problems with the pictures and video nothing is coming up.
for example on the interior graphics there is nothing when i click on them and the video is non existent... are you working on it or is it published.?
house boats look great though. but i feel you could make a bigger impression by creating a more lifestyle ambiance. and not so graphic.
i will visit the site again in a few weeks as maybe you are re doing it
thanks
james

Yes I am currently working on the site and am adding elements to different areas. I am also trying to figure out ways to make the pages load faster by grouping images as a whole. It's a bit scattered but should be alot easier to navigate and understand the concept and service as I complete pages.

Hey Ken

I'm not sure what images you are referring to when you mention grouping, however, I am wondering if you have had the opportunity to use the lite box feture in the new release opf bv9... you should try that, it might work for you and it is quite nice ...

Hi Ladyeye'
I just wrote a long post and lost it by pressing the wrong button...AAARRRR.
Anyway I am downloading the new BV right now. Sounds like we have a nice gallery style page. Just what the doctor ordered!
One problem I have been having is with my index page, My theory was to take all of the images on the index page and lay them out in my Picture it 9 program at 800x800 and make a static image out of all the images as one.
This was to eliminate each image loading randomly and always waiting for the gif or flash images to finish loading.
Now that one static image takes forever to load and it doesnt even have any annimated elements to it. I was saving any moving water or flash for the rest of the site, making the index pop up fast as to not loose the customers interest by waiting.
Also I beleive I have run into a roadblock with other parts of the site as well. It is very difficult to market such a unique item such as the loghouseboat, there is absolutly nothing else quite like them and I am trying to find a niche for them to fit into. So the presention of the site has become a creative challenge for me. I literally have hundreds of different CAD designs and perspective drawings that can be added to the site but I get writers block when it comes to any descriptions in print. I currently have four interested brokers that would like to list the houseboats as (build to suit) on spec but they all want to refer any potential customers back to my site it is just not ready or is too confusing and unprofessional at this point.
Remember, I just learned how to make a web site 6 months ago and am still learning new things daily. The CAD design on the other hand has been with me for over 15 years. Now if I could only marry the two together, I think I could really get this site off the ground.
Any ideas as to siplify what I have now but still wow the viewer would be of great help to me at the present. Thanks kenb

WoW, I just love the new B.V. download!
I was able to solve alot of problems overnight. The lightbox gallery is just awesome, and what about that logo maker option. I've spent hours in the past designing the right logo in other design programs but this option allowed me to create the right logo in a half an hour. The index page loads faster now and I think I can move on to other areas of the site still left to be finished. What a great update B.V. thanks a million. Still looking for opinions in the meantime. Kenb

Ken

So glad to hear that the latest release of BV9 is working spectacular for you ... Feel free to give me an email, you can use the contact form on my website, found in my signature here to contact me. I'll have a look for you ...

Ken-
No video and the pages took a while to load- and I'm on high speed cable.
Site looks good though. Homes are very interesting.

Andy

Yes, I see that the video doesnt seem to work but it actually does load after about 3 mins and by that time I've lost the customer. I made the video at first and uploaded it to all of the video sharing sites to promote the actual site. If you were to see the video from one of those sites as shown like this here http://www.dailymotion.com/lightson7...ouseboat-works , because of the streaming video properties that these sites rely on there is no waiting time.
In order to get results like theirs, I would have to purchase the software to get the streaming video. I could also create a flash slideshow to speed up the whole thing and have that as the video. In the meantime I could always create a link button to any of the video sharing sites like I did in this post. Decisions...Decisions
As far as the rest of the site loading slow, I think I just have to split up the pics and spread the out over more pages eg. (interior pics, exterior pics)etc.. That lightbox really gives the site a Flash feel though and I just love that whole layout.
Other than the loading speed it is really nice to here the positive response towards the houseboats and the overall look of the site. Thanks guys
*Ladyeye, I will be contacting you directly although I am not too sure why we had to go private. Probably a Canadian thing Eh.*