Now is the time to get people in front of the camera 

It’s hardly news that we all respond well when we see moving images. With food, who doesn’t get excited about an egg yolk or chocolate fondant oozing, or the pop of a champagne cork followed by foam threatening to overflow down the sides of a flute?

When I think of this stuff, the fabled ‘Not just food’ campaign run years back by M&S comes to mind. And now, of course, social media is wall-to-wall video, although some content is more successful than others…

At the Telegraph, we’ve just flipped the system for some content and film it first, then take still images from the video content. It gives great results that are immediately usable on multiple platforms – we are way past print-first!

All this means, for you, that we are all on the lookout for brands, people and places that ‘pop’ on film (although what do we call film now that it’s not actually film any more?!). They don’t have to be completely “bantz” – we’re not Top Jaw – and big outlets have videographers and editors so any rough edges can be smoothed out in the production process. 

But now is definitely the time to get people in front of the (iPhone) camera to get them used to chatting, chopping, debating or whatever they do best – call it informal media training or just a good way to bond with them. Then when we media folk come calling, you’ve got the talent ready and able.

And remember, it’s how the once-humble Jamie Oliver got his start, back in the day.