Eric Ries Paulo Coelho and More – Shhh! The Secret Show

January 23, 2012 by cbrogan 58 Comments

This week, we interview Eric Ries, author of the Lean Startup, Paulo Coelho, international bestselling author of The Alchemist and several other books, plus we talk about lighting, 12 in 12, and much more. If you can’t see the video, click here. Let’s get started.

The main episode is here:

Extras!

If you want to see the full interview with Eric Ries, CLICK HERE

If you want to see the full interview with Paulo Coelho, CLICK HERE

And as always, give me feedback. What do you like? What don’t you like? What works? What doesn’t?

Filed Under: shoddyinterview

http://www.tommartin.typepad.com Tom Martin

Chris

Love the new series You mentioned needing a boom light, you should grab the light kit I use Link in this post http://tommartin.typepad.com/positive_disruption/2011/08/making-better-iphone-videos-lighting.html

I think it’s about $180 but it works great. Has really improved the lighting in my vids. Plus the entire kit is mobile so you can take it with you if the show goes on the road

@TomMartin
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Hey thanks! I’ll check that out! Might be just the thing. : )
http://twitter.com/Goldenman2 Goldenman2

We like to share video making ability with many countries 5 times daily
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NEW page will open, put your name as GUEST. $ can be made the day you
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Anonymous

Great work..love the interviews. Better lighting for you would be good…you look all Blair Witch in the Paulo Coelho one.
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  I totally do. You nailed it. : )
  - Pat
    
    Video is a must have today & into the future. Congrats to you. However, your interviews are too long….
Dave Shockley

I like the idea of a bookshelf in the background. I like the 30 minutes if you continue with the energy that you have now. Go man Go.
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Thanks, Dave!
http://www.facebook.com/dave.shockley Dave Shockley

If I miss the aSHHHH Secret Show where are they archived?
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Right here at http://scrt.co : )
http://www.MindsetToAchieve.com/ AnneB

This is fantastic, Chris. One of my goals this year is to add video to my business model. I am thrilled to find your work in progress to follow and learn from (as I have with other topics you’ve covered in the past).
Oh, and about your background — I prefer an office setting or some sort of visual instead of pure black/white.
Looking forward to more great stuff…..
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Next week, I’ll make it just for you. : )
http://www.wflconsulting.com Jane Boyd

Hey Chris,

Lots of improvements this week. I like the shorter length and the pull out of the longer videos. Love the incorporation of the community. The lighting and black background does look better…but I’m still leaning toward the bookshelf or other office stuff rather than the black. My sense is that it just makes it all the more real…especially when we can hear your kids in some of the shots. But…hey I am glad you are experimenting and learning as you go.

So appreciate seeing you grow as you go. It helped me be brave enough to shoot and post my own first video last week. I’m on my way…one step at a time.

Of course, thanks to you and @Fitarella for the 12in12 mention…my kids will love it :)

Keep having fun with it!

@boydjane
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Thanks for the feedback, Jane. I will definitely look into creating other “sets” for my show. I have an idea that will make this work.
Anonymous

Chris … I really like the new “full interviews outside” format … it gives viewers a taste of what’s up with each, but doesn’t force them to sit through something they’re less than interested in (frankly, the full “12 in 12″ interview could have been bumped out too). On a technical kibitzing level, I think your “100%” light could get pulled down some because you’re a lot more “washed out” in this episode … you might want to play with that setting.

- BTRIPP
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  I’m so happy to hear it, sir. I am glad you like it.
  
  As for washed out, I’m still trying. Might need a spray tan. : )
Elaine

Wow! I was nearly afraid to watch these videos in case they spoiled the lovely impression of you I get from your blog posts – but you’re even nicer in real life :)))) FANTASTIC interview with Paulo – I know I will be thinking about it long after this evening… x
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Very kind of you to say, Elaine. Thanks. : )
Adrianne

Paulo Coelho changed my life! So excited to see this interview (havent even finished watching it yet)I reread the Alchemist probbaly every 6 months or so and it has been my go-to guide whenever I have a big decision to make. I dont know why but it just brings so much peace.

His other books are awesome as well. Thanks so much for making this one available.

As to the videos – this episode is my first. I enjoy how you have the commercial breaks, and how transparent you are with process. Not a huge fan of the black background. Like some of the others I like the idea of a book shelf or even just your wall. I think it brings a little humanity to it. Although you present as a super likeable guy haha (not that I am saying that isnt true, but I feel like ‘man that Chris Brogan seems like a fun guy’ (: )

I also enjoyed all the little segments and think its great how you broke up the content. I think you could also shape an episode around one interview (maybe not the whole thing but the bulk of it). The second interview could be shorter, still along with the theme of the episode.

I love the show so far. I will say though I am not sure what the point is yet. Is it just awesome stuff that needs to be shared? An outlet for everything you cant fit anywhere else – either way keep it up, cant wait to see the next episode
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  I appreciate your points, Adrianne. Thanks for letting me know. : )
Anonymous

HI Chris! Awesome info! I am so proud of you for stepping your video game up! The black looks great and glad to see that you were very generous in sharing your “behind the scenes” footage in how you set up your lighting! I purchased my lighting kit 2 years ago and even if I don’t use them as much, it’s good to have them, especially when I go to clients’ place of business.

As for my quick set up at home, I had my hubby install a curtain rod, suspended from the ceiling, right in my home office, appx. 2 feet behind my office chair. I do have light velvet curtains in black as well as midnight blue and burgundy red – . What I did find out though was that simply having a plain green muslin cloth background as my “chroma key”, enables me to have the best of both worlds because I can simply edit my videos on iMovie and I can change the background to white, black, red or a few other color choices and even an image of the world map already built into iMovie… ;)

For lighting, I just use an inexpensive lamp from Ikea with a white LED bulb but I put a white shower curtain over it to filter the intensity of the light…

Love your B-Rolls, your musical “score” and the intro is rather clever… I love how you incorporated short videos featuring your subscribers or clients… As always, very cool stuff, Chris!
http://twitter.com/patrickalbanese Patrick Albanese

I prefer the solid background. Maybe not black, perhaps something brighter. A brighter color might be a tad more energizing and a bit easier to light. Black absorbs so much light that it is hard to avoid that ‘halo’ effect.

As for the bookshelf background…. If you’re like me (and I know I am), I can easily drop out of listening to someone because my focus will shift towards reading the sideways titles on the books on the shelf. It’s as if I’m listening to a friend in a restaurant and peripherally I spot Burt Reynolds walk in the door. I won’t hear a word my friend is saying because my ADD made me think of Smokey and The Bandit.

Love the abbreviated format and giving viewers a choice to hear and see more.

Might be interesting to find a way to include jump points in the time line of the video so if you want to jump ahead to a specific interview or specific content you could do it without guessing.

Great stuff all around.
http://everydayemstips.com Greg Friese

Might be my midwestern sensibilities but I was OK with the slower talking.
Bruce

Nice job, getting smoother than last week, and the lighting is getting less harsh. How about dropping the camera down an inch or two so you aren’t looking up so much, but a little more straight. Interesting idea about talking faster than when public speaking. I like the short clips of the people, if I want more they are right below which is a nice touch. Keep talking about the technical journey, it is a huge part of doing video. It gets in the way of everything and has to be learned. Nice job. Like the secret tip, maybe mention it during the video so we stay all the way to the end
http://www.findnewcustomers.com Jeff Ogden

I like the black felt background a lot, Chris. Very unobtrusive, which is good. But a green screen could be made black, white or anything else. I also think your lighting is really nice.

Check out my video show at http://www.madmarketing.tv, Chris.
http://www.parmfarm.com Amy Parmenter

Chris! I really love your williingness to ‘try’ in public. In my ebook I talk a lot about ‘try’ as a critical step in creativity and growth. You are such a shining example of risk and reward. Anyway…my suggestion is to eventually lose the black background and replace it with a green screen. Not only are there huge opportunities for creativity but – at the very least – you could have a nice logo there like Darren does at Problogger. It’s much easier than you think. The black just seems like a waste of opportunity to either reinforce your brand…or add value to your production.

I’m actually working on it myself right now so maybe when/if I figure it out…I’ll send along a how to!

Amy Parmenter
The ParmFarm
DeNae

Really enjoying this process. I think the “sample” interviews are a good idea. 18 minutes is still long; even with the “show” concept I think you’ll get better response if you can keep it under 10. I know, we are the generation of the short attention… SQUIRREL!
Mary Rosenbaum

Loved the Coelho interview – gave me a tremendous insight into the man. It did prompt me to go and reread the book. Looking forward to more of these – especially ones where you have better lighting and clearer focus. Keep up the great work!
http://twitter.com/sjewell steve jewell

Chris- I actually like the shortened version.. nice!
Kyle McGuffin

Great interview! Follow your passions and dreams! The rest will follow. So your lighting sucked but once again we appreciate your efforts in trying to share your stories with us. Your commitment to US is much appreciated! Keep inspiring!
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Thanks, Kyle. That’s the real goal.
Anonymous

Nice work Chris! Looking forward to see you at the Ragan’s Social Media conference in Vegas in February. I’ll be presenting at an online video pre-conference workshop and a new mobile video session. Ciao!
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  I’ll have to go to your session, maybe! : ) I could use lessons from the master.
Jayneclement

Like your hair in the intro of episode #2. Soft, swept off to the side..very sexy and attractive. Don’t like it slicked back with gels on you…too harsh, and don’t like it combed back as it is in the lighting segment. (Hey, I’m just looking after you here!).

As always, great content, great delivery, great personality. BTW, my opinion on the black; it’s too black. Too dark. Like you’re in a top secret, hidden location (or your mom’s basement). Your background is another opportunity to tell us about you. Could be in a casual, messy office, or show great trees out of a back window, or show some cool art work on a side wall (oohh…sponsorship opportunity, or chance to show off your friend’s new painting), your indigenous art collection from Papua New Guinea, etc. Or how about the newsroom approach…show us your wife and kids passing through in the background, or your writing partners in their dungeons, etc.
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  I appreciate the perspective. Thank you! : ) I’ll try some new programs.
http://www.eljadaae.nl Elja Daae

Chris, I LOVE this. You are so, you. I mean, we’re all unique and ‘us’, but you make me realize I can be me, too. If you follow. :-) Thanks for this! And loved the insights on how to do the lighting…makes me think I can handle it.
About the video, one thing I noticed is that while looking at two people, one talking, the person not talking sort of distracts me. Maybe it’s just me, but I think I find it easier to focus when it is just one person, like the part with Jacqueline.
Looking forward to next week!
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  That’s all I have to be is me. : ) Interesting about the split screen. Will work on that.
Ted Sudol

Hi Chris,
Great to see your efforts on improving your video – that was one of my goals for this year too. It’s just a short step from where you are to using a green screen, Here’s my first try. http://www.preciousmetalsinvesting.org/silver-profits-in-2011-and-profit-predictions-for-2012.php
for the audience we were trying to attract it think its a step up from. http://www.preciousmetalsinvesting.org/silver-hits-40.php
The green screen is basically a blank slate on which you can edit any background you like – beach, mountains, etc. I was using a Kodak pocket camera, $51 green screen and frame and Sony editing software. (The framing was actually a little off because I had to have the camera upside down and spin it around in editing so you didn’t have to stand on your head to watch)
The lights don’t have to blind you I use some 105 watt fluorescent bulbs with some diffusing umbrellas. (Lighting was about $150) The key is to light evenly and separate the person from the background which you can do with inexpensive lighting. If you have the money you could spend a lot more and it would be a little easier to get a great shot.
What video recording software do you use for you split screen interviews? I’ve tried a couple. Back a few years when we met at Podcamp recording “double enders” was the way which involved each party recording at their location separately and then putting them together in the editing software.
Now when I google “double ender” all I get are porno references.

All the best,
Ted Sudol
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Great stuff, Ted. Thanks for the perspective. I appreciate your thoughts, too. Will have to look for a diffusor. Might do it like I saw John Knowles do it at the Roger Smith, which was with a kind of wax paper.
http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan

Lots of great comments. Thank you! I owe you some more replies tomorrow. Off to sleep for me right now. : )
http://www.justsylvia.com Sylvia Lima

Chris, I really appreciate how you continue to push yourself to grow and encourage your audience to participate by giving feedback and pushing themselves to give these new worlds a try. Pretty kewl.

I’m a visual learner. I learn quicker by watching someone “do” than I do by reading it. So thank you for addressing different types of learners ;). Also, I thought it was quite curious how you developed an accent while interviewing Paul Coelho. ;)
Babette Ten Haken

I’ve read everything Paulo Coelho has written. In fact, I am re-reading The Alchemist again. Coelho’s name has come up repeatedly over the past three weeks. Nothing is coincidence. Then your great interview. We are all people, communicating and sharing our passion with each other. Thank you for providing this great dialogue to your readers and listeners, Chris.
http://remarkablogger.com Michael Martine

I like what you’re doing with this and how you’re going about it.

I don’t know if it’s the camera that’s moving or if it’s you, but you often appear to be bouncing as you speak, as if you’re sitting on a ball. I found it distracting. Maybe I’m the only one who did, maybe not.

About the black background: I can think a few shows that I’ve seen that have black backgrounds, but they have something else such as a table in the foreground. I think if you had a table to sit at or stand at (sort of like drafting table height) that would anchor things nicely.

I’m not a fan of the black background, personally. I keep waiting for the interrogator to appear. :)
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Michael – I’m most definitely bouncing on a ball. How funny. SOME folks like it because it gives me some kind of “motion,” but clearly that’s not for you.
  
  Interesting about the background and foreground idea. Will give that a thought.
http://twitter.com/virtualvip Jeff Yablon

Chris, kudos for realizing that media production needs to meet certain standards to be worthwhile. You go out of your way to write “well”, so why wouldn’t you pay attention to production values in your video (audio), too?

That said (and coming from the perspective of someone who did a radio program for six years (and streamed it in the ‘net before people knew how!) and also did some TV (commentator for CBS News Up To The Minute), there’s something important that you’ve left out of this discourse:

Media is entertainment

I like your upbeat vocals. You’re a little too “Crazy Eddie” or old-school AM-band DJ, but you have the right idea; you need to engage in audio/video in a way that is very different than writing. Again, nice job trying to get there.

But there’s a problem that I fear you may not be able to overcome unless you are going balls to the wall to recast yourself as an entertainer.

Video takes too long to watch, and requires that the viewer single-task. Words can be skimmed or speed-read. Audio can run in the background. Video isn’t like that. I’M WATCHING YOU. And I’m not gonna give you 18 minutes of undivided attention unless there’s something worth watching.

That can be attacked as entertainment (you’re not there yet and the subject matter probably suggests you won’t ever get there), or as education/lecture (still requires entertainment or you’ll lose people in the cacophony that is today’s world).

I wrote about this a while back ( http://answerguy.com/2011/04/18/video-draws-traffic-but-you-shouldnt-use-it/ ). The time it takes to produce video well and the skill set you need to develop to make it worth the effort is such that you need to be a pro, or you shouldn’t bother (unless your goal is to sell impressions on a CPM basis and have a following large enough to make that goal feasible).

Once upon a time, I actually OWNED Chris Pirillo/Lockergnome. I was the guy who brought Chris out of the dark ages of text-based email and into media. He fought like crazy, but eventually gave in … and look where he is now. And one of the things we had Chris doing for a while was short audio spots, suitable to run on the radio (i.e., just under 60 seconds, because that’s what the market called for).

Chris was SURE he couldn’t tell his stories in less than four minutes. Then he was sure he couldn’t do it in under 2:30. Then 1:45.

I got him down to consistently producing 0:58 spots. And he was happy with them.

EIGHTEEN MINUTES, Chris?

Anyway, like I said, nice start on your path. Now … wouldn’t it be cool if we could get you to where what you were doing was not only worth watching, but compelling enough to get people to sit through it?

Just sayin’ …

-Jeff
- Ted Sudol
  
  Hi Jeff,
  I read both your post and the article you referenced and although you made some good points I see things a little differently.
  
  Your’re right that many of the videos that are made and posted to the web should not have been made. If you want to use video you should be willing to learn the skills necessary to produce quality video. (I’m still in the beginning of the process of learning) But I think that the skill set is the bar that sets you above the rest.
  
  Podcasting was all the rage several years ago but the skill set bar is so low that almost anyone can (and has) posted tons of stuff that no one listens to. I also think that video is much more compelling to us as human beings. History has proven that it’s harder for people to ignore an image. That’s one of the reasons I think video should be the communication media people should try to master in 2012.
  
  You can skim video too. Ask the millions of channel surfers who do it every day. However you are right it requires more of your attention than a background audio.
  
  I think that a video should be shorter say 5-10 minutes, but it should also be long enough to tell the story and convey the information. So you should hone what you want to say prior to hitting the record button and be willing to be ruthless in post production editing. However I find these short blasts of information in short 1 minute videos or audios annoying and unfulfilling. They are usually too short to convey useful information. They also usually turn out to be too close to “commercials” rather than the start of conversations.
  
  All the best,
  Ted Sudol
  - http://twitter.com/virtualvip Jeff Yablon
    
    Ted, I hear you. And at the end of the day “to each his own” is something that neither of us can argue with, right?
    
    And listen: back in the day, when the market we were after for Pirillo was broadcast radio distribution, things were different, for sure. But what I see in most of the throw-away video being produced now is actually the same thing as all those Podcasts. No barriers to entry, and no real audience (people like Chris excepted from that last part, of course). And when you DO find an audience, you need to keep their attention.Wanna see some PAINFUL stuff? Check out the weeklies by Barry Schwartz at SEORoundtable
    
    Oh yeah … and some years on, how many people do you know who REALLY listen to Podcasts?
    - Ted Sudol
      
      Jeff you’re right that one at the roundtable was painful. The basic question I try to ask before I make a video is does video convey the information in a better way. So for instance at http://seafoodrecipes.tv/baked-halibut-recipes-dijon-crusted-halibut.php I think the video conveys the information in a better way than just a written recipe. I’d appreciate you comments – tell me what you think.
      Chris I think you are doing a great job. I think if I shot a video with my desk as background it would be too distracting. But its good experimenting and getting feedback. I would pick another color for my background other than black – but it certainly does focus you attention!
      For my standing desk I stacked three risers made of plywood and blocks of wood on top of my original desk. It allows me to have the monitor at the correct ergonomic height, the keyboard and mouse at the right height. I have a new self, the cost was zero since it was scrap wood and as you said it is supposed to be lot healthier than sitting for long periods of time.
      
      All the best,
      Ted Sudol
      - http://twitter.com/virtualvip Jeff Yablon
        
        Ted, there’s something different about your link that bears addressing: recipes, by definition, are instructional, and if they’re remotely well done, videos for instructional things are … “better”.
        
        But even there, there’s a limit: recipe instructions invite following them more or less in real time. Chris’ “here’s a process” stuff doesn’t; no matter how well produced his piece is, nothing he can teach in 8 minutes/18 minutes/44 minutes/ etc. can be implemented in the time it takes to watch the video. So since the pupil needs to absorb and probably re-refer if s/he is to actually put what’s learned into effect, don’t words/notes (transcripts, perhaps?) make more sense?
        
        At that point, the conversation swings back to my original point: If you’re ENTERTAINING us, then great … do video, audio, whatever and let your audience find you. But if you’re being INFORMATIVE, video is really the wrong medium.
        
        As for your video: for a single-camera, fixed-shot piece, I think you did a pretty great job. For real.
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Wow! Lots to absorb here. I’m really grateful you took the time to present it all. I’m still not going to win any length records in episode 3, but I’m definitely trying out a few different formats. By the way, episode 1 was 31 minutes. : )
http://www.facebook.com/dave.shockley Dave Shockley

Chris this is my second time through, and I may go through it again after trying to absorb everything that is running through my mind. Keep it coming and congratulations on being #1 in the Top 50 Social Media Power Influencers. I am getting use to the black background, but it would be nice to see a little more color once in a while.
http://www.facebook.com/paul.clifford Paul Clifford

Hey, quick tip. “Rule of Thirds.” Put your eyes on the top third line of the screen. Imagine a tic, tac, toe board and put your eyes on the top line.

Oh, for syncing, try “Plural eyes.” $100 and WORTH IT.
- http://chrisbrogan.com/ Chris Brogan
  
  Hmmmm. Will definitely look for that, Paul. Thank you!
Tammy

Very cool show! Loved it a lot! Thanks for the great insights, tips and behind the scenes views! Can’t wait to start putting this into action!
Pingback: What Caring Can Do for Your Business | Start Fund NL
http://www.facebook.com/dave.shockley Dave Shockley

OK Chris we are waiting not watch Shhhhh The secret Show.
http://twitter.com/shareross Share Ross

Hi Chris, thanks for doing a video series. Very cool and 2012 thinking! Yes! You’ve got the lighting much better now and your energy is already happening! As a video vixen, I have a suggestion for your sound. Since your room is a little bit ‘boomy’ … throw down a rug or blanket where you stand (or nearby) while you record. It will help to absorb the sound and make you sound even better than you already do!

Weighing in on the black background… I dig it.

Rock on.
http://www.hairextensionsbymonica.com/ Monica Nielsen

Love watching and listening to the video Chris! the more I learn, the more I am wanting to learn. Also, would like to be helpful with wardrobe for videos. have a FABULOUS Day!