Once we have a working prototype, the next step is to shoot a presentation video to show it’s function and how its used. We edit the footage, add music, and put in text to make a short video that presents the item and all its glorious features.
Because Inventor Relations and Product Development people are busy, the video has to be concise and quickly convey the essence and awesomeness of the item. We generally get one shot at presenting, and if the video is not convincing, then the item gets passed over.
The nominees for the Best Supporting Actors in a Gigglicious Presentation Video are…..well, I don’t think our video efforts will ever win us any cinematic awards, but we do have fun with the process. 
I’ve experimented with green screens, extra effects, and ridiculous fonts no one else should ever use. Searching out the perfect music can sometimes take me half a day. I’m currently trying to figure out how I can work in an explosion effect into a video just because it’s awesome!
Most toy and game companies are located on either the East or West coasts. So for us, being located in the middle of the United States does not make it easy to present face to face in most circumstances. This makes industry events like Dallas Toy Show, ChiTag or New York Toy Fair important for us to attend. Meeting CEO’s and getting to present in person is always preferable. When we can’t do that, we have to send videos and presentation sheets, hold our breath, and hope everything we’ve designed presents well.
Once they’ve reviewed our item, it’s either a yes, no, or sometimes companies “option” an item they are interested in keeping in-house for further review. This means they pay us a little money for the right to keep the prototype for an extended amount of time. This gives them more time to decide if the item is right for them before they license it from us.
Otherwise, we continue show our items around, sometimes for years, to all kinds of Inventor Relations people, CEO’s, and Product Development Managers and hope that one of our items will fit with a vision they have for their company. A word to those interested in launching a career as an inventor, a deal rarely happens quickly or even at all and typically, we get way, way more passes on items than we do licenses. More on that next time….
I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well. ~Alan Greenspan
Tags: Annie Wolfinbarger, ChiTag, marketing, New York Toy Fair, presentations, special effects, videos