Thumbnails from four videos by Andrew Neumann, 2019 MVA Videographer of the Year. The links are below.

Look for MVA 2020 contest entry information updates to be posted on the MVA website no later than Oct. 31, 2020.

An interview with Andrew Neumann, 2019 MVA Videographer of the Year

Portfolio:

MVA Long Form 2019: 956 Days to Becoming a Marine

MVA Short Form 2019: A Reason To Move

MVA Long Form 2019: Drill Instructor School

MVA Short Form 2019: Second Chances

Interview by Kenny Holston and Jensen Stidham

What was your initial reaction when you found out you won MVA Videographer of the Year? Overall, what does it mean to you?

My initial reaction to winning MVA Videographer of the Year was elation. It’s always a blessing to be recognized for your hard work, but to be recognized by individuals who are prominent in your field of work is even more rewarding.

Andrew Neumann 2019 MVA Videographer of the Year.jpg

What was your favorite video out of your winning portfolio?

I would have to say a video I made on Lance Cpl. (Caleb) Eudy, who was in recruit status at boot camp for nearly 1,000 days because of his ongoing battle with cancer. Getting to tell someone’s story who fought to be a Marine longer than some people are even in the service was extraordinary.

What is your biggest struggle while shooting video out in the field? How do you work through that?

My biggest struggle when shooting photo or video has always been focus and preplanning. I have so many ideas and stories that I want to tell, I often forget to narrow it down to a single focus. This is one of my favorite parts of my abilities as a content creator because I love my creative mind, but it also comes back to bite me when I have to finish one single product.

What’s your postproduction process like?

My postproduction process always begins with laying down interview and sound bites. I like to assemble the story like a puzzle. After it’s all laid down, I listen to it a few times with dramatic imagery in the background, such as landscape photos or powerful images from other individuals. If the piece doesn’t trigger some type of strong emotion to myself, I scrap it. If it makes me feel some type of way, I add my own imagery and sprinkle moments of raw emotion from my subject in between sound bites. Finally, I add final audio pops and send it to multiple people I trust to critique it.

Why are competitions important?

Competitions are extremely important, especially in the military, to constantly set the standard for the field you are in. Seeing the quality products other people are putting out, then seeing them rewarded, has pushed me to work that extra hour on a video because I know if they’re capable of it, so am I.

Which videographers inspire you the most?

From the military:
Matthew Callahan: Epic shots and pacing
Jimmy Shea: Creativity and postproduction
Pete Ising: Storytelling and flow

Not military:
Emmanuel Lubezki
Sam Mendes
Martin Scorsese

What are some of the things you hope you convey with your videos?

My main goal when making any video is to incite emotion in my viewer. I really want them to feel personally attached to the person I’m telling the story on and relate to their struggle.

What kind of gear do you usually shoot/favorite gear?

Canon Mark IV or Canon C200. I prefer fixed lenses such as 50 mm, 85 mm or 100 Macros because shallow depth of field and deep detail bring your audience into the piece. Also, Ronins for quality control and any external TASCAMs for natural sound.

Share some thoughts on the current coronavirus coverage by the media?

Take this time to call old friends and revamp a skill set. Isolation is really hard when you’re an extrovert like me, but think about the health of your mom, dad, grandpa or grandma the next time you want to leave the house.

Anything else?

Storytelling. I can’t stress that enough to every videographer. Tell really good stories, and the beautiful shots and sequencing will come later. And the best stories are always about people.

Bio Andrew Neumann
Neumann, a recently separated corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, received the highest military videography honors as the 2019 MVA Videographer of the Year. Neumann spent several years serving in Japan and the U.S., most recently at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He has since completed his military service and is attending college in Indianapolis.

Look for MVA 2020 contest entry information updates to be posted on the MVA website no later than Oct. 31, 2020.