Digital marketing is increasingly driven by video content and more and more marketing professionals are being called on to create regular video content themselves. There’s so much you can do with a phone and a laptop but it can be daunting if you’ve never had any training.

Whether you don’t know where to start and need some help to get going, or you’ve been making videos and just can’t get them to look as good as you want, we’re here to help!

Book Your Place

Date: Thursday 26 September
Times: 09:00  – 16:30
Location: The Village Hotel, Headingley, Leeds

Join us for a day of training, hosted by Paul Broadie (MD) and Matt Rolfe (CD) at Manto. We’re video experts with years of experience producing video content for some of the UK’s best known brands and we’ll teach you the basics of creating social content using your phone. We’ll talk you through how to get started with ideas and the kinds of content that can work for you. We’ll take you through pre-production; getting yourself ready. We’ll talk you through some kit that might help you and give you advice for production, and we’ll give you an intro to editing showing you some simple techniques which can produce fantastic results.

This is a hands-on course, so please come with the following:

A phone – with plenty of storage on!
A laptop – along with a way of transferring files from your phone to a laptop
Capcut – Please download and install the desktop version on your system before the training day
A power bank – just in case you run out of battery, you can keep filming on the move
Places are limited to ensure that we can engage with every person attending so book soon to make sure you don’t miss out!

Schedule for the day:

Presentation of pre-production, production and post-production aspect
Task 1
Lunch
Task 2
Lunch included! Please let us know any dietary requirements ahead of the event.

Every year we ask Steve, Head of Post Production, to create Manto’s showreel. Steve is a truly exceptional editor and motion graphics animator and always rises to the challenge.

Watch Manto’s Showreel

“I can’t lie – I love being given the task of putting together our annual showreels! I’m always blown away by the amazing stuff the team have produced over the last year and it’s a proper editor’s joy having a buffet of fresh, hot new content to work with. This is the fifth reel I’ve made with Manto and it’s been ace to see how much we’ve grown as a group of creative folk.

I’m typically given a lot of freedom in the edit, so from a personal perspective I like to use this opportunity to try new ideas and push things a little further. We had a shiny new brand refresh last year and I love how much it lends to the creative tone of voice we are going for.  With how much we’ve all stepped up I wanted this reel to do the same. My aim was to make us look bold, confident and unafraid to take risks – something I think this edit does well in comparison to previous versions. I’d love to think that viewers, and potential clients, are left feeling galvanised by the end and are ready to bring their exciting new projects our way!

Each year, the biggest challenge I face is deciding what to leave out rather than include. I like to keep the showreel long enough to get a taste of who we are but not so long it starts to feel repetitive. The choice of music is normally a massive early task of high priority too – as this will dictate the energy and mood we are hoping to achieve. The confidence and swagger of this year’s track, emphasised by the lyrics “We gon’ get it done”, reflects how we are feeling about our work right now for sure.

This sounds like one big pat on the back, and that’s because it is! Sometimes it’s necessary though, and my hope is the showreel illustrates how much passion we have for what we do and the pride we put into our work. Thanks for watching.”

Find out more about the Manto team here.

Welcome to Episode 3 of our Video Tool Kit series where Matt, our Creative Director, talks you through some important key points to keep to a budget when producing video. From tips on lighting, sounds and camera, these can all make your videos feel more premium.

Watch the Video 

We made Manto’s Video Series to give our professional guidance on what works best when working on a low to no budget setup and the different considerations when creating content for your business if you are new to video.

So whether you’re a marketing professional, brand manager or solo content creator looking to invest more time into video, look no further. 

When it comes to filming great video, you can achieve amazing results with little to no budget at all.

Before even considering buying any extras, it’s worth noting that you likely have a great camera in your pocket. Most smartphones will record full HD and, in the right lighting and sound conditions, can give you amazing results off the bat.

Before we get started, consider how light the space is that you are in. Dark rooms will provide grainy and uninspiring results. We advise you to angle yourself close to a window and have all that natural light brightening up your face. Immediately, you’ll see better results. The other consideration is office lights. Typically, these are a different colour to natural light, and unlike our eyes, your camera will struggle to adapt to the various light sources. Turn them off where possible.

Before we move on, it’s worth showing you how we’ve lit me for this video. As you can see, the window is providing our main light source, while these other lights are filling in and adding interest to the shot.

The other main thing to consider is sound, as your phone may also be your microphone. Make sure you hold it not too far away, otherwise it might sound like this. Close the windows and stop any colleagues from nattering away behind you. Sounds will bounce around the room with hard surfaces, so if possible, record in a room with rugs or carpet.

Finally, you are ready to record. Well, not quite! Before you do, consider how things look on screen. My iPhone has a grid function that you can turn on in the settings that breaks the image up into thirds. These are useful for directing a viewer’s eye to the right part of the frame. This is good practice when shooting a piece to the camera like this one or interviews.

Finally, I suggest taking your time and doing a couple of takes if possible. It’s nice having a choice, and you might find the first take doesn’t quite work. You might find that the first take isn’t the best.

If you’d like to learn more about video, watch Manto’s Video Series playlist on YouTube.

Big news. Drum roll please.

Manto has been selected as a finalist in the Prolific North Creative Awards 2024. These awards are dedicated to recognising the organisations, teams, and individuals who are putting the North on the map in the creative sectors. It’s pretty special being right up there with some amazing creative businesses whose work we really admire.

Celebrating Creativity in the North
The Prolific North Awards aim to unite the North and Scottish creative scenes, applaud courage, showcase brilliant ideas, and pave the way for aspiring creatives. It feels good to be acknowledged alongside such inspiring talent and to contribute to the vibrant creative community that defines our region.

Which Awards are Up for Grabs?

1. Production Company Award
This award is all about recognising the production company that’s delivering the most striking and memorable content. Whether it’s for a marketing campaign, television, or the big screen, this category honours the best producers who have made a significant impact.

Having expanded our team from seven to nine and moved into brand-new offices (kitted out entirely with second-hand furniture), the entire team has worked hard to create outstanding content, push the boundaries of creativity, and continuously set new industry standards. Fingers crossed!

2. Video: Short Form
This category celebrates the most innovative and impactful creations in the realm of video, film, and advertising. Entries should showcase a mastery of visual aesthetics, compelling narratives, and strategic messaging that captivates and resonates with audiences. We’re super excited that our film for our amazing client NaughtOne – ’Percy – A Lounge Chair with Personality’ – made the cut!

Thank you for supporting Manto. We wish all the finalists good luck. Stay tuned to find out the big reveal on 27 June at the Awards Ceremony. Honestly we’re very honoured to just be nominated…but winning would be pretty great!

Manto is a video production agency in Leeds. We make boundless videos for bold brands. If you’d like to chat about your next video project, get in touch.

Client: NaughtOne Furniture

Watch the film

Manto created this launch film of the new Percy chair created by the premium commercial furniture manufacturer NaughtOne.

Designer, Nicole Marion, was inspired by the simple and functional design of 1970s waiting room chairs where only two elements marry to create a statement-making chair: the bold graphic outline of the frame and the plush, cushioned upholstery.

Our film targets commercial interior designers and office design and fit-out companies. Through showcasing Percy’s elegant simplicity and practical yet playful design, we effectively conveyed this message.

Our key aim with this project was to find a way to properly tell the design story of the Percy chair in a relatively short space of time while allowing the film to feel like it has room to breathe; ensuring it didn’t feel rushed.

The film was built around the interview with the Percy chair designer, Nicole Marion, who was based in Canada. We collaborated with a local production company (Kicker Films) in Winnipeg, who filmed Nicole, with us directing via Zoom. We worked closely with them to ensure that the interview setup aligns with the overall style of the film, reflecting NaughtOne’s brand image and showcasing quality and artistry.

We wanted her storytelling to feel natural and organic, not scripted, but the running time meant it required a level of concision and precision which we achieved through coaching Nicole through the process. Although NaughtOne had a meticulous brand style/voice they wanted us to produce something that stood apart from their previous video work which tended to have more of a minimal approach to showcasing their range of products.

Drawing inspiration from the film ‘Rams’ we created a film in which the composition of every shot was considered and deliberate, allowing each frame to tell a story in itself. This helped us to marry the clean, light, minimal style of the product images with the busier, more richly coloured setting of the factory without the two clashing. We focused on the textures, broad and bold colour palette and the intricacies of the many processes that all come together in the production of each chair. We used the sounds of the ‘making’ to compliment the elegant, contemporary score.

Our collaborative efforts with NaughtOne and the talented designer Nicole Marion resulted in a launch film that not only effectively communicated the story behind the Percy chair but also showcased its unique blend of simplicity, functionality, and playfulness. By balancing meticulous attention to detail with a fresh and engaging approach, we were able to produce a film that stands apart from previous works, giving an international flavour, while remaining true to NaughtOne’s brand identity.

Through thoughtful composition, rich visuals, and immersive storytelling, we captured the essence of the Percy chair’s design journey, inviting viewers to experience the craft and quality synonymous with NaughtOne.

Manto is a video production agency in Leeds. Ready to start your video project? Get in touch. We’d love to help.

Client: NaughtOne Furniture

Watch the film

Manto created this launch film of the new Percy chair created by the premium commercial furniture manufacturer NaughtOne.

Designer, Nicole Marion, was inspired by the simple and functional design of 1970s waiting room chairs where only two elements marry to create a statement-making chair: the bold graphic outline of the frame and the plush, cushioned upholstery.

Our film targets commercial interior designers and office design and fit-out companies. Through showcasing Percy’s elegant simplicity and practical yet playful design, we effectively conveyed this message.

Our key aim with this project was to find a way to properly tell the design story of the Percy chair in a relatively short space of time while allowing the film to feel like it has room to breathe; ensuring it didn’t feel rushed.

The film was built around the interview with the Percy chair designer, Nicole Marion, who was based in Canada. We collaborated with a local production company (Kicker Films) in Winnipeg, who filmed Nicole, with us directing via Zoom. We worked closely with them to ensure that the interview setup aligns with the overall style of the film, reflecting NaughtOne’s brand image and showcasing quality and artistry.

We wanted her storytelling to feel natural and organic, not scripted, but the running time meant it required a level of concision and precision which we achieved through coaching Nicole through the process. Although NaughtOne had a meticulous brand style/voice they wanted us to produce something that stood apart from their previous video work which tended to have more of a minimal approach to showcasing their range of products.

Drawing inspiration from the film ‘Rams’ we created a film in which the composition of every shot was considered and deliberate, allowing each frame to tell a story in itself. This helped us to marry the clean, light, minimal style of the product images with the busier, more richly coloured setting of the factory without the two clashing. We focused on the textures, broad and bold colour palette and the intricacies of the many processes that all come together in the production of each chair. We used the sounds of the ‘making’ to compliment the elegant, contemporary score.

Our collaborative efforts with NaughtOne and the talented designer Nicole Marion resulted in a launch film that not only effectively communicated the story behind the Percy chair but also showcased its unique blend of simplicity, functionality, and playfulness. By balancing meticulous attention to detail with a fresh and engaging approach, we were able to produce a film that stands apart from previous works, giving an international flavour, while remaining true to NaughtOne’s brand identity.

Through thoughtful composition, rich visuals, and immersive storytelling, we captured the essence of the Percy chair’s design journey, inviting viewers to experience the craft and quality synonymous with NaughtOne.

Manto is a video production agency in Leeds. Ready to start your video project? Get in touch. We’d love to help.

We teamed up with Powerleague, the premier destination for five-a-side football, to craft a compelling video for their upcoming annual conference. The annual conference is an opportunity for their colleagues from 42 Clubs, venues and support offices to come together and reflect on the previous year’s achievements, to have a good time, and set up the focuses for the New Year. 

Watch the Video

The Brief

To create a short video highlighting key moments from the previous year both within Powerleague and the wider world. The video should be inspiring, uplifting and focus on one of our values: ‘Relentless’— which was the theme of the conference. The content should invoke positive emotion and inspire colleagues to be ‘relentless’ across 2024 in everything they do.

Our Approach

We took a unique approach by aligning Powerleague milestones and global events with specific months of the year. This not only provided a chronological narrative but also reinforced the interconnectedness of Powerleague with the world around it. By intertwining these moments, we aimed to showcase the relentless spirit that drives the company forward.

Motion graphics was our medium of choice to bring this narrative to life. With dynamic visuals, vibrant colours, and fluid animations, we were able to convey the energy and vitality inherent in every aspect of Powerleague’s journey. 

The primary focus of this video was to demonstrate to all Powerleague staff members the achievements they’d made over the past 12 months, the impact each employee had on the previous year and how they can support future growth moving forward. We aimed to create a bold, fast-paced, stand-out animation that shouted about these accomplishments.

Powerleague shared their brand guidelines with us early in the pre-production process after some discussions they gave us full creative freedom to push the limits of what was possible with their existing brand identity. 

Charlotte, Manto’s Motion Designer says, “We began this stage of the process by jumping into Illustrator where I started to create a range of style boards to help demonstrate to the client how we could push their current brand identity further to create a distinctive look and feel and create a unique visual approach for video content. 

Together with the client, we structured a script that ran in chronological order, this took us through events, stats, and accomplishments that happened throughout the year. We also included major news reports and sporting events to help visually keep the viewer on track with the monthly timeline approach. 

This stage of the process helped us ensure that the client was fully on board with our vision for the motion graphics. We knew using motion graphics paired with elements of fast-paced video footage would help us to tell our story effectively whilst adding value to our content and keeping our audience engaged.” 

The Result

Powerleague was such a fun first project to work on. We created the exact energy, drama, and wow factor that it needed, and the client was so chuffed with the final outcome. Colleagues at the conference said, ‘It was the best we’d ever produced,’ and the CEO’s verdict was ‘excellent’—We’ll take that!

If you are looking to create a video for your brand, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Welcome to Episode 2 of our Video Tool Kit series where Paul, our MD, talks you through how to actually get the ball rolling on your video project in the pre-production stage.

Watch the Video 

So, for whatever reason you’ve decided you want to create some video. However, the tricky thing can sometimes be getting started.

“The way we approach any project is to break it down into three stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. Now, you might assume that the key to a good video is getting the filming and editing right, but our experience has shown that getting the pre-production stage right is absolutely critical to getting the outcome that everyone wants. So today, I’m going to cover some of the basics of the pre-production stage. So, that’s everything that happens before you start filming.

There are two questions we always ask at the start of a project that we keep coming back to at every stage: who is watching and what do you want the video to achieve? By keeping on returning to these questions, we can ensure that we never lose sight of the key things which will make the video successful.

Once you’ve got your answers to these questions, make a list of the ways to get there. You need to think about where your audience is hanging out. Videos for LinkedIn look very different to videos for TikTok, so you need to have that figured out right at the beginning. The length of your video can also be critical in ensuring you get to say everything you want to your audience. Often, you’ll need to hit a message in the first five to ten seconds to keep a viewer engaged, but if you know they’re already interested in what you have to say, then you might have more room to spread things out.

Overall, try to have as clear an idea as you can of what the finished product will look like before you start filming anything. Plan out what you hope to achieve from the video and the steps you need to take to get there.

Are you’re ready to get filming? Watch this space for the next video where our head of production, Matt Rolfe, will show us how to achieve great results on little to no budget.”

Watch the People Loving People film

I forget that People Loving People was a project dancing around in my mind before I even started working at Manto, but it initially started as a photography project back in 2021. I loved the idea of just capturing queer couple portraits around Leeds and seeing what that representation looked like at the time. I was beginning to realise how much stories represent us and how people can feel invisible when they are not seen in stories. Capturing folk in their most comfortable environment with their loved one, through a queer lens, would normalise the love as the same as any other love story.

Background Research

When the opportunity came up to make a test project with Manto, I felt this idea would translate perfectly into film. Queerness is still hugely underrepresented in film and I remember finding a stat when I started the research that just 2% of films have explicit queer representation (Observer, 2020). I was adamant I didn’t want the focus to be on LGBTQ+ discrimination, or the trauma some folk in the community go through. I felt some of the films released in the 2010’s such as Boy Erased, Moonlight and The Miseducation of Cameron Post (all great films BTW!) focused on the hardships of the community, rather than the beauty of being queer. Yes, it is vitally important to nod to that when relevant, but I wanted my film to focus on normalising the connection and love between queer couples.

The Concept

My main aim throughout this project was to focus on small intimate moments between a couple, nodding to the mainstream hetero/cis typical ‘fairytale’ romance trope to illustrate this. Especially those ‘honeymoon’ feelings everyone can experience at the early stages of a relationship, whether you’re gay or not, felt important to capture. I discovered a web-series that inspired the look and feel of what I was trying to illustrate called Love Language – a beautiful alphabetical anthology series of queer short films. At this point, I had my friends, Andy and Henry, who were happy to be vulnerable on camera and share their unique love story. (Side note – Andy has now transitioned and now goes by Eden which is the name I’ll be using for the rest of this blog!)

So I came up with this logline to always come back to throughout the project:

People Loving People is a short meditation on the small, tender moments of falling in love, through a queer lens. Andy and Henry star in this episode, a couple who fell in love in Leeds. They openly discuss their love in hopes to normalise queer relationships.

Now that I had my concept, a reference and my starring cast (!), I started to brainstorm how these intimate moments would look; close-ups of the couple, soft and warm lighting, handheld/naturalist shots with lots of ambient sounds and conversational dialogue, all felt like key elements. I also knew I wanted to experiment with mixed media, pulling in some 35mm stills, collage-like stop motion and doodle-esque animation inspired by a graphic novel turned TV Series Heartstopper. All these elements were visual storytelling cues to initiate the different emotions felt by the couple.

The Filming Process

Natural-sounding dialogue from the couple was important. So rather than the traditional interview style with a huge set-up (that can sometimes feel intimidating), I decided to start with a casual interview. We were in a space that felt safe to Eden and Henry, with only a microphone and we just had a conversation. I think Eden and Henry felt the conversation was quite cathartic for their relationship, openly reminiscing on their queerness and how their relationship came to be, which was a joy to witness.

This interview was then the foundation for the visuals. I created a list of shot ideas, props and a kit list. I was going to be filming solo so wanted to make sure I had everything (and accounted for everything after the filming!) The shoot was over 2 days, with the first day shooting inside Eden’s living room. Then the second day was just over an evening, filming along Leeds Dock, near where Eden and Henry first met.

Post Production and Editing

As post-production got underway, I wasn’t quite sure how to stitch all my planned elements together. I also wanted to include a short stop motion sequence for a certain scene picked out in the dialogue. The scene could’ve felt quite serious, but I wanted the animation style to feel playful, as Eden emphasised the situation felt quite blasé to her. I was inspired by the characters in the children’s show Charlie and Lola which focuses on colour and texture. Matt’s wife kindly drew the illustrations of the characters (with different expressions!) while I worked on creating the set out of tissue paper and coloured card. Interspersing the edit with footage from the shoot, stills, sourcing images of Eden and Henry from when they were younger, and the animation elements, brought this mixed-media piece together that I felt proud of.

Since The Film’s Release

Eden and Henry loved the film when I screened it to them. It was wonderful to create something for them at an important milestone in their relationship. It was then screened last summer during Pride Month at a local film screening ‘North by North East’ which was great to see it on the big screen in front of an audience. It was such a pleasure creating this project from start to finish and shining a light on the beautiful parts of queerness and what a healthy, supportive queer relationship looks like. I’ve considered making it into a series with other couples in Leeds who want to share their love story; so if you’re queer and in love, let me know!

If you’d like to see more of Team Manto’s test projects, visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel, Manto Collective.

As the founder of Manto, I’ve come to understand that in the fast-paced realm of video production, staying ahead of the game is absolutely essential. I’ve put together a few thoughts on the major factors which are going to impact our industry in 2024, trends that are shaping the landscape of video production.

A Place for Short-Form and Long-Form Content

In an era where attention spans are shrinking, short-form content has emerged as a dominant force. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels have had a huge impact on how audiences consume videos. At Manto, we’re experts in crafting concise and impactful videos that capture attention in a matter of seconds. It’s not about saying less; it’s about saying more with less.

However it’s important to understand that not all videos have to be super short, it’s all down to your audience and platform. If your audience is engaged and wanting to take a deeper dive into the subject, you have the freedom to stretch your running times and create powerful long-form video content. We love having the chance to get stuck in and take the time to go really in depth on a story or subject; it’s something that video does better than any other format.

The Impact of AI on Video Production

By now, many of you have likely experienced Artificial Intelligence (AI) through pioneering tools such such as Chat GPT or Dall-E, and AI is set to play a transformative role in video production. From automated editing processes to sophisticated algorithms that analyse audience preferences, AI is streamlining workflows and enhancing the efficiency of content creation. At Manto, we’re already implementing AI-powered editing tools to enhance our creative process, allowing us to focus more on storytelling. In spite of the rise of tools such as Pixa, my take is that truly convincing AI based generative video content is still some way. It’s one to keep an eye on though, it could bring a real seismic industry shift.

Sustainability in Video Production

With environmental consciousness on the rise sustainability has become a focal point in the video production industry, and we’ve set it as one of our key focuses for 2023. From eco-friendly production practices to promoting social responsibility, there’s a growing emphasis on minimising the environmental impact of our work. At Manto, we’re committed to exploring sustainable options in every phase of our projects, ensuring that creativity aligns with responsibility.

Virtual and Augmented Reality Integration

The lines between reality and the virtual world are blurring, and video production is at the forefront of this technological convergence. Virtual and augmented reality are no longer futuristic concepts but tangible tools enhancing storytelling.

Personalised and Interactive Content

Audiences crave personalised experiences, and the video production landscape is adapting accordingly. Interactive content, such as choose-your-own-adventure videos and personalised messages, is gaining traction.

The Proliferation of Live Video

Live video continues to dominate as a powerful engagement tool. Whether it’s live streaming events, Q&A sessions, or behind-the-scenes glimpses, the immediacy and authenticity of live content resonate with audiences.

No matter what business you’re in, video content is an invaluable tool in telling your story and getting your messages out there. Whether you’re a hard-working business owner or a seasoned professional in brand, digital marketing, communications or PR, the Manto Video Toolkit series is the perfect starting point on your journey to creating powerful video content.

Due to the ever advancing quality of phone cameras we’ve seen a huge rise in user generated content (UGC) for social media, and marketing professionals making their own video content. We know how daunting it can seem getting started, and how frustrating it can be when your videos just aren’t as good as you want, so we’ve created this series to help you make better videos.

Across the series, members of the Manto team will offer their expertise and invaluable tips and techniques to help elevate the quality of your videos.  Drawing on over 30 years’ combined video production experience we’ll share a few of our industry insider secrets along the way.

Headed up by our Head of Post Production, Steve, each bite-sized episode will dive into a different stage of video production from coming up with an idea, right the way through to getting it online, breaking down the essentials for what makes good video content. 

From choosing the right video platform and video format to delivering a seamlessly stitched edit, we’ve got you covered. Struggling to get that perfect shot or torn between video editing software options? We’ve got your back. Our goal is simple: we want to empower you to create great video content. 

Stay tuned to our YouTube channel: Manto Collective for exciting Video Toolkit updates. If you have any burning video questions, give us a shout! We’re always here to help.

Manto is a video production agency in Leeds making boundless video for bold brands.

The Manto Team have slowly been sharing some of our ‘Visual Media Favourites’ and next up, is our Head of Production, Matt.

(Just don’t quote these answers as gospel as we’ll probably change our minds again by next year!)

What is your favourite film and why?

Up in the Air. I really love the slickness of travel, and Clooney’s character that’s got quite a shallow depth of emotion. Sure, I wish the ending was a happy one, but it hits you right in the feels!

What is your favourite ad and why?

Canoe Canada. I just love how this ad captures the passion of paddling. It makes it feel dramatic, and ultimately, I want to get out on the water and go paddling….ideally in Canada. The quality of the footage, and the voiceover is pretty great.

What was the film/video that first got you interested in filmmaking?

For me, there wasn’t something that I was watching that inspired me. It was just about the creation, and making something from nothing and seeing if it could be done. I remember when I was about 8 or 9, attempting stop motion with my toy cars, and was proud of myself that I’d figured out how to do it with limited tools!

Which filmmaker are you most inspired by and why?

A bit cliche, but Edgar Wright. I thought his attention to detail with the easter eggs was mazing, along with quick witty dialogue with a visual way of doing comedy that everyone has always admired. Nowadays, I really like the YouTuber Danny Gervitz, as the quality of his filmmaking is truly amazing, from the scriptwriting, camera, directing and editing. He has a feature film out later this year which I’m excited to watch!

What ad made you laugh the most?

I mean, Mr Bean Snickers is pretty great

What is the film or ad that you would most love to have made yourself and why?

Canoe Canada would be pretty great. Combining travel, outdoors, and canoeing!