‘The Haunting of the Keywords’: A Spooky Lesson in SEO from Skillman Video Group Interns

Coming to a wicked good theater near you is the latest intern video from Skillman Video Group.

Fall video production interns Anna and Deane collaborated on a thrilling and hilarious scary movie trailer parody titled “The Haunting of the Keywords.”

This creative project follows the eerie consequences of neglecting proper SEO practices, making it both educational and entertaining.

A Spine-Chilling Plot with an SEO Twist

“The Haunting of the Keywords” begins with two video marketing interns, fresh to Boston, discovering a mysterious haunted house.

Intrigued, they decide to explore and record their findings. However, when they upload the video to YouTube, they make a fatal mistake: they ignore SEO best practices, neglecting to add a title, description, or keywords.

Soon, strange and paranormal events begin to plague the interns, sending them cryptic messages urging them to optimize their video for discoverability. Unfortunately, by the time they understand the importance of SEO, it’s already too late.

From Brainstorm to Script: Crafting the Perfect Parody

Anna and Deane approached their project with the same meticulous process used by professional video production companies. They began by brainstorming a list of potential ideas and sources of inspiration.

After writing several scripts, they chose the concept that resonated the most—a humorous yet spooky story about the consequences of poor SEO.

Drawing inspiration from comedy sketches and current television commercials, they crafted a script that balanced humor with a subtle lesson about the importance of search engine optimization.

Planning the Shoot: A Comprehensive Approach

Once the script was finalized, the interns moved on to the planning phase. They needed to determine the perfect settings for their scenes, cast the roles, and meticulously block out each shot.

With no budget to hire outside professionals, Anna and Deane took on multiple roles themselves. They became the costume designers, set designers, directors, and both audio and camera technicians.

This hands-on experience gave them a deep appreciation for the various responsibilities and challenges faced by professionals in these fields.

Filming and Production: Learning by Doing

Filming “The Haunting of the Keywords” was both a challenging and enlightening experience for Anna and Deane. Using their iPhones, they captured footage that was both engaging and technically sound.

They encountered numerous obstacles, such as lighting issues and sound quality challenges, but each hurdle was a learning opportunity. The process of filming and editing their video provided them with practical skills and insights that will be invaluable in their future careers.

The Importance of SEO: Lessons Learned

Throughout their internship at SVG, Anna and Deane received invaluable guidance from Christina Skillman. They learned not only about video production techniques but also about the critical role of SEO in video marketing.

Christina emphasized the importance of using proper titles, descriptions, and keywords to make videos discoverable and maximize their reach. This lesson became a central theme in their project, as the plot of their video humorously illustrated the consequences of neglecting SEO.

Reflecting on the Internship Experience

Anna and Deane’s time at SVG was a transformative experience. They gained hands-on experience in all aspects of video production, from brainstorming and scripting to filming and editing.

They also learned about the importance of SEO and how to effectively market video content. The skills and knowledge they acquired during their internship will undoubtedly serve them well in their future endeavors.

Both interns are extremely grateful for the opportunities and mentorship provided by Christina Skillman and the SVG team. The experience has equipped them with a broader understanding of the video production industry and the online marketing world.

As they look forward to their next adventures, Anna and Deane will always cherish the lessons and memories from their time at SVG.

A Bright Future Ahead

Anna and Deane are excited about the future, armed with the skills and knowledge they gained during their internship.

They are confident that the experiences and lessons learned at SVG will pave the way for successful careers in video production and marketing.

Their journey with SVG has been a stepping stone, and they are eager to apply what they’ve learned to new projects and challenges.