Beechwood Film

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the Poet Laureate of the State of Maine and the executive producer of this project.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Beechwood Film?

I brought them on to help execute a project to promote Maine’s bicentennial through a series of short films where Mainers would speak poems by Maine writers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We made 15 short films averaging about three minutes long. In these films, people were speaking palms in a number of locations around the state. We filmed Governor Janet Mills and visual artist Daniel Minter. We also worked with kids from a writing program in Portland. I selected the poems or gave them a list to choose from.

Beechwood Film arranged locations and worked on the sound. At a few of the early shoots, people also worked on lighting. We shot the individuals doing a number of readings of the poems. We’d work as a team. They were in complete control of the visual imagery, and I’d work with the speakers for accuracy on the text. Then we worked together in terms of the emotional feel of the speaking.

Beechwood Film did all of the editing. The films are on the Maine Public Television website as part of Maine’s bicentennial. Their team uploaded everything for the television station.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Lindsay (Director & Cinematographer) and Jason (Producer & Editor).

How did you come to work with Beechwood Film?

I was introduced to them by a mutual contact who has worked with Lindsay.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested approximately $26,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was from December 2019–September 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Everyone has been very pleased with the films. These are people who aren’t poetry speakers; it’s not a poetry recitation. Instead, it’s a natural setting. This lets the speakers enable the power of the poems to come through along with the imagery that Lindsay chose. We’ve received great feedback that the videos are powerful. There’s been a very positive response to it.

How did Beechwood Film perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was great. Everything was done on time. They’re easy to work with and very flexible. We had to make some adjustments with the pandemic in terms of when we could shoot and how we could do it. We communicated through phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Lindsay is a great listener. He brought ideas to the project that enhanced it, ideas I wouldn’t have thought of. He worked well with deadlines and within our budget.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they were great to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clearly outline what you want to work on. Beechwood Film is pretty straightforward in their response to things that will and won’t work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Film Producer, Biting Owl Productions

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Beechwood Film, and what were your goals?

Director of Photography, Sound Recordist, Equipment Rental

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Excellent reel and proven history of quality

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We hired Beechwood for a comprehensive one-day documentary film shoot.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We worked with Lindsay as Cinematographer and Jason as Sound Recordist. They were fantastic to work with, and the entire process went smoothly.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The project is currently in post production. The footage and sound is fantastic, and we are happy with the results. We would definitely work with Beechwood again.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Great communication. Reliable. They were there on time and did everything necessary to complete the job.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They are extremely organized and easy to work with. Also very friendly.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I have zero complaints. I'd love to work with them again.