Black Belt Productions

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC) is the country's largest nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with dementia, care partners and families across Canada, as well as supporting innovative dementia research that can find better treatments and, one day, a cure for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

My position at ASC is the Manager of Content & Marketing within the Marketing & Communications department. In this role, I am responsible for writing, editing, and collaborating with externals in the production of new content that raises awareness of dementia and the various campaigns and educational programming available through the ASC.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Belt Productions, and what were your goals?

We hired Black Belt Productions to produce 2 animated videos for the Alzheimer Society Research Program, detailing what the program is and encouraging prospective researchers to apply.

One video focused on researchers submitting a Letter of Intent in advance of their application, the other was a more general overview of how the Program and its funding worked. For both videos, English and French versions were requested by ASC, and Black Belt Productions were able to complete this request to our satisfaction.

SOLUTION

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

We had an existing relationship with Black Belt Productions from a project we hired them for in 2021. They were hired after comparing them to 4 other video production companies and freelance video editors.

They were selected after determining that they had a demonstrable portfolio of previous work, a fair rate and they understood the complexities of the work needed (i.e., interviewing people who lived with dementia and cared for people with dementia; shooting restrictions due to pandemic requirements). Because of the success of the project and the ease in working with them, when it came time to choose vendors for the ASRP Project, they were a natural choice for us to pursue.

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

Both videos were animated (motion graphics) and had 2 versions with English and French text and voiceover. Video one was about 30 seconds long, and asked prospective dementia researchers to submit their Letter of Intent for Proof-of-Concept applications for the Alzheimer Society Research Program. This video was finished in July 2022 and was live until August 2022.

The second video was a bit longer about 2min, and detailed a more broad overview of what the ASRP was, how it was funded, and what researchers could hope to accomplish by applying for funding. It included a CTA at the end of the video to call for researchers to visit the ASC website and apply.

The process for both videos involved a preliminary meeting with Black Belt Productions to determine the scope of the video, including method (animation), length and expected delivery date so as to to determine a workback schedule. ASC then delivered a video script for Black Belt to follow, along with associated brand elements (i.e., ASC logo) and other design elements that could be used to determine the animation's tone and look.

Black Belt would then produce an initial rough cut with an insert V/O that would be given to ASC for feedback. After a couple rounds of feedback, Black Belt would also provide ASC with samples of various V/O artists for ASC to select. Black Belt would then record the final V/O with the selected artist and deliver the final video to ASC for publication.

Throughout the process, project meetings will be held from time to time to determine how the project was going and identify any potential obstacles or issues that may have sprung up (e.g., info given in the initial script turned out to be outdated, so the V/O had to get updated as well).

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

We worked mainly with Nicholas, the Director of Post-Production, with Richard occasionally as well when it came to project meetings. The feedback process was easy and accessible, with feedback provided through email and Frame.io. Due to this setup, it wasn't difficult for ASC to seek input from the various departments in the organization that the project needed approval from. Nicholas and Richard themselves were very cordial and pleasant to work with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The Letter of Intent video likely was a big reason why we saw a near 100% increase in applications for Proof of Concept funding over the year before.

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

The initial meeting over Zoom was helpful, because then we could get out the various asks and expectations for the product. Then, they were able to come back with us with a clear schedule on when each item would be expected to be complete by. Because their schedule provided dates and action items, it was easy for us to track the project internally.

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

We find a lot of external contractors and agencies don't spend a lot of time to understand the work of what we do (support people living with dementia across Canada). So often we find that the initial draft of submissions to not be dementia-friendly. However, we found that Black Belt Productions already made a lot of considerations that we didn't have to ask for or clarify, and we noticed and appreciated that.

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

Sometimes, particular notes during a round of feedback didn't get implemented. This may also be due to ASC's end, as we don't always do a good job of collecting feedback from our various departments and managing those expectations. It would probably help Black Belt in the future, actually, if it is more firm on the expectations for what feedback should look like.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Events Officer at Pathways to Education Canada, and I am responsible for all of Pathways' fundraising and stewardship events, including Grad Ball and Golf Classic.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Belt Productions?

We host a fundraising gala called Grad Ball, every year for the last 16 years. Due to COVID-19, we shifted the in-person gala into a virtual cross-country broadcast event.

Challenge: We have had experience in producing video segments, but the volume we'd need for Grad Ball would be more than our own staff can take on. Opportunity: Due to Blackbelt's breadth of experience in working on Pathways projects, they helped us to produce 6 pre-recorded segments for the broadcast, involving in person shoots and virtually over Zoom.

What were your goals for this project?

- Be true to the Pathways brand and voice - High quality videos and storylines - Work with Pathways to problem solve and navigate shifting deadlines and changing health restrictions for filming - Final product to inspire viewers to watch and donate to our cause

SOLUTION

How did you select Black Belt Productions?

Our marketing team has worked with Blackbelt for multiple projects in the past and trust them to convey the Pathways tone and messaging.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

Blackbelt worked with us to shoot, storyboard, produce and edit 6 pre-recorded segments involving Pathways staff, alumni, and students across several provinces and time zones. Our team provided a general script, feedback, guidelines, and French translation subtitles for each video.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

The Blackbelt team worked with us (both the Fundraising and Marketing teams) for 2-5 rounds of feedback, depending on the video, and was very fluid in terms of helping us meet our deadlines in time with the best products possible.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Overall, the event was a great success, raised over $62,000 for Pathways, and grew our donor base. The event itself exceeded our expectations, as it was the first time we were hosting a virtual event. We were able to use the videos as stewardship opportunities to send to donors who could not attend.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

From a project management standpoint, the team was great at quick edits and managing expectations with filming. We used mainly email and Vidyard to facilitate the edits.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive thing about the Blackbelt is their ability to convey a clear message and feeling through video, and their commitment to their clients and final products.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Perhaps a checklist for all participants of a video shoot - physical or on Zoom - on what they can prepare - tech wise and expectations.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the host for a podcast dedicated to helping Canadian brokers identify, adopt & propser in the digital age

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Belt Productions, and what were your goals?

Our podcast needed a significant boost in quality output and speed to market

SOLUTION

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

We had tried a few different vendors until we came across black belt productions. They instantly provided a better product for us and are cost efficient. In addition, their production speed exceeded our expectations

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

Black belt interviewed us to determine our needs and budget. They then proposed an approach & editing / release process that met our needs and exceeded our expectations

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

We work with Nick, their founder & director. Nick's process allows us to work effectivly & quickly through multiple edits to get the output we want.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our podcast audience has doubled & the effort that the podcast team has to expend has dropped significantly

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

They fit into our weekly recording process with rapid turnaround on initial edits & any further required edits. They use frame.io to make reviewing / commenting a snap.

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

They are very creative and responsive.

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

No