Blue Chalk Media

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the executive of Shatterscape Holdings LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Real estate investments

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Blue Chalk Media to accomplish?

• Execute a unique real estate tribute short film vision
• Work with a highly collaborative and fun team
• Combine documentary and cinematic music video style

SOLUTION

How did you find Blue Chalk Media?

• Online Search
• Clutch Site

Why did you select Blue Chalk Media over others?

• High ratings
• Company values aligned
• Electrifying demo reel

How many teammates from Blue Chalk Media were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The vision is to create a documentary and music video hybrid for a property rich with history. We wanted to work with a company who is open to collaborate on a unique vision. And to enjoy the entire proccess.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The above and beyond help by Pam was what made the whole project come together. The vision of the project became more concrete due to the above and beyond involvement of Pam. Including suggesting and reaching out to our key celebrity talent for our video. On the day of the shoot, our key talent was a kind hearted genius, who went above and beyond and even surprised us all with a live, one time only composition of original music for our film. 
All the vital shots were captured very professionally by the crew. The entire operation was a seamless white glove experience. The Producers, DP, Production and crew run tight yet kind ship.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The way that Beatrice, Amy and Jessica managed the project was pure clockwork perfection. Nina made sure we were well fed. Everyone was extremely responsive and detailed in their communications. There were no delays in our scheduled shoots and everything started on time. They responded well to my needs despite some of them being unusual or comprehensive.

What was your primary form of communication with Blue Chalk Media?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

If it’s an inspiring and magical experience you’re after, where not only the beauty or goal of the project matters but also the experience to work with powerful and kind creatives, then Blue Chalk is the best match. Greg and the entire team were very hands on, you really feel taken care of. Then when I met Pam in person, her brilliance and level of passion for my vision, was what convinced me that we had to execute this project together.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Blue Chalk Media could have done differently?

I thought that they might find my highly collaborative style challenging to work with, yet they have been very accommodating.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work at Food Network Digital. We’re a branch owned by Discovery Communication, and we produce both original and convergent content as a part of a companion series for the channel.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Blue Chalk Media?

We were looking to create a show that was food-focused but had a strong story-telling element. Our goal was to have a show that successfully incorporates one of our existing TV talents and has a credible story.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Blue Chalk Media served as our full production company, so they worked with us from the beginning to end of each process. The casting, location, and communications were all handled by their team. Every spot where we filmed was arranged by them, including details with both land and restaurant owners.

Their team helped us storyboard the series and helped recruit the right cast. In addition, they coordinated with hair and makeup vanity teams throughout the process. Along with this, their team created a list of interview questions for each episode and edited every episode. They managed the entire pre- and post-production processes and produced two seasons of the show with us.

What is the team composition?

Matthew (Director of Development & Producer, Blue Chalk Media) was our main point of contact. Greg (Founder & CEO, Blue Chalk Media) was also involved in the process. They provided a full production team, including a director of photography, producer, and sound team for the project.

How did you come to work with Bue Chalk Media?

I wasn’t highly involved in the hiring process for Blue Chalk Media, but our company wanted a team with experience in documentary story-telling. Our goal was to find a company that knew how to combine beautiful camera work with in-depth interviews. Their skill set in these areas is what set Blue Chalk Media apart.

How much have you invested with them?

We worked with Blue Chalk Media to produce the two seasons between September 2017–December 2018. We’re still having internal budget negotiations to determine if we’ll be continuing the relationship.

What is the status of this engagement?

For both seasons, we spent around $50,000 total.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve received a tremendous amount of positive reviews on social media about the creative storylines. Additionally, the beautiful imagery Blue Chalk Media was able to capture has been widely praised. We’re pleased with the content they produced and it stands out from our previous work, giving us a unique positioning in our landscape.  

How did Blue Chalk Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team was easy to negotiate and plan with. We found compromises efficiently and they involved my team in the pre- and post-production processes, which we appreciated. There were a few instances where we experienced standard delays because the deliverables were completed later than anticipated.

We spoke frequently on the phone and through email. During the storyboarding and production phases, I was able to work closely with them and provide feedback.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They assembled a capable, young, and motivated team that excels in catering to specific audiences. From their camera operators to the editing team, everyone was dedicated to the work and helped produce quality work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’d be beneficial if there were more resources to improve their time management and communication abilities. They’re a growing company, so these aspects will be solved over time but there were a few instances where having more teammates could have made the process more efficient.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about what you want from their team and they’ll be able to execute perfectly. After our first season, we learned that bringing a solid concept to Blue Chalk Media helps speed up the process and gets the project moving quicker.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former director of strategic projects at a charitable foundation. Our organization provided surgical care for children and adults suffering from cataract blindness, clubfoot, and burn contractures in developing countries. We funded hospitals and organizations to provide aid in those countries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Blue Chalk Media? 

We wanted to create a set of compelling videos that would resonate with potential donors while also bringing more awareness to our cause. Our goal was to use those videos as a marketing tool.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Blue Chalk Media created four documentary videos that followed some of our patients’ medical journeys; there were two videos on blindness, one on burn victims, and the final on clubfoot. In each piece, we wanted to show how challenging it was for poor families to get medical care and the positive impact that these surgeries could have. 

Our CEO was heavily involved in the selection process, identifying the patients who would be in the video and the location. Blue Chalk Media suggested several ideas, and we went back and forth to establish our direction. Once we gave them a framework for the storyline, the team flew overseas for several weeks to organize the production.

What is the team composition?  

I specifically worked with their founder, COO, and creative director who edited all of the footage. They contracted a videographer and photographer to handle the on-site filming.

​​​​​​How did you come to work with Blue Chalk Media?

Our CEO had previously worked with them, so we knew that they were an emerging talent. They pitched us an extremely compelling idea, and we felt that they would do a great job.

How much have you invested with them? 

We spent about $200,000 in total.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work lasted from June 2013–January 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They executed the project flawlessly. Not only did the blindness videos go viral with over 21 million views, but they also won several awards and brought a tremendous amount of awareness to our organization. Viewers noted that the videos were impactful, emotional, and beautifully filmed.

How did Blue Chalk Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management skills were amazing. I appreciated how accurate they were with their budget and time estimates. They delivered everything that they said they would without overpromising. In terms of communication, we often interacted through email and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

The team went to India for several weeks and worked under difficult circumstances to shoot each video. When filming in the countryside of a developing nation, you can’t always be sure that everything will run smoothly. Regardless, Blue Chalk Media took a hands-on approach and helped us execute whatever we asked for. They were well-organized and troubleshot any challenges that arose.

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, I had very few criticisms.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a senior creative producer at The Foundry at Meredith Corporation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Blue Chalk Media?

We needed a partner to produce a series of films in India within a long-term engagement and on a low budget.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They put together a solid treatment of how they would approach the task. We never provided any script or storyboards, so any visual references were contained in the treatment. One of the biggest challenges we faced was filming across the entirety of India since our project was essentially a montage of the country. They lined many different shots up next to each other as opposed to a narrative. We took the three long-form videos they made—each about three minutes long—and we pulled those into 14 cutdowns. That initial engagement produced our first year of films, and we decided to commit to a second year of films.

What is the team composition?

We worked with about 10 people in total, including an executive producer, a second producer, and a creative director, along with some other team members who assisted with the shoot. I went to India with them during the production process.

How did you come to work with Blue Chalk Media?

They’d worked with other creative teams in my company’s building, so I’d heard recommendations of their work. This was actually the first time somebody else had chosen my production company. At first, I was a little hesitant to move forward because I’m used to making that decision. But when I saw their work, I was pleased and excited to work with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $250,000–$275,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work on our first year of films with them began in November 2017 and concluded in March 2018. We contracted for a second year, which began in May 2018 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our first year of film partnership with them is potentially the best thing that’s come out of our firm. It’s been a huge hit, and viewers are blown away. Our client, India’s ministry of tourism, loved it. We’ve been nominated as a finalist for a Folio digital award. I personally consider this project one of the best things I’ve done in my career. We’re currently working on the second year, which is like a sophomore album in the sense that we all know what we’re doing now.

How did Blue Chalk Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They did an excellent job organizing and executing a project of such scale. The first shoot was 32 days and the shoot for the following year's project took 45 days. They were confident and comfortable in every decision they made, and they kept our project on track.

We were closely connected to their creative director in addition to their producers and logistical people. The executive producer, Greg (Founder and CEO, Blue Chalk Media), came to our office once because they have a Brooklyn location very close by. However, our contact was mostly via email, along with perhaps a weekly phone call. There were little things that we could talk out. I felt like one of the team, and I was the only one who went with them to India.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They worked with a very proactive and positive attitude. We were talking about a monumental task that was probably the hardest project that had ever come across my desk, and yet I've never felt more confident. Every time our client made a change, they basically had to redo their entire schedule, because everything was so routinized already. They were adept at meeting these moving targets. I would work with them a million times over. I could not speak highly enough.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I think corresponding more frequently would have been helpful at times. We’d be in touch once a day, but that could improve.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the communications director at the Oregon School Boards Association, though I was a communications specialist when the project began. We work with locally-elected Oregon public school boards.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Blue Chalk Media?

Our member services association needed help to conceptualize and initiate an advocacy campaign regarding investing in Oregon public education. We were looking to design a new website, expand our social media reach, and communicate compelling stories of student accomplishments.

What were your goals for this project?

The overarching goal was to motivate the public to believe in Oregon children and then act on that belief.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our then-communications director led a process involving stakeholders that identified our goals and assets. We then solicited vendors through a competitive RFP process.

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

Once we selected Blue Chalk, they reviewed our identified goals and assets and suggested several campaign names. We landed on “Promise of Oregon,” based on the promise the children held and the promise adults owe them to help them achieve their dreams. They worked directly with our communications staff to get out to schools to tell kids’ stories through words and videos.

Final deliverables included videos and still photos of interviews with kids as they shared their accomplishments and aspirations. They sent 2–3 top-notch videographers and crew members to the schools and worked directly with us in editing the footage.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They were incredibly responsive at every turn and intuitive, supportive and generous with their insights. Rob (Creative Director, Blue Chalk Media) and Jamie (Directory of Photographer, Blue Chalk Media) were amazing, putting their heart and soul into this project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This project was awarded a Gold Medallion (their highest honor) by the National School Public Relations Association. With our permission, the concepts have been emulated in Iowa and Colorado via branded “Promise” campaigns. Individual videos have also won awards in the years since.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

From their leadership to their incredibly energetic field staff, Blue Chalk Media is smart, nimble and incredibly good at translating a vision into evocative videos that pluck at the heartstrings. I can’t recommend them highly enough because I’d run out of superlatives trying to praise them.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have complete command of communicating through the visual arts. Though they’re responsive to our needs, they’re also willing to politely disagree with us. We can handle these types of disagreements because we both care about the purpose of the campaign.  

Are there any areas for improvement?

Their entry-level employees face a steep learning curve, and because their services are in such high demand, connecting with them can be hard. However, they always come through in the end.  

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an Executive Producer at Gannett

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

National Digital/Print Journalism

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Blue Chalk Media to accomplish?

• Production Services and Post Production Services

SOLUTION

How did you find Blue Chalk Media?

Referral

Why did you select Blue Chalk Media over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Blue Chalk Media were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Complete Turnkey Company providing all Production Services for global broadcast quality television pilot.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

At every milestone, Blue Chalk delivered timely and on budget superb work.  Eager to work with them again.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

All aspects of scheduling, budgetting and other production matters were perfectly managed. 

What was your primary form of communication with Blue Chalk Media?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Great creators and listeners.  They're very collaborative but also provide a clear vision.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Blue Chalk Media could have done differently?

Nope.