CamLock Films

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Downland

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Downland is a marketplace that helps the next generation of climate-smart farmers and ranchers get started by matching them with land, training and capital.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire CamLock Films to accomplish?

• Film an explainer video for our fundraising campaign
• Deliver clips for social media

SOLUTION

How did you find CamLock Films?

Referral

Why did you select CamLock Films over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from CamLock Films were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

Camlock provided highly professional video production from start to finish including concept, scriptwriting, 2-day shooting, editing and delivery of final video product and accompanying shorts for social media.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Delivery on-time and on-budget

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

Camlock provided detailed scoping and budget ahead of our shoot to ensure all pieces were taken care of, including sound checks, location scouting and other details. They communication was timely and proactive - I never felt out of the loop.

What was your primary form of communication with CamLock Films?

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

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

CamLock Films aligned with our creative vision, mission and the tenor desired of our video. They helped us meet our needs and created content that was evergreen.

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

None - Absolutely wonderful to work with and communicative. Excellent problem solvers and collaborators. Highly recommend!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing + Operations Director of Appliances Now!

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We offer best-selling appliances with 24 hour delivery and installation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire CamLock Films to accomplish?

• Sell more appliances
• Make a local advertisement look like a professional, national commercial
• Partner with a great production company

SOLUTION

How did you find CamLock Films?

Worked with them previously

Why did you select CamLock Films over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• I've loved every experience with them!

How many teammates from CamLock Films were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We sought out CamLock to create a series of commercials + social videos. We created 2x :30s, 2x :15s + multiple tagged versions. 

This included: 

• Script writing 
• Production 
• Post Production

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

During the months we ran our ads on CTV and had a social push, we had a significant increase in sales.

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

One of my favorite things about CamLock (besides their amazing creative talents) is how buttoned up they are. They take notes, send follow-ups, keep track of tasks + calendars and provide a very detailed deliverables list.

What was your primary form of communication with CamLock Films?

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

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

I have worked with CamLock several times at different companies throughout the years. I always try to work with them when we have the opportunity. 

One of my favorite parts of working with CamLock is they see each project as a true partnership - they are transparent and will always work with you to find a solution.

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

Absolutely not. I hope to continue working with them for years to come.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm currently a producer for a large tech company. When I worked with Camlock, I was the lead producer for an internal production team at a large advertising agency in Austin, Texas. I developed creative content for large corporate clients, and hired and managed all of the creative vendors we sourced directly.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire CamLock Films?

We needed a lean team of experts who could optimize creative video content, and a team that was capable of elevating the existing creative concepts.

We specifically needed to hire them for an on going video production series, for which we would pull assets from for digital and broadcast distribution.We needed a team that new how to gracefully manage client facing communications, step in and collaborate creatively often, and who would partner with us in the post production / deliverable process, given the large number of deliverables we were scoped to generate.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Camlock is a soup to nuts creative team. They bring everything from creative execution solutions, to production and post production expertise. Camlock proved that they were capable of technical serving the needs for the project, but were also generally proactive, beyond pleasant to work with, and just the perfect collaborators for the job.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Camlock would sit in on calls with our corporate clients to understand the scope and strategic ask of the creative. They would debrief with our creative and marketing teams to help us direct the creative to fit within budget. They were graceful in all communications during the creative process and always delivered above our expectations.

Camlock was responsible for producing the content from soups to nuts, meaning they hired a large production team, line produced and coordinated the entire video production. Morgan and Nick directed and shot the work themselves. They worked with us to create an expedited post schedule following production and delivered all hero videos, cut downs and digital assets from production within a few weeks of shooting.

What was the team composition?

I was the lead agency producer for this production, and Camlock was the hired production / post production vendor. They worked directly with me, the agency creatives, account managers and clients to produce the work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Camlock is still requested as a production company / production partner by the clients and creatives that worked with them in the past.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Extremely Effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their positive attitude, willingness to roll with the punches, their overall understanding of the production process.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

None

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Producer at an ad agency

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire CamLock Films?

We needed to shoot and edit a handful of pitch videos.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I explored a range of local Austin production companies, and CamLock came highly recommended from my coworkers. The were able to work cost-effectively and within our very quick timeline. They also demonstrated a deep, clear understanding of my agency's creative vision for the work.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The scope of work included the usual pre-production tasks (location booking, talent casting, set design, props). We shot in a studio with CamLock for 1x day. They did all the post-production on the videos, which took just under 1x week.

What was the team composition?

I worked closely with Nick and Morgan, both owners/directors/producers of CamLock. They also engaged with my creative team, and others within my agency.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My agency was absolutely thrilled with the final deliverables, and we ended up winning a new client with it.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Incredibly effective. CamLock is quick to respond and provide answers. They understand the best means of communication (be it email, text, call) to get the job done effectively and efficiently.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

CamLock managed to source on-screen talent, props, and build sets in a matter of days. And everything fit perfectly within my agency's creative vision. In addition, they are kind, warm, fun people to be around; which is super important when working with partners in this business.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

Honestly, I would love to provide constructive feedback, but I can't think of anything. They absolutely knocked it out of the park!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the creative director at Rickhouse Media, a video ad agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CamLock Films?

We needed help on our various video production projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

CamLock is providing us with complete video production services. I provide creative concepts, and they handle talent, location, permitting, crew management, and everything else we need daily. Their responsibilities vary from project to project. 

First, CamLock helped us create social media ads for one of our clients. Since then, we’ve been working with them at least once a month. 

What is the team composition?

I work primarily with Morgan and Nick (Co-Owners), but sometimes, other teammates help on our projects. 

How did you come to work with CamLock Films?

We hired them through a reference. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $50,000–$60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve started working together in January 2021, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve never encountered any issues with CamLock. They deliver projects on time and stick to their commitments. Their team immediately has a solution when problems come up — they never present us with mere issues without any resolution. They’ve been a breeze to work with.  

I’ve collaborated with various video production companies in Los Angeles, and they are mostly snooty and not the easiest to partner with. Meanwhile, CamLock has been down-to-earth and welcoming — I love working with them. 

How did CamLock Films perform from a project management standpoint?

CamLock is amazing at project management. We communicate through phone calls and text messages. 

I’m impressed with their team dynamic — they balance each other out well. Morgan is an excellent project manager, and she knows how to carry a project from start to finish. Whatever she’s lacking, Nick has it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

CamLock is down-to-earth — they don’t have any toxic traits, and they just want to create videos that look good. They genuinely love film and filmmaking, and that shines through in their work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust them, and let them do what they do best.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Freelance Senior Producer of The Mayor

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Independent advertising agency where I was contracted as a freelance producer

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire CamLock Films to accomplish?

• Video and stills of Golf Pros for branded content
• Determine production approach for glass breaking scene
• Post production for 8 final branded videos

SOLUTION

How did you find CamLock Films?

Worked together previously

Why did you select CamLock Films over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• Great past experiences

How many teammates from CamLock Films were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
Pre-production and production for single-day shoot at the practice day of a large golf tournament, featuring three golf pros. This included sourcing a photographer and crew for A and B cameras in order to shoot pros simultaneously due to limited talent avails. This also included determining the best approach for a visual of breaking glass, when limitations for safety concerns were high. - Post-production for 8 final video deliverables (including VFX, audio record / mix, color, etc.) as well as 20+ still images.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Agency and client teams were very happy with the production process and final deliverables. 
• Camlock team was easy to work with, willing to go the extra mile to make great content, and fun! 
• They are a new production partner for the agency (The Mayor), and the agency is happy to have them on their roster for future work.

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

Great communication on timelines to ensure all parties were aligned and any challenges would be addressed well in advance of client milestones and check-ins. Very quick in response time and transparent on obstacles or hurdles throughout the process.

What was your primary form of communication with CamLock Films?

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

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

They went above and beyond to make the best final product possible; including testing production approaches, animatics, visual references, etc. They were dedicated and passionate about their craft, and always brought ideas that made the approved creative better than planned. They are genuinely kind and fun people! I consider them more than just production partners, but friends as well!

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

No, I think the Camlock Films team is very scrappy and make smaller budgets stretch. Any challenge that arose would be caused from budget restrictions, however Camlock Films helping bring the agency team and client teams' vision to life with the budget they had available develops a strong vendor partner relationship and trust that is invaluable and leads to more projects in the future.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of Lumos Fitness Collective

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We're a boutique fitness space offering personal training and group classes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire CamLock Films to accomplish?

• Tell our story to prospective clients
• Make informational videos that guide people through our signup process

SOLUTION

How did you find CamLock Films?

Referral

Why did you select CamLock Films over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from CamLock Films were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Aside from the "talent" CamLock did everything- wrote, directed, shot, produced, and edited a number of short videos for our website, emails, and other business uses.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The deliverables were top notch quality and are evergreen pieces of content that we've used multiple times to explain to and educate our customer base.

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

Everything was delivered ahead of schedule and communication was very clear, mainly through email.

What was your primary form of communication with CamLock Films?

• In-Person Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their comprehensiveness and integration were impressive. All members of their team understand the larger role and thrust of the project in addition to their specific job, and their efforts go towards supporting that.

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

No, they exceeded expectations!