Crystal Pyramid Productions

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am a Manager of Pinnacle Live

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are an in-house hotel Audio Visual Company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Crystal Pyramid Productions to accomplish?

• Rent high end camera and lens
• Operate that camera and lens

SOLUTION

How did you find Crystal Pyramid Productions?

Referral

Why did you select Crystal Pyramid Productions 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 Crystal Pyramid Productions were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

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

Scope of Work: This project entails the provision and operation of a broadcast-style camera equipped with a sports lens for a period of four days. The camera operator will be responsible for capturing high-quality footage suitable for broadcast purposes, ensuring optimal performance and reliability throughout the duration of the project.

Broadcast-Style Camera with Sports Lens: Ensure delivery of a high-performance broadcast camera equipped with a professional sports lens capable of capturing fast-paced action with precision.

Camera Operator: Provide a skilled camera operator with experience in sports broadcasting to manage the equipment and capture footage for the entire duration of the project.
Operator must be proficient in handling the camera, ensuring proper setup, alignment, and maintenance of equipment.

High-Quality Footage: Capture and deliver high-quality video content suitable for broadcast, maintaining consistent focus, clarity, and stability.
Ensure all footage meets the technical and aesthetic standards required for sports broadcasting.

Daily Operations: Ensure the camera and operator are available and operational for the agreed four-day period.
Provide daily reports on the status of the equipment and any footage captured.

Post-Project Review: Conduct a thorough review of the captured footage to ensure it meets all project requirements and standards.
Provide a final summary report detailing the project's outcomes, including any challenges faced and solutions implemented.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Footage Quality: The delivery of clear, stable, and professionally-shot sports footage suitable for broadcast purposes. Metrics might include resolution, color accuracy, and stability.
Operator Performance: Evaluation of the camera operator's effectiveness in capturing the required scenes, responsiveness to dynamic sports action, and overall technical proficiency.
Project Timeline Adherence: The successful utilization of the camera and operator for the full four-day period as planned, with no significant downtime.
Client Satisfaction: Positive feedback from stakeholders regarding the quality and usability of the footage, as well as the professionalism of the camera operator.
Efficiency and Workflow: Analysis of how smoothly the equipment setup, operation, and footage delivery processes went, and identification of any improvements or optimizations made during the project.
Technical Reliability: No equipment malfunctions or significant issues that hindered the project, demonstrating the reliability of the camera and sports lens.

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

The project management demonstrated was exemplary throughout the entire process. The team meticulously adhered to the schedule, ensuring that every item, from the broadcast-style camera to the sports lens, was delivered punctually. Their commitment to timeliness was evident from the outset, with equipment arriving well before the project’s commencement date, allowing ample time for setup and initial testing.

Moreover, their responsiveness to our needs was both prompt and thorough. Whether it was adjusting camera settings on the fly to accommodate changing lighting conditions or addressing minor technical queries, they exhibited a high level of professionalism and attentiveness. Their proactive communication ensured that any potential issues were resolved swiftly, minimizing disruptions and enhancing the overall quality of the footage captured.

The camera operator provided was not only skilled but also adaptable, seamlessly integrating into our workflow and demonstrating a keen understanding of the specific requirements for sports broadcasting. This enabled us to capture the dynamic action with precision, resulting in footage that exceeded our expectations.

What was your primary form of communication with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

Email or Messaging App

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

At the conclusion of my show, the camera operator provided a detailed evaluation of potential improvements for future events. Additionally, they followed up with a comprehensive email, underscoring their commitment to excellence and continuous enhancement. That kind of dedication really goes the extra mile. It's always valuable when professionals provide constructive feedback and maintain communication even after the project wraps up. It not only shows their commitment to excellence but also sets the stage for continuous improvement.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Crystal Pyramid Productions could have done differently?

I consider their services to be exemplary and find no areas requiring improvement.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a puzzle rental subscription service, and I’m part of the executive team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

We hired them for their video production services. We were sponsoring a live event and needed to do a livestream.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

To start off the project, we held a discovery phase with Crystal Pyramid Productions, during which we figured out together what we needed and came up with a plan. From there, they proceeded with the work, helping us livestream a two-day event on YouTube. Their team provided all the equipment we needed for the project.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four people from their company, including Mark (Owner).

How did you come to work with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

We found Crystal Pyramid Productions through a Google search. We called different production companies, but we decided to go with them because both sides hit it off right away, and they were very transparent.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together on this project for three days in August 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had around 1,500 people actively watching the livestream of the event — in fact, there was a point when we hit 10,000 views by the end of the day. Also, a lot of the viewers were highly engaged, leaving comments back and forth as they were watching the entire livestream.

How did Crystal Pyramid Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a great job from a project management perspective. Their team met all deadlines and communicated with us throughout. We interacted mainly through phone calls, but there were times when we jumped on a video call so that we could better understand and visualize what they were explaining to us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were really impressed with Mark — he really understood what was trying to do and was extremely helpful. In addition, he tried to deliver everything at a reasonable price while maintaining the level of professionalism and quality that we wanted. Overall, he felt like a true partner during the whole process.

Are there any areas they could improve on?

We might’ve gotten better results if we used multiple mics.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to communicate with them ahead of time so that you can go through a bunch of nuances together and better understand what’s needed for the project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

My name is Stephen Houlahan and I am a Santee City Council Member. I have served 4 years on the Santee City Council and I am currently running for Santee Mayor.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Crystal Pyramid Productions?

As a candidate for Santee Mayor, I am challenged with getting my political message to my constituents. Crystal Pyramid Productions provider the knowledge and expertise to solve this challenge through "Micro-Political" Advertising.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of this project is to spread a positive political message through targeted "micro-political" advertising. Political budgets in local elections don't necessitate the "Mass Media" approach. Therefore; focused advertising is essential.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Crystal Pyramid Productions has an impeccable reputation and a record of high quality outputs. Word of mouth advertising let me to contact this vendor.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Crystal Pyramid Productions assisted with the development of a "Micro-Political" Advertising campaign for my Santee Mayor candidacy.

What was the team composition?

The team at Crystal Pyramid Production is composed of Mark "the Whiz" Schultz and Patty "Over the" Mooney. They are the perfect team to assist with video production, editing, and distribution for "Micro-Political" Advertising

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The November 3rd Election with dictate the level of success I experience in my campaign for Mayor of Santee. However; I am will on my way to victory with the help of Crystal Pyramid Productions,!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Crystal Pyramid Productions are incredibly effective with using a virtual workflow when appropriate. Their commitment to adhering to COVID-19 rules and restrictions when providing on-site service is commendable.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I found that the most impressive about Crystal Pyramid Productions is their attention to detail and positive working experience. Mark and Patty have the ability to make one comfortable, even during filming.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They have so much experience and they are great to work with! They continue to refine their product!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a campaign coordinator for the San Diego Clean Elections Campaign. We’re a nonprofit that goes into neighborhoods and works for campaign finance reform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

We had an old video we’d use, but there were a lot of outdated images and politicians in it. It became my practice to joke about the age of the video to prepare the audience so they wouldn’t point it out for us. We didn’t have the funds to update it ourselves, but Crystal Pyramid Productions helped us out pro bono.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They took our video from our website and updated it in their studio. Wherever there were old statistics or images of recognizably out-of-date politicians, they removed them and inserted current visuals. They also cut the runtime down from 15 minutes to eight minutes.

The new video has become part of our regular, central part of our presentation to neighborhood groups and associations.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people: Mark (CEO, Crystal Pyramid Productions) and Patty (COO and CFO, Crystal Pyramid Productions).

How did you come to work with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

Mark and Patty are part of a local neighborhood group in San Diego, and we actually went to their group to give our presentation without knowing the work the two of them were involved in. I joked about our video being outdated, as I usually did, and they volunteered to help us out with updating it.  

How much have you invested with them?

They worked for free, completely pro bono. I have no idea how much it would have cost, but I know we wouldn’t have been able to afford it.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together throughout October.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They really helped our campaign. I’ve made one presentation with the new video so far, and it went well. It’s a current video with current references and images. It solved a complaint we'd gotten before, which ran along the lines of: “if your video is outdated, what you’re advocating for must also be outdated.”

How did Crystal Pyramid Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. There was one issue where they kept one politician in that was recognizable from about 10 years ago, but we asked to eliminate them. They took that person out and added someone that’s current.

What did you find most impressive about them?

That they did this pro bono, out of the goodness of their heart was fantastic. We just didn’t have the funds. They also did excellent work. I can tell where they made changes in the video since I’ve given probably over 1,000 showings of it, but no one else can. Their craftsmanship in inserting new images was great. It’s very professional stuff.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m a novice in video production, but they did excellent work and changed something when I requested it.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You’ll be in good hands. If you want to capture something at a conference or a presentation – anything you can’t go back and reshoot – they’re the right pick. They’re on top of everything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a senior trial lawyer with Simpson Law Group, a national law firm with a focus on personal injury suits.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

We needed them to capture our clients’ testimonials on video.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We needed a crew to film the closing argument in a notable case. Crystal Pyramid Productions set up their equipment in the courtroom and followed the rule of keeping the jury offscreen. They edited the video and improved voice audio quality. They then delivered the courtroom video to news stations for broadcast. I’ve since contracted with them to create video interviews of me and testimonials of our clients along with event photography.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a three-person team in the courtroom. Mark (CEO, Crystal Pyramid Productions) was my main point of contact. A technician arranged the equipment and set up the wiring.

How did you come to work with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

I was unable to contact any news stations for coverage and I decided to hire a freelancer. I considered some other firms, but I was impressed by Crystal Pyramid Productions’ interest in the community. They responded quickly and made themselves available the next day. The team showed they were willing to go the extra mile to take on a new project.

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost of our engagement is $30,000–$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been in an ongoing partnership with Crystal Pyramid Productions since May 2007.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The engagement has been valuable and worthwhile. Crystal Pyramid Productions proved adept at working within the confines of the courtroom. They also photographed our staff during our Christmas party and created a montage of group photos. That received positive feedback and helped our business.

How did Crystal Pyramid Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They do a good job on short notice. Their scheduling fits my own business model; I sometimes take a case Friday that starts trial the following Monday. They also allow me to work with them during editing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have no issue matching my schedule and they are committed to hands-on assistance. They’re our preferred vendor for photo and video because the team is suited to more creative projects. The team is upbeat and they care about our work. I was impressed by their technical capabilities in the courtroom because they set up quickly and worked within a limited space.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any criticisms. However, I wish I knew enough about video to provide more input.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Clients shouldn’t hesitate to get involved. Let them do their stuff, instead of micromanaging them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of an audiovisual rental company. We rent audio and visual gear and provide services to companies that are having meetings in hotels and other venues.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Crystal Pyramid?

We needed a company to shoot and edit videos for our clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We've worked on about a dozen of projects with them. They usually spend a day or several days recording an event and then edit the clips, adding graphics when necessary.

What is the team composition?

I usually work with Mark (owner/video producer, Crystal Pyramid Productions) and Patty (co-owner/video producer, Crystal Pyramid Productions), who always have time for me when I need their services.

How did you come to work with them?

I met Mark through the local chamber of commerce. I was considering other companies as well, but Crystal Pyramid seemed to have more experience, so I chose them.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent between $12,000–$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in 2002 and we completed our most recent project in 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They've been more than just videographers who can record an event on camera. They know how to fix the lighting issues and other things, which goes beyond simple recording.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They're both great communicators, so we haven't had any issues. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re experienced, willing to get creative, and have a great attention to detail.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Explain your project thoroughly so that they know what they're trying to accomplish.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Martin Shapiro Insurance and Financial Services. We work with business owners, high net worth individuals, and a variety of professionals to help with retirement, benefit, and other financial plans.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

I wanted to make a video for our website that people could watch to get to know me better.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Crystal Pyramid made a single video. I provided a script and delivered somewhat of a monologue in front of a green screen, and they filmed, edited, and produced the entire video. The whole thing is about four minutes long.

What is the team composition?

I worked with two people from Crystal Pyramid.

How did you come to work with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

They’ve been my client for a while. When I decided I needed a video, I considered them and a few other companies that approached me. However, Crystal Pyramid had higher-quality products and cost a fraction of the other companies, so I went with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on this project in 2010.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We don’t run analytics on our website, so I don’t have any quantifiable evidence. The video received a lot of positive feedback from my clients, though. Most of my business is word of mouth, and I know the video helps legitimize me for people who don’t know me personally.

How did Crystal Pyramid Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great at project management and delivered everything 2–3 weeks before the deadline. They finished the product as discussed, and we had no issues throughout the entire engagement.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re knowledgeable and professional. The video was made well and came together nicely. I only had to spend about two hours in front of the camera, and they did everything else.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I the CEO of a film company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

We needed additional film production help for some projects we had in the San Diego area.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Crystal Pyramid helped us complete four or five projects in San Diego by providing additional event production and filming support, including camera equipment and post-production services. They were also involved in the creative planning of projects as needed.

What is the team composition?

I usually work with about two people on their team who coordinate with other staff.

How did you come to work with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

They were referred to me from another company we work with.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested more than $10,000 over the course the engagement.

What is the status of this engagement?

We first worked with them in July 2012, and our most recent project with them was completed around July 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Crystal Pyramid provides high-quality production services. We're so happy with their work that we continue to hire them whenever we need a vendor in San Diego.

How did Crystal Pyramid Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They're great at managing their work and getting tasks done on time; I don't have to micromanage them at all.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They bring many decade's worth of experience to the table, which is evident in the work they produce.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear and straightforward with your project goals, and try to provide them with as much information as possible.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of AVMS, an AV services company for hotels.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

We needed help with video recording for one of our clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Mark and Patty (Video Production Specialists) were hired to record the event for the duration of it over several days, including keynote speeches, demonstrations, and so on. The videos were handed directly to our client.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–5 teammates from Crystal Pyramid Productions.

How did you come to work with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

We knew them from past work. They had high ratings, their pricing fit our budget, and they offered good value for the cost.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together in January 2025.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They did excellent work as usual. They were professional through and through.

How did Crystal Pyramid Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered on time. We communicated in person, via email, and through a messaging app.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were nice and easy to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren't any.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the CEO/Producer of a video and film production firm.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Video and film production services across a wide variety of locations and specific services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Crystal Pyramid Productions to accomplish?

• To create an immersive experience for livestream viewers of a Live in person event.
• Provide services in a way that makes client happy.
• Capture quality video of performances on stage.

SOLUTION

How did you find Crystal Pyramid Productions?

Online Search

Why did you select Crystal Pyramid Productions over others?

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

How many teammates from Crystal Pyramid Productions were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

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

We brought Crystal Pyramid Productions onboard to provide the camera expertise to capture long days of various keynotes and general sessions inside the conference. We also tasked CPP with doing data management and file backups to the end client. CPP handled everything including bringing the gear, they even stepped in to help out on a couple issues when the rest of the staff was busy.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our end client was very happy with the results. Based on direct feedback from the end client about everyone's performance and attitude, I beleive we have retained the client for the same event next year.

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

I was very impressed with CPP's listening skills. They were so good about taking the time to understand our needs and delivered with a focus on meeting our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Crystal Pyramid Productions?

Email or Messaging App

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

It's rare these days to have that level of senior management involved in the transaction.  I think between the management and the service provider, they had over 100 years of experience.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Crystal Pyramid Productions could have done differently?

We are happy to report there wan't anything in the services provided that needed to be done better. Extremely knowledable and professional services. A+++