Distant Moon

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of a creative agency that works with small to medium-sized companies. We try to push messaging, branding, video production, and web development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Distant Moon?

We’ve worked with them on a few different projects. We usually bring them on board when we need to elevate our video storytelling.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provide a full-spectrum of video production services. Before we engage with them, we usually have a good sense of the story we want to capture. Still, we collaborate with them and we appreciate their input. They do everything from digital photography (DP) to live-action filming, editing, sound design, and scoring.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with Ian (Film Director & Executive Producer), Jesse (Assistant Director & Editor) , Brandon (Post-Production Supervisor), Alana (Production Manager). They all work on different multiple aspects of the project.

How did you come to work with Distant Moon?

My business partner either found them on LinkedIn or through their network. We saw some of their previous work and we had Distant Moon edit old footage for a client. After that, we brought them on board for a bigger project.  

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent anywhere between $5,000–$30,000 depending on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in June 2017 and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We fully trust their team. They are able to capture the stories we want to tell. Every video we’ve done with Distant Moon has won an award.

People are always in awe of Distant Moon’s work. By bringing them in as part of the collaboration, we can always guarantee quality work.

How did Distant Moon perform from a project management standpoint?

We have a great working relationship. Our point of contact is very responsive. We usually contact them through call, text, or email. They also consistently submit their deliverables on time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve been impressed with their professionalism and their dedication to their craft. If we want them to capture a certain scene, they focus on the nitty-gritty details. As a result, they’re able to capture the emotions we’re trying to convey. Their videos are very authentic.

For example, we shot a video for a car dealership and their spokesperson is usually very awkward in front of the camera. Distant Moon was able to crack that and show her personality.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It always takes them more time to capture a scene than I expect, but at the same time, that’s why the quality of their work is so high. I can’t fault them for taking that time when it improves our final product.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If new clients want to take their content to the next level, they don’t need to look any further. I highly recommend them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing director for a video streaming company with thousands of films and series.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Distant Moon?

They filmed and produced an about us video.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We wanted to tell our story in a more intimate way and feature testimonies from customers our service has impacted.

They filmed all of our customer testimonies and interviewed executive leadership. They scouted and traveled to various locations and handled logistics. They filmed lots of different stories that we could use in the future as well.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 3–4 people.

How did you come to work with Distant Moon?

I’ve worked with them in the past. In previous roles, one of their team members has been on my staff. I was very confident in their talent and I knew they would be dedicated to telling our story in the best possible way.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in May 2020 and wrapped up a few months later in September.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The videos helped people emotionally connect with our brand. Even a few internal team members cried when they saw the video. Distant Moon’s team is comprised of gifted storytellers. They went as far and as deep into the project as we needed them to.  

How did Distant Moon perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very helpful and adapted as the project changed. They had a positive attitude and were professional throughout the engagement. I was able to contact anyone on the team, and I could reach them over text, phone, or email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re passionate storytellers and know how to showcase the emotion of a story. They’re willing to do whatever we need to make the project successful. Additionally, they’re persistent and will work through challenges to create the story.

I wish we could work with them more often. They’re a great team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I was very happy with their work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

New clients shouldn’t prescribe every element of what they want. Rather, they should simply give a sense of the emotions they want to convey and listen to what Distant Moon suggests.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a political nonprofit policy advocacy organization. I’m the digital campaign director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Distant Moon?

We needed videos to communicate our 2020 plans to donors, activists, and the larger community. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve worked with them on several different video projects that discuss our recent activity and plans for the future. Our collaborations start with a phone discussion about our needs and vision for the project. We’ll also discuss our goals for tone and messaging. In that conversation, we also share inspiration videos to guide certain parts of the project. From there, we set a timeline. 

Generally, I handle the first draft of the script, and they provide edits based on what would work better on film. From there, they handle production and editing. They’re with us every step of the way. After a project has been complete, they’ve also been willing to recut the video for various use cases.     

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with Ian (Film Director) and Alana (Production Manager). We interact with others during the production process. 

How did you come to work with Distant Moon?

I’d worked with them in a past role with a different organization. Our relationship had gone cold at the time, but it was easy to pick back up when we needed video work here. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $25,000–$50,000 on their work. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since October 2019. At this point, we don’t have any projects slated, but I’m sure we’ll be working together in 2021. Our latest project ended in October 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our boss is always very happy with the final videos. Additionally, our sister organization’s video production crew has been similarly impressed. Activists and donors have always responded well to their work. Our activists are very vocal and will be honest when they don’t like something. However, we’ve always received excellent feedback on their video work. 

How did Distant Moon perform from a project management standpoint?

During the filming and editing process, they’re responsive to our suggestions for changes and adjustments. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve built a strong relationship over the years, so they generally understand our needs from the start. Their team does quality work, understands our organization, and is interested in producing the videos we want. At the same time, they’re great at recommending creative ideas that align with what we want. Sometimes, they know more about our needs than we do.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’ve taken care of all of our needs.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be willing to trust them. If they make a recommendation that you’re not sure about, be willing to give it a try.  

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a creative strategist at an agency outside of Washington, DC and I oversee the social and content needs of our federal clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Distant Moon?

As a creative agency, video production is a component of our services that we often bring in outside expertise on.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create emotionally compelling stories about "unexpected agents" at the FBI, people who come from unexpected backgrounds and previous careers. These videos needed to help change the sentiment around working for the Bureau, amidst a very challenging political climate.

SOLUTION

How did you select Distant Moon?

I have been working with Distant Moon since 2013, and chose them because of the authentic style and tone they are able to create, the weaving of brilliant narratives and an understanding of what moves people on a deep level.

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

We brainstormed for a little while to determine what the story line would be for these and Ian and his team came up with all the right interview questions to make our three participants comfortable and excited to share their stories.

We worked together to determine the shoot locations, style, music and the end product was three main videos that has smaller versions/cut-downs to be used across social and media.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They have an incredible team that is really flexible and adaptable. We established a timeline and it was met with all the right check points of feedback along the way, cross checking every script and caption. They even created a series of different sizes we didn't know we needed till the last minute for a very good price. Exceptional project management team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video series led to huge earned media and the entire campaign that we developed together got written up in Fast Company.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was streamlined and they were incredible responsive.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their ability to find these little hooks in someone's story, to get them to expound, and turn it into something that resonates on deep level.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No suggestions at this point, they love what they do and it shows in how they are always upping their own game. Cant wait to do more in the new year together.