Mini Studio

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of Meyers Okohson Political Consulting. We are a political consulting firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Mini Studio, and what were your goals?

We hired Mini Studio to help us tell our story of origin and why we do the work we do. Our goal was to build our brand and create something that people could relate with.

SOLUTION

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

I've know the principal Sean for several years ad have seen some of his work. We've talked about doing something like this for years. When we moved into our new office and launched a mayoral campaign we thought it was time to make this video happen.

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

We started with a meeting where I talked about how we started this firm and where Mini Studio met with members of my team. We went back and forth on a script until we felt the language was right. We did a shoot all day to get several pieces of footage for this.

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

We worked directly with Sean and the communication was really great.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have used this video on our website, social platforms and in trainings that we offer to incoming staff members. Especially in the virtual space due to the pandemic this has been helpful to help tell our story.

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

Sean sent us drafts of scripts, showed us his previous work through a series of intake calls and emails to follow up.

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

I really appreciate Sean's dedication to his craft. Traveling in a pandemic to a new city to make this work happen was huge for us as we celebrate 5 years in 2021.

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

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Smith Memorial Playground is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe, free play space and playful learning programming for families from all zip codes of Philadelphia and beyond. I serve as Associate Director of Communications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Mini Studio, and what were your goals?

During the pandemic, Smith developed new virtual programming to engage our families at home and off the Playground. We worked with Mini Studio to launch a new children's TV show in the Fall of 2020 and to shoot and edit new monthly episodes to air on public cable networks and the Philly Cam online network. Our goal for the TV show was to take our current Smith branding and playful learning programming and adapt it to a TV show format that was engaging for children and families.

SOLUTION

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

Sean of Mini Studio took the initiative to reach out to us in the Summer of 2020 to see if he could offer volunteer videography services for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion concert we were holding at the Playground in response to the unrest across the nation triggered by the murder of George Floyd. We were grateful for he pro bono services and very happy with the quality and immediately thought of him when we decided to start our new TV show that Fall.

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

Our staff developed scripts and episode run of shows which Mini Studio very accurately followed to shoot and edit all footage into complete episodes. Mini Studio also created graphics and animations for video transitions. In addition, we also engaged Mini Studio to revisit past episodes to include even more animation elements within the show segments to make them more kid-friendly.

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

I worked with Sean Riddick, who was always very responsive and communicative via email. He was also open to video calls early on in the process to discuss our vision for the show and and came on site to for shooting footage whenever needed. He was very quick with edits and patient with our revision process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our staff and board have been very happy with the episodes which have gotten better and better each month. Mini Studio's eye for animations and transitions was spot on for the children and family market we are reaching.

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

Mini Studio was very responsive via email and easy to share documents with via Google Drive. The platform they used to share drafts of the episodes was very easy to use and make editing comments at specific time markers.

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

Sean's willingness and to go above and beyond with graphics and animations that fit it nicely with our existing branding.

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

We were usually on a very tight timeline and budget, so given the lead time we gave Mini Studio, they did an excellent job. However, provided that we could get assets and episode outlines to them earlier, we could have collectively worked on solutions for better audio quality for footage that was shot in our outdoor Playground, although quality was also dependent on the renovation construction that was happening to our Playhouse throughout the past year as well!