ReelSmart Productions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the SVP of an energy hardware company. We’re developing new hardware technology and bringing it to the market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Shoestring Videos?

We hired Shoestring Videos to create explainer and promotional videos to show to the public and investors.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

During our engagement, Shoestring Videos created multiple videos for us. They included content to explain our technology and development cycles. Their team filmed on site and gave a 360-view of our company.

What is the team composition?

I primarily worked with Keith (Owner, Shoestring Videos), and there may have been additional resources dedicated to the project.

How did you come to work with Shoestring Videos?

We were referred to Shoestring Videos.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $10,000 on the videos.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together on videos from September 2014–August 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were able to show the completed videos to our investors, which helped improve our image. The work perfectly captures our business and yearly activities within a few minutes of footage. Overall, the videos have been great marketing tools to target our investors and raise money.

How did Shoestring Videos perform from a project management standpoint?

Everything was communicated well. Keith was very patient throughout the project. Even though our film days were long, he was great.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team was very accommodating and reasonable, we’re looking forward to doing another video with them. Working with Shoestring Videos is easy. Everything was done on time, too.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any complaints about their work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust Keith’s abilities. If you come to the table with your ideas, they’ll be able to create a good final product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Yoreevo, a real estate brokerage in New York. Our business model seeks to make client acquisition more efficient in order to lower commission rates for clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Shoestring Videos?

We’re a startup so needed to raise awareness of what we’re trying to do. We wanted to introduce ourselves and our business model in a succinct fashion while putting a face to the company. We thought that having a personal connection would make it easier for people to sign on to our services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Shoestring Videos shot three short films for us, two introductory videos that explain our business model and a client testimonial.

We didn’t have any experience with video, so Shoestring Videos helped us through the process. We identified topics that we wanted to include. They reviewed them and came back with suggestions to make the content more relatable and to craft it into a story rather than just a question-and-answer session as we had originally planned. They suggested that we add more emotional triggers or qualitative responses. They also suggested that we have one of us in front of the camera and one behind, asking the questions, so that it would come across more naturally and flow like a conversation. They directed the videos and edited them into coherent narratives.

What is the team composition?

We worked directly with the co-founder/creative director.

How did you come to work with Shoestring Videos?

My co-founder found them by searching online. We had briefly worked with another vendor who couldn’t achieve what we needed, so we had to let them go. They didn’t have the sophistication and equipment that Shoestring Videos did.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $1,200–$1,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2017–June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I can see the view counts on YouTube, so I know that people are watching the videos. I'm sure they’ve helped us. I usually take the introductory or potential-client calls and will mention that I’m the co-founder who’s in the video. I think it makes people feel like we’re a real operation and they can trust us.

How did Shoestring Videos perform from a project management standpoint?

We met at the outset and also communicated by email. They shared multiple iterations before full editing to make sure it was what we wanted and that we were satisfied. They’re responsible and do a good job.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re an easy one-stop shop. They’re reasonably priced and know how to create a good product. I would use them again if we do another video.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not really. I'm sure they could do things better but, from a client's perspective, everything was great.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Prepare ahead of time just so that Shoestring Videos knows what you want the video to accomplish. That will allow them to deliver what you want. You don't want them to go off in a different direction. If they can come prepared and understand the material that's going to be addressed, that will help them deliver better shoots, better sound bites, and better results.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the communications coordinator for a nonprofit arts and culture institution.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Shoestring Videos?

We hired Shoestring Videos to capture video of an award ceremony.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to capture high-quality footage of the event for archival purposes.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected Shoestring Videos after a short search via Google. We also discussed our project with Keith (Owner, Shoestring Videos). 

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

The video captures a series of speeches.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

All details were handled prior via email communication. Shoestring was very responsive. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Shoestring provided a high-quality final product.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were responsive, and the video was high quality. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.