Skalawag Productions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of advocacy and programs for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. We're a patient advocacy organization working with patients with pulmonary fibrosis. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We hired Skalawag Productions to create videos that provided educational content to patients and families while telling the stories of people living with pulmonary fibrosis. Our goals were to provide greater education to the community and increase awareness of pulmonary fibrosis. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We engaged Skalawag Productions throughout the years for a number of video projects. They did a combination of animated and filmed videos. The team worked with us to brainstorm ideas and bring together a storyboard. We provided them with a basic overview of what would be covered in the videos, and their resources worked on fleshing out ideas and styles. 

They then collaborated with us on filming the videos, editing them, and creating the final products. Skalawag Productions used their own equipment and handled editing and audio mixing. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with five people from their team, including their founders, producers, and videographers. 

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

Skalawag Productions worked with one of my colleagues at a previous firm. At that same time, we went through an RFP process and looked into a number of providers. Ultimately, the quality of their videos was the best fit for our audience. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our projects lasted from January 2018–January 2022. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The most popular video that we did with Skalawag Productions had over 178,000 views on YouTube. We also had thousands of views on other videos they created. On top of that, our patients said that the videos were truly helpful for them in terms of understanding and managing the disease. 

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was good. They responded to our needs, delivered on time, and stayed on budget. To communicate, we used phone calls, emails, in-person meetings, and product management software. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was truly happy with the final product they delivered. The videos were engaging and appealing — we were happy with what they’d done. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You have to shoulder a decent amount of work. As the client, you should offer ideas to the Skalawag Productions team. You’ll also need to help edit the video and give them feedback. Their resources do a good job, but you must tell them what you want for your project. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive for a small CPG business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We needed video content.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a strategic planning session with Skalawag Productions where we talked about what we were looking for, and they refined everything we gave them based on the time and budget we had. We provided them with our brand and photography guide, and an initial list of shots which we revised together. 

We moved on to a virtual video shoot, and they delivered the final product to us. Skalawag Productions provided all of the equipment, the set, and the studio. 

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was Mark (Founder & Creative Director), but we worked with a team of about four people. 

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

They reached out to a colleague of ours previously, but it wasn’t the right fit at the time. They followed up with us later, and we sat down and interviewed with them a few times before deciding to move forward with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested around $25,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them between May–September 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve seen an increase in the amount of engagement we’ve had on social media. 

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

We had a few issues on the first shoot that we completed with Skalawag Productions, but they were open to hearing our feedback. They made adjustments, and the second shoot ran more smoothly. We communicated through email and used Excel. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We appreciated the initial strategy session that we had with them. They helped us to understand what was reasonable to expect within our budget and time frame. They laid everything out clearly so that we were all on the same page regarding our expectations and approach to creating content. They were also very open and responsive to our feedback. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

We think that they could improve their communication upfront, and more clearly communicate a timeline. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be realistic about your expectations, and clearly communicate the deliverables you need. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the brand director for a protein snack company, meaning I oversee all our creative content as far as consumer touchpoints for our website, social media, and PR.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We were looking to bring our brand story to life through a video on our website. It had to contain our overall history of product offerings.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After onboarding them, we shared our company history with them and then went right into product. We brainstormed creative ideas about how the video should be brought to life, and they put together the storyboard, scripted the product, planned the timeline, and moved into filming and post-production.

They did the video in a documentary style; it was a combination of interviews and live action, as well as footage of our product being used, like a lifestyle video.

After the video was finalized, they produced a number of cut-downs that we’ve repurposed for social media. This project was the kick-off for the last year-and-a-half of our relationship.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with five people: Mark (Owner), a product, a director, an editor, and a few interns.

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

I vetted a few different partners and identified them as the best fit for our needs.

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost is just under $120,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since April 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video is an evergreen visual that lives on our website. It is not only educational for our retail buyers and customers for brings our story to life in a really entertaining way; we’ve received nothing but positive feedback on it. Skalawag is very easy to work with and is dedicated to their work.

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve never missed a deadline and are always upfront about schedules. Their people are always receptive to feedback as well. I honestly have no complaints. Zoom, Google Meet, and email suffice for communication, in addition to Google Docs and Sheets.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re not just an execution production partner, but they truly collaborate with all teams to bring their story to life in a creative way. People can expect a collaborative partner that brainstorms with them and finds unique uses for their videos beyond what was originally planned.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I honestly don’t have any suggestions.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Know you’re going to get more out of them than simple execution support. They’re going to be a true creative partner and act as an extension of your brand.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Better Blends. We make gut-friendly protein powders.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We wanted to create multiple videos that helped explain our products to customers. We plan to utilize these videos in our omnichannel marketing campaign.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

To start off the project, Skalawag Productions held a workshop strategy session to get a better understanding of our company and products. After that, they proceeded with the entire production process, from planning and scriptwriting to filming and editing. The team created three videos for each stage of the marketing funnel. One of the videos featured our founder’s story, and the rest were published on our online platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

What is the team composition?

We worked with everybody from their team, including Mark (Founder & Creative Director).

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

I connected with them when I had just opened the company in Chicago. We decided to work with them mainly based on the quality of their work.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $15,000

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together on this project from April–September 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The videos they made were very effective for our digital campaigns. After implementing the videos, we immediately saw an uptick in conversions and increased our sales by 36% during the first month. Moreover, our sales improved by 17% with a lower ad spend in the following month.

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They usually delivered videos ahead of time and were very easy to work with. For instance, we asked them to create certain aspect ratios for different types of video formats, and they were able to get me those within a few days. We communicated with them virtually for the most part.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with their ability to deliver quality and budget-friendly work ahead of time. Their team was also very professional and amazing to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve on?

No, they did a great job.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re going to invest in creating TikTok videos, be very mindful of the versatility of the videos and make sure that they focus on your product’s benefits and what differentiates it from the competition.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a co-founder of PinPoint Collective. We leverage qualitative and quantitative research to understand our client’s audiences and consumers. We try to understand consumer needs so our clients can leverage our insights to improve their marketing, find new touchpoints, or build new revenue opportunities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We were introducing a new offering to our clients called Shared Voices. We wanted to combine qualitative and quantitative research efforts to develop a new structure and methodology incorporating crowdsourcing. 

We were experiencing challenges because our new methodology was unique within our industry, so we were taking a significant risk and hoping our customers would see value in the offering. We hired Skalawag to help us shoot an informative video for our new offering.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skalawag has helped us shoot an informative video to show our customers. They’ve handled each step, starting from strategic planning up to execution. They‘ve guided us through the video production process from start to finish, acting as a sherpa. 

First, they led us through the storyboarding process and helped us write scripts. They also shared music and wardrobe options with us ahead of time to ensure the video aligned with our brand. Then, they provided us with a shot list, helped us choose a location, and brought their crews on-site to shoot content. During the shoot, they provided us with feedback and artistic direction. 

They pulled together several creative assets to achieve the final output. After the shoot, they edited the content; when they didn’t have the necessary content, they found stock images and implemented those within the video. They developed messaging around the context and value proposition to create a compelling output that encourages people to engage with our new methodology. 

The team has created a few different versions of the final video so we could cater the content to other channels such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and our landing page. They’ve communicated our new offering to clients by explaining the product and why people should take advantage of it in an entertaining, concise way. The most extended version of the video resides on the webpage we created for Shared Voices. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with four different team members, including directors, camera operators, and people who helped with the script-writing and music. 

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

We had heard of Skalawag through one of our colleagues, so once we developed our new offering, we reached out to see if they could create a video for us. 

We wanted a partner who could succinctly communicate information regarding our new offering to differentiate us within our industry. After meeting with them, we felt they were the right partner to take on the challenge. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $20,000 with Skalawag Productions, which includes everything from soup to nuts. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with Skalawag Productions in June 2022, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Skalawag has been invaluable throughout the launch of our new offering. They’ve taken a complex idea and clearly defined it to people in a digestible way, which we appreciate. They’re great storytellers, and they’ve helped us hone down on essential factors to communicate to our customers. Their efforts have helped us reach a wider audience. 

We’ve seen a massive uptick in visitors to our Shared Voices webpage and our company homepage. We’ve seen a significant increase in social media engagement, and there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm surrounding our new product, which has led to more people purchasing from us. 

Since launching the video, we’ve received numerous emails and testimonials from colleagues in our industry who are excited about our new offering and can thoroughly explain it to us. This indicates that Skalawag has done a fantastic job with the video because it has effectively informed people.  

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Skalawag Productions is fantastic when it comes to project management. They’ve been very thoughtful and intentional throughout the process; everything from shot lists, costume, and script language has truly aligned with our brand.

The team is incredibly talented. They’ve understood our time constraints and worked quickly to accommodate the tight timeline. They’ve checked in with us at every step to ensure our brand shines through the video. 

The Skalawag team has been very efficient, clear, and communicative throughout every step of the process. They’ve set clear expectations around whether our desired timelines are feasible and provided wiggle room around more complicated project stages, which has been helpful. 

We use Slack and email to communicate, which we appreciate because they’ve met us in our comfort zone. Our collaboration has been seamless. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve been most impressed by the strategic thinking behind their direction and creative assets. They don’t just produce a video for video’s sake; they set themselves apart by creating exceptional stories through thoughtful editing. 

They’ve taken the time to understand our goals and brainstorm the best way to leverage our creative channels to attract audiences and meet their needs. They’ve thoughtfully guided us through the creative decision-making process and have done an excellent job.

Working with them has been fun because they’re exceptionally talented and knowledgeable in their field. They’re friendly and make us feel comfortable in front of the camera. The project has never felt like a chore; instead, the team provides an energetic environment because they’re passionate about their work. Passion oozes from them individually, but we can tell they’ve been intentional about creating a positive company culture. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have nothing Skalawag could improve on. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you want to engage a video production partner, I’d recommend Skalawag. They will incorporate your goals and be thoughtful in creating the final output. They’ll ask thought-provoking questions to help you meet your business goals and create a meaningful product.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the vice president of corporate communications and patient advocacy for a gene therapy company. We are working to advance a pipeline of programs for severe genetic diseases.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Skalawag Productions, and what were your goals?

We are a newer company, and we just introduced the tenets of our company culture. Our goal was to create a series of videos that articulated what our company culture means to employees. We also wanted to engage employees through the videos.

SOLUTION

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

We wanted to work with a vendor with excellent video capabilities but also the strategic mindset to understand the business goals we were trying to achieve. We also wanted a team of people that were easy to work with as we knew video creation is an iterative process. Budget was also a consideration, so we needed a vendor who prioritized cost effectiveness.

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

We started with a strategy workshop that Skalawag led, which focused on ensuring they understood our business goals and objectives. We then had a storyboarding phase, followed by a filming phase. That was followed by an editing phase. Then, the final video products were shared.

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

We worked with the entire team, and everyone was fantastic. The feedback process was incredibly easy because Skalawag truly listened to us and understood our business goals.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When employees watched the culture-building videos we created, the reactions were incredible. One employee said "I get goose bumps every time I watch." Another team member said "I am so proud to work for our company." Hands down, the feedback was stellar.

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

We mostly worked via email and an online platform where we could view video and offer feedback directly. It was a super easy process. We also received timelines that ensured we knew where the project was and next steps. The Skalawag team was also always available to talk if needed.

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

They truly understand the balance between creativity and achieving business goals. I have never worked with a video team who got that balance right - Skalawag did. In the end, we received videos that were truly award-worthy and visually stunning - but most importantly, the videos we received achieved the business goals we had set.

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

I can't think of anything. Skalawag was just awesome!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the VP of development for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. We are a nonprofit patient advocacy organization. I work on all of our fundraising events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We engaged Skalawag Productions to help with our broadway bounce gala. The gala is broadway themed and there’s a showpiece element included to make it fun and festive. 

During the show, we pause to talk about our mission, background, and goals and take that opportunity to incentivize giving. We needed a partner to produce this portion of the event and create a video for the ask.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skalawag has produced the lead-up to our giving ask for several years. We start each project with an introductory call where my team shares half-baked ideas regarding our vision. Skalawag takes our initial ideas, molds them, and brings them to life in a visually compelling way. 

They work with us from beginning to end, taking us from concept to the final product, and they lend their strategic vision and creativity expertise along the way. We primarily handle casting due to confidentiality and then communicate our decisions with Skalawag. They handle everything, including script writing, storyboarding, shot lists, photography, music, and sound production. 

They help mold the speaking points and thoroughly prep cast members using interview questions. They also edit and produce the final video product. They provide the equipment and have traveled with us many times. We plan to continue using their services for future production needs.

What is the team composition?

The Skalawag team size varies according to the project, but we consistently work with Mark (Owner). We also work with Bailey (Production Assistant), a camera operator, and others.

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

We found them through a referral from another team within our organization.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Skalawag in August 2019, and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video Skalawag produced for our most recent gala yielded about three times more in donations than we’ve ever seen. Our top fundraising total prior to their involvement was $53,000, and we raised $138,000 this year, which I credit to the video. They told a compelling story. 

They are really incredible thought partners and storytellers. They've been a driving force behind these videos and have made them a vibrant experience where viewers are pulled into the story. 

Some of these stories within the scope of our disease population are very heavy. The disease we work for has a 3–5 year life span from diagnosis. We often work with family members who have lost patients or patients whose health is deteriorating. The Skalawag team is kind and warm, and they coach patients through the production process and convey their stories eloquently. They are just a wonderful team, which is important when working with families in difficult situations. Their compassion always shines through.

We’ve spent long travel days together, and the Skalawag team is great about that too. The more we work with them, the easier it is to collaborate because they know what we’re looking for and how to read between the lines. They’re good at taking our ideas and fleshing them out according to our vision. 

For our most recent project, they were able to hand over an essentially perfect video on the first round, which saved us a lot of time. The product was so spot-on, and there was no back and forth. We appreciate the partnership. 

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Skalawag is very easy to work with. Our most recent project was straightforward. We had one strategy call; they took our vision, storyboarded it out, and effectively captured what we were going for. They nailed it. Typically, they do three rounds of edits, and for the most recent project, they did one round of edits for minor changes. I think we spent a total of 15 minutes sharing feedback on the most recent video. They basically gave us a final product right off the bat. 

We typically communicate via email and use the Google Suite. They’re great communicators; they always reach out if they need something from us. I work in events, so my schedule can get busy, and Skalawag is excellent at keeping projects on track, which I value. They timeline the project and set frequent reminders to ensure we’re meeting goals and objectives together, which is great.

Our most recent project had a tight turnaround, and they met the deadline, which helped us out. They work around my events-focused, busy schedule, and they’ve bailed us out when we’ve had tight turnarounds. They really did us a favor on the most recent video, because we didn’t give them much time, but they figured out a way to make it work and really added value to the gala attendee experience.

The funds we’ve invested in the partnership have returned tenfold to us, and their collaboration has been valuable to our organization. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate that they're just good people. Other vendors are knowledgeable, and they can deliver a product, but Skalawag is relatable, compassionate, and driven. Working with them is fulfilling. They have a lot of passion, and they’re fun to work with because it feels like this is more than just a job to them. They’re talented, and their quality of work is stellar; far above other partners I’ve worked with.  

Their willingness to guide us is impressive. Even when we’re working on other projects outside their scope, we can call them to go over ideas, and they help us work through things. They have been true thought partners and have made it a point to understand our mission and organization. They go far and above expectations and produce great work. They take the time on the backend to ensure they’re meeting our needs.

The Skalawag team is really helpful and provides a unique vendor experience. They have become a crucial part of our team, which sets them apart.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Short of helping me manage backend event logistics, which is totally outside their scope, I have nothing they could improve on. We’ve been really pleased with the partnership. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to let them take the lead. They’ve made suggestions that I haven’t been sure about, but they end up being spot on every single time. Share the concept with them, let them be creative, and put their flair on it. If you give them the reins, they will provide you with a compelling, powerful result.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for a small, start-up gene therapy company as the Director of Patient Advocacy. Our company aims to develop gene therapies for people with severe genetic diseases, and my role is to work with advocacy groups and community members in our development of investigational therapies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Skalawag Productions, and what were your goals?

We worked with Skalawag on a few projects, including patient stories and corporate videos. The Patient stories are aimed to help our audience understand experiences of families living with genetic diseases, and our corporate videos were aimed to tell our company's story and to motivate our internal staff.

SOLUTION

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

We selected this vendor for their high quality work, and their hands-on approach to video production. Costs were very competitive and we feel that we got a lot of great content for the cost.

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

We started with a strategy meeting, where Skalawag led a great workshop aimed to understand our short and long term goals, needs, and priorities. From there, they developed a work order for us based on that strategic workshop. Then, we planned shoot days, and the team started post-production.

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

I worked with every member of the Skalawag team, including Mark, Aaron, Ryan, Bailey, and Monica. All team members are professional, dependable, and frankly just fun to work with. The feedback process was very seamless; they sent us a link with content, where we could provide feedback directly. 95% of the time, all feedback was able to be carried out through text/email, which I believe was due to Skalawag's true effort to get to know our company and goals early on. As such, all of the content they provided was really close to what we wanted.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

For me, the biggest measure of success is that the families that we worked with felt we captured their story in an authentic way. I have gotten absolutely glowing reviews from the families that we worked with, which is an enormous success. Its external success is to be determined as we are still working on distributing the videos to the world.

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

They are astute project managers. Timelines are meticulously designed and adhered to, and any changes or deviations were clearly discussed and communicated in advance. They use email and Google documents to keep things moving, which is simple and effective. Everything has been delivered on or before due dates.

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

I find their strategic approach most impressive and unique. They are not just producing content. They are producing content specifically curated for their client's goals, and they are able to do that because they take the time to get to know the company, their capabilities, and their objectives. I believe it is because of this strategic process that they are able to produce the exact content that is expected of their clients. This makes their process much more efficient and enjoyable from the client's perspective, and builds tremendous trust right off the bat.

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

From my perspective, no. I was really impressed with the process, the team, and the content. I would work with Skalawag for any future video needs, and would recommend them to anyone who needs video content!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of clinical affairs and quality at a nonprofit patient advocacy organization. We connect patients with resources during their journey and ensure that healthcare providers have a good education and training to care for them. I interact primarily with medical centers in our designated care center network and coordinate with them to make sure patients have the best experience possible.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We wanted to create a video explaining our care center network and why it’s important for patients to get multidisciplinary care from a center that provides extensive expert care. 

We faced many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic; we couldn’t go into doctors’ offices to do in-person videos because of the risk to the patient population. Our main goal was to figure out how to make a video that would be meaningful and explain the care center network to patients and providers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skalawag Productions had a strategy workshop to get all stakeholders’ information and goals for the video and to make sure we were all on the same page. The workshop also helped us stay on budget and figure out how to execute the video. The meeting lasted two hours, and we made sure everyone on our side was available to talk through all the goals.

We knew we wouldn’t film in person, and decision-making was an integrated process with Skalawag Productions. The team came up with creative solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, and we went through many different ideas. They developed animated characters that we can utilize again in the future. 

From there, we frequently touched base with Skalawag Productions to look at the script, the characters they developed, and what the video would look like. Every aspect of the project went through an approval process. After they finished the video, Skalawag Productions took the English-language version and translated it into Spanish.

What is the team composition?

Mark (Creative Director & Founder) was involved in the planning. Bailey (Associate Producer & Project Manager) was our primary contact during the whole process, and we also worked with Monica (Creative Producer). We also met with the designer who worked on the animated characters.

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

We had a preexisting relationship with them. Skalawag Productions has made videos in live format for a different team within our organization. Although it was my first time directly working with them directly, I’d seen their work. The organization’s experience working with them and their creative direction helped us know they would be able to get the job done, so we went with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$40,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project lasted from January 2021–February 2022.

We have more projects planned with Skalawag Productions in the next calendar year, and they’re also working with our patient outreach team to develop other materials.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Skalawag productions really delivered — we were blown away by the final product. We’ve launched the social media campaign, and the video is frequently watched. In general, the videos Skalawag Productions has produced for us are our most viewed on social media. 

Additionally, they were really great partners to work with, and they have a great process. Their attention to detail and their ability to become almost experts in the field they’re working in were phenomenal. They created the graphics for hospitals so that any patient could imagine themselves being there. 

The strategy workshop grounded their work; it was a great experience. They gave us homework before the day, and then we had 10 people for two hours saying what they wanted out of this video. Skalawag Productions really encouraged us to get involved and made sure we shared our needs to make the project successful.

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They had really strong project management. They reminded us of due dates, sent documents and review materials, and updated us on their expected turnaround times, all without being pushy or too aggressive. Our primary form of communication was email, and we touched base with them frequently via virtual meetings. It was wonderful to have those frequent meetings.

The project’s timeline was set ahead of time, allowing us to identify possible conflicts and know which milestones we needed to hit. We had a clear plan outlining what the process would look like and the expectations of each individual. Bailey was great; she scheduled meetings and made sure we knew where we were with approvals.

We had a pretty aggressive timeline, and Skalawag Productions was able to deliver quickly. They also made sure we were staying on track as an organization. We had to move the timeline a few times because we couldn’t make the deadlines, and the Skalawag Productions team quickly modified things to accommodate us.

In terms of feedback, we put comments directly on the script’s different drafts where we wanted things modified or changed. We had physicians who wanted specific details in the video, and Skalawag Productions was really open to hearing our feedback, which was great.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was most impressed by Skalawag Productions’ hands-on approach. We knew exactly who would be working with us and who would manage the project. They had a clear plan, and they delivered on it, which was key for us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We learned some lessons on transitioning from English to Spanish because it was the first time we’d done that. However, Skalawag Productions was phenomenal in taking our feedback; there weren’t any pain points.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Meet with Skalawag Productions and see what they can offer. Have a strategy call to see if they’re a good fit for you. Going through the homework and assignments they set is really helpful, too.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the web and communications manager at the Terra Foundation for American Art. They are a philanthropic entity that makes grants for worldwide exhibitions of American art.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

They used to be a small, reputable brick and mortar museum in Chicago. After reevaluating how they worked, they moved to grant making — taking works of art across globe rather than making people come to one specific geography.

They also made bold decision to keep the collection in-tact, rather than liquidating it and adding it to the endowment. Therefore, the challenge we brought on Skalawag Productions to help with was to digitize the collection and keep it relevant.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The art is kept in a vault in Chicago, and academics, scholars, and curators, come to view them for their work. Skalawag Productions identified these visits as an opportunity to create digital media. They videoed the visitors talking about the art and posted the 3–5 minute products on our website and YouTube channel. They also edited the content down into clips of appropriate length of Instagram.

Responsible for logistics (orchestrating visitors coming from all over the world), videography, and post-production, Skalawag Productions also developed a tool to map our art and plot points that include information about various aspects of the art.

What is the team composition?

Mark (Founder & Creative Director) was our main contact, and he also had an assistant that helped with lighting and holding an alternative camera.

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

They submitted fairly detailed proposal, and someone from my organization had worked with them on a previous project.

While Mark is interested in discrete projects, he’s always looking to connect you need to the grander scheme of your business, evolving the work into something larger. I’ve worked with numerous videographers and chose Mark because he helped me understand that bigger picture of what we could accomplish.

I also signed with Skalawag because they showed me how to approach the project in a concrete way. We could have brainstormed until the cows came home, but until we developed a clearly defined objective and process, it was all talk. They showed themselves to be a strategic partner.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June–October 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’re among the best-performing videos on the foundation’s YouTube channel, but what’s more important is the momentum that the videos gave them to continue to invest in their digital and video tools. Hard copy publications were always more valued in our organization, but we came to understand the value of dynamic video content.

Skalawag Productions took a bunch of calcified minds and change their ideas of what communication and scholarship look like. I don’t know if they’ve continued to work with Mark since I left, but I know they’re considering using them again for similar projects currently.

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Even though we had budgets, timelines, and dates for decisions, it was Mark who kept us honest. We stayed on time and budget through mutual accountability.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Mark is an extraordinary thought partner, and not just a videographer. Skalawag comes in, invests in your challenge, and works hard to find a solution that’s dynamic and has longevity. Rather than seeing projects as done and moving one, he strives to continue to harvest value from the content, keeping it malleable and relevant.

Mark has a hefty appetite to deliver good products and make fit for what I will need moving into the future. He helped align solutions with our bigger strategic endeavors. Additionally, he has the mind of an artist and the process of a scientist.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Mark did a truly extraordinary job — so much so that it’s hard to articulate the value he brought to our foundation’s digital storytelling endeavor.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Enlist Skalawag for your project, and the best way to capitalize on that engagement is to trust Mark. You’ll be selling yourself short if you don’t entertain the value he brings. He’s very respectful and isn’t upselling but up-valuing what you’re doing.

You may have deadlines and budgets and a specific end date but invite Mark to be a thought partner as early as you can.