Wave One Films

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of Cedar Root LLC, a business consultancy that's focused on sales process implementation and professional leadership development. My clients are sales professionals and small to medium-sized business owners in the Pacific Northwest.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wave One Films?

I wanted to tell my story to help my prospects better understand what I do and how I help them. I needed a way to tell my story so I could differentiate myself from the traditional sales training companies.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to build awareness and position our brand in the marketplace to increase understanding and sales.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I knew I wanted to use video to tell my story but was hesitant to spend the money for a full-service agency and the number of people that are often involved that slow the process and increase the spend. I wanted it to be professional and compelling and knew the dime a dozen video guys would not cut it.

Once I sat down with Wave One Films and they spent the time to ask the right questions to truly understand my needs, it was clear they had the experience and the ability to tell my story.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The most compelling approach that differentiated Wave One Films from the other firms was the storyboard session. They really have a knack for getting the person in front of the camera to feel comfortable, so the genuine storyline comes across. The camera did not come out until the initial session was completed, and the story direction was on track.

What was the team composition?

I worked with both owners at Wave One Films, which allows the communication to work seamlessly. The ownership and pride in what they do are easy to spot. I felt I was a top priority and they made the process comfortable and efficient.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The film has been a huge help in getting our story to connect with our prospects and generated more engagement than any other form of social media or traditional marketing. It opens the door for a more in-depth conversation about how I help my clients and creates a level of trust before we even connect.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Workflow and communication were excellent, and I was in the loop the entire process. The years of experience they bring to the project prevented so many costly mistakes that a less tenured team would not have seen coming — also, just a lot of fun to work with.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive part of the Wave One experience was their ability to capture my story while allowing me to be authentic and camera comfortable. They guided our team through the entire process, which made working together with an amazing collaborative experience.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Holly (Co-Founder, Wave One Films) and Wayne (Creative Director, Wave One Films) went above and beyond to make this a fun and profitable experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a founding principal at BRIC Architecture, Inc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wave One Films?

To create a video highlighting a partnership with GirlsBuild to create a design build camp for young girls to learn about architecture and design.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to tell a compelling story about this work and how it impacted the girls to highlight our mission to empower learners to change the world and to inspire community

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Previous work with them

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

Since we had worked with Holly and Wayne previously, we trusted them to help us tell a good story in a compelling way. We met with them early on and described the story we wanted to tell. Holly & Wayne showed up for 2 days of our camp to capture photo and video and to interview key storytellers. They then sent us drafts to review and created the finished product based on our feedback.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Most of our coordination was via email. Holly was great about keeping in the know of where they were and if they needed anything further from us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Just launched so nothing to report yet beyond incredible excitement on our end.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was fantastic. they were so responsive.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I always marvel at their ability to understand and capture the narrative of our story so well.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the former market development manager at a broadcast media company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digital Wave Productions?

We needed to create long-form broadcast commercials for clients. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In the most recent project we worked on, they created a two-minute interview style commercial that was aired on TV and posted to social media channels. They collaborated with our team on the ideation process and provided scripting, production, and editing services.

What is the team composition? 

I primarily worked with Wayne (Creative Director, Digital Wave Productions), as well as a couple of others on their team. 

How did you come to work with Digital Wave Productions?

They were recommended by another contact in the industry. Their ideas and willingness to take over the daily management of the program made them the most ideal partner. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $25,000–$50,000 per segment.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together on multiple projects between September 2011–April 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Digital Wave helped our clients effectively communicate their message, using an interview-style format to add credibility to the product. The client continues to use the same format they came up with to this day, so I imagine it's because it's been successful for them. 

How did Digital Wave Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great to work with overall, paying close attention to detail and exceeding our expectations in terms of deliverables. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm most impressed by their ability to work closely with our clients in a professional manner, approaching the work thoughtfully and with a strong desire to achieve client goals. They also provided a lot of valuable feedback, helping streamline our processes and improve final products. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, no. They were wonderful partners. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Treat them as an extension of your own team and invite them to take part in the process, including the ideation phase. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for two companies. I'm the owner of my own marketing company, and act as an account executive for a digital company. I worked with Digital Wave through my own company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digital Wave Productions, Inc?

We were filming some long-form videos for a client and were running those videos on a local news affiliate. We used Digital Wave to tell the client's story and expand the brand.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They took care of everything from beginning to end, and they coordinated the project with our help. They oversaw all the editing but handed it over to us to get the finished product on the air. They helped a little with script writing, and they gave good input on my process. We worked well together, and the partnership was very collaborative.

They made about eight videos for me at the time. I haven't used them in a while, but I had a very good experience with them.

What is the team composition? 

I worked with a producer, a photographer, a grip, and a production assistant. The production assistant was a part of the copywriting and coordinating process as well.

How did you come to work with Digital Wave Productions, Inc?

Another producer in the market recommended them. I did my due diligence and interviewed around five candidates. They wanted to work as a team, which I appreciated, and their overall approach and their credentials encouraged me to go with them. They were efficient, and they adjusted whenever I needed. They took my input and never dismissed my ideas.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from around February­–May 2010.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The client really liked the format and the way the whole project turned out. The finished product was professional and high-quality, and the audio was perfect. I was also very happy with the results. I really enjoyed working with them, and would work with them again.

How did Digital Wave Productions, Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great project managers and met all the deadlines. They never took over completely, but they handled what I needed them to and did a great job. Most of our communication was through phone and email, and we spoke regularly in person.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were a good partner. They took ownership of their work and wanted to deliver a perfect product. They were concerned with our happiness and always asked us if there was anything they could do to improve the process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything they should improve. I had a great experience with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Work closely with your coordinator and producer and explain the goals and objectives of your project. The biggest piece is deciding who plays what role and how much involvement they should have.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I've worked with Wave One Films in my time leading various nonprofits. I was CEO of the Oregon and SW Washington Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and a board member of a Jesuit high school.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wave One Films?

I engaged with them to create videos for the different organizations I was involved in.

What were your goals for this project?

Each project had separate goals but they all were targeted to raise awareness of a specific project/mission with the intention of gathering both corporate and individual financial support.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were introduced to me by a professional colleague. After reviewing their work and meeting them in person, I knew that the organizations I led were in professional and capable hands.

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

While at Komen, Wave One Films helped us with a general awareness mission video for breast cancer as well as a few videos for our fundraising event. At the Jesuit high school, we used their skills similarly to increase awareness and raise funds for specific projects.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

There were multiple checkpoints during the process and I found both founders to be top-notch professionals.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The event videos always resulted in increased donations on the days of the event. We used additional footage on the websites as well as in email marketing strategies.

Wave One Films approaches each engagement with the intention to understand the unique objectives of the project and the outcome that is desired. What I found refreshing was that there was great care to understand the variety of stakeholders involved in the process, as well as the intended internal and external audiences. The quality of their projects and the results exceeded expectations. They were creative and highly proficient.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was excellent and communication management was outstanding. Wave One Films understands customer service and truly listens to what the client wants. Their years of experience result in a remarkable end product.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I really appreciated their attention to detail and personal service. They are true professionals.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None that I would note.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of marketing and communications at Oregon Episcopal School, a private school for pre-k–12.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digital Wave Productions, Inc.?

We needed a partner to create videos for different projects and events we had going on.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Digital Wave Productions, Inc. has made five videos, including our annual auction and fundraising videos. They can do everything from storyboarding to post-production, depending on how prepared we are. Sometimes, we have the entire idea and just need the video filmed and edited; other times, we have concept meetings to flesh out ideas and put together the storyboard.

Once the idea and script are finished, we coordinate with our teachers and students to film small vignettes or sections of the video. Digital Wave Productions, Inc. usually has 1–3 days of shooting and then spends 1–2 weeks to come up with a rough draft. Our internal team will then meet to review the video, and we’ll go back and forth like this 2–3 times until we get the finished product.

What is the team composition?

We mainly work with the two owners. If it’s a bigger project, they sometimes bring a third person.

How did you come to work with Digital Wave Productions, Inc.?

My boss worked with them when she was at a different company. When she came here, she introduced them to our school.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from August 2015–June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The auctions they made the videos for were successful, and everyone was happy with it. All of the videos are feel-good pieces that people enjoy and that show a fun and educational side of our school.

How did Digital Wave Productions, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re incredibly organized and communicative; I rely heavily on them to keep things on track. They’re patient and polite, constantly checking to make sure we stay on budget and don’t miss deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a lively and friendly team that enjoys working with people. They have great interview skills, which can definitely be seen in the videos.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Have a fleshed-out plan for what you want accomplished. It will be less expensive and go faster if you know what your goals are, how much money you’ll spend, and the timing.