1820 Productions

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the managing partner for an integrated marketing agency. Our comprehensive services are grounded in data-driven tools which help us understand how to get the right message to the right audience and track that we are reaching them.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire 1820 Productions, and what were your goals?

The client we work with is responsible for managing disaster relief funds. The client was looking for a video that would warn people of the dangers of water disasters and encourage them to purchase flood insurance for better protection. We were charged with developing a commercial that would capture the audience’s attention and drive home the message in a dramatic fashion.

Through this project, 1820 Productions provided over 20+ deliverables for the campaign, including digital boards, schematics, storyboards, broadcast-ready videos, audio ads, and media and cut-downs for social and digital usage. All deliverables were produced in both English and Spanish using two different voice-over talents.

SOLUTION

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

We have worked with 1820 Productions on a number of other projects. They have been intentional about getting to know our team and the agencies we work with, so we felt confident that they would be able to produce a show-stopping video that resonated with our intended audience.

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

The visually compelling and dramatic example of a person ignoring flooding as their house fills up with water was no small feat. While filming the video took 4 days at a 60-foot by 30-foot tank in Central Texas, the pre-production planning required countless hours of meticulous planning and coordination.

From the initial research required to even dream up the water concept to the design of the digital boards, schematics, storyboarding, visual styles and colors, lighting, and securing all the specialized support – every piece of the project required hands-on intentional decisions to pull off such a complex shoot.

During filming, the team first shot the video on the set dry and then shot the video again using the water flooding into the set. With 1.8 terabytes of footage, post-production was no cakewalk either. With precision, the team organized the timeline, edited the video, added the audio, and layered in the coloring to produce a final cut version of the film that is truly show-stopping.

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

We worked with Korey, Sara, and Katelyn. The entire team is very collaborative. They worked with us as collaborative partners throughout the entire project, so the feedback process was responsive and supportive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video, both the English version and the Spanish version, ran from June 1, 2022, to August 31, 2022, across digital and broadcast TV platforms. During this time, it delivered over 107 million impressions across both languages with amazing video completion and click through rates.

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

1820 Productions produces incredible videos in a timely manner with very specific and intentional communication throughout the entire process. They build time into every project to make sure everyone knows their part and is clear on the intended goals and outcomes.

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

1820 Productions' team is ready to take on any task, no matter how daunting. When we first introduced the idea of using water in the video, they immediately began researching water, the best ways to video it, and how to incorporate it effectively in the video.

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

We have never had an issue in working with 1820 Productions. They always have our back in working to meet the client's needs, and they share their thought leadership with us ahead of time so that we are not needing to look for changes. We have a great rapport with them, so we know if anything were to ever come up, we could address it with them for rapid resolution.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the owner of a consultancy when I worked with 1820. I am currently the CEO of a women-focused workspace. At my consultancy, I partnered with 1820 Productions to deliver broadcast programming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire 1820 Productions, and what were your goals?

To deliver the first broadcast television programs in the history of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) to BET. Due to the onset of the pandemic, this legacy Foundation was unable to host their signature fundraising events in person. With the need for Black voices to be heard more than ever, the CBCF partnered with 1820 Productions to bring the legacy of the Caucus to the masses - via broadcast television.

SOLUTION

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

After a thorough RFP process, 1820 Productions was selected as the CBCF's partner of choice. Their commitment to excellence, their body of work, the team's professionalism, leadership and dedication to the cause were the main reasons we selected them as our partner. Their ability to be flexible and collaborate while providing industry guidance to get us to goal was of the utmost importance and we would not have delivered our programs without their leadership and expertise.

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

1820 kept the CBCF on track through their collaborative ideation process, their timelines and project management capabilities and their ability to drive. We as the client felt informed at all times and found a partner that brought our vision to life. As first time producers, there were a lot of learning curves and 1820 helped us navigate all of them with grace, delivering two shows and three hours of programming to our partner and ushering in a new chapter for content at the CBCF.

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

We had a full team from 1820 Productions that included Korey and Sara, the fearless leaders of this amazing team. We maintained a constant feedback loop, with clear and timely communication on all fronts. They did a great job of creating formalized updates that were digital for reference and scheduling time to discuss these updates regularly to ensure everyone was on the same page.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We delivered both programs on time with no compromise to quality of content. The CBCF was able to include all of their signature awards and key speeches, including remarks from the President and VP, despite last minute schedule changes. Producing during COVID was a challenge, and 1820 provided creative solutions so that the CBCF did not have to compromise their expectations or level of production for their inaugural shows.

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

They provided a plethora of project management timelines, content for review, creative guides, style direction and overall flow documents for us to ensure that we were always on the same page. There were also a number of regularly scheduled meetings for us to discuss these tools where they took the time to educate us, provide solutions for our ideas and help us get everything past the finish line.

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

Their ability to stay positive and manage expectations. Our bar was high, and they helped us deliver a best-in-class program our first time around. We did exactly that, exceeding the expectations from our broadcast partner, the members of Congress, the performers and the key speakers.

Everything was unprecedented at the onset of COVID with regulations and rules changing by the day. 1820 Productions took everything in stride and helped us navigate the unprecedented. Their ability to collaborate, deliver with excellence and truly be a partner is unmatched.

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

No - I would work with them again in any capacity.