5:00 Films & Media

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the communications manager at a renewable energy national nonprofit that works to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy economy. I work in the communications department, where I handle media relations, social media writing, and other external integrations. 

What challenge were you trying to address with 5:00 Films & Media?

We hired 5:00 Films & Media to produce a video for the celebration of our 20th anniversary.

What was the scope of their involvement?

In the beginning, we figured out what we needed for the project, including archival footage from the last 20 years of our organization. We then went to 5:00 Films & Media’s office and did an in-person shoot with our CEO. As we finished all the footage we were going to use, we started to map out what the final video would look like and what its narrative arc would be. 

Our teams then finished the first draft. From there, we went through a vigorous editing process as we collected information from the many members of the team and made sure that everyone was happy with the final product. They did some animation and limited graphics as they worked with our huge library of archival footage.

What is the team composition?

We worked with their founder on a couple of occasions, but our primary contact was Rob (Video Producer).

How did you come to work with 5:00 Films & Media?

We had an RFP process where we spoke with a number of firms. We conducted kickoff meetings to make sure we were aligned with them in terms of creative vision. Our team conducted a lot of remote interviews, so we talked through the most cost-effective and high-quality options for those interviews. 

Meanwhile, we chose 5:00 Films & Media because they were in our locality, and they specialized in working with nonprofits and trade associations. We thought that they’d be a good fit for our project and that they’d be familiar with working with an organization like ours. We were most impressed by these things, so we hired them. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement lasted from November 2021–March 2022. 

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

The video first debuted at our 20th-anniversary gala event, and we then used it in other places such as our website and social media accounts. It received highly positive feedback from our viewers, CEO, staff, and directors — all of our main stakeholders were truly happy with the final product.

How did 5:00 Films & Media perform from a project management standpoint?

5:00 Films & Media’s project management was fantastic; they were on the ball all the time. This was a huge project for us; there were times when we were extremely busy and didn’t have the time to keep all details in our heads. However, their team was always on top of everything. As a result, we didn’t have to worry too much about project management. To communicate, we typically use emails, Zoom, texts, and phone calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their responsiveness and willingness to ensure we’re happy with the final product were impressive. They had a deliberate process of getting our feedback, and the creative direction of the project was truly helpful. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You should engage 5:00 Films & Media — we recommend them. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of Windham-Campbell Prizes, a literary organization at Yale University.

What challenge were you trying to address with 5:00 Films & Media?

We needed their video production services.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our organization organized our annual literary festival, and we needed to declare the winners through an announcement video. 5:00 Films & Media produced this seven-minute video for our prize recipients, which featured more information about the prizes they received, including the founders of each prize. Apart from this main video, they also generated eight four-minute profile videos and another one-minute long video for our Instagram page.

We’re currently working with their team on another project, a virtual festival that will run from September to November. We’ve particularly tasked 5:00 Films & Media with producing nine 30–40-minute videos, which we will feature at the said festival.

What is the team composition?

W work with a team of 5–7 resources from 5:00 Films & Media’s team, including an account manager and their assigned producers and editors.

How did you come to work with 5:00 Films & Media?

We were impressed with the quality of the videos they produced for another foundation and were easily convinced that 5:00 Films & Media could deliver the same results to us. They had an impressive portfolio and a more impressive level of understanding of our requirements.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $225,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We kicked off our ongoing engagement with 5:00 Films & Media in November 2020.

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

5:00 Films & Media have successfully created striking and quality videos that encapsulate the story of our organization and the details for our prize announcement. Their method of combining top-notch editing with creative storytelling works like a charm — our audience has found the videos to be both informative and appealing.

How did 5:00 Films & Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Our project is done remotely, so we communicate via Zoom and regular emails. 5:00 Films & Media is an accommodating partner — they’re always available to answer our questions and attend to our requests.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They know exactly what they need to have and do to deliver our needs. We’re pleased to be working with such a talented and professional team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any constructive feedback at this point. We’ve encountered communication issues in the past, but most of those have only been on our end. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Always be inquisitive and willing to collaborate with 5:00 Films & Media’s team. If you treat them as a partner and not just a service provider, you’ll benefit more from their team’s innovative ideas and opinions.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a communications manager at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, the World Resources Institute's program dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for everyone.

For what projects/services did your company hire 5:00 Films & Media, and what were your goals?

The Prize for Cities highlights transformative projects that have made a demonstrable impact on people's lives in cities around the world. The 2020-2021 theme was "inclusive cities for a changing climate." 5:00 Films was hired to profile the 5 finalists for this cycle in documentary style, which each had a unique story to tell of transformative change in action. They also produced nearly all the content for our virtual awards ceremony, which featured all the finalist projects as well as the jury, previous winners and special guests.

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

We were very impressed with 5:00 Films' experience shooting remotely in complex situations and also supporting marque virtual events, which we knew would be a big challenge because of COVID.

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

We went through the concepts, scripting, production schedule, editing and post-production all with 5:00 Films and everything went smoothly.

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

We worked with a project manager, Sam Shank, and the founder, Esteban Escobar. They were very patient with a complex and long feedback process (driven by us) and very flexible throughout.

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

Our videos have already been viewed more than the previous cycle's and the virtual event was a tremendous success, with a large audience, lots of engagement and high-profile praise from important stakeholders.

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

We had weekly check-ins and lots of communication over email. Occasional spot calls also helped clear up complex questions.

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

Their flexibility, adaptability and resourcefulness for a big task amidst very challenging times.

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

No

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of the health team at a global communications agency that specializes in public relations for tech and healthcare companies. We support pharmaceutical companies and health tech companies.

What challenge were you trying to address with 5:00 Films & Media?

My client is a pharmaceutical company with a product for a rare eye disease. We were helping them create the first-ever awareness week for the disease. They wanted something educational and sticky to inform people about the disease and how to treat it. They helped us with all things video in that endeavor.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We came up with the idea of having a morning show that was meant to promote awareness about the disease and connect people with knowledgeable doctors and patients. They were responsible for the filming, production, and editing in a virtual capacity. During the pandemic, it was important that we could work remotely, and they were experts in virtual filming. 

They adjusted iPhones to capture high-quality video, and produced the show with two iPhones, a tripod, a light, and a microphone. That allowed them to conduct Zoom interviews on one phone while getting local video capture at the source. We didn’t need to worry about Wi-Fi connectivity or audio cutting out that way. 

In the end, they conducted several interviews and ended up with about 20 hours of footage to edit into 15-minute morning show episodes as well as five 30-second teasers and one three-minute feature video. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with the CEO and a producer. There was a team behind the scenes that was responsible for graphics, but our producer handled all coordination as well as the scheduling of interviews, editing, and shipping materials for production. 

How did you come to work with 5:00 Films & Media?

We found them through another client that had used their services in the past, so we hopped on the phone to discuss their offerings. They sold us on their capacity for virtual filming, which they’ve mastered over the course of many years. The fact that they were already experts in this area encouraged us to go with them— they weren’t scrambling to figure out how to film virtually like some other providers were. 

Additionally, they were extremely reasonable with their pricing. Their estimate for the work fell within our budget, so it was an easy sell.  

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $40,000–$45,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

From kickoff to completion, we worked together from September–November 2020.  

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

We heard nothing but positive feedback, both from our team, the CEO, and our clients. People are impressed with the product’s quality, the short turnaround time, and the fact that it was done completely virtually. They were pleased with how seamless the video looked. 

In fact, we were contacted by other brands for information about our video because they were aiming to achieve similar results to ours. When we posted the videos on our Facebook page, we were also met with positive comments that indicated that we were succeeding in raising awareness.  

How did 5:00 Films & Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team is very impressive— I don’t know how they do everything they do. Our industry offers tons of opportunities for review by different stakeholders, and they were great about keeping track of all comments. There were some very tight deadlines, and they were always committed to getting projects done when we needed them. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We appreciated how patient and understanding they were with interviewees during the filming process. The producer was kind and understanding, politely directing the interview just how we wanted. One of our participants was having trouble getting the filming kit back to us, and he even picked it up from her house. They’re a kind, experienced team that delivered a high-quality video. 

Their virtual filming process is seamless, complete with filming kits with corresponding prices, kit setup videos, and a shipping process. They’re excelling in virtual video production. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There were a couple of instances where we found some typos in their graphics. Those were only minor issues. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have conversions with their team about your vision for the project. Then, get an understanding of their virtual filming process. It takes an organized project manager to keep track of it. I’d recommend setting up trackers through Google Docs to create a master schedule.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior director of demand generation for a cybersecurity company. We specialize in helping organizations reduce and remediate their cyber risk.

What challenge were you trying to address with 5:00 Films & Media?

In the past, we used to do in-person workshops around the country. The purpose of these workshops was to provide education, best practices, and actionable tips to our customers and prospects on how to implement the most optimal risk-based vulnerability management solution.

Since the pandemic, and like many other companies, we’ve had to stop in-person events. We wanted to continue to be of service and provide these workshops virtually. Our team didn’t want to do a typical webinar because people are saturated with webinars. They want something they can do at their own pace and own terms, and we wanted to provide that for them. We brought on 5:00 Films & Media to help us tackle that.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had this vision, and they came in and took the time to understand what we wanted to accomplish. Their agency walked us through their best practices and what they’ve seen works well with other customers. We met together and decided how to proceed.

We decided to do a virtual workshop. We took a three-hour, in-person workshop and condensed it into an hour with videos that provide research, best practices, and tips on how to implement this risk-based vulnerability management solution at their company. These videos are a way to engage this audience given we can’t engage with them in person.

We wanted videos that were engaging and personable. We brought individuals who started our company and are experts in their field to talk about how to help each other. The deliverables were 10 videos. Our workshop is a series of sessions. There were different people talking in different sessions and we also had animation.

What is the team composition?

I worked with three individuals in total, and two of them were our main contacts. It was Esteban (CEO) and Chad (Creative Team).

How did you come to work with 5:00 Films & Media?

I was looking for agencies that had a footprint in both Chicago and the Washington, DC area or were amicable to traveling given the risks of COVID-19. 5:00 Films & Media is based out of Maryland, and they were willing to travel to Chicago to film.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested roughly $22,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was from September–October 2020.

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

We were able to deliver on budget and on time; they executed flawlessly. Their team came under budget and delivered everything earlier than expected. The participants of the workshop enjoyed working with 5:00 Films & Media.

Their team was flexible, accommodating, and professional. One of their unique style elements is authenticity; in fact, that’s one of the reasons why we engaged with them. Everyone on our internal team who has seen the videos, including our CEO, has been wowed by them.

How did 5:00 Films & Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication was wonderful. Their team met every deadline. They were always there to answer our questions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

5:00 Films & Media really stood by their promise. They over-delivered and everything was flawless. It was a very streamlined experience. Their expertise was very helpful, and they provided a lot of guidance along the way.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be prepared and be organized. Make sure to have a clear direction and plan of what you want. Provide a clear path to your desired end result.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of the Biotechnology Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization in Washington DC. Our mission is to engage, excite, and educate as many people as possible, particularly young people, about biotechnology and its immense potential to heal the sick, feed the hungry, restore the environment, and fuel the economy.

We promote excellence in biotechnology research from the best and brightest minds in the next generation of innovators. Our efforts unite the national biotechnology community, including students, teachers, schools and mentors in delivering more effective workforce development and training to sustain the industry’s growth and impact.

For what projects/services did your company hire 5:00 Films & Media?

Each year, at the BIO International Convention, the Institute conducts the BioGENEius Program, a series of competitions for bright high school age students from across the nation and select countries performing innovative research in biotechnology focused on healthcare, agricultural sustainability and industrial/environmental applications.

In this COVID year, BIO and the Institute turned the entire conference to virtual (digital) formats. 5:00 Films conducted interviews of the BioGENEius finalists, recorded in real time their competitions (the International BioGENEius and GenePool Challenges), interviewed judges and Institute/BIO heads and took all that content and condensed those experiences into a dynamic 30 minute video session that was aired in prime time at BIO 2020 Digital.

What were your goals for this project?

Through productions like that of 5:00 Films, we hope to raise awareness of the Institute and its programs, showcase the innovation resident in our younger generations, and recognize the sponsors of our programs for their critical support.

How did you select this vendor?

We had utilized the services of 5:00 Films last year at BIO 2019 in its onsite format - a convention of >16,000 attendees in which the Institute conducts the BioGENEius and GenePool Challenges. We were very please at their cost effective approach, especially in that real time physical format that required them to deliver high quality content in just a few days of filming to open a signature morning keynote in front of 3000-4000 attendees.

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

The final product was a 30 min segment aired during prime time at the convention that showcased our International BioGENEius and GenePool Competitions in addition to some of the behind the scenes events and additional commentary by significant sponsors.

Once selected for 2020, we and 5:00 start with a few strategy meetings to like BIO's theme with ours, what segments of the video would need to contain, how to obtain them virtually, what additional material might be added, etc.

Then we coordinate an introduction of 5:00 to all participants so they might then set up individual taping sessions. We also conduct group activities that are taped. Then we enter the competitions phase and all that including the judges' live Q&A are taped.

Finally commentary is collected from our sponsors. Strategy discussions, white boards, etc. cover a few weeks and all the taping occurs over the following 3 weeks. Finally all content is assembled by 5:00 into a draft of the 30 min segment, reviewed at least twice by us to make necessary edits until we arrive at the final product by the deadline requested by BIO to receive these pre-taped segments.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We had an open and almost daily management process because of our need to be involved with the coordination of the student (minor) filming. Once material was collected we set up review meetings at each of our respective convenience while staying on schedule.

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

There were 118 pre-taped sessions at the convention over 4 days. The analytics that we received indicated that we were in the upper 50% of all sessions viewed. Mind you, we are not primary programming in the convention. We are more of an ancillary event so this was pleasing.

We had 172 confirmed (signed up) attendees, 420 video loads, and just over 5400 minutes of viewing or about 180 views. Obviously some loaded to watch offline. The video was then posted to our YouTube channel where so far we have had about 150 more views. For a first time digital (virtual) event, we were very pleased. So were our sponsors, student finalists and BIO.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Pretty seamless and very effective considering the nature of filming the events required daily interaction. Clear objectives are always set at the beginning of the project. 5:00 Films are great collaborators. They write cohesive content and operate well under pressure. They complete ski missions in very close turn around times.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

5:00 Films are great collaborators. They write cohesive content and operate well under pressure. They complete ski missions in very close turn around times. We know because of the demanding schedule and this being the first time attempted that 5:00 staff spent late nights as they had many other segments to film for BIO. Despite their heavy workload, they never complained, took care of all our comments and edits professionally and delivered!

Are there any areas for improvement?

With the strong caveat of this being a first time for everyone, and BIO's imposed quick timeline, next year we will look to plan for even more videographic creativity.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Marketing Manager at Project MUSE, a division of Johns Hopkins University Press. We are a digital platform for scholarly books and journals. I am responsible for everything from the brand voice, advertising and promotions, to the day to day marketing of MUSE.

For what projects/services did your company hire 5:00 Films & Media?

Our 25th Anniversary was to be launched at a gala opening followed by our annual publishers meeting and carry through the year and into the following spring. We wanted to tell our story, but without focusing on the past, as much as inspiring a way forward. Our theme was "Envision What's Next"

What were your goals for this project?

Rather than simply showing a video, we wanted viewers to provide ideas to us and provide their vision of what's to come. So, 5:00 connected us with a firm that would capture that data and upload it onto a site for viewers to comment on and get involved with and interact with each other on.

How did you select this vendor?

A committee was formed made up of members of Project MUSE and Johns Hopkins University Press. We had narrowed our search down to three firms to create an inspiring video for Project MUSE’s 25th Anniversary. One had dropped out and it was down to two.

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

While the other firm had simply proposed what we’d asked for, Esteban provided a whole new approach that would incorporate our audience’s participation. So, in the end, we got a beautiful video along with a way to capture the ideas it generated.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We had a great give and take throughout the process with several rounds of feedback with 5:00 always being responsive, thoughtful and professional.

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

Due to Covid-19, the gala and publishers meeting was cancelled and the video launch is on hold. However, we plan to launch it in 2021.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The 5:00 Films & Media team was highly responsive, thoughtful, and enjoyable to work with.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Again, Esteban and his team provided a whole new approach, that in addition to a video, gave us a new marketing platform that would incorporate our audience’s participation. So, 5:00 went above and beyond our expectations.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for AdvaMed, which stands for Advanced Medical Device Technology Association. I’m the senior vice president of conferences and events and we’re a trade association for the medical device industry.

What challenge were you trying to address with 5:00 Films & Media?

We hired them to shoot on-site at a conference and to develop a series of promotional videos.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They began with a proposal for project management, scripting, shooting on-site, video editing, music selection, graphics, and animation.

What is the team composition?

We worked with about four people.

How did you come to work with 5:00 Films & Media?

I’ve worked with them for about 10 years. I found them through another association that was working with them. I actually used to work for another video production company and planned to hire them instead of 5:00 Films & Media, but I was so impressed with their work, their attitude, and their creativity, that I ended up hiring them instead.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from June–November 2019.

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

They’re great, which is why I keep working with them. They really listened to us to identify the goals for the project. They always found ways to work within our budget and were excessively creative. They’re on top of the latest trends in video, and they provided a lot of guidance, helping us make decisions to improve the product overall. Some things we didn’t consider or plan on doing, but they’re a trusted consultant. I frequently reach out to them, to get guidance on other projects, in the hopes that I can hire them again down the line.

How did 5:00 Films & Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re excellent. We were assigned a primary contact to reach out to, and they respond promptly to emails or requests for information. When they work an event, they’re available 24-hour a day. They’re very attentive from a project management standpoint.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Whenever we provided constructive feedback, they’re very receptive and are able to make those adjustments.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They work with a lot of different partners, so they provided us with a lot of different options. That could be a little overwhelming if a client hasn’t worked with them before. It’s really just too much of a good thing.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open o their guidance. Sometimes you think you know what you want to do, but they can come up with a less expensive and less burdensome way to achieve the same goals. They’re excellent at helping you reach your goals in the best way possible.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Exectuive Director of the American Art Therapy Association, a nonpartisan, nonprofit professional association

For what projects/services did your company hire 5:00 Films & Media?

50th anniversary video project with many audiences and stakeholders needs to consider and a limited budget.

What were your goals for this project?

Provide a celebratory impactful video enagaging membership and supporters.

How did you select this vendor?

Long history of very successful projects and collaborations at various nonprofit organizations with this vendor.

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

Vendor worked with various members of the staff and volunteers to create vision, step by step planning and managed a series of quick fire-drill changes that popped up.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Regular communicator via formal and “call us anytime” accessibility, they acted as members of the team.

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

Extremely successful with positive reactions from members, conference attendees and social media. Supported fundraising campaign and will be sure to promote membership in 2020

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Extremely.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They consistently act as part of the team. They care about the nonprofit mission and are constantly advising us on new ways to use and repurpose videos, current trends, and such. Also willing to work on budgets that are at times smaller than the vision but in the end we get a great video with a lot of repurposable content.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.

Please describe your company and your position there.

The company I was running at the time of working with 5:00 was a digital publication and online community for leaders of associations. I served as the Director of the organization.

For what projects/services did your company hire 5:00 Films & Media?

5:00 helped with the video strategy and editing around a virtual conference we hosted.

What were your goals for this project?

• Increase attendance to the conference.
• Increase enthusiasm and active participation in the event.
• Improve the quality of video sessions.

How did you select this vendor?

We found them! Tim Parsons of 5:00 was writing into the online forum of one of our virtual conferences, and his comments were really thought-provoking. I got in touch and it initiated a series of conversations that were so positive and idea rich.

I am a fan of the whole 5:00 team, but my interactions were mostly with Tim and he's an incredible guy to work with. Beyond what you would expect, he is a motivator and supporter. He comes with active ideas all the time and he's a connector (of thoughts and people) by nature so he brings a dynamism into the projects he is running.

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

5:00 took care of the session videos, the marketing videos leading up to the event, and a whole proposed strategy around getting video engagement from attendees DURING the event.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

It was over a year ago so I don't remember in great detail. We (my team) had to collect video content from a lot of different places, and so we actually wound up being late to deliver the assets to 5:00. I suspect we derailed their processes as a result, so likely I wouldn't be able to give an accurate answer to this anyway. I can say for sure that I remember being impressed with how Tim laid everything out at the beginning.

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

A streamlined video production process and improved quality of output that remained consistent, a successful marketing campaign that brought excited attendees to the conference, a new go-to person (Tim!) when I need fresh ideas and enthusiasm.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I answered this above. We were late to deliver assets, which was on us. 5:00 was also giving us a really good deal on the project because they were a sponsor of the event, so they were fitting us into their packed schedule.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The investment in relationships.

Are there any areas for improvement?

After the project was over, we met with 5:00 and had a debrief where we all shared areas for improvement. What I really liked was that 5:00 came to the conversation with a ton of ideas of how the video assets we were handing over to them could be improved. This conversation, but really the whole process, forever upped our game.