Archipelago Productions

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Co-Artistic Director of Hit & Run Dance Productions, a Canadian entertainment company specializing in site-specific dance performance, multi-media theatrical events and live immersive experiences.

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

Our company commissioned Archipelago to create a promotional teaser video for our newest large scale production, Haunted Cinema, which premiered in October 2021. This immersive, live-action drive-in featured a huge cast of professional performers who brought the movie on screen to life outside the guests' cars through choreographed action and dance.

Our challenge was to create the most compelling, catchy and exciting (yet short!) teaser video for the event, one which would convince the public that this was the 'not-to-miss' event of the Halloween season. It had to be both thrilling and a draw for both the adult and family markets.

Because the aim was for the video to live on social media, the length had to be short, so we needed to work with a company that could convey a narrative concisely yet convincingly.

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

We were referred to Archipelago from our friends at Makers TO, a company we have a wonderful relationship with and trust implicitly. Deciding factors were our trust in the referring party, Archipelago's ability to work within our budget parameters and short turn around timeline, and our positive experience in our first meetings with the team.

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

The video was a 30 second promotional teaser video featuring 10 live performers and actors. It was shot on location at Ontario Place, in an area of the park adjacent to the drive-in lot where the actual production took place.

We met with the director and producers online (due to COVID), described our goals and desires, gave feedback on storyboards, shot lists and music, and brainstormed solutions for shooting location.

Archipelago also worked with one of our performers to record voiceover for the video. The shoot was done in one evening and post-production was completed in less than week, ready to for distribution ahead of our deadline.

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

We worked predominantly with director Alex and were incredibly pleased. He was warm and professional, open-minded and creative. He was also very intuitive when it came to anticipating our needs and the needs of the project. The process was seamless and so enjoyable. We had trust in his vision from the first meeting to the conclusion of the project.

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

The video was a hit, driving click numbers on social media and the Ontario Place website. The feedback on social media and from our friends and colleagues was very positive, with many expressing that it had convinced them to purchase tickets to the show. Many also commented on the professional quality of the film and how fun it was.

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

The entire team we worked with at Archipelago was incredible, from their promptness to their efficiency, positive energy and great ideas, to their respect for our performers on set. Communication was clear and efficient, timelines were met and often exceeded.

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

I was impressed with Archipelago's flexibility and adaptability within a project that was restricted in timeline and budget were so appreciated. They always sought to find solutions and refused to compromise their creativity and vision despite the challenges. Their optimistic approach throughout was a breath of fresh air, particularly in the midst of pandemic darkness.

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

We cannot think of any ways in which they could have improved. We would love to work with them again on a project with more lead time.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Greetings, I am the Head of Production for Singing OUT, Canada's largest LGBTQ+ chorus. I oversee the entire production for our concerts (artistic and technical).

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

Our choir was faced with many challenges during the pandemic and so we decided to produce virtual concerts for our audiences. Our goals were to create a concert that highlighted our singing but also incorporated narration and archived material.

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

We looked at several options for a video production that we felt could deliver us a concert that still reflected our "stamp". We specifically tried to create a concert that reflected the mood of society and to give people hope during the pandemic.

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

There was a great deal of communication between myself and Archipelago when producing this concert. As this was a brand new experience for all of our members, Archipelago gave us valuable information from both an artistic and a technical level, so that all members of our choir could participate in the project.

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

My primary point of contact was Alex Josselyn-Hamilton who headed our production along with a team of editors. He gave us marvellous feedback and sage advice as we tried to navigate this new process of performing.

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

Our virtual concert was a massive success! We are still being inundated with praise even though our premiere date was June 1st. It has been a very rewarding process on an emotional and artistic level.

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

I am thoroughly impressed by Alex's management of our project. He would often give us praise for the variety of materials we submitted. Alex would also guide us with a very organized and manageable set of deadlines so that we were not overwhelmed. He was flexible with deadlines and was quick to respond when we made certain requests in the editing process.

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

We were very impressed with the high level of professionalism and artistic style of Archipelago! We felt it was a wonderfully collaborative process and that both the company worked diligently in highlighting our strengths and talents.

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

Absolutely none! As we did two virtual concerts with Archipelago, we felt they understood our vision and worked diligently to achieve this task. We would gladly work with them again!

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work at a university’s educational facilities. I manage our commercial operations, like the supplying of medical isotopes that are shipped around the world for treating life-threatening conditions such as cancer.

What challenge were you trying to address with Archipelago Productions?

The challenge was transitioning to a virtual world. On the business development and marketing side of our business, it’s difficult to talk about what we do without letting people see our facilities. We hired Archipelago to do a series of videos that could help us communicate better with customers, students, communities, and the government.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Archipelago made a series of videos. Their team did all the filming but they assisted us with identifying and selecting actors. They also helped us with developing the content and writing the script, but we supplied a lot of those. One of the challenges we had to face was communicating educational principles to ‘non-science’ people, so Archipelago guided us in translating the terms, demystifying the technology, and making sure that everybody would understand the content.

Archipelago put the videos together and suggested that we use animation as a clever solution to some areas. We reviewed the outcome and recommended changes when they were needed. They then delivered the final product, which is a series of five videos.

What is the team composition?

On the day of filming, there were around four people: Alex (Director & Producer), a camera person, somebody who took care of the makeup, and another who looked after lighting.

How did you come to work with Archipelago Productions?

We had done some research and looked into other people that the university previously worked with, but we were looking for somebody that had done a little bit of work in the educational space. This way, we could ensure that they already knew some things and that we didn’t need to start from scratch. 

We were also looking for someone who had a real creative view. I didn’t want the videos to be static or boring; I needed them to be dynamic and engaging to really bring people in and demystify what we do.

Archipelago was recommended to us by the institute in Canada, whom the team had done videos for in the past, and that’s how we ended up choosing them.

How much have you invested with them?

We paid a service fee and did separate billings on some aspects, all totaling within the $35,000–$40,000 CAD (approximately $28,000–$32,000 USD) range.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in January 2021 and we just got our final video this week.

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

It’s a real challenge in science to help people understand the effect that our studies have on the medical treatment of cancer patients, but the videos were phenomenal and were able to show just that. We shared the videos with our leadership team, and the impact is tremendous. Anybody whom we’ve shown it to can’t believe the quality. Even the animation has helped them see things that the video couldn’t. Archipelago did a really great job combining the shots and the animation.

We’re going to plan the marketing for each of the videos and will be releasing one every month over the next few months on our website and social media pages. Right now, we will mostly be using the videos in upcoming trade missions to show our capability in different sectors.

How did Archipelago Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

I mainly dealt with Alex and he was really great. He was very responsive and always got back to me as my single point of contact. We communicated mostly through email, but we didn’t have a problem with taking a call, which didn’t happen very often. We also used a combination of Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The angle they brought to these videos, as well as the level of creativity and professionalism, was very impressive. Archipelago was able to find the right balance of creatively sharing the information while making sure it came across as professional and university-standard. Even with the animations, it was not at all cartoony.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, no. I’m super happy with Archipelago’s services and don’t have anything bad to say about them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear with what you’re looking for and let Archipelago think creatively about it. It would be better not to prescribe, but to let their team and yours contribute equally.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director of a nonprofit organization that is focused on shifting how education works in Ontario.

What challenge were you trying to address with Archipelago Productions?

We were working on a specific project that helps support students and teach them how to solve real-world problems. We hired Archipelago Productions to create a video experience for students.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We needed 20 different videos that were 2–3 minutes in length. We led the content design and they helped bring our vision to life. They provided feedback on what they think would work and what they thought we should do differently. That ensured we were creating a great product.

Some of the videos required a very intense shooting and production period. We were able t complete the majority of these videos in a six-week time span.

What is the team composition?

We worked with about three people. My primary contact was Nicholas (Producer & Director).

How did you come to work with Archipelago Productions?

We were looking for a small boutique company that could be flexible while remaining nimble so they could move quickly. We went through a broad search and were very excited about working with Archipelago Productions

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $45,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2019. We’re not quite done with the project because the COVID-19 lockdown put a wrench into things.

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

We’re really impressed by the quality of their work. People who know this kind of work have highlighted that the production value is incredibly high.

How did Archipelago Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re excellent. They’re great at meeting deadlines. Sometimes, as an organization, we’re very comprehensive about our follow up. They could be a little more responsive to emails, but at the same time, I wouldn’t sacrifice their ability to deliver high-quality work on time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to think about the big picture really stands out. They’re very focused on the message we’re trying to create and what we’re trying to do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, I can’t think of anything off the top of my head.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a good understanding of what your vision and being very forthright and sharing it with them.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a senior program officer, and our program specifically supports youth workers in the design, implementation, and celebration of programs for Indigenous youth across Canada.

What challenge were you trying to address with Archipelago Productions?

Over two years ago, we began a project to develop digital resources as an alternative learning platform for youth workers across the country. The program was popular, but we realized that we didn’t have the technical expertise to build out the resources as we would’ve liked.

Archipelago Productions joined our project, working with our limited budget to produce digital training episodes.

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Archipelago Productions created digital episodes of different games, activities, and training resources for Indigenous youth. 

Right from the start, they were just incredible. They helped us maintain the vision we had for our videos. We were experts in training while they were experts in digital media. That made for a perfect balance of how to love and honor what we wanting to bring to the table.

It’s also important to note that they were working with populations who lived on the margins. That meant they needed to work with inner-city schools in Toronto and visit First Nations communities in Ontario. They even traveled to our programs abroad in Rwanda.

Making children feel comfortable about filming is no easy task, but they magically did it every time.

What is the team composition? 

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with nearly everyone on the team, from Jana (Producer) to Nicholas (Director). It’s been a really enriching experience.

How did you come to work with Archipelago Productions?

We led a competitive RFP process, interviewing several organizations. Archipelago Productions stood out because they had the greatest level of technical expertise and infrastructure while also understanding that we’re working with a nonprofit budget.

What is the status of this engagement?

The educational videos lasted from January–April 2020, but we actually started working with them in Q3 of 2018 for other projects. We’ve done three major projects in total.

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

Over the years, we’ve amassed a library of over 100 games, activities, and training episodes to offer partners in the program. It is one of our most popular resources and youth workers can now watch a two-minute video to learn how to lead a game while focusing on specific learning outcomes.

How did Archipelago Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re so responsive. They guide us through every step of production, and we have opportunities to give feedback. The videos need to be approved by multiple departments to look over the branding and activities, so they’ve learned to navigate that. 

It’s also their timeliness. They’re usually ahead of schedule and help us stay on track. That’s been true throughout this COVID-19 situation, too.

What did you find most impressive about them?

From a process standpoint, they’ve been receptive to our vision. The team was willing to be open to our topics and approach them in a respectful way while also showing us how we could do better on the digital side. We never felt like they were talking to us in a way that was excessively technical.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t have anything critical to say about them. After three projects, I’m sure that everyone in our organization would work with them again in a heartbeat.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be willing to open up with them, whether that’s sharing your vision or being honest about what you don’t know. Archipelago Productions will find a way to teach you the right points so that you make the most out of your expertise and theirs. That’s how you create captivating content. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Providence Therapeutics is a manufacturer of mRNA vaccines. Our main product is a personalized cancer vaccine project. My role at the company is behind the scenes logistics, but I also contribute to the scientific underpinning of the company and identify strategic initiatives we should be taking on.

What challenge were you trying to address with Archipelago Productions?

We’re embarking on a clinical trial of our cancer vaccine. We wanted to put something on our website that would be easy to understand and help people that are enrolling in our clinical trial to understand the objectives of the trial are.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They made a video in which we interviewed a few representatives of the company, some external opinion leaders, and scientific experts. They all discuss our company, our approach, and what we hope patients will identify with when they enroll in the trial.

Although they’re live interviews, the video is in an explainer format. We came in with a script and we sat down with Nicholas (Director) to discuss the script. After sitting down with us, he was able to piece together how to get the most information from our interviewees. He made sure that the questions we wanted to ask were included but also asked a few follow up questions. All of the answers are suitable for the film.

After we shot the video, they sent me a transcription of everything and how they thought it should be pieced together. Then we did a clip selection and had a draft video a few weeks later.

What is the team composition?

Leading up to production, we just dealt with Nicholas. On production day, I believe he brought in three other individuals, including someone from makeup, someone for the camera, and someone for lighting. There may have been a fourth person as an assistant.

How did you come to work with Archipelago Productions?

 I found them on a website where companies like ours can go and find talent. That site was recommended to us from somebody who is in the industry. After we found Archipelago Productions, I bounced the idea off of my contact in the industry, who believed they would be a great fit for us. Since the first time we spoke with them, I’ve been confident that we’re in good hands.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $9,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

 The project lasted from August–October 2019.

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

They were very professional, confident, and competent. We’re discussing doing another video with them in the near future. Our experience with them was very positive.

How did Archipelago Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management as very easy. Nicholas likes to have a flow in his projects. We had a hiccup trying to identify a good site to use. We thought we could shoot on our premises, but due to permits, we needed to find an alternative site. He was very proactive and found the perfect location for us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of their work, professionalism, and ability to bring in great people to the shoot. It was great — everybody was enthusiastic and excited and it felt like a professional video shoot.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, it went well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You’re in good hands.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of technology Liv Agency, a medical education agency that builds learning programs for healthcare professionals.

What challenge were you trying to address with Archipelago Productions?

We often do video modules and learning capsules, and Archipelago Productions is my go-to video production company.

What was the scope of their involvement?

All of our content is geared towards healthcare professionals, so most of the time we’re recording physicians and pharmacists on camera. 

We usually use a location or a studio that Archipelago Productions provides, we bring our doctors to the set, and then the team records everything for us. We do most of the editing ourselves. We’ve done a couple of projects with them over time.

What is the team composition?

Nicholas (Director) is my main point of contact, but he also has a whole team. I’ve worked with different teammates, including production assistants, camerapersons, and audio specialists. If Nicholas can’t be on set himself, he sends another producer. There’s always at least a team of 3–4 people.

How did you come to work with Archipelago Productions?

I joined a Facebook group for production professionals to find a partner. We’re based in Montreal, so I needed someone who could shoot in Toronto, so I put that in the Facebook group. 

I worked with another company and shot with them but it didn’t go well. So I posted again in the group, and Nicholas answered my ad and told me that he could do exactly what we were looking for. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $30,000 CAD over the years (approximately $21,900 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in 2018, and our engagement is ongoing.

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

They’re perfect, that’s why I keep coming back. I never have to worry about something not being right. Archipelago Productions knows their stuff. I can come back to them with wacky requests, and they always have a solution for me. 

For example, one of our physicians asked us if they could do a walk-and-talk shoot, but that wasn’t going to work in the studio because we didn’t have the budget.

So, Archipelago Productions brought us a specialized treadmill that made it look like the person was walking. The team is incredibly resourceful, and I’ve never had anything but perfect work from them.

How did Archipelago Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They always deliver on time and within the budget. We communicate via email, phone, and text. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The scope of their knowledge and professionalism are impressive. They know their business well, and they don’t hesitate on what to do next. I never have to worry about the logistics, and that makes my job easier. I just have to show up. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have no suggestions. Archipelago Productions is flawless.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Think of them as an extension of your team rather than just a service provider because they’re problem solvers. They know so much about their business. When you go to them, don’t just say you need a cameraperson; tell them the objective.

That way, they can come up with something that fits into what you’re looking for. Once you tell them what you expect, let Archipelago Productions do the work of figuring out how to get there.

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a marketing and events agency. I am a Senior Account Manager.

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

We were hosting two International Women's Day events that were all virtual. We needed support with sourcing equipment, tech checks, rehearsals, event platform set up and day of stream support.

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

Archipelago was the first to come to mind as they took my agency through and intro meeting and let us know they had been a part of many projects and had successfully took many teams virtual during the great pivot to digital events. Nicholas was attentive to what our agency specific needs were and let us know his team could be a great partner.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

Onboarding meetings

Speaker Tech Checks

• support setting up camera and microphone
• internet checks
• frame and wardrobe check

Speaker Rehearsal

• bringing speakers into streamyard for walkthrough
• trouble shooting with any speakers experiencing issues

Hopin Platform Support

• event set up
• branded elements placement

Streamyard Platform Support

• creating banners
• importing backgrounds
• importing videos
• tile arrangment

Day of Event Support

• bringing speakers into stream
• launching lower thirds
• tile arrangement
• deploying intro and outro videos
• starting/stopping stream

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Producer x1 Assistant Producer x4

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Archipelago team was incredible while dealing with our high profile speakers. They were able to take speakers that were and were not tech savvy making them feel comfortable and ready for the event. Although my agency was in charge of creating the tools used for the live stream, they reviewing and offered valuable input that added to the success of our event.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our communication with Archipelago was perfect. They were prompt in answering any inquiries and while we were juggling between 10 speakers busy schedules, they were able to jump in on tech checks and rehearsal times not originally scoped. The day of the event they were very attentive to everything and supported us above and beyond.

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

The Archipelago team are true pros in this space. They offered valued feedback when trying to take the boring zoom call virtual event, to more of an elevated experience. They also were able to handle high profile speakers with professionalism and I felt I could trust them to communicate directly with them. They were a true partner in this project.

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

Honestly, no. They were amazing.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a content producer at Shopify Plus

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

Archipelago supported us with the video production of several projects.

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

Their team has been fantastic to work with from start to finish-- really engaging us to understand our vision, helping our internal team feel comfortable in front of the camera, turning around the content on schedule, and helping with all our adjustment and edit requests.

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

Working with them felt like an extension of our internal team. They are true professionals and masters of their craft. We are thrilled with the final results! Thank you, Archipelago!

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

Multiple members of the team including Jana and Nicholas as our primary contacts.

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

We are thrilled with the final results! Thank you, Archipelago.

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

Very hands-on, always timely to reply, and available to run proposed changes. They always completed any change requests in a timely manner.

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

On each project, they took the time to understand our vision, helping our internal team feel comfortable in front of the camera, turning around the content on schedule, and helping with all our adjustment and edit requests.

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

None.