Black Box Productions

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner and executive producer of Blackbox Communications. We’re a marketing communications company that does B2B communications, live events, video production, and more.

What challenge were you trying to address with Black Box Productions?

We had a client that switched their event from live to virtual and needed to start producing content for it. Our team had numerous videos we had to do, but three of the videos needed to be very high end. So, we needed a high-end production company.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They produced a total of six videos for our client. Each video was between three to six minutes. The Black Box Productions team helped with creative development. We had general ideas of what we wanted to do. For example, one of the videos involved a restaurant and a chef. Black Box Productions provided creative ideas about how to shoot the food. They shot everything in high res, and it looked like a commercial.

For another video, we were working in a dome facility, which required a lot of technical specs to make sure we could capture what we needed. There was an artist who was illustrating live. It was a challenge to figure out to live-illustrate on a dome. Black Box Productions helped with the technical elements and found creative ways to shoot it.

Another video was also at a restaurant. Black Box Productions helped with outsourcing, setting up auditions, shortlisting talent, and making sure they had the script and talent management handled.

Our scope changed quite a bit. We started out with one video and it snowballed into three. Then we did a teaser video for each one of the three videos.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Ben (Co-Founder, Director/Editor) and Josh (Co-Founder, Producer/DOP). I didn’t go on-site personally, but we also worked with their on-site crew.

How did you come to work with Black Box Productions?

They caught my eye because our names are so similar. I had conversations with them, everything felt good, and all the information was perfect. We went through three weeks of quotes and creative philosophies discussions to ensure our ethics aligned. Not to mention, the demo reels on their website were gorgeous. It was a leap of faith, but it worked out really well. I got really lucky. I entrusted them with my biggest client.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested between $75,000–$100,000 CAD (approximately $57,000–$76,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement was from August–October 2020.

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

The videos were beautiful. We received feedback expressing how amazing and gorgeous they were. Our client was absolutely thrilled with the results of how the videos turned out.

How did Black Box Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

I must’ve driven them crazy, and they were so patient and nice. Black Box Productions was so responsive, even after hours. They hit every single deadline. We had the same timeframe but jammed way more into it. They managed the timeline perfectly, it was awesome.

It really did feel like a partnership as opposed to a vendor-client relationship. Their team went over and above to make sure all the timelines were hit. They were receptive to changes from the client and shifted things as needed. They also warned me of things in advance so I could manage the client.

What did you find most impressive about them?

As a producer, I’d highlight their responsiveness. Being able to get answers to my clients immediately, made it so much easier to manage that client. As a close second, I was also extremely impressed with the quality of work; it was outstanding. The videos looked so good.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind. The engagement was the most flawless execution I’ve ever had with a partner.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Set expectations upfront regarding timeline management and communication. The more information you can give to them, the easier it'll be for them to deliver on that. Trust them, they’ll always deliver for you.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Nordia is Canada's largest provider of customer services solutions. I’m the VP of Strategy and Corporate Communications.

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Box Productions Ltd.?

We wanted to create a short corporate video to show off our people-centric culture and aid our recruitment initiatives.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted the video to be fun and engaging. It had to communicate our company culture and the people who work here.

How did you select this vendor?

We researched potential suppliers on the web, looked at their portfolios, and conducted a short evaluation process to find the best fit.

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

The main project was a two-minute video, which includes mostly on-location shots with music and a voice-over. One location contains employee testimonials and required sound and make-up services. The other location (in a different city) was handled by another local production company. English and French versions were produced, as well as two other video projects of 40 seconds and three minutes respectively.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We communicated face-to-face and over email, phone, and comments left on video proofs on Vimeo.

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

We loved working with them and are very pleased with the results.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their ability to grasp and deliver ideas and concepts was outstanding. They were also open to changes and always tried to find the best solutions. We can be a very demanding client, but Black Box was patient, responsive, and cost-conscience.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the marketing coordinator for Espace pour la vie, a government-funded museum group that offers visitors an immersive experience by combining science, art, and emotions. We consist of four museums, including the Biodome, the Insectarium, the Botanical Garden, and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. Our mission is to celebrate life.

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Box Productions Ltd.?

Since 1992, the Insectarium has worked to raise awareness for the environmental issues that monarch butterflies face, engaging citizens in concrete actions to protect the species. To support that effort, we wanted to produce a series of six Q&A videos to mobilize the public and inform them about various programs and events. We tasked Black Box Productions Ltd. with filming and editing these videos according to our communications team’s different requests. 

What were your goals for this project? 

Our main goal was to use the videos to position ourselves as a leader in safeguarding monarch butterflies. The videos would support our marketing campaigns.

How did you select this vendor?

My team did some research online and compiled a list of three agencies. We chose Black Box Productions Ltd. based on the quality of their work. 

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

Black Box Productions Ltd. produced six Q&A videos, overseeing all filming and editing. They worked with us every step of the way to make sure that we approved all of their work before moving forward. 

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

For each key phase in production, they asked us to provide feedback and incorporated our comments where appropriate.

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

We’re now using the videos to support our marketing efforts. Although we’ve just started our campaign, our colleagues and fans have given amazing feedback so far. We plan to broadcast the videos on Télé-Québec in 2019 in addition to various communication channels such as the Espacepourlavie.ca website, social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram), and digital advertisements. ​

​​​​​​How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs? 

They delivered quickly and were super easy to work with. We often face complicated constraints on our side, but they were always patient with us and accommodated our needs.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their work ethic has been one of the greatest that I’ve ever seen.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of any.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the Manager of Creative Studios, Mattel.

What challenge were you trying to address with Black Box Productions?

We needed video and content production for several of our company’s campaigns.

What was the scope of their involvement?

To begin each project, we brief Black Box Productions on our needs and they come back to us with proposals. After this, they take us through their approach and incorporate our feedback. Once the pre-production process is complete, they launch into developing the content and receive our insight along the way. In the post-production sessions, they give us a rundown on the evolution of the project and deliver the final product.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with Josh (Co-Founder, Black Box Productions) and Ben (Producer, Black Box Productions).

How did you come to work with Black Box Productions?

We’d engaged with Black Box Productions in the past and had been delighted with their work. For this project, we had an information meeting and got to know more about their production skills. From there, their team bid on our projects and won a majority of them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together toward the end of 2017 and the engagement is ongoing. We just wrapped up a few projects with them and have a few more coming up.

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

The results are confidential but our internal team is very satisfied with their work. The campaigns they’ve worked on have been successful for our business.

How did Black Box Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

One of the main reasons we continue to work with Black Box Productions is the way they manage projects. We primarily communicate through email and they’re very open to feedback. They adjust their approach if our needs change and they keep us involved in their process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Black Box Productions prioritizes taking care of the customer. They’re easy to work with and are dedicated to delivering the best possible work. Additionally, their team is nimble and flexible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We have no issues with their approach—they should continue with what they’re doing.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure your goals for deliverables are clear. We went into deep detail with Black Box Productions and ensured they understood the creative vision we wanted. Having a list of tangible requirements makes the process easier.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the managing director at Notch Video, a full-service social video production agency.

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Box Productions Ltd.?

We’ve used Black Box as a go-to production company for many projects since 2013.

What were your goals for this project?

We were looking for solution-oriented video production, which Black Box has always delivered on.

How did you select this vendor?

After thorough online research, Black Box seemed like the kind of production company we wanted to work with.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They’ve supported us with full production and postproduction services across a variety of projects.

What was the team composition?

I work closely with the company principals; they build the perfect team for each project, depending on our specific needs.

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

Black Box always delivers. They're very collaborative and easy to work with, and they’re always willing to go the extra mile to deliver amazing content.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It’s been smooth. They’re highly professional in their approach.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They always devise the perfect solution for our video production problems. Furthermore, they're fun to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We've never had any issues.