BT Studio

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a social adventures company. We were launching and needed a fun video that showed potential members what they could expect by joining us.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire BT Studio, and what were your goals?

Our biggest challenge was getting people to understand how we could enhance their social life, differently than traditional ways such as Meetup and why they would pay a premium for this service. Thus, the video had to do more than just show activities. It had to capture those things that make our organization unique from traditional methods.

SOLUTION

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

Honestly, I've known Doug for years, and I knew he was the kind of guy that puts his all into everything he does. I was absolutely correct in this assessment and he gave me more than I bargained for with this video.

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

We worked very closely together, partially because I am somewhat creative and partially because he knew I wanted to keep costs down and by letting me do some of the work, we saved money. I wrote the initial script and found the talent. Doug helped me tweak both of those to give higher production value. He was able to quickly recognize when something worked and something did not. Doug picked the locations for the shoots, conducted the filming and handled the post production.

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

Doug allowed me to give constant feedback throughout the process and this really helped us get to my initial vision. I was there during all filming and then during some post production. He was highly open to my suggestions, but also offered his own takes without hesitation, when he had a better idea than mine. All in all, a very pleasant experience.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

People loved the video and we got many compliments. More importantly, the number of people who joined after seeing the video, made it a financially great investment.

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

At the beginning, Doug gave me an outline to the process which I reviewed. We then adjusted it together to fit my timeline needs as well as availability of resources. We would often talk on the phone about the project, but because I lived not too far away from Doug's offices, talking in person also was very fruitful. The project was completed in plenty of time for our grand opening, and unlike other projects where you are making final tweaks at the last minute, we actually finished this with plenty of room to spare.

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

I think the most impressive thing about BT and Doug is the personalization. He wasn't trying to give me a cookie-cutter video. It was truly customized, but for far less money than I would have spent elsewhere. I think this goes to Doug's personality. He would not be satisfied with cookie-cutter or mediocre. I felt the whole time that he was putting his heart into it, as if it was his business.

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

Honestly, no. I was 100% satisfied with their work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the communications director at Hamilton Families.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BT Studio?

We needed to produce a video highlighting the success story of one of the families in our program. The video will be featured at our annual gala.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

BT Studio produced two videos for us. We initially held meetings with their team to discuss the creative direction. They then selected the family to film for the videos and met with them to discuss their story and how they wanted it to be told. From there, BT Studio started filming the videos for about 1–2 days and went into post-production.

Both videos were approximately five minutes long and launched at our annual gala and social media channels, including YouTube.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people from their team.

How did you come to work with BT Studio?

We had worked with them in the past, and my colleague referred them to me when I took on my current role in the company.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested roughly $8,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with BT Studio in July 2023 and finished our second project with them this October 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thanks to BT Studio’s video production support, we increased our annual gala revenue by 25%.

How did BT Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered the work on time and within budget. We communicated via email, Google Docs, and text messages.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to shout out to in this review?

Doug provided creative direction and was patient and flexible throughout the process. He also always found the gems in the storytelling whenever we needed to pivot.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they could’ve improved on.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs

Start your project as early as possible to provide time and flexibility for any unforeseen circumstances that might come up during the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the director of product marketing for a learning and development marketplace for corporate organizations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BT Studio?

We had to create testimonials and case study videos that demonstrated the capabilities of our product.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

BT Studio helped produce our corporate videos to bring in more customers and present our company in a positive light. We published them through Vimeo and YouTube, and our sales team would send them to prospective clients to gain their business.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Doug (Owner & Director) and another partner.

How did you come to work with BT Studio?

We came across BT Studio through a referral from someone who had previously worked with the company.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested somewhere between $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January 2018–January 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We didn’t focus on the comments and views of each videos, but rather on the output and results — the videos are able to demonstrate the value of our products and services.

How did BT Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They were phenomenal from a project management standpoint, and I would use them again for my video production needs in the future. They were extremely professional, respectful of our policies, and consistently kind and accommodating throughout the project.

They also brought a lot of strategic components to the scriptwriting and how we filmed the case study, and we liked how they structured our interviews.

We normally communicated through Zoom, email, and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What distinguishes BT Studio from other vendors is the quality of their work, professionalism, and efficiency.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I didn’t have any issues working with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise you to be clear with your instructions and expectations.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the executive producer of Lockbox Productions, a full-service photo and video production company. We produce photo and video projects for large agencies and brands.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire BT Studio, and what were your goals?

We’ve hired BT Studio for a variety of different projects over the years. Sometimes I’m asking them to direct and lead a video-focused project. Other times, they are providing the video component of a photography-focused project.

SOLUTION

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

BT Studio was recommended to us by another producer who had extensive experience with them in the past. Their work matched what we were looking for and they were easy to communicate with.

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

I’ll use our most recent project as an example. In this case, we were producing a large photo shoot in the LA area that included 4 locations over 4 days. We involved them in pre-production and they were able to prepare for the needs of each day and capture video shots that closely resembled the still photos, which were the priority on this shoot. The stills and video together will be used in an integrated campaign.

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

We worked mainly with Doug, the director and owner. This most recent project didn’t include post production, so there was no feedback process. But communication is always clear and prompt, and our needs are heard and acted upon.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Because we are not involved in the distribution of the video, we don’t see tangible results. However, our stakeholders are continually impressed by the video that BT Studio is able to capture. This comes in the form of verbal reactions to what they are seeing on the monitors.

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

BT Studio’s project management style is simple and direct. They talk things through and follow up with a proposal that meets our discussed needs. Fees and dates are clear.

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

I appreciate BT Studio’s ability to deliver great results in a number of different situations. As noted above, they can lead a project or fit into a larger whole. This makes them a valuable Swiss Army knife for my company.

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

Everything exceeded my high expectations.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Established in 1906, the Illuminating Engineering Society is the recognized technical and educational authority on illumination. Our mission is to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public. I was the San Francisco Section President.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire BT Studio, and what were your goals?

We needed an elegant series of videos that would showcase the lighting design work of our member companies, and highlight the beautiful work they had done over the course of the year.

The videos needed to inform viewers of the creative and technical decisions that were made, but also keep their attention and energy up throughout the night. One of the key pieces was the event kickoff video, which is played at the start of the show, and sets the table for the tone of the night.

SOLUTION

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

BT Studio was recommended to us by one of our chairpersons. Their portfolio showed that they could help us increase the production value of these yearly videos. They impressively worked within our budget.

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

• Step 1 was to organize the large amount of content that would make up the video series.
• Step 2 was for BT Studio to create rough cuts of each video, ranging from 4-6 deliverables depending on year (we worked with them in 2019, 2020, and 2021).
• The final step was for IES (client) to review the videos, and for BT Studio to revise per our notes.

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

We worked mostly with Doug Thomsen, the creative director and owner. Feedback was implemented well, or there was a clear explanation as to why a certain piece of feedback might not be possible or ideal. Ultimately, it was a good collaboration.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

These videos were shown at live and virtual events, so the majority of the outcomes and success of the project came in the form of verbal feedback from attendees. We heard positive reviews from numerous IES members about the increased quality and production value of the video portions of our show.

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

They used standard communication tools. Occasionally I wish we’d had more time to review videos, but everything worked out and we never had any technical issues during the shows.

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

BT Studio was committed to professional production and really put me at ease. Even when the circumstances became uncertain when we had to go virtual in 2020, I had confidence that the video portion of the show would be great. They even recommended a virtual event vendor.

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

No. They did fantastically for us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of events and engagement for the advancement office of an art and design school. We work on all of the college’s fund-raising efforts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BT Studio?

We hired BT Studio to produce a number of videos to support our different campaigns and events.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

BT Studio creates the tribute video for our yearly fundraising gala. These videos tell the story of why our school is honoring a specific person and features a number of interviews and multi-day shoots. Their team works with us from planning and defining our creative direction all the way down to post-production. Their goal, each year, is to deliver a high-quality final product that is on-brand and inspiring for an audience.

We also work with BT Studio on other video projects, especially the ones that are high-profile and require bigger production. They create honorary speech videos as well as videos for our various fundraising campaigns and virtual events. 

We do have an in-house video team, but we turn to their team when we need something a bit more polished. 

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with Doug (Director & Owner). He assembles a crew depending on the project.

How did you come to work with BT Studio?

They were already working with the institute before I came on board. We haven’t felt the need to turn to other providers because BT Studio has come to know our organization and its key players very well. They know how to handle people and projects with care and we’re comfortable putting them in front of important guests for interviews. They understand our goals and deliver on them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I don’t know exactly when they started working for the institute, but I came in around February 2017. Our partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The videos are not necessarily public-facing or external marketing tools, but they have served as stewardship tools that inspire support in specific channels. Since 2017, our galas have been able to raise at least $1 million–$1.5 million per year. All of those funds have gone to student scholarships, and BT Studio’s work has definitely been a part of the effort to raise that money.

Everyone who has seen the videos made by BT Studio has been very impressed as well. One video, in particular, has really condensed the interview between two pretty prominent people into a 10-minute clip, and it’s been beautifully executed. 

How did BT Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They have a skilled and organized team that meets deadlines, communicates clearly, and is super knowledgeable about the entire video production process. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

BT Studio really runs the gamut; they’re able to work with us on smaller budget videos with short turnaround times, but they’re also highly capable of taking on high-profile productions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s none that I can think of right now.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very clear about your goals for the project. Kick off your conversation with BT Studio around what your expectations are in terms of budget, timelines, and overall creative vision. Their team is sure to take that information and propose a plan that would work for both of you.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Fleetwood Mask is a nationally known tribute band, and I am the keyboardist, vocalist, and take an active role in the band’s activities and promotion. We’ve played all across the country, including at Fleetwood’s in Maui.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire BT Studio, and what were your goals?

We hired BT Studio to create a new promotional sizzle reel that captured the concert experience, that we could use to aid in booking more shows for the band. We subsequently worked with them on another project also.

SOLUTION

How did you select BT Studio and what were the deciding factors?

BT Studio was recommended to us by a friend of the band, who’s in the marketing and video field as well. We could see the quality and storytelling in BT Studio’s work and they were reasonably priced.

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

The sizzle reel video is just under 3 minutes long, and it’s an action-packed highlight reel filmed at one of our shows at The Mystic Theatre in Petaluma. We coordinated ahead of time about schedule, logistics, and what the goals of our video were. After the concert, BT Studio assembled a rough cut. When we saw that cut, we knew we were on track for a great result, and the rest of the project was just tweaking small things.

The 2nd project we did with BT Studio was a longer piece that included interviews with the band members at the recording studio where Fleetwood Mac recorded Rumours. This video also came out well.

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

We worked with Doug Thomsen, the creative lead at the company, and the feedback process was smooth. We requested a few changes, which were implemented nicely. But even the rough cut was great. My first e-mail in response to the rough cut was “WOW! Doug!!! Love it!!! Thank you!!!”

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We routinely get really positive comments about the sizzle reel from fans, friends, and fellow musicians. It’s clear that the video is generating excitement and energy for the band.

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

The team's communication was clear and professional. Doug is available for Zoom calls as needed, to ensure all 5 band members and BT Studio are on the same page.

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

We loved their ability to translate the live concert experience into video form. That doesn’t happen that often, and it’s a very valuable tool for us to use with booking agents and venues.

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

We can't think of anything we would have done differently. We are completely satisfied with the work of BT Studios.