Cut Canvas Creative

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for an internationally recognized yoga teacher. I do a little bit of everything, since we are a very small company.

For what projects/services did your company hire Cut Canvas Creative?

We first worked with Cut Canvas to create a short video about Janet and her teaching approach and personal story. We later continued this work, filming virtual courses and several promo videos for albums and upcoming events.

What were your goals for this project?

For the original video, we wanted powerful visuals with movement and energy. We wanted to capture Janet's adventurousness, wisdom, and the heart she brings to what she offers.

How did you select this vendor?

We knew others who had worked with Cut Canvas, and we loved their work. It felt like a fit and it spoke for itself.

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

We tend to work intuitively and to bring a playfulness into the collaboration. Brett (lead and founder of Cut Canvas) chose to meet by the water and explored from there. We later did an interview with Janet, to get her natural storytelling to shine.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They brought just the right mix of guidance and expertise plus willingness to see what emerged. After the filming, we further clarified the final vision and iterated toward the complete video.

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

This was our first project of this kind (especially with regard to the bio video). It set the tone for future projects as we sought to tell stories through beautiful video. We want to evoke a sense of what each training or class is through video, and this set the foundation for our future work in this regard.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

excellent! professional, collegial, and fun. We've continued to work together over the years, which exemplifies how pleased we are.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were most impressed by the quality of the footage and the creative editing. But it also matters that the team at Cut Canvas is professional, kind, and in integrity. The clarity of communication and dedication to excellence has kept us collaborating with them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can't think of anything.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a director at SecondMuse, which is an international innovation agency. We offer entrepreneurship, social, and environmental programs addressing great needs around the world. We use storytelling to advance policy changes and bring new funding into different social and environmental areas. We work with groups of innovators around the world to help empower their social innovations.

What challenge were you trying to address with Cut Canvas Creative?

We had a program that worked with 12 innovators from around the world on how to use our oceans as resources to improve nutrition around the world, create new, sustainable livelihoods, and protect water spaces. We had a particular congregation of entrepreneurs in Tanzania and wanted to tell the stories of their work in different areas.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Cut Canvas Creative came with us to Tanzania and created a 6–10 minutes, 360-degree VR video that told the stories of our program's innovators, their challenges, and the opportunities in East Africa.

Brett (Founder & Principal) supported us during the preparatory phase. He helped us with creating a script that worked with a short documentary and securing the equipment that we needed. He used 360-degree VR equipment and filmed for about 10 days. Cut Canvas Creative used a VR camera attached to a drone as well as a rigged, underwater 360 VR camera.

He promoted the content through Cut Canvas Creative’s communication channels and partnerships. Also, their team put together a small event for us at World Oceans Day in New York City.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Brett directly.

How did you come to work with Cut Canvas Creative?

We wanted to work with them because of their work with different media and attention to environmental issues around oceans. They’ve done great environmental work, telling stories of different challenges for ocean-related animals and conservation measures. Their team was able to lead the underwater filming that was required for this project. Cut Canvas was a great fit for this role.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $25,000–$30,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started with Cut Canvas Creative in February 2017 and the project was completed in July 2017.

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

They were incredibly good at delivering to the specific deliverable. We were incredibly satisfied with the end result.

We were overall incredibly impressed by our collaboration with Cut Canvas Creative. They were flexible teammates and adapted to trying circumstances. It was a pleasure to work on the ground with them.

After the filming was complete, they were supportive in promoting and amplifying the video through written content and other partnerships.

How did Cut Canvas Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

As far as attentiveness, they were in the top 5% of vendors. It was usually within a matter of hours that Brett responded. He was proactive, organized, and took leadership in areas that weren’t our company’s strong points. Brett was not only a great teacher but also a facilitator as we went through this process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It was an overall enjoyable experience to work with Cut Canvas Creative. It didn’t feel like work to collaborate with them. Rather, it felt like an opportunity to do an amazing project together. It can feel like there’s a divide when working with contractors, but we aligned quickly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They were a pretty small team and we were clear upfront about the deliverables. It was a bit trickier to push them to go a bit above and beyond. Be clear upfront with the deliverables because they will deliver to exactly what was agreed upon.

Please describe your company and your position there.

BRIDGE Housing is a leading nonprofit developer, owner and manager of affordable housing. We serve low-income families and seniors in CA, OR and WA. As VP of Communications, I oversee external and internal communications activities, including media relations, special events, social media, crisis communications and other initiatives.

For what projects/services did your company hire Cut Canvas Creative?

We have hired Cut Canvas Creative for a number of video production projects, including a tribute video, a profile of a resident and in-depth mini-documentaries about one of our most complex developments (St. Joseph's).

What were your goals for this project?

For the St. Joseph's videos, we aimed to tell the story of an extremely complex development, and to use the video to celebrate our partners and the way BRIDGE worked to overcome multiple challenges and achieve desired community benefits. The goal was to shine a light on BRIDGE's unique ability to tackle complexity.

How did you select this vendor?

Cut Canvas Creative came to BRIDGE via a mutual contact and recommendation. One of our founders and emeritus board members, who also works in the real estate development field, had successfully worked with Cut Canvas Creative in the past. We reviewed the Cut Canvas portfolio, met with them and developed a solid rapport while building out the video concept. While BRIDGE Housing has worked with other video vendors, we were interested in branching out and trying a fresh approach. I made the decision to select Cut Canvas based on a) responsiveness and client-centric philosophy, b) streamlined, easy process, c) good value, d) proven results.

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

Cut Canvas developed the framework for the video, including interview questions for each of the seven subjects, plus an overall outline and production/location schedule. They organized the complex story into feasible pieces so that we were able to achieve all shooting and interviews in a relatively short time (two days). Cut Canvas was responsible for all filming, sound, titles and editing. The editing, frankly, was probably the most difficult part, as there was a great deal of excellent footage to draw from. We started off planning a shorter, 4-5 minute video, but during the editing process, Cut Canvass suggested creating a longer, more fulsome companion video to tell more of the story. We loved this idea and were able to allocate additional budget, so we ended up with two terrific videos. I contributed initial guidance plus feedback and some still photos that were incorporated into the final videos.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

There were two people from Cut Canvass who worked directly with us during the creation of these videos: Brett Loveman and a production assistant. They did a terrific job of working with the location contacts and the interview subjects to make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. The team worked with me on several rounds of feedback; they were quick and responsive. And the editing was fantastic--Cut Canvas Creative really understood the goals and they created a solid first cut right out of the gate.

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

Our internal and external stakeholders (staff, partners) were very pleased with the final versions of these videos. They will be useful going forward as we outreach to new constituents, including potential donors, development partners and jurisdictions where BRIDGE might work in the future.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Cut Canvas Creative did a stellar job of managing workflow. We communicated regularly and clearly, and the process was quite efficient. No special tools, just email, phone calls, texts and documents/spreadsheets. They were very easy to work with.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I found Cut Canvas Creative to be very client-centered. That is, they listened carefully to my thoughts about the project and they accurately translated that into a high-quality video production that achieved the desired goals and budget. I have worked with other vendors who try to impose their vision or style on a project, but Cut Canvas really puts their clients first.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I was very satisfied with the process and result. Wouldn't change a thing.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a Travel service and marketing consultancy based in San Francisco, CA. We work with individuals to offer unique adventure experiences and with corporations to feature their products, services and brands during these unique experiences

For what projects/services did your company hire Cut Canvas Creative?

We had the pleasure to work with CutCanvas on a multi-faceted project: the shooting of a short adventure film and multiple marketing mini-videos for commercial brands. This was done during KiliTechTrek, a fundraising expedition of tech executives to Mt Kilimanjaro that supported a local non-profit.

What were your goals for this project?

Create a set of materials and videos that would satisfy our sponsors expectations. Create a short film that would capture the uniqueness of the experience - we won an award on top of that.

How did you select this vendor?

Through a positive referral

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

The CutCanvas team has been extremely professional during the whole project: from the briefing phase, through the pre-production preparation, to the filming and the post-production of the materials.

In particular, CutCanvas offered unsolicited suggestions on possible improvements and creative ideas to add to the narrative, to the individual scenes and the marketing positioning of the final products (all were eventually adopted).

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

The level or preparation, attention to detail and the continuous dialogue we had with the Cut Canvas team were absolutely instrumental to the quality of the work and the success of the project.

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

the short film we produced (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS5QakxZ3yM) won the Best Adventure Film award at the Amsterdam film festival. Multiple mini commercial video were prepared for and delivered to the supporting sponsors, who used them on social media and other channels

Are there any areas for improvement?

nothing comes to mind

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of a non profit consulting firm, Kerr Group Inc.

For what projects/services did your company hire Cut Canvas Creative?

Myriad marketing collateral

What were your goals for this project?

Brochure, copy, website and other marketing materials.

How did you select this vendor?

through my network.

Describe the project in detail.

I retained Cut Canvas to assist several of my non profit clients with a variety of marketing deliverables.

What was the team composition?

Brett oversaw the team that rolled out the deliverables. Both Brett and his team are top notch and wonderful to wokr with!

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

As a result of Cut Canvas' work, donor materials were produced that allowed fundraisers to be armed with professional overviews about the organization. Cut Canvas also helped to launch websites and assisted with copy writing/editing.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Highly effective!

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their professionalism and the high quality work blew me away.

Are there any areas for improvement?

none to note.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work as the Creative Director at Le Tote, a fashion rental subscription service for women. I drive the brand's visual aesthetic And creative concepts.

For what projects/services did your company hire Cut Canvas Creative?

Le Tote cast our members as models for this spring shoot and we hired Cut Canvas to direct and capture our models for web ads, homepage video, and tv.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals were to increase engagement and community, retain current customers, and drive new subscriptions.

How did you select this vendor?

I learned that Cut Canvas has produced and executed video content for people in my community. Upon viewing Cut Canvas' work I knew I wanted to work with them. Their visual aesthetic and level of professionalism was clear in their work.

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

Cut Canvas did a great job of educating our team on what was required For a solid video production. They brainstormed, created a shotlist, and set clear expectations for the shoot.

On the day of the shoot their team was professional, patient, and incredible at directing our talent who had never modeled before. After the shoot they even sped up the timeline of file delivery to meet our changing needs.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Cut Canvas not only used email and phone calls to create clarity around the porject but created shared Google docs and made Zoom calls with the production crew so that we had a relationship and report before the day of the shoot.

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

We just launched our first sneak peek of the shoot this week on social and have seen positive response to the video. It is too early to have metrics but the initial signs are positive.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Cut Canvas was professional and clear in their communication. They were patient with our sometimes slow response times and were able to easily adjust to our changing needs.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I really enjoyed their on-set presence and ability to direct real people models. They had a way of making people feel comfortable on set and create a space where their true personalities could arise. I also value their clarity and organizational skills around production. This helped the shoot flow freely.

Are there any areas for improvement?

In an effort to please our company, I think they allowed us to initially add too many shots to the shotlist. Had they been more firm and asked us to reduce they may not have felt as much pressure on set. That being said, I'm grateful for their willingness and optimism to accomplish everything we wanted to try to accomplish.

Please describe your company and your position there.

WE ARE A BOUTIQUE, DIGITAL CONTENT CREATIVE AGENCY! What’s that mean? Well, it means that we write, produce and deliver full commercial campaigns specifically created for digital platforms.

From Facebook to YouTube, from Snapchat to everything Instagram, our campaigns are designed to fill in every gap so your online presence is buzzing with content.

With our expertise in design, writing, film, photography, audio, animation and editing we are able to handcraft content from the ground up supplying brands like yours with all of the content you need to succeed. But more than that, we are just super fun to work with. Create with us!

For what projects/services did your company hire Cut Canvas Creative?

We Hired Cut Canvas to help produce a 4 Episode series in different neighborhoods in San Francisco

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of this project was to capture the essence of San Francisco Neighborhoods through Video.

How did you select this vendor?

Through an exhaustive search of production companies in the area, we decided to interview the top candidates. It wasn't even close. Cut Canvas's professionalism took all the stress and worry off of our hands and let us focus on the content rather than the logistics.

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

Cut Canvas helped handle the full production of the project in conjunction with my team. Assisted on Gear preparation, transit, etc.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Cut Canvas provided a Director of Photography and so much more. They were there to help with Creative input and help with truly knowing the surrounding area.

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

Results of the project are still ongoing but thus far has done well for the customers online platforms

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was flawless. It felt like Cut Canvas had already been a part of our team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was blown away with the depth of knowledge that the members of Cut Canvas had about all things video production. Their professionalism and attention to detail in the days leading up to, and during production, was unparallelled.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They care immensly about their customer experience. I have nothing of note that I think they can Improve on. 10/10 all around

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of communications for a membership organization that includes Bay Area CEOs and senior executives.

What challenge were you trying to address with Cut Canvas Creative?

I hired Cut Canvas Creative for their writing and editing assistance.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their team assists with writing articles for our quarterly newsletter. I give them a deadline to make them aware of the next phase of the project, and then they submit their articles through a Google Doc.

What is the team composition?

We work with two members of their team.

How did you come to work with Cut Canvas Creative?

I worked with the owner back in 2014 or 2015 on a few videography projects. From there, we moved into writing work. They have great writing skills and follow our methodology and style.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent a few thousand dollars a year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Cut Canvas Creative on a quarterly basis in 2014.

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

Their writing responses are strong. Along with being responsible, they get the job done within time and budget. If I set up an interview to speak to one of their members, they’re on time as well. Their team is also very professional. I can count on Cut Canvas Creative to get the job done.

How did Cut Canvas Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

The team at Cut Canvas Creative is responsive and responsible. They acknowledge deadlines, making a note of them and ensuring that they meet them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I remain impressed with how dependable they are. Clients can always count on them to follow through. Their writing is also solid.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not that I can think of. I keep using Cut Canvas Creative because I’m happy with their work.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a video production company principle and chief creative.

For what projects/services did your company hire Cut Canvas Creative?

We hired Cut Canvas for a video production retainer from 2018-2020.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a reliable outside video vendor to support our staff with high end video production.

How did you select this vendor?

We found Cut Canvas Creative through multiple referrals from trusted colleagues.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

CCC assisted us in top to bottom video production for over two years. From writing to direction to editing Cut Canvas did it all for us "Video" wise.

What was the team composition?

Cut Canvas provided teams of creatives as well as one man band production.

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

ROI and returns were always reached.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Seamless.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Cut Canvas is both creative and professional on an elite level — something that is rare to find these days.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can't think of a think to say other than CCC is the best.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am CEO and Co-founder of Factory_OS. We build modular multifamily housing

For what projects/services did your company hire Cut Canvas Creative?

Various videos for Factory_OS

What were your goals for this project?

Educate the public about Modular Housing and what Factory__OS can do for the housing problem

How did you select this vendor?

Recommendation

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

Cut Canvas was with us at the opening of our company and the videos they produced for us educated those in our field about what was happening in modular housing construction. Later the videos shared our abilities, technology and culture. Very helpful in raising funds.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

excellent

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

Factory_OS is a leader in the field now.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Easy, smart, quick and professional.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The owner Brett Loveman and the staff he has put together are impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I know of.