PANOPTICA

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Shopify is the leading multi-channel commerce platform. Merchants use Shopify to design, set up, and manage their stores across multiple sales channels, including mobile, web, social media, marketplaces, brick-and-mortar locations, and pop-up shops. Shopify currently powers over 800,000 businesses in approximately 175 countries and is trusted by brands such as Unilever, Kylie Cosmetics, Allbirds, MVMT, and many more.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Panoptica Films?

We wanted to create merchant testimonial videos for a specific product of ours that needed to be up and running quickly.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We produced two testimonial videos together that featured our merchants and customers. We shot the first one over two days in our studio and the merchants’ offices and warehouses in New York City. They balanced a quick turnaround and got everything done within the timeframe we needed.

Since we’re a large company, we have multiple stages of reviews to allow our stakeholders to approve content before we release it. Post-production is one of the biggest parts of our projects, and they were very good at handling iterative feedback from multiple sources. The whole process went very smoothly, and we decided to work with them again.

What is the team composition?

We have one main point of contact, and only one or two of the team are regular members of their staff. The rest are casual employees or freelancers.

How did you come to work with Panoptica Films?

We posted the project and chose them based on a recommendation. We spoke with a number of agencies, but Panoptica understood our business best and could match what we wanted to achieve. They were the ideal pick, and it ended up being a simple decision.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them around July or August 2018, and we started on our latest project with them in January 2019. We're in the middle of post-production, and we’ll probably finish this project in the next two weeks.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re not ready to go public with the results or any testimonials yet. There are a few design elements that need to change to ensure everything is properly suited to the release of these videos.

How did Panoptica Films perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very well-organized. They provided schedules, and were flexible whenever we had edits or a change of plans. They kept us updated and made sure we hit all our deadlines. We had a good working relationship.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like how calm, cool, and collected they are, especially under pressure. We captured a lot of content in a short amount of time, but they were always focused, level-headed, and professional. Nothing phased them, and they accommodated any changes we made.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We didn’t have any complications. The process ran smoothly, and they excelled in everything we gave them. I don’t have any criticism for them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re looking for a professional, well-connected production company that moves quickly within your budget, they’re a great bet.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work at a video production company called ECR.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Panoptica Films?

We needed additional video production services to produce a commercial for a hotel in Ecuador, including creative mockups, production services, finding a fixer in-country, and establishing budgets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Panoptica provided production services, including getting insurance for our equipment and crew, hiring the crew, and creating a line item budget that worked within our set budget. They also found a fixer in Ecuador who helped ensure our equipment and staff arrived alright and organized transportation.

They provided full production services and directed the commercial, developing the storyboards, visuals, and mood boards. Our staff flew to Ecuador and worked with Panoptica as they executed the shoot. They also provided post-editing services, including sound mixing, composing, color, and exporting.

What is the team composition?

We primarily worked with a production manager, but also connected with their director.

How did you come to work with Panoptica Films?

A friend of mine recommended Panoptica to me. Since they were able to deliver within our budget, I didn't consider another vendor.

How much have you invested with them?

The commercial came out to about $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on the commercial from February to May 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both our client and our team was extremely happy with the final product. They delivered exactly what we wanted within our budget and timeline. The final ad was much more creative and unique compared to the average travel commercial.

How did Panoptica Films perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very responsive and organized throughout the process. They always answered emails within a few hours or less.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm impressed by their full-service capabilities—they handled everything for us. They priced everything out and reached out to vendors and private contractors on our behalf as needed. I also appreciated their creative input, which helped us enhance the narrative of our commercial. Although we were working with somewhat of a dry subject, they were able to produce an interesting video that people would want to watch.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It's hard to say if it's their fault, but we did have some difficulties getting into Ecuador. It all worked out, but perhaps the fixer they hired wasn't the best.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the associate director of communications and marketing of GO Project, a small education-based non-profit that provides academic intervention, social/emotional support, and programs to struggling New York City public school students and their families.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Panoptica Films?

We hired them to produce our bi-annual organizational video and another video for our 50th anniversary.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Panoptica Films helped conduct and design the first person and teacher-student interviews which were to be incorporated into the documentary film. They recorded students in their activities, produced b-roll footage, and gave expert advice on locations to film. They also adapted the filming space to noise level and configured for optimal lighting. They listened to our feedback and cooperated with us on editing the documentary.

What is the team composition?

We were provided with a director, lighting technician, camera technician, and sound technician.

How did you come to work with Panoptica Films?

We were recommended their services by another organization.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested around $30,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We have worked with them since 2015 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their documentary films are a great fundraising tool for us. They showcase the impact of our work well to our donors and have significantly increased our fundraising.

How did perform from a project management standpoint?

We had challenges in the availability of the children for shoots, but they were flexible and reduced their lead time requirements to meet our needs. They are very easy to work with because of their friendly customer service and constant availability. They plan their projects four or five steps ahead. They are a partner who really cares about their results and not just their pay.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Panoptica Flims' team has built a relationship with us over the years and they make us feel comfortable to ask them any questions. They are friendly, easy-going, and have a can-do attitude.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there is anything to improve, they have been great to us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm an independent video producer and editor.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Panoptica Films?

I needed a video production partner that could help me shoot an ad for one of my clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Originally, Panoptica helped me shoot a simple ad for a client, requiring one camera and an actress. Then, I worked with them on a second video project that they scouted a location for, along with actors and a makeup person. They also helped get footage for a third video project of a march that included interviews of a few individuals.

For each project, I presented the idea to Panoptica's team, they put the teams and equipment together in order to shoot the footage needed, and I edited the final videos. They've been able to provide creative input and suggestions for clients when needed.

What is the team composition?

I usually worked with two to four people on their team, depending on the project.

How did you come to work with Panoptica Films?

I knew one of their cinematographers and thought he was quite talented, so I reached out to their team. I knew I would feel comfortable working with them due to the quality of some of their other projects.

What is the status of this engagement?

My first project with them was in April 2017, and our most recent project wrapped up in September that year. We're in talks about another collaboration next month.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They've exceeded my expectations in all three projects we've collaborated on together. My clients were always blown away by the footage they were able to capture.

How did Panoptica Films perform from a project management standpoint?

They were incredibly professional and organized when it came to conducting each shoot and handling actors and other staff. They were responsive in emails and answering my phone calls, and flexible when it came to working on projects under a tight deadline. I appreciated the recommendations and input they provided when I wasn't exactly sure how to approach something.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were very professional and easy to work with. I felt at ease communicating with them as well as working with them on a shoot.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don't be afraid to ask them any questions or have them walk through all the possible options for a particular project or idea.