Planet Nutshell, Inc.

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Brookline Community Foundation (BCF), a public charity dedicated to supporting the Brookline, MA community, creates opportunity and promotes equity for everyone who lives, learns, works, and plays in our community. For over 100 years, BCF has been a trusted partner—supporting Brookline by identifying emerging needs, convening community leaders, and marshaling resources to address our shared challenges head on.

Through leading community engagement and research, building sustainable philanthropic partnerships, and expanding strategic grantmaking, we aim to address immediate community needs and make transformative investments that will create a better Brookline for all well into the future. As the Communications Director, my role involves stewarding BCF's brand, creating and publishing major publications and research briefings, managing communications collateral, and growing BCF's audiences.

For what projects/services did your company hire Planet Nutshell, Inc., and what were your goals?

We hired Planet Nutshell to create a short "About Us" video for BCF. We recognized that while BCF has a rich history in the community and is well-known in certain circles, we lacked high-level digital collateral that was geared towards broad audiences. Given that we did not have much (if any) video collateral, we decided that an evergreen "About Us" video would be an invaluable tool for sharing our message with the wider community.

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

I had the opportunity to work with Planet Nutshell at another organization, where I was a consulting member of the project team. I was impressed with Planet Nutshell - the team, their process and organization, the final product, and their commitment to equity. When we were determining a vendor for this project at my current organization, one of our primary considerations was the longevity of the video. We wanted a video we could use for years that would feel fresh and vibrant. Custom animation felt like the perfect visual approach to create a video that achieved both immediate impact and offered longer term sustainability of use.

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

The process to creating the video was managed by Planet Nutshell and felt seamless. The PN team outlined their process: concept development, script development, storyboarding, style selection, voice-over selection, animation, and finally ratification. They thoughtfully front-loaded a lot of the work and decision-making so that we would not get to a point in the project where we needed to redo or significantly change any parts of the animation. My team and I had ample opportunities to input and provide feedback at every level.

That said, I felt that their team was very proactive in understanding our organization, brand, and identity - by the time we got to many of the decision points, PN had done such thoughtful work that what they presented was strongly aligned with our vision and required little to no workshopping. The end result of this is an engaging 90-second video showcasing our mission, vision, strategy, history, and work. It has a strong focus on the wider community both visually and through the narrative. Our team was extremely impressed and we are excited to debut this video as part of a larger effort in 2022.

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

Primarily, I worked with Josh (CEO) and Sam (Producer). Both Josh and Sam were great to work with. With Josh, I primarily worked on the script and some of the overarching project direction/strategy pieces. Josh was thoughtful, incisive, and brought a lot of clarity and focus to the project. With Sam, I worked on project management and ensuring that we were moving through the necessary reviews and decisions on schedule.

Sam was excellent and communicative - always ready and available to answer any questions or help troubleshoot something that could impact the project's timeline. In terms of feedback, I found the entire team extremely collaborative and open to feedback while also being extremely knowledgeable and clear about what would work best in terms of design for this project. I really appreciated that clarity and their responsiveness/flexibility with my suggestions and questions.

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

Since we haven't officially launched this project, I can't share public-facing outcomes yet. That said, those who have seen the video internally are extremely impressed. The general consensus from our team and leadership is that this video encapsulates our organization in a way that clearly articulates our role in the community, is values-aligned, anchors community, and inspires hope. Accomplishing all that in ~90 seconds is no small feat, so I can confidently say in terms of content this video feels very successful and like a big step forward in digital communications for our organization.

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

PN's project management style for me was a good balance of collaboration and structure. We had several meetings to discuss the project, and PN had surveys and questions they provided that helped us hone the focus of the project prior to script development. Primarily, we communicated via email which worked well for me. Our project Producer Sam managed the production calendar and shared updates and changes with me regularly. From my perspective, the process felt very smooth and the level of communication was spot on.

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

Two of the things I find most impressive about Planet Nutshell are their creativity and their commitment to equity. Their creativity is evident in all their video work, and they have a visual style that feels very distinct while still being adaptable to align with the organizations they work with. Additionally, I deeply appreciate their commitment to equity and how they really live that value through their work (whether it's their attention to equitable language in scripts, their support in figuring out how to tell stories more inclusively - to name just two examples).

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

I don't have any suggestions for improvement areas at this time.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma is it not for profit law firm covering the state of Oklahoma. At the time of this project I was the Community Ed and Pro Se Coordinator. We've actually completed two projects with Planet Nutshell. The one referenced by the 2019 dates and one some years before that.

For what projects/services did your company hire Planet Nutshell, Inc., and what were your goals?

Both projects were explainer videos for discreet projects. The first one what to describe the ease of use of our online forms automations. The 2019 project was an explainer video for a new website to find appropriate legal help from a low or no cost legal services provider in Oklahoma.

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

We send out requests for proposals across the country. I believe that Josh found our request for proposal, possibly on LinkedIn, and submitted a response. I had never had any communication with him before or had any information about Planet Nutshell.

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

We started with a discovery meeting where are we explained our goals and what we were trying to accomplish. We then went step-by-step through a very organized process, to storyboard development, selection of characters, animation options, reviews, voice over, and final production. They even provided closed captioning.

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

We had our own internal group of stakeholders, and Planet Nutshell staff, Josh for the first project and a project manager on the second project, assisted us as we needed, met with us in a very organized fashion, with timelines. Information was delivered in a very timely fashion and feedback was requested from our group to move to the next stage of the process. Everything was made so easy for us, questions were answered in a very timely fashion, product goals were met and even ahead of time.

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

We've had great success with both videos. The first video was so well received by all of our Community partners and by website visitors, that we were asked to review the process at a national conference now call the Innovations in Technology Conference, sponsored by one of our major funders, The Legal Services Corporation.

Subsequently one of our partners work with Josh to give that video and Nationwide focus and it is being used now on the national partner website. The second project has been widely received as critical to helping people understand the tool that we are providing in the website OKLegalConnect.

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

The project was laid out ahead of time our goals and a time frame were set out quite clearly. Questions were answered in a very timely manner. Everything moved so smoothly. Communication tools used made it easy for our stakeholder group to understand and see what was happening and everyone to be kept informed at the same time about progress, next steps, and responsibility to move the project forward.

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

This is a small company with a big heart! They are extremely professional, top quality, amazing talents. The leadership at Planet Nutshell, Joshua Gunn, is the one of the most talented people I think I've ever worked with. And I have worked on all kinds of video and filmmaking projects over the past 30 years, in this and in previous professional work.

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

I can't think of anything they could do differently! I have a great privilege of working with Josh as a speaker at our national conference and was even more impressed when I met him in person. All of his staff members are top notch, and the team he puts together greatly compliments each other's talents.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of strategy and external affairs at Roca. We are a nonprofit that works with very high-risk young people.

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Nutshell, Inc.?

We engaged Planet Nutshell, Inc. to help us create an explainer video about our organization. We have a fairly complex story as a nonprofit, and we hoped to produce a quick and interesting look at the work that we do while also being respectful to the populations we work with.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We relied on Planet Nutshell, Inc. to guide the lifecycle of the video—including writing scripts, creating animations, deciding on storytelling techniques, and editing the film. We received terrific feedback about the first video, so we later decided to create a second one with Planet Nutshell, Inc. as well. Both videos were 2–2:30 minutes long.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Josh (Founder, Planet Nutshell, Inc.) and several members of his team.

How did you come to work with Planet Nutshell, Inc.?

We searched online for vendors in the greater Boston area and came across their name. Upon meeting them, we loved the people and loved their approach, so we felt comfortable choosing them for our project.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $10,000 on each video.

What is the status of this engagement?

We made our first video in April 2016, and we completed our second video in May 2017.

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

Planet Nutshell, Inc. turned out to be great partners for this project. People have loved our videos—they find them interesting and respectful to the populations we help. The videos successfully brought a lot of attention to what our organization does. The quality of the animation and the quality of the storytelling is top-notch.

How did Planet Nutshell, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked well together. Planet Nutshell, Inc. made it easy to communicate through emails and phone calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were genuinely great people to work with. I’d highly recommend them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing specific comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As with any vendor, it’s critical to be clear about your needs. Planet Nutshell, Inc. will listen carefully and work to find a solution.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of educational content development at Kentucky Educational Television, a public media station and state government agency. We provide resources and services for schools, adult education, and early childhood education.  

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Nutshell, Inc.?

We have worked with them on several different projects. Our team first hired Planet Nutshell, Inc. to create early childhood learning resources, which included short animated videos for math, language, and music classes.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We begin each project with a discussion about our goals and the specific content. Our team creates the script, and Planet Nutshell, Inc. develops the animation, making changes after our reviews as necessary. A number of the animations were produced in several languages. At this stage, the team raises any issues around syncing the new audio and animation. We then collaborate on edits and revisions before their side deliveries the final version for uploading. The videos have ranged between 1–4 minutes.

Recently, Planet Nutshell, Inc. worked on world languages projects for arts and music classrooms. The team adjusted narration and animation for Spanish, French, and German versions. They also worked on a project with us in which audio files from an old folk music series and created new animation to go with the song.

What is the team composition?

We work with Joshua (Founder, Planet Nutshell, Inc.) and a team of animation designers.

How did you come to work with Planet Nutshell, Inc.?

We received a recommendation from another state public television station. My department worked with them after seeing the excellent products created for our Early Childhood department.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $100,000 in total. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We did the world languages animations about three years ago and continue to work on those videos.

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

The videos were part of larger projects that won important industry awards. Additionally, we received positive feedback from teachers that loved how the products engaged students.

How did Planet Nutshell, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

The team stays flexible to keep the project on track, especially when our side falls behind. On an individual level, Josh stays involved throughout the engagement. It’s great to see an owner take such an active interest in clients’ projects.

Deliveries exceed expectations because Planet Nutshell, Inc. asks questions proactively to clarify the scope and timeline. As a result, the partnership is an interactive and pleasant experience. The team is responsive via phone and email, keeping us apprised of any upcoming issues.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team maintains regular communication and an enjoyable working relationship. They leverage expertise and creativity to enhance collaboration. To that end, Planet Nutshell, Inc. excels at expressing our goals and content in video format. They bring creativity and quality we could not achieve on our own.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, the team is an excellent partner that distinguishes themselves from other vendors.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clients should communicate their goals in detail and explain the content of the project clearly. Those considering Planet Nutshell, Inc. should hire the team—they’re excellent!

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of digital projects and innovation for Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international healthcare nonprofit that helps children. I manage the creation, development, and design of digital projects, such as landing pages, APIs, and peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising campaigns.

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Nutshell, Inc.?

We needed to figure out how to communicate as effectively as possible with our donors and end users who visit our landing page and website. Specifically, we wanted to know the best way to get them to set up fundraising pages for our organization.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We hired Planet Nutshell, Inc. to create a 90-second animation that educated our users on how to create and share a P2P fundraising page in support of our hospital. They scripted, illustrated, and designed the video, with the specific purpose of highlighting how easy it is to start a fundraiser. Before even beginning the actual animation, they provided a storyboard with audio scripting that gave us a clear picture of what the final product would look like. When they finished, they gave us the complete data file, and we integrated it into our website and social media.

We have plans for a few other projects, including a new animation that talks about the history of our company.

What is the team composition? 

I interfaced with the owner and project manager. 

How did you come to work with Planet Nutshell, Inc.?

I’d seen their previous work and knew their animation and storytelling expertise would be a great fit for our project. We met up at a conference and talked about the work, and then we hired them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $11,000–$13,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project lasted from October 2016–March 2017.

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

We can’t quantify their work, but we’ve seen a big uptick in our P2P fundraising success across multiple channels. By comparison, we had roughly 1,100 fundraising pages created from 2006-2016, since then we have surpassed 14,400 active fundraisers. We feel that with the addition of Planet Nutshell’s work and how we communicate to donors is the main reason for our continued success.

How did Planet Nutshell, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They managed our project fantastically, from start to finish. They’re customer-oriented and responsive, providing prompt and open communication. We held weekly calls and production meetings, and they were always focused on details. We also communicated via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The owner is extremely intelligent and an unbelievable storyteller. He has a unique way of being able to understand and clearly communicate what we want to accomplish. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can't name anything. Every experience I've had with them has been good. It’d be great if they were bigger.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

If possible, know what you want to accomplish in order to provide them with clear direction. However, even if you don’t have a clear idea, they’ll help you figure out what you want.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Director of Research in the Orthopaedic Survey department and an orthopaedic surgeon

For what projects/services did your company hire Planet Nutshell, Inc., and what were your goals?

We hired Planet Nutshell to record and refine a decision making video for total hip replacement patients using under-represented minorities.

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

We evaluated multiple vendors and we went with Planet Nutshell for their professionalism, vision and competitive costs.

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

We started with a discovery meeting. They worked with us to understand the vision of this project and helped to develop a script and storyboard. They also helped to recruit patients and communicated expectations well. On the day of filming, they directed everyone appropriately, and made great edits afterwards.

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

We worked with multiple individuals, but most closely with the Producer and they were all incredibly receptive to feedback and changes. We were all incredibly pleased with the final product.

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

The final video was a success and was highly praised by hospital leadership that sponsored the project.

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

They communicated by phone and email, as per our request. They made sure to meet us where was best for us, and they were always ahead of schedule.

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

This company was personable, paid incredibly close attention to detail, and delivered a product that anyone would personally be proud about.

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

Everything that Planet Nutshell did was incredible.

Please describe your company and your position there.

WholeSchool Mindfulness is a nonprofit working to co-create an education system with mindfulness at its core. We partner with school communities to help them hire dedicated mindfulness educators.

For what projects/services did your company hire Planet Nutshell, Inc., and what were your goals?

We wanted a ~2 minute video for us to be able to explain the what, why, and how of our nonprofit in a compelling way.

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

I was impressed by their work with other nonprofits. We were going for the highest quality possible within a reasonable budget.

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

The process was collaborative throughout! I met with them initially for a few brainstorming sessions. We collaborated on a script that would be in the right timing. They developed a storyboard and visual identity, which we had multiple rounds of feedback on. We had opportunities to provide feedback during the animation and audio process itself, including picking the narrator for the video.

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

I worked with Sam and Joshua. They were receptive to feedback throughout, and clear when they were not able to integrate feedback due to budget or timing constraints.

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

It's hard to quantify, but the video has been amazing in that it took our website and online presence to the next level. We've gotten consistent feedback that the video is clear and compelling.

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

They had tools for us to view and provide feedback on script drafts, storyboard, and cuts. They were timely in all of their communication and follow through of deliverables.

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

I found their ability to get to know us and find a way to represent us visually quite amazing. Their skill as animators and project managers is top notch!

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

None at this time.