Real Video Production Co.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Shawn Stuckey Freelance Creative & Marketing. I’m a graphic designer, creative director, and marketer. I visually communicate anything any business needs, as well as organize marketing efforts so that they can utilize those creative assets.

What challenge were you trying to address with Real Video Production Co.?

We were working on a project with another marketing company and the videos they were making clients were lacking. The videos didn’t connect to the audience, so I engaged Real Video Production Co.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The client I brought them on for was a lumbar and garage builder. After I talked with the client to get what they were looking for, Kevin (Co-Founder & Creative Director) and collaborated and discussed the client’s needs and figured out how to shape those concepts. Once we had the agreed-upon concept, Kevin drew the storyboards for approval. When the storyboards were approved, I brought those to the client, gave them the green light, and then we scheduled the shoot day. 

The client happened to have four garages built on site, so we used those as mini sound stages. We spent between 12–15 hours that day getting all of the footage shot and checking off the storyboard and then I left it up to them to edit. They gave us a first soft edit for critiques and then they delivered the finals and then the videos. So, they did all of the scripting, the story, the editing, and were on-location shooting. 

Real Video Production Co. came up with the campaign that a garage is more than just a garage, that way we could make a personal connection. A lot of prominent companies started in a garage, so we showed all of those stories and then backed out and used the tagline “great things begin in a garage”. They used lighting to vignette the scene to focus on the right thing.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Kevin, Josh (Co-Founder & Director), and Ryan (Co-Founder & CFO).

How did you come to work with Real Video Production Co.?

They opened up in the same town as I did, so proximity was one thing that piqued my curiosity. We set up a meeting and their storytelling ability stood out to me and the way that they told stories. It wasn’t just about shooting a commercial, it was about connecting to the audience.

How much have you invested with them?

I invested about $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in September 2020 and ended that December.

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

As far as the quality of the work, I think the finished product speaks for that on its own. The client was incredibly pleased with the work and said they were already thinking of ideas to further the campaign. The video was also used to show other people reals and my capabilities as a freelancer. One of the things that another company commented on that stood out was the quality of the work. There will be other metrics once the campaign runs further down the road that we’ll get through mainstream digital and Hulu.

How did Real Video Production Co. perform from a project management standpoint?

I have no complaints whatsoever. I never waited on a call or email and they were very responsive. On the day of production, I really put them through the wringer and there were no complaints. They put in that 12–15 hour day knowing that it was going to be an extensive schedule and there was no issue.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Real Video Production Co. was not only able to conceptualize, but also visually tell the story within the video. We can tell that we’re looking at more than just what’s going on in the scene; we’re looking at what’s going on in these kids’ heads. It was really the best of both worlds with Kevin and Josh. With Kevin, we got the full creative side and with Josh, that was rounded out with the technical side where he can help facilitate what’s going on in Kevin’s mind. It’s really the whole package with the dreamer and the builder.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only way it could improve is if it was free. They delivered everything we were looking for.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate any of the challenges that your business has encountered so far so that they can use that and build the communication tools for you. You’re going to better equip them if they know any of the struggles you’ve had up to this point.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Communications, Branding & Marketing Manager for the Village of South Holland, which is a suburb of Chicago.

For what projects/services did your company hire Real Video Production Co.?

We wanted to have a digital marketing campaign that encourages young families to move to South Holland. We hired Real to make high-quality promotional videos that feature South Holland's best amenities and resident and business testimonials.

What were your goals for this project?

The ultimate goal was to get people to move to South Holland, but because that is a difficult thing to track, we also wanted to use analytics to at least see if we were generating interest. We used Facebook and Google ads to house the videos so we could see specific numbers and go from there.

How did you select Real Video Production Co.?

I worked with Kevin and Josh on various projects in the past, before I worked for the Village of South Holland. I knew from previous experience that they are hard-working, professional, and most definitely among the top video experts in our region.

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

We filmed the following:

1. General promo highlighting South Holland values and culture
2. Two testimonial videos of young families who recently moved to South Holland
3. A video featuring an interview with the Police Chief and B-roll of police officers, highlighting the safety of our community
4. A longer video with stats about South Holland
5. Two testimonials of South Holland business owners

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

The Real team suggested the concept for each video and we worked together to tweak/finalize it. They wrote the script (for the non-testimonial videos) and provided me with a list of the types of people/interviews we would need for each shot.

They were VERY organized and intentional about what they would shoot and when in order not to waste their time or our time. Once a video was edited, they sent it to me and gave me up to three revisions for each. Revisions were made very quickly, usually within the day.

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

We created a landing page on our website, so all of the digital ads linked to that landing page. Our web analytics increased dramatically during the time of the campaign, so we know that the videos generated interest. We also have an interest form on our landing page for those looking for more information on moving here, and we received a good number of forms.

It's difficult to decipher exactly how many people are moving here as a direct result of this campaign, but the analytics we've seen so far have shown that we've at least been successful in generating interest.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The Real team did a great job of communicating with me and working quickly. Whenever there was a bottleneck in the workflow, it was solely because of me (I didn't get back to them as quickly as I should have at times because of my many other responsibilities). After a while, though, we seemed to find a good groove and our workflow became much more efficient.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Not only are they top-notch experts at what they do, but they are also very laid-back and just easy to work with. Their friendly, affable nature put at ease everyone who was featured on camera. In the creative industry, it's rare to find people who are simultaneously creative, efficient, professional, and fun to be around. This is the culture of Real Video, though, and it's why what they're doing really works.

I also want to point out that they suggested early on that we partner with a designer/digital marketer to ensure that our campaign was effective. I took their suggestion and am so glad I did. The campaign wouldn't have been nearly as effective without the expertise of that individual.

The Real team has been in this industry for so long that they've built an impressive list of connections whose partnerships only enhance their work.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Their pricing is a little high, but you get what you pay for.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing manager of a manufacturing company. We manufacture wall coverings, adhesives, primers, and removers.

What challenge were you trying to address with Real Video Production Co.?

We were trying to create some content to put on different platforms for ourselves and our customers. We needed great videos that would educate others on our industry and our product, specifically to empower them to use our product confidently.

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, Real Video did a lot of their own research. We provided some instruction sheets for our product, too. They produced our scripts for two videos. The team also did all of the storyboarding and optimizing our on-site location for video production. They even helped us prepare our talent for the video.

What is the team composition?

We worked with one creative director, two videographers, and an accounts payable specialist.

How did you come to work with Real Video Production Co.?

They were referred to us by a mutual colleague.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in September 2020, and we wrapped up in October 2020.

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

Everybody from our CEO down to any of our middle-management loved the video. We actually had a partnership with a wall coverings company, and emails were coming through from their team, telling us how impressed they were with the quality. Overall, we were extremely pleased.

It was our first time creating videos, and we felt like we were in good hands. They were really easy to work with and helped us understand what we needed to do; they were also great about meeting their own requirements. We were really happy with how responsive and clear they were. They walked us through the entire process, which we appreciated. We were also impressed with the amount of information they were able to put into our script, especially since they’re not in our industry.

In the beginning, we sent them links to videos to show what our bar was for quality. We were extremely satisfied with the result. We felt like they absolutely killed it in terms of getting us where we wanted. It’s a lot of trust that we have to put into them since the videos represent our brand. They really did meet and exceed our expectations; it was professional, reflected our branding, and presented what we wanted to convey.

How did Real Video Production Co. perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via email and phone. They came into our office and met with our entire team during one in-person meeting. From there, we were able to communicate via email. We had one day of full production, and we got amazing videos. They did a really good job of managing what we wanted up until the day of recording.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Our industry is wallpaper paste, which is not very “sexy” and not a lot of people know about it. That being said, the quality of the script and storyboard that they produced was really impressive. They were able to present our product so well that we had very little editing to do to their script. They are professional, prompt, and punctual.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their only downfall might be that they’re almost too flexible. Initially, we were slated to created three videos but decided to only do two. They were very flexible about that.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They were able to reign in on what we actually wanted through conversation and those examples. Give them a lot of information as well as your hopes and dreams. If you don’t know what you’re looking for but can show them a couple of examples of what you’re looking for, they’ll be able to make it work.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Total Disposal is a waste hauling company for Northwest Indiana and the south suburbs of Chicago. Our family owns the business. I am responsible for general business operations.

For what projects/services did your company hire Real Video Production Co.?

Real Video Production Company produced still shots and video production for our new website. Still photography included many different 'people' shots for the website as well as product shots to help customers choose which product/service they need and also order online. Video were created to 'educate' our customers with regards to the different types of services we offer.

What were your goals for this project?

We were looking for high quality, creative content for our website. One video was designed to educate customers with best practices for ordering a roll-off dumpster. The second video was designed to educate customers about the process for bringing their trash to our transfer station. We receive many calls from customers with questions that would be better answered with visuals in short, concise instructional videos.

How did you select Real Video Production Co.?

I had worked with Kevin and Josh on other non-profit projects where I had the privilege of serving on the board.

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

Our marketing team from ES99 developed the storyboard. Josh and Kevin made it come to life. RVPC secured everything required for production. Detailed schedules were created and followed. The first video required actors and a location for delivering a roll-off dumpster. The second video required drone footage of our location to show customers the traffic pattern and process for dumping. Our operations manager (and my son), Ben and I were involved in the entire process. But they made it very easy on us. It was really fun and we enjoyed the experience tremendously. We appreciated having the opportunity to give our professional input during the filming of the videos.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Everything was planned in detail before the photo shoots and then the video filming. There were three people from RVPC for the 2 photo shoot days and four or five crew members plus two actors for the 2 days of video filming. Our marketing team from ES99 also had two or three people for each session as well. We were consulted every step of the way. While Josh and Kevin had command of the process entirely, we never felt like we couldn't speak up if we had something to add. After the photos and videos were finished and provided for our review, we were given ample opportunity to provide feedback or edits if necessary. We really had only one small thing to add that we had forgotten. The photos and videos submitted were far and above what we had anticipated.

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

Since our website has not launched yet, we cannot share the actual success storied. We anticipate that our customers are going to love the videos as much as we do. We believe it will encourage our customers to order from us, or visit our transfer station, because it will remove the barrier customers may have of "not-knowing-what-to-expect".

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They responded quickly when we had questions whether we called or emailed. They also made sure to schedule photo shoots and video filming around our busy schedule in consideration of our hours of business.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The photos and videos are so professional that we are incredibly proud to present them on our website and to our customers for a long time to come. Kevin and Josh are men of integrity and wholly trustworthy. A true delight to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The project was completed right on time and above our expectations. We can find nothing to suggest for improvements.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Marketing Specialist for a technology services provider for the Senior Living and Long Term Post Acute Care industry.

For what projects/services did your company hire Real Video Production Co.?

Our company hired Real Video to produce our company introduction video that is being used at virtual tradeshows and on our other digital marketing platforms.

What were your goals for this project?

Our main goal for the project was to produce an introduction video that got our company's about our message across in 1-1:30 minutes of footage. Real Video did a great job of achieving that goal for us.

How did you select Real Video Production Co.?

The team was looking for a video production company to help us produce our company intro video. In a meeting, we discussed a few different options and decided to work with Real Video based on the quality of their work and also working with Josh on previous engagements.

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

The video process was very smooth. It started out with an introductory meeting with both of our teams to better understand what we were looking for. From there, there was an onsite visit to determine what areas were best for filming. Then a schedule was developed with actors & props and a day was determined to record b-roll shots that were needed for the video.

It was also determined a separate day for recording interviews and also questions were built out. The day of the shootings went very well. Real Video's crew came in, helped with setup, and directed the scenes. They did a great job of helping to manage the scenes and were able to pull exactly what we were looking for. After everything was done, it was edited perfectly.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They had two folks from the Real Video that helped with both the directing and filming. Our team walked away from the project very satisfied and was impressed with the quality that was produced and how they met our objectives when it came to our message.

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

Right now, we are in the beginning stages of sharing the video and expect to know more once the virtual tradeshow season takes place.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow between us was great. We worked with their Creative Director on the project who talked us through every step of the way. Since this was a first-time video production project for us they were there to answer all of the team's questions and provide insight.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive thing about Real Video is their work ethic. They went above and beyond to make sure we had a great video.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There are no areas for improvement. They do a tremendous job!

Please describe your company and your position there.

Since 1945, Illiana Christian High School, as a Christian institution, is founded on the Bible as interpreted in the Reformed creeds. We develop and graduate capable people with a comprehensive Christian view of life who are committed to the challenge of serving God and others.

I am currently the Director of Marketing and Events

For what projects/services did your company hire Real Video Production Co.?

Due to COVID we had to cancel all of our 75th Anniversary Events. We decided to do a Video Series of Alumni telling their #illianastories

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to reach Alumni from every decade so that they could hear different #illianastories

How did you select Real Video Production Co.?

We used Josh Roeda before he became famous, and now we won't use anyone that isn't Real Video Production

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

We connected with RVP and arranged a meeting, we sat down and explained the vision and dream behind the Video Series we wanted to do. Over the next few weeks we found alumni who were able/willing to be in the videos and RVP did the rest!

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

RVP did an amazing job! Our constituents are blown away by the stories we were able to capture and the fantastic quality of the videos

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

Not yet, we are currently still launching the videos. One thing is, we have people engaged with our facebook/social media that usually don't comment or like things

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Working with RVP was great. All the employees there are easy to work with, get along with, and spend the afternoon in the studio with.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The creativity that RVP has is outstanding. The three of these men that work there are all very creative and all we had to do was explain what we were looking for, and the made it come to life!

Are there any areas for improvement?

No!

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing director of Homewood Disposals.

What challenge were you trying to address with Roeda Films?

We needed to communicate what our services are. We cover a wide range of tasks, not just residential and commercial pickup. We wanted to explain that we’re a family business with three generations currently working at the company and involved in the community, too.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Roeda Films created a legacy video for us, highlighting the three generations that work at our company to reflect warmly on our family-oriented business. They helped us write the script and collaborated to flesh out our ideas. They filmed interviews with families and employees and also shot drone footage for the video. 

What is the team composition?

Josh (Director of Film Department, Roeda Films) handled the filming and one other teammate was my main contact for pricing and organizing the shoots. 

How did you come to work with Roeda Films?

We’d been working with Roeda Graphics, so Roeda Films was a natural choice. Our shared history and their good pricing led to us choosing them, too. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from July–October 2019. 

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

We haven’t released the video to the public yet, but all of our stakeholders really enjoyed the entire process with Roeda Films. We’ve heard great feedback on how easily they gathered the interviews, too. Overall, our engagement went very well. 

How did Roeda Films perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Frame.io so that I could view their work and enter all of my edits and feedback into it, which was extremely helpful. I could always send them our suggestions and email them.   

What did you find most impressive about them?

We really appreciated how accommodating they were to our schedules. The level of personal attention they brought was great—they spent time truly getting to know our company. They didn’t just try to rush the project. They wanted to fully understand our business to better represent us in the video. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t have any suggestions for improvement. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you give them enough time to get to know your company, it is very important to the process. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the operations manager at Del Mar Builders. A bulk of our business comes from restoring houses that have experienced fires, floods, or vandalism.

What challenge were you trying to address with Roeda Films?

We wanted to increase sales and set ourselves apart from other Chicago businesses in our industry.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Roeda Films had complete creative control over the project. The team developed scenarios, a script, and a concept. They created a one-minute promotional video that succinctly relays the value of our restoration service. The video uses voice-over technology and demonstrates scenarios in which our services could be valuable.

What is the team composition?

Our main points of contact were Josh (Director & Cinematographer, Roeda Films) and Kyle (Producer, Roeda Films). We also had a full team of 15 people working on this project.   

How did you come to work with Roeda Films?

I was familiar with the overarching Roeda brand and heard they branched out into film. After reaching out to them, I was blown away by their portfolio and what they were able to do.

How much have you invested with them?

This project cost $35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in March 2019 and wrapped up in May 2019.

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

Although it’s too early to gauge sales results, everyone that views the video is as impressed as we are.

How did Roeda Films perform from a project management standpoint?

They outperformed from a project management standpoint. The project was delivered quicker than anticipated.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were most impressed with how family-oriented they were. It felt like we were engaging with great friends, not just a corporate entity.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’m very impressed with them. I plan on working with them again and recommending them to my colleagues.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise people not to be shocked by their sticker price; they’re well worth the cost.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the worship director at Faith Church, centrally located in Dyer, Illinois. We are a church of six multi-site campuses in the south suburbs of Chicago. My role is to oversee the music and arts departments over all the locations.

For what projects/services did your company hire Roeda Films?

While serving on the board of directors, we hired Roeda Films to create an inspirational video for a nonprofit orphanage in Haiti called God’s Littlest Angels (GLA). We wanted to generate awareness and resources for the organization.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals were to create awareness and to use the video for fundraising. The video is shown at gatherings, banquets, churches, and on our website.

How did you select this vendor?

I have used Roeda Films for a number of projects, so we knew they were professional and easy to work with. In addition, we needed somebody who was experienced with international travel and the unexpected challenges that often arise.

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

Roeda Films created a promotional video for the GLA. We had a limited amount of time in Haiti, so we had to make every hour count. Together, we scripted out a potential storyboard and chose the locations and shots we wanted. We then lined up the participants who we would interview and tried to make the most of the time we had.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

The process was unbelievably smooth. They listened well to our overall goal and guided us through filming. There were so many things that I overlooked, but Roeda Films was able to ensure we were pleased with the outcome. They were professional, and it was clear that they cared deeply about this project.

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

First of all, the entire board of directors absolutely loved the final product. The staff immediately began using it in a variety of settings when they would speak. Second, we saw a significant increase in website hits, and many people were sharing the video.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was incredibly effective. The entire process was built on collaboration, trust, and mutual understanding. I couldn't be happier with how the project flowed, from the initial conversation to the final edit.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Roeda Films took the lead on every step of this process and lowered our level of anxiety from the beginning. We were very impressed with their creativity and high level of professionalism.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There is nothing that I would suggest for improvement. I would highly recommend them!

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the controller for Krause Construction.

What challenge were you trying to address with Roeda Films?

We were in the process of revamping our website after completing two successful, important projects for our clients. We decided to hire Roeda Films to help us create promotional videos to use as assets on our site. We wanted the testimonials to show our customer’s satisfaction and improve our portfolio.

What was the scope of their involvement?

After we explained what we were looking for, Roeda Films began the production for both films. The videos were done in an interview format, so their team created a rough script to guide the conversation. On the filming days, they interviewed the right individuals to gather testimonials and comments about our business. They handled all of the post-production and editing steps, including sound, color, etc. Our teams collaborated to create a final version that included all the information we wanted.

What is the team composition?

They provided an entire film crew for the shoots. Josh (Director, Roeda Films) was our main point of contact and kept us informed throughout the project. There were about 5–6 other teammates working with us during production.

How did you come to work with Roeda Films?

My boss searched for several crews online and contacted Roeda Films. They gave us their proposal after we explained our ideas. We found them very accommodating and helpful, so we chose them for the project.

How much have you invested with them?

In total, we spent around $12,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from July–October 2018.

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

Roeda Films did a spectacular job. We uploaded the videos to our LinkedIn pages and business websites and received amazing feedback from viewers and colleagues alike. When we send packages to new or upcoming customers, we include a DVD to show the highlights of working with our team. Potential customers can now see the great work we’ve done for our clients, so it’s had a positive impact on our business.

How did Roeda Films perform from a project management standpoint?

We had consistently clear, concise communication with the Roeda Films team. They were available leading up to production, and they were always informative and accommodating on the set. Their team was receptive to any feedback we had. If we wanted to cut a certain scene or edit a shot differently, they were more than willing to do it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They had an amazing talent to turn raw footage into a professional film that we’re proud of. Their team got everything right, from their approach to the final version. We also valued their patience and efficiency throughout the process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Everything they did for us was great, so there’s nothing I could suggest they improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Try to have a detailed guideline of what you need to be accomplished. Also, take Roeda Films’ word for how long specific tasks will take and be prepared to dedicate time to the work. Do your best to stick to your timeline, and feel comfortable going slowly with their team if you need to.