Setter Studios

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a food bank headquartered in Orange County, California that services 34 cities. We feed working poor families and vulnerable people affected by the economic fallout caused by COVID-19.

What challenge were you trying to address with Setter Studios?

Our company needed video production services.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Setter Studios handles every facet of video production from start to finish. The team participates in the process of scripting, but the main idea comes from us. They have done around 15 videos where they film, produce, edit, and work on other processes. The videos are made to advocate and create awareness around food insecurity and show the work we do. We are now working on three new films. 

We’ve also done an annual report where they’ve helped us subcontract it out, but also managed the graphics process. 

What is the team composition?

Brandon (Owner & Creative) is my main point of contact. 

How did you come to work with Setter Studios?

Setter Studios came recommended through a PR firm we were working with. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership started in March 2020, and it’s ongoing.

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

We have received very strong feedback from the community and donors, depending upon where and when we use the video. We ran PSA commercials on local cable channels during the crisis height and have used the videos to fundraise. The videos have been quite effective and have helped us raise several million dollars. 

How did Setter Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

They are organized, professional, and pretty hands-on. We use email, texts, and phone calls; it has been a very person-to-person communication strategy. We sometimes work overtime over the set schedule on the calendar we put together. This could be sending text messages after hours or over the weekend if a project’s on deadline.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve been working with them for about 13 months, and they have done an incredible job. They are creative to the forefront, so we invite them to participate in the ideation process. We consider them more like creative partners than service providers; they’re capable of handling any work component. 

Brandon is an artist in his craft. It’s one thing to push a button on the camera, and it’s another to truly capture a moment. The team has an eye for detail and sensibility. The balanced approach they take to their work makes the video content feel authentic and not contrived. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any complaints. I wish we had more of their available time since they are in high demand. I’d suggest that depending on their business model and once they want to grow, they’ll have to bring on more people to the team to keep the shop as is. 

Any advice for potential customers?

My advice for them is to give Setter Studios’ team creative space.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the project manager for all creative and content projects for a growing online membership community for working writers.

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

We hired Setter Studios to film an online video course about how to make money as a writer, to be sold through our website.

What were your goals for this project?

With a tight filming schedule due to remote employees and travel schedules, we needed to film the entirety of the content within a few hours, in a way that looked both professional and approachable. Included promotional material available both landscape and portrait orientation for social media marketing.

How did you select this vendor?

I've worked with them before and have always not only just loved the finished product, but the experience of working with them throughout the whole process.

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

Setter Studios had to come into a rented space at the end of our event, set up a shoot in less than an hour, film someone reading through a script on teleprompter with multiple cameras and sound.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

still in process, but so far it's been outstanding.

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

the company founder, aka the talent delivering the content on screen, was blown away by the quality and level of production. They are so professional, but so winsome at the same time.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Great! no issues in communication or scheduling - any discrepancies were cleared up well before filming started which is not always the case with other video production companies.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with how they combine expertise with approachability and the beauty and quality of their output. Some companies make a beautiful product that has no depth of content; but Setter Studios knows how to use the art of film to tell a compelling story.

Are there any areas for improvement?

none that I can think of!

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Marketing Manager at Second Harvest Food Bank or Orange County.

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

For multiple and ongoing video projects.

What were your goals for this project?

To increase awareness of the hunger crisis in Orange County and our efforts to combat it, especially in light of the pandemic.

How did you select this vendor?

The food bank has used multiple video production shops over the years. Setter Studios came highly recommended so we tried them out for one job. They turned the project quickly, did amazing work and were wonderful to work with. They immediately became our preferred video production vendor.

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

Several videos from 30 seconds to 3:30. Many were for social distribution and others for on-air PSA's.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They were very fluid in the process. We gave the concepts and they executed. Any changes we requested were accommodated with ease.

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

Without sharing specifics, I will say the results made it an easy decision to lock them in as our video team of choice!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Outstanding!

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The combination of technical expertise coupled with creative minds helped them turn out better videos than our concepts.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No

Please describe your company and your position there.

I own a small video production company directing and producing videos for nonprofits, churches, and ministries

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

Cinematography, audio capture, editing, animation.

What were your goals for this project?

Use video storytelling for a variety of clients to inspire their audiences into their mission and key initiatives.

How did you select this vendor?

I have worked with Setter Studios for more than a decade after partnering together for a church in Orange County.

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

We worked together on all things pre-production including planning/scheduling, concerting, scripting, and pre-visualization. We worked together on set including directing photography, conducting interviews, capturing audio, and working through shot lists.

Setter Studios are masterful on set. We worked together in post-production on paper edits, footage selection, dialogue selection, story arc, graphics and lower thirds, etc.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Project management was communicated well by Setter Studios. They communicated each time they hit project milestones, allowed for review and feedback, and kept us informed on the overall schedule. The feedback process was very seamless using a combination of Vimeo review, slack, and email.

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

We’ve seen increased engagement across several different clients.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Incredibly effective. No issues whatsoever.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their commitment to excellence impressed us. Lots of video production companies will take your money if you let them. Setter Studios will always keep creativity, excellence, and your success as their most important goals.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They just need the ability to clone themselves so they can say yes to every company that wants to incorporate video storytelling into their efforts.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner and a dentist at Michael Jones Dental Corporation.

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

We needed an external resource to produce a video for our website.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to develop a video for our website to introduce the practice to potential new patients.

How did you select this vendor?

I was impressed with work they completed for a local church.

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

Setter Studios met with us to discuss our goals. They visited the office prior to filming to discuss logistics and came up with a detailed project plan. They filmed the office, staff, and selected patients. They returned another day to shoot additional film. They will come back for a final shoot to capture a better view of the ocean from the office. They’re also working on an additional video highlighting dental procedures performed in the office.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They use a video commentary program where we can give feedback frame by frame.

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

Once the project is final, it will be uploaded to the website. Their superior vision and guidance is creating the results we desire.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their team is excellent. Brandon and Jess (Co-Owners, Setter Studios) work well with every team member and are patient during filming. They make everyone feel as comfortable and at ease as possible in front of the camera. They’re easy to work with and helped us create a timely schedule for patient and staff interviews. They guide our team through the process in order to complete filming in a way that minimizes disruptions to our patient workflow. Communication is open, whether via texting, email, or in person.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

It’s wonderful to work with Setter Studios. They’re professional, comfortable, confident, creative, encouraging, and affirming in every interaction.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that we can think of.

Please describe your company and your position there.

CycleBoard, Inc. is an electric personal vehicle company with 6 employees based in Southern California creating a recreational and transport vehicle for folks internationally.

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

Video Production for our Start Engine Campaign

What were your goals for this project?

We were looking for the best opportunity to showcase our new space in the industry and convey the forward movement our product will make for people of all mobility types.

How did you select Setter Studios?

Jess and Brandon were a clear choice after reviewing their portfolio and communications.

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

Setter Studios looked light on their equipment, but really transformed our space and employees into professional creative and structured production instruments.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

The completion of the project was much faster than we expected and that was a fabulous boost to our timeline.

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

The video shoot and still images have catapulted our campaign page.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Easy and calm communication was a driving factor

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Brandon and Jess came into our space and made it 100% more attractive with lighting, ques and placement; we needed their touch and appreciated their time and efforts to bring us the best possible product.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not a one.

Please describe your company and your position there.

CEO of Bethany Hamilton's company

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

Video production and editing

What were your goals for this project?

amazing finished product

How did you select this vendor?

personal reference

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

lots of work and details

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

online

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

fantastic! lots of engagement!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

very

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were super professional, great communicators, great finished product. highly recommend!

Are there any areas for improvement?

no

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the chief scientist for Connection Culture Group, a boutique consulting firm focusing on organizational culture.

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

We hired Setter Studios to film a new e-course called Connection Culture Academy.

What were your goals for this project?

We sought high-quality, professional videos for all of the lessons included in our e-course.

How did you select this vendor?

I have worked with Brandon (Owner, Setter Studios) for many years, and I have always been satisfied with their work.

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

We provided scripts of our content, and we filmed all of the lessons over the course of several recording sessions.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They provided first drafts of the videos for us to review before finalizing.

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

We launched a beta version of the course and have received positive feedback from our participants.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our teams worked very well together.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They produced a high-quality video. They also helped us learn to use the teleprompter, which made the entire process much easier.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. We received great videos, and they are a pleasant team to work with.

Please describe your company and your position there.

As the Creative Director at 454 Creative, I ensure all our clients projects are done to the best of our abilities and exceed the expectations for our clients.

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

Setter Studios was hired to shoot a series of product highlight videos for a universal test machine manufacturer.

What were your goals for this project?

To capture in less than 2 minutes to essence of their respective product lines and offerings.

How did you select this vendor?

I have worked with Setter Studios for many years and have consistently been impressed with their work.

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

We shot 6 videos on locations over 3 shoots at the clients facility in Fullerton, CA.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

I worked closely with Setter Studios to ensure voiceover, music selection and scripts were all approved by the client.

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

Videos have been used online and in trade-shows to showcase their product offerings.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our workflow was seamless! They operated like an extension of our in-house team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Brandon and Jessica Setter are not only creative geniuses, but also have wonderful dispositions and demeanors. They are professional and easy to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None!

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the executive director of a creative agency.

For what projects/services did your company hire Setter Studios?

We hired them to do conference coverage, video production, post-production, and edits for a manufacturing client.

How did you select this vendor?

A trusted source referred Setter Studios. We chose them because they seemed easy to work with and their pricing fit our budget.

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

Setter Studios produced and edited recap, sales, and marketing videos. They helped us with every aspect, including pre-production, planning, day-of execution for a multiday conference, post-production, and finishing.

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

We had a positive experience all around.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was great. Everything was easy.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with their integrity.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not really.