Skalawag Productions

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for a small, start-up gene therapy company as the Director of Patient Advocacy. Our company aims to develop gene therapies for people with severe genetic diseases, and my role is to work with advocacy groups and community members in our development of investigational therapies.

For what projects/services did your company hire Skalawag Productions, and what were your goals?

We worked with Skalawag on a few projects, including patient stories and corporate videos. The Patient stories are aimed to help our audience understand experiences of families living with genetic diseases, and our corporate videos were aimed to tell our company's story and to motivate our internal staff.

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

We selected this vendor for their high quality work, and their hands-on approach to video production. Costs were very competitive and we feel that we got a lot of great content for the cost.

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

We started with a strategy meeting, where Skalawag led a great workshop aimed to understand our short and long term goals, needs, and priorities. From there, they developed a work order for us based on that strategic workshop. Then, we planned shoot days, and the team started post-production.

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

I worked with every member of the Skalawag team, including Mark, Aaron, Ryan, Bailey, and Monica. All team members are professional, dependable, and frankly just fun to work with. The feedback process was very seamless; they sent us a link with content, where we could provide feedback directly. 95% of the time, all feedback was able to be carried out through text/email, which I believe was due to Skalawag's true effort to get to know our company and goals early on. As such, all of the content they provided was really close to what we wanted.

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

For me, the biggest measure of success is that the families that we worked with felt we captured their story in an authentic way. I have gotten absolutely glowing reviews from the families that we worked with, which is an enormous success. Its external success is to be determined as we are still working on distributing the videos to the world.

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

They are astute project managers. Timelines are meticulously designed and adhered to, and any changes or deviations were clearly discussed and communicated in advance. They use email and Google documents to keep things moving, which is simple and effective. Everything has been delivered on or before due dates.

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

I find their strategic approach most impressive and unique. They are not just producing content. They are producing content specifically curated for their client's goals, and they are able to do that because they take the time to get to know the company, their capabilities, and their objectives. I believe it is because of this strategic process that they are able to produce the exact content that is expected of their clients. This makes their process much more efficient and enjoyable from the client's perspective, and builds tremendous trust right off the bat.

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

From my perspective, no. I was really impressed with the process, the team, and the content. I would work with Skalawag for any future video needs, and would recommend them to anyone who needs video content!

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of clinical affairs and quality at a nonprofit patient advocacy organization. We connect patients with resources during their journey and ensure that healthcare providers have a good education and training to care for them. I interact primarily with medical centers in our designated care center network and coordinate with them to make sure patients have the best experience possible.

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We wanted to create a video explaining our care center network and why it’s important for patients to get multidisciplinary care from a center that provides extensive expert care. 

We faced many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic; we couldn’t go into doctors’ offices to do in-person videos because of the risk to the patient population. Our main goal was to figure out how to make a video that would be meaningful and explain the care center network to patients and providers.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skalawag Productions had a strategy workshop to get all stakeholders’ information and goals for the video and to make sure we were all on the same page. The workshop also helped us stay on budget and figure out how to execute the video. The meeting lasted two hours, and we made sure everyone on our side was available to talk through all the goals.

We knew we wouldn’t film in person, and decision-making was an integrated process with Skalawag Productions. The team came up with creative solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, and we went through many different ideas. They developed animated characters that we can utilize again in the future. 

From there, we frequently touched base with Skalawag Productions to look at the script, the characters they developed, and what the video would look like. Every aspect of the project went through an approval process. After they finished the video, Skalawag Productions took the English-language version and translated it into Spanish.

What is the team composition?

Mark (Creative Director & Founder) was involved in the planning. Bailey (Associate Producer & Project Manager) was our primary contact during the whole process, and we also worked with Monica (Creative Producer). We also met with the designer who worked on the animated characters.

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

We had a preexisting relationship with them. Skalawag Productions has made videos in live format for a different team within our organization. Although it was my first time directly working with them directly, I’d seen their work. The organization’s experience working with them and their creative direction helped us know they would be able to get the job done, so we went with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$40,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project lasted from January 2021–February 2022.

We have more projects planned with Skalawag Productions in the next calendar year, and they’re also working with our patient outreach team to develop other materials.

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

Skalawag productions really delivered — we were blown away by the final product. We’ve launched the social media campaign, and the video is frequently watched. In general, the videos Skalawag Productions has produced for us are our most viewed on social media. 

Additionally, they were really great partners to work with, and they have a great process. Their attention to detail and their ability to become almost experts in the field they’re working in were phenomenal. They created the graphics for hospitals so that any patient could imagine themselves being there. 

The strategy workshop grounded their work; it was a great experience. They gave us homework before the day, and then we had 10 people for two hours saying what they wanted out of this video. Skalawag Productions really encouraged us to get involved and made sure we shared our needs to make the project successful.

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They had really strong project management. They reminded us of due dates, sent documents and review materials, and updated us on their expected turnaround times, all without being pushy or too aggressive. Our primary form of communication was email, and we touched base with them frequently via virtual meetings. It was wonderful to have those frequent meetings.

The project’s timeline was set ahead of time, allowing us to identify possible conflicts and know which milestones we needed to hit. We had a clear plan outlining what the process would look like and the expectations of each individual. Bailey was great; she scheduled meetings and made sure we knew where we were with approvals.

We had a pretty aggressive timeline, and Skalawag Productions was able to deliver quickly. They also made sure we were staying on track as an organization. We had to move the timeline a few times because we couldn’t make the deadlines, and the Skalawag Productions team quickly modified things to accommodate us.

In terms of feedback, we put comments directly on the script’s different drafts where we wanted things modified or changed. We had physicians who wanted specific details in the video, and Skalawag Productions was really open to hearing our feedback, which was great.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was most impressed by Skalawag Productions’ hands-on approach. We knew exactly who would be working with us and who would manage the project. They had a clear plan, and they delivered on it, which was key for us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We learned some lessons on transitioning from English to Spanish because it was the first time we’d done that. However, Skalawag Productions was phenomenal in taking our feedback; there weren’t any pain points.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Meet with Skalawag Productions and see what they can offer. Have a strategy call to see if they’re a good fit for you. Going through the homework and assignments they set is really helpful, too.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the web and communications manager at the Terra Foundation for American Art. They are a philanthropic entity that makes grants for worldwide exhibitions of American art.

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

They used to be a small, reputable brick and mortar museum in Chicago. After reevaluating how they worked, they moved to grant making — taking works of art across globe rather than making people come to one specific geography.

They also made bold decision to keep the collection in-tact, rather than liquidating it and adding it to the endowment. Therefore, the challenge we brought on Skalawag Productions to help with was to digitize the collection and keep it relevant.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The art is kept in a vault in Chicago, and academics, scholars, and curators, come to view them for their work. Skalawag Productions identified these visits as an opportunity to create digital media. They videoed the visitors talking about the art and posted the 3–5 minute products on our website and YouTube channel. They also edited the content down into clips of appropriate length of Instagram.

Responsible for logistics (orchestrating visitors coming from all over the world), videography, and post-production, Skalawag Productions also developed a tool to map our art and plot points that include information about various aspects of the art.

What is the team composition?

Mark (Founder & Creative Director) was our main contact, and he also had an assistant that helped with lighting and holding an alternative camera.

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

They submitted fairly detailed proposal, and someone from my organization had worked with them on a previous project.

While Mark is interested in discrete projects, he’s always looking to connect you need to the grander scheme of your business, evolving the work into something larger. I’ve worked with numerous videographers and chose Mark because he helped me understand that bigger picture of what we could accomplish.

I also signed with Skalawag because they showed me how to approach the project in a concrete way. We could have brainstormed until the cows came home, but until we developed a clearly defined objective and process, it was all talk. They showed themselves to be a strategic partner.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June–October 2018.

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

They’re among the best-performing videos on the foundation’s YouTube channel, but what’s more important is the momentum that the videos gave them to continue to invest in their digital and video tools. Hard copy publications were always more valued in our organization, but we came to understand the value of dynamic video content.

Skalawag Productions took a bunch of calcified minds and change their ideas of what communication and scholarship look like. I don’t know if they’ve continued to work with Mark since I left, but I know they’re considering using them again for similar projects currently.

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Even though we had budgets, timelines, and dates for decisions, it was Mark who kept us honest. We stayed on time and budget through mutual accountability.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Mark is an extraordinary thought partner, and not just a videographer. Skalawag comes in, invests in your challenge, and works hard to find a solution that’s dynamic and has longevity. Rather than seeing projects as done and moving one, he strives to continue to harvest value from the content, keeping it malleable and relevant.

Mark has a hefty appetite to deliver good products and make fit for what I will need moving into the future. He helped align solutions with our bigger strategic endeavors. Additionally, he has the mind of an artist and the process of a scientist.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Mark did a truly extraordinary job — so much so that it’s hard to articulate the value he brought to our foundation’s digital storytelling endeavor.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Enlist Skalawag for your project, and the best way to capitalize on that engagement is to trust Mark. You’ll be selling yourself short if you don’t entertain the value he brings. He’s very respectful and isn’t upselling but up-valuing what you’re doing.

You may have deadlines and budgets and a specific end date but invite Mark to be a thought partner as early as you can.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of our company. We market meat nationwide to foodservice accounts and through online sales.

For what projects/services did your company hire Skalawag Productions, and what were your goals?

During Covid we pivoted from foodservice sales to online marketing/direct sales. We needed to establish new marketing materials (video and photo) that helped tell our story and explain our product offerings. We had seen some material created by Mark and team in the past so we knew they would be a great fit for our company.

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

We had seen some of their work in the past with another group and really liked what they created. We reached out to the company and had thorough discussion about what our goals were on the project. They delivered a detailed explanation of the process and deliverables.

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

We started with a discovery meeting so that each team understood our goals and directives. Then we communicated back and forth via calls and emails with specific project narratives. This included creating a story outline, video creation, and much more. Because of covid novel things had to be done, but they were very easy to understand. For example, Skala sent us the audio equipment for the videos so that excellent quality audio was created at home. They walked me through the equipment setup and then created a script for me to read. They were with me the entire time via online meeting services and the process was seamless. When we were done I simply mailed the equipment back to them.

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

We worked directly with Mark on the process. His team was involved throughout the project as well. The feedback was always prompt and professional.

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

The videos and photography that were created were very professional and well done. We still use them for marketing materials in our digital strategy and also on our website. The materials were a successful part of our business by helping us progress during such a pivotal moment in time.

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

Communication and project management was very professional and timely. Even when we would get behind on measurables Skala would do a great job reminding us and helping get the project complete in a timely manner.

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

They had worked in the food industry before, which really helped in telling our story. Also they were always available to answer questions and get this project completed successfully.

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

It was in the heat of Covid, the world was totally nuts. Meeting in person was not an option and it was still successful.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

At the time when I was working with Skalawag, I was a with Applied Motion Products, a manufacturer of electronic components for the factory automation industry. I was the marketing director for the company and I oversaw all strategic and tactical marketing decisions and efforts.

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We were trying to develop some video content around our component products as a way of reacting to marketing trends. We didn’t have any production staff, however, so we needed to subcontract this task to an external company that could stick with us for an extended period of time. That’s how we came to work with Skalawag.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skalawag conducted semi-formal discussions or workshops with us to capture what we were trying to accomplish. Their team came back to us a few weeks later with a proposal outlining all of the videos they would create for us. We then worked jointly to draft and refine scripts and storyboards over several rounds.

The videos they produced for us introduced our component products as well as their features and benefits. We didn’t want anybody on camera, but we did request that Skalawag put a lot of motion into the video to accompany the voiceover. Since we couldn’t afford a voice actor, they coached me on how to do it myself. 

We completed around five videos and used these on our website, YouTube channel, and social media platforms. Some of the videos were of a shorter format — around 30 seconds to two minutes in length — and these we circulated more frequently. We didn’t use the videos for a specific social or traffic generation campaign; we were really just set out for product awareness, and we used Skalawag’s output anywhere we could.

What is the team composition?

Mark (Founder & Creative Director) led the workshops and oversaw the shoot and the main cameraman did all the heavy lifting during filming. There was also a woman who acted as our main contact for the scripts, schedules, and logistics. 

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

Skalawag was referred to me by a company that I had worked with and left a review for on Clutch. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $23,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

We conducted the workshop around January 2021 and went into production in March 2021. Our engagement ended when I left the company in June 2021, since no one was available to take over that project.

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

Anecdotally speaking, I would recommend Skalawag in a second. They were definitely the most professional video production agency that I had ever worked with. The team knew what they were doing in and out of the studio, and it blew me away how they took ownership of the script and storyboards. I have never had an agency do that before; I was always the one responsible for those tasks. 

Another great thing about Skalawag was how they made an effort to understand our industry-specific products. It reflected their commitment to making our project a success. They exceeded my expectations with the way they drove the whole process.

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

What really struck me about Skalawag is how, right at the get-go, they were adamant about establishing formal strategy meetings. I really like that they took that approach because that upfront planning made the project execution go extremely well. It left no room for surprises as all details were sussed out during the early stages. 

They were also very efficient and prepared on the day of the shoot. One could really tell that they’ve done a lot of filming in their studio. There wasn’t a lot of time spent standing around and figuring out how to do things, which led to everything being executed on time. 

We typically communicated over the phone and via email. We also shared basic documents such as PDFs and Excel files. They had a tool where they shared the video with me, but I can’t remember its name. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The number one thing that stood out to me was Skalawag’s exceptional commitment to getting a good result. They put in a lot of upfront effort despite not having any guarantee that we would sign with them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think there was anything that could’ve been improved. They were a perfect fit for us.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust Skalawag’s process. Despite any initial skepticism you may have, just know that their approach is solid and that they will produce results that you will like. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the digital media producer at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a nonprofit think tank that does a lot of research and publications around land policy. I manage our in-house and outsourced video production efforts.

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

Although we could do video production projects in-house, because of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed help in video production. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skalawag provided us with full-service video production, creating a case study video about a public park. The relationship was collaborative, but they handled everything from pre- to post-production. We only provided feedback on their deliverables. 

Before engaging with Skalawag, we initially had a strategy workshop with their team. We did a two-hour workshop where we discussed our goals and their proposal. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with Mark (Founder & Creative Director), two producers, and one associate producer. 

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

We found them through word-of-mouth references. We looked at their website and liked their work, so we hired them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March–December 2021. 

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

Skalawag’s video received positive feedback from our team — it looked professional and effectively told our story. The film’s topic was complicated and involved financial concepts, but they pulled it off. The end product was engaging and had all the necessary information. 

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Skalawag was very clear about schedules and deadlines; we knew in advance when we would receive a deliverable. They sent reminders when a deliverable was coming, and they gave us the time when they would need our feedback. The speed they made things go forward was impressive. We communicated through emails.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Skalawag’s ability to create and keep things on schedule and get things done quickly was impressive. Additionally, they were good at making decisions. We didn’t have to comment on everything, and they handled a lot of the thought process by themselves. 

Skalawag was able to take broad feedback, interpret what we were saying, and solve the problem. We didn’t need to micromanage their team to see results. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. I had been happy with our engagement. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Ensure that it’s clear who’s responsible for the story’s research and development. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was a senior marketing manager at a natural food company called Simple Mills when I worked with Skalawag Productions.

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

We needed their team to produce brand videos for us.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially onboarded Skalawag Productions for a larger project that required a brand story video as the main output. We had initial meetings with their team to have them explain their work process to us and how we could help them meet our expectations for the project. They presented ideas that could help our story flow better and explained what kinds of videos would work best for our brand story. 

After the planning stage, we finalized the video angles and alignment before proceeding with the production. Skalawag Productions took care of scriptwriting while occasionally getting feedback and recommendations from us. They were also in charge of art direction, costumes, and location scouting. We prepared a little mock kitchen setup in our office and they shot some clips there while incorporating design elements and title cards. 

Upon the initial project’s completion, we decided to hire them as our content production partner to retain the structure of our brand. Additionally, Skalawag Productions helped us build video content strategies for our social media channels.

What is the team composition?

I primarily worked with Mark (Founder & Creative Director) who handled video and content strategies and production. There was also a project manager who was in charge of overall logistics.

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

Initially, we had a pool of agencies that we filtered based on our requirements. We liked their agency’s profile the most and also found their initial pitch to be creative and reliable. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement ran from January 2019–December 2020.

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

We were really impressed with the results and that was also the main reason why we further decided to onboard them as our partner. The video that Slakawag Productions created is still up on our website to date, and that speaks volumes about its quality and timelessness.

As far as the social media video project which lasted a year, we were very happy with the deliverables. I didn’t get to record any metrics, but I was certain that these products also helped us explain our brand and vision to our customers.

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

All project updates were recorded in a Google Sheets file that they shared with us. Skalawag Productions had an intricate and well-managed workflow that always led to their seamless delivery of video content. They made sure to keep us updated while monitoring everything on their own to help us allocate our time on other projects or tasks.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Skalawag Productions was a small team, but they handled everything smoothly. They were always willing to go the extra mile just to meet our needs and make sure that all the videos were successfully produced.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I didn’t encounter any areas that needed improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to finalize your expectations before starting the production stage. It would also help if you effectively communicate with their team and get their advice on what must be done to improve your brand. Just start off really strong and let them follow through.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the product and marketing expert for the commercial division at Breville | PolyScience. We manufacture tabletop kitchen appliances like blenders for chefs and bartenders. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Skalawag Productions?

Whenever we have a new product, we do 6–7 introductory video series in which we break down its features and functions. We hired Skalawag Productions to make these videos for a new product we had.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked with Skalawag Productions collaboratively on the video production process. I oversaw the branding and messaging of the videos and provided them with the scripts. Then, they worked on the pre-production, production, and post-production of a series of videos promoting our new product.

They also added motion graphics and did multiple derivative cuts since we have several brands across the world.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Mark (Creative Director & Founder) and other people from his team.

How did you come to work with Skalawag Productions?

Skalawag Productions worked in an office where there were several creatives, including a beer podcaster and a photographer with whom we’d worked before. I met Mark there and started talking with him. I reviewed his work and saw that it was high-quality.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $10,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on these videos from April–June 2020. The shoot took one day, and they worked in post-production for about a week. However, we have plans to work with them in the future.

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

The videos were fantastic; the sound quality, clarity, and color grading were top-notch. They did an amazing job with the post-production and motion graphics. Objectively, they produced the best videos that we have. 

How did Skalawag Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication was really easy because it was a short pre-production, and there wasn’t much to be done. We used Zoom calls and emails to tell their team what we wanted and approve the script and outline of the project. We just explained what kind of video we wanted, and they came back with the production plan.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The reason why anybody would be happy to work with them is their industry knowledge. Their skillset applies across a number of fields, and I’ve seen them do a lot of work in food and beverage.

Additionally, Mark was very familiar with our products in general. That level of inside knowledge definitely helped make the videos better.

Are there any areas they could improve?  

We had a very good experience with Skalawag Productions. There’s nothing overly critical that I would say. 

Any advice for potential customers?

Skalawag Productions is really great. Anybody can make a video, but the reason to work with somebody like Skalawag Productions is that the end product you get from them has a longevity that other products don’t have. We produce videos for different reasons, and the ones made by them are definitely of higher quality.