Authentic storytelling for brands and causes.
Slow Clap believes that authentic storytelling lies at the heart of all great videos, campaigns, and outreach programs. In a web-centric world where viewers have a trillion different choices, it's authentic, entertaining, and meaningful content that drives people to share a story--not a powerpoint slide filled with value propositions masquerading as a story. We create stories that feel so right you actually want to stand up and clap... slowly.
Focus
Portfolio
Blue Shield of California, GitHub, Capital One, Sony PlayStation, Restoration Hardware, Accenture, Insightly, Jackson Family Wines, NewVoiceMedia, Notion, RepairPal, Trademark Events, San Francisco Foundation
Reviews
the project
Video Production for Event Coordination Company
"The team at Slow Clap Productions is exceptional, and I enjoyed working with their creative team."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I work for Trademark Event Productions. We’ve held events in different capacities, ranging from big tech conferences to charity galas and holiday parties.
What challenge were you trying to address with Slow Clap Productions?
We’ve partnered with Slow Clap Productions on several video projects.
What was the scope of their involvement?
My experience with Slow Clap Productions has involved two projects over the past year. For one of the projects, their team came on site with us. The first was in Montreal, where they interviewed several attendees for a conference we were holding. The most recent was more on the creative side; it was a kickoff video for a global sales meeting.
The main deliverable for each project was the video. For one, it was for a client that was used to being very hands-on, so that video required several rounds of revisions.
What is the team composition?
Dan (Founder & Creative Director, Slow Clap Productions) and Jake (Assistant Editor & Camera Operator, Slow Clap Productions) were directly involved.
How did you come to work with Slow Clap Productions?
Their team has completed various video projects for our company. Before I got in touch with them, I heard from members of my team that they’re professional and easy to work with.
How much have you invested with them?
Overall, we’ve invested around $300,000–$350,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
I started working with their team in August 2019. I worked with them heavily between September 2019–January 2020.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The team at Slow Clap Productions is exceptional, and I enjoyed working with their creative team. Dan is based locally, and he attended our holiday party. He’s friendly and easygoing.
One client wanted to give us a lot of creative freedom but still wanted to be involved. It seemed that their passion project was video editing, which is great.
Dan and the team at Slow Clap Productions were wonderful in that regard. They were in the middle of communicating between the groups regarding feedback. Dan was clear about his professional experience and recommendations.
They translated it as the client wanted, while still providing recommendations when they felt their requests weren’t the best choice.
How did Slow Clap Productions perform from a project management standpoint?
They were easy to get ahold of, quick to jump on calls when our client was nervous.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their overall work is excellent. It’s evident in their deliverables that they perform a high-quality job. The team at Slow Clap Productions clearly takes in a lot of feedback and instruction, but create and produce something entirely on their own. They’ll include our requests, but there is a bit of surprise and delight when we see their final products.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, they were great.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
I learned that open communication channels could be helpful. They’re client-friendly and collaborative. The team at Slow Clap Productions is easy to work with. I’d give positive reviews to anyone who wants to work with them.
the project
Fundraising Video Production for Nonprofit
"The video quality far exceeded our hoped-for goals."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
Pact is a non-profit serving adopted children of color and their families.
For what projects/services did your company hire Slow Clap Productions?
Slow Clap created a video for us with staff and clients discussing the ethical adoption approach Pact takes in the services we provide.
What were your goals for this project?
We hope for a 2-5 minute video to use for our Fall Fundraising Gala and later to use online.
How did you select this vendor?
This vendor provides services to one of our constituents and upon hearing of our work offered us services far beyond our normal non-profit budget because of their alignment with our mission.
Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.
The provided us with both b-roll and 10 individual interviews of adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents and other consituents as well as 2 different b-roll events.
What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?
We had approximately 10 management meetings as the process unfolded, Slow Clap was responsive and open to our feedback and provided us with a beautiful product that far exceeded our expectations.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
We are thrilled with the product, for our initial showing at our fundraising gala, we make almost $30K income using the video, which people loved. Since then we have used it as part of our year end fundraising campaign, where we exceeded our individual donation budget goals.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
They were great and came to meetings prepared and open to feedback.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
The video quality far exceeded our hoped-for goals. Thanks, Slow Clap team!
Are there any areas for improvement?
none
the project
Video Production for Not-for-Profit Health Insurer
“Their team is cognizant of achieving a purpose, working closely with us to guarantee results.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m an employer brand manager at Blue Shield of California, a not-for-profit health insurer. I market Blue Shield of California as a place to work.
What challenge were you trying to address with Slow Clap Productions?
The company has been headquartered in San Francisco, California since its founding but was moving to a new building in Oakland, California. In anticipation of that, we wanted to highlight the ergonomic and sustainable features of the building.
We had two main reasons for this. One was to let the Oakland community know that we’d be located in their city. And the second was to reinforce to our employees that the new building was built with them in mind. Anytime you undergo a big change in an organization, you run the risk of people leaving. We hired Slow Clap Productions to create a video that would meet both goals.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Their team created a three-minute video about our new headquarters in Oakland. It highlighted the building and featured three employee testimonials. We’re posting the video on YouTube this week.
More specifically, they handled preproduction plans, set up production, developed the schedule, hired the crew, and presented the final edited video.
Inevitably, we ran into some minor glitches—we didn't have access to a certain area and sometimes the weather didn’t cooperate. What really impressed me about Slow Clap Productions was their ability to improvise on the fly. The video producers have to make changes when they're necessary, and their crew was super at that.
What is the team composition?
We worked with Dan (Director, Slow Clap Productions), Nicole (Producer, Slow Clap Productions), and their production crew.
How did you come to work with Slow Clap Productions?
My boss, the creative director, had worked with them in the past. Basically, he told me I was going to work with Slow Clap Productions. One thing I’ve learned over the years is when your boss tells you to do something, you get on it. But I have to say, I have no reservations or regrets about the choice.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve invested $31,000 with them.
What is the status of this engagement?
Preproduction began in September 2019, and we wrapped up postproduction in January 2020.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Because we just posted the video, it’s a little too early to tell. As for anecdotal feedback, the executives, CEO, and CHRO thought it was brilliant. Everyone we’ve shown it to internally has praised its quality. I anticipate the video will be received well by the viewing public.
I appreciated that they were unobtrusive. We were filming in an office environment and naturally, something like this can be disruptive. They were respectful of people’s space and were very quiet, well as quiet as you can be.
Their team had a really good feel for the style of the executives. By this I mean, we had them interviewing our CEO and CHRO. They immediately put both of them at ease and got really good interviews.
How did Slow Clap Productions perform from a project management standpoint?
Slow Clap Productions was absolutely fabulous. They were able to change on the fly and keep to a very tight schedule. There were a couple of delays, but those were mostly our fault. They worked very quickly and efficiently. Nicole provided constant email updates and kept everyone informed.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Dan has a very artistic eye—I mean that in the most complimentary way. Sometimes, people can get caught up in technique. However, Dan is able to render a scene very beautifully and still communicate what we’re trying to say.
Slow Clap Productions is a creative organization, but they also know they’re a business. Their team is cognizant of achieving a purpose, working closely with us to guarantee results.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Not really, I was very pleased with the results. As an artistic critique, they tended to do a lot of extreme close-ups. I had to tell them to pull back a little because part of the building’s allure is the office landscape and the full scope of the view from the windows. It’s a minor stylistic thing, but those are the kinds of discussions you need to have on a project like this.
the project
Video Production for Communications Agency
"Not only do they create great content, but they go the extra mile to make sure the process of doing so goes smoothly."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m a senior project manager at a full-service public relations, communications, and marketing firm.
What challenge were you trying to address with Slow Clap Productions?
We partnered with Slow Clap Productions in order to meet the needs of a client. The client needed a short, three-minute video that highlighted their services and would suitable for small business outreach.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Slow Clap Production was involved in the entire creative process. They assisted with brainstorming and storyboarding in the ideation phase, as well as identifying and contacting the personalities we wanted to be featured in the film.
The video was shot over a period of two days, and then edited together before being presented to our client.
How did you come to work with Slow Clap Productions?
Our firm has worked with Slow Clap Productions several times in the past and has had successful results.
How much have you invested with them?
The video cost about $22,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
The project lasted from August-October 2019.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Unfortunately, the video hasn’t been rolled out yet so I can’t provide any quantitative metrics. However, the client was very pleased with the final product.
How did Slow Clap Productions perform from a project management standpoint?
As a project manager myself during this particular engagement, I can say Slow Clap Productions made my job very easy. The team met every deadline and were proactive communicators, reaching out to different partners involved in the work to make sure everyone was coordinated and on schedule.
Throughout the duration of the project, Slow Clap Productions worked to ensure their team was clear on the messaging and tone our client was trying to convey.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their administrative and organizational skills differentiate them from other production companies, as does their level of professionalism. Not only do they create great content, but they go the extra mile to make sure the process of doing so goes smoothly.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Nothing comes to mind.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Don’t hesitate to work with Slow Clap Productions. They’re great partners.
the project
Benefit Enrollment Videos for City Health Services System
“They were just terrific: always available, flexible, and proactive.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the communication manager for San Francisco Health Services, a part of the city and county of San Francisco. Our agency administers health benefits to over 115,000 employees, retirees, and their dependents.
What challenge were you trying to address with Slow Clap Productions?
We faced the challenge of communicating our health benefits information to a very diverse population of people. We’d just introduced online enrollment, which takes place during October. We needed to convey new information about our health plans in an informative but entertaining way, so we were looking for a production partner to create explainer videos for us.
What was the scope of their involvement?
We provided Slow Clap with all the technical information they needed. They delivered the script, created the animations, did the voiceovers, then edited the videos. After that, they launched into the post-production phase. They collaborated closely with us throughout the engagement.
What is the team composition?
I worked with a team of three. My main point of contact was Nicole (Associate Producer, Slow Clap Productions). I also engaged with Daniel (Creative Director, Slow Clap Productions) and Jake (Assistant Editor & Camera, Slow Clap Productions).
How did you come to work with Slow Clap Productions?
The city of San Francisco requires that we undergo an RFP process for any project over $10,000, so we underwent a vetting process. They came out on top.
How much have you invested with them?
The project came in at around $28,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
They began in August of 2019, and the project lasted until the end of September.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
My stakeholders—the COO and manager of data analytics, for example—were very pleased with the videos. Despite the complicated nature of the information, the videos are engaging and really fun to watch. They’ve definitely helped the success of our benefits roll-out; among our videos, the benefits explainer video enjoyed the most traffic by far.
How did Slow Clap Productions perform from a project management standpoint?
They were just terrific: always available, flexible, and proactive. They always met our deadlines despite our compressed time schedule. Due to the structure of our organization, we were often delayed in providing them the required screenshots, but even then, they rose to the occasion.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They were great listeners, but they also had their own excellent ideas. They showcased autonomy when we needed them to, but if we wanted something specific, they made sure to execute it.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Nothing comes to mind. They were so agreeable and helpful.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Meet with them early to involve them in whatever creative endeavor you have on your hands. Daniel is very astute; he understands marketing well and will implement ideas that’ll make the deliverable more effective.
the project
Anniversary Video for Wine Company
"The feedback from the organization was very positive."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I work for a mid-sized wine company. I am the associate brand manager (marketing function) for the brand that the video was created for.
For what projects/services did your company hire Slow Clap Productions?
A 3-minute documentary style short video that detailed the history of the 40 year old winery
What were your goals for this project?
This was trade focused - it was a device to help tell the story of the winery. We wanted the have one consistent message for our marketing and sales teams to tell. We also wanted to use portions of the video for social channels.
How did you select this vendor?
We built a brief and contacted vendors that were suggested by our internal video department. We asked for proposals on each vendors process, vision, capabilities, and pricing. SlowClap put in the extra effort to build a professional pitch. Their information was not canned and referenced back to the creative brief we used for the RFP.
Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.
Once we selected SlowClap, they took us through their process. We shared with them our expectations, walked through the brief in more detail, and explained the logistics (timeline) which was tight. Once we were on the same page, SlowClap put together an execution plan. SlowClap utilized internal and external research to decide on questions for each interviewee - they then performed a pre-interview to get initial plot points for the video. From there, SlowClap developed a creative brief (acts of the video, questions, shot list, etc) for our review. We worked hand in hand with Slowclap to get the logistics right. They performed the interviews, determined the best shots, and shot the video. Once they had all the footage, they edited together a first draft. We worked with them to get to a final video that everyone was happy with.
What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?
SlowClap managed much of the schedule/project other than getting interviewees locked in for the shoots - we handled that because of internal politics. The PM, Nicole, was very detail-oriented and communicative. Can't say enough positive things about her organizational skills. We had a few rounds of feedback (and some that necessitated VERY quick timelines). Dan and his team handled these extremely well and kept the quality at a high level.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
This was not a metric based project; however, the feedback from the organization was very positive. Sales has been able to use this in the marketplace, we are promoting it on social channels, and it has given us a north star on the story for the brand. It will be difficult to tie the video to sales, but its a great internal tool.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Very good. Dan and Nicole were prompt and communicative.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Their overall professionalism and desire to get the best outcome possible for their clients. Dan took tough feedback really well and did everything in his power to see that we were happy with the final video. Flexibility was necessary for this project and I think it is a differentiator for SlowClap.
Are there any areas for improvement?
We only had one hiccup with the script of the first draft. If I was able to review the script as it was shaping up we may have avoided a bigger overhaul of from draft 1 to draft 2. So I would suggest they co-create their projects and stay close with their clients on creative direction. That being said, this project was executed at a furious pace so we all were as nimble as possible.
the project
Video Production for Vehicle Technology Startup
"The team was both practical and inventive."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I'm the lead designer at Applied Intuition, a Silicon Valley startup that provides software infrastructure for companies developing self driving cars.
For what projects/services did your company hire Slow Clap Productions?
In a highly competitive space for talent, we wanted to create a recruiting video that we could share with candidates that would give them an inside look in the people at the company as well as highlighting why the work at Applied is interesting compared to other companies in the autonomous vehicle industry.
What were your goals for this project?
We wanted to post the video on our "Careers" page on our website as well as share through social media and events.
How did you select this vendor?
I searched through several possible vendors and selected Slow Clap because of the quality of their production work, their value of diversity and authenticity, and their positive demeanor.
Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.
Slow Clap was very thorough in creating a story line for our video – including individual interviews with people at our company, a location scout before the shoot, several check-ins with C-level leadership to ensure everyone was on the same page, and frequent updates with thorough documentation, agendas, and plans for the shoot. The two day shoot was tightly run and no time was wasted.
What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?
Very intentional throughout – highly detailed documents and plans were shared frequently with key stakeholders.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Internally everyone loved the video and felt like it was an accurate representation of the company. We also had customers and candidates alike reach out to compliment us on the video.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Everyone at Slow Clap responded quickly – they worked within our processes and joined a shared Slack channel for close feedback loop.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Highly professional from end-to-end! They were able to deliver everything we asked for and were a true creative partner in the process. The team was both practical and inventive.
Are there any areas for improvement?
None.
the project
Sales Videos for Title & Escrow Firm
"They have very strong project management skills."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
States Title is a modern Title and Escrow company that is making the way consumers close homes more efficient and affordable. I am the VP of Marketing.
For what projects/services did your company hire Slow Clap Productions?
We needed 2 videos. One that gave an overview of our company, story, people and mission. And one that gave an animated overview of our product and services.
What were your goals for this project?
Enable the faster education of our target customers and employees.
How did you select this vendor?
Searched for several different types of solutions both, national and local. Narrowed it down to 4 vendors and did a pre-call. Slow Clap stood out for their professionalism and team, as well as their positive online presence.
Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.
Both videos started with an ideation call and then scripting, after that they deviated due to one being live and one being animated.
What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?
They have very strong project management skills. Although the timeline slipped this was mainly due to back and forth on the script and team vacations etc.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Live video has resulted in an increase in applications. As we are growing extremely fast this has been invaluable to us. Animation video has only just been released - internal feedback is very positive.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Workflow was great.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Slow Clap were very professional and kept me on track and advised, but at the same time were a pleasure to work with.
Are there any areas for improvement?
n/a
the project
Video Production Partnership for Insurance Company
“They've set a gold standard for how our videos should be produced within our large company.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I'm the director of creative communications for Blue Shield of California.
What challenge were you trying to address with Slow Clap Productions?
We reached out to Slow Clap Productions to help produce some video assets for the company.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Slow Clap has produced 10–15 videos with my department over the years, including customer and employee testimonials. One of the first videos involved a shoot in Southern California that I flew in to monitor. For a more recent project, they produced a video in Los Angeles just two weeks before a trade show. They work closely with our team on storyboarding, messaging, and editing.
What is the team composition?
We mostly work directly with Daniel (Founder and Creative Director, Slow Clap Productions), but he brings a team of 3–5 people to each shoot. They're a small and agile team, which helps keeps costs down.
How did you come to work with Slow Clap Productions?
I believe someone on our team recommended Daniel and we haven't had a reason to work with anyone else since.
How much have you invested with them?
It depends on the project, but one video can range from $15,000–$30,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We've been working together for 3–4 years and counting.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
I've been very happy with our relationship overall. They've set a gold standard for how our videos should be produced within our large company. Having a partner work closely with us to create what we aspire to has been extremely helpful.
We've had a lot of great feedback from our member videos; Slow Clap's team has brought a lot of humility, kindness, transparency, and professionalism to handling very sensitive topics that require them to go into the homes of terminally ill people.
How did Slow Clap Productions perform from a project management standpoint?
We're very satisfied with their level of communication and project management. In addition to conducting themselves very well with our members, they've also been able to take on projects involving aggressive timelines.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their agility, ability to deliver high-quality products quickly, and ability to scale up or down for a reasonable price sets them apart.
Are there any areas they could improve?
They're not able to turn around videos as quickly as a larger production company may be able to, but their price point is great for what they're able to do.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Sometimes their editing capabilities can be hit or miss, but if you're upfront about what you want in the beginning, it shouldn't be a problem.
the project
Video and Photo Partner for PR Firm
"We’re confident in their ability to deliver great results."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the senior project manager for a communication company.
What challenge were you trying to address with Slow Clap Productions?
We work them on multiple video and photography projects for a third-party.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Slow Clap Productions has partnered with us for five shoots, three of which were at live events. For our biggest public sector project together, the team photographed different events along the San Francisco waterfront. They leveraged those images in a series of videos that we shared on social media and our website. This content addressed the need to show the client, a local government agency, performing community outreach. At the client’s event, Slow Clap Productions posted images that promoted the agency’s mission, as well as a timelapse video that depicted community engagement.
In a related project for the local government, the team did a photoshoot and time-lapse video of the incoming tide to communicate the dangers of flooding. The final deliverable was a set of nine 60–90-second video clips they had created from 30 minutes of recording. We posted the content on our website and social media.
What is the team composition?
The team includes a logistics resource and the principal, who acts as a strategic advisor. A group of 4–6 people work on production, but only 2–3 team members at a time per shoot.
How did you come to work with Slow Clap Productions?
I was not involved in the decision. Our contract with the city government required a percentage of partners to be small businesses. Slow Clap Productions qualified for this designation and we had already done successful projects with them.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve spent between $50,000–$1000,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We have a multiyear contract. The partnership started in January 2017 and it is ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We leverage their videos and photography on our website, collateral, and PowerPoint presentations. As one of many third-party vendors for these projects, Slow Clap Productions has made a huge impact. One of our clients is relaunching their site for next Women’s History Month with the videos.
How did Slow Clap Productions perform from a project management standpoint?
The team is responsive and easy to communicate with. We text occasionally.
What did you find most impressive about them?
We’re confident in their ability to deliver great results. Even for the less interesting locations, the team knows how to make the video and photos visually compelling.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, this is a seamless partnership.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
The production set up may take longer than expected. Customers should make their asks specific. Have concrete ideas about the desired look and feel. Most of Slow Clap Productions’ clients are private or nonprofits that generally want more artsy results. Public sector clients want straightforward shots. Those distinctions are important to communicate with the team.
Slow Clap Productions delivers creative, high-quality video projects. Their team works well with clients, meeting their expectations with their own recommendations. Customers can expect a collaborative process when working with their production team.