Sparkhouse

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of an early-stage startup. We’re in the first quarter of operations with only five people on staff.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We hired Sparkhouse to create a video presentation that would help us pitch to potential investors, partners, and market players. We needed a short video that would articulate what our startup and product would look like in the future. They say a picture tells a thousand words, but a video can tell a million.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We engaged with Sparkhouse from start to finish to create our video. We had initial sketches and PowerPoints that documented our story. Their team was involved in storyboarding, scriptwriting, and then developing the video itself. They made an animated video that was a little over two minutes.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Spencer (Account Manager & Producer, Sparkhouse), and to some degree, we engaged with Torrey (Founder, Sparkhouse). Directly, I would say between 4–5 people were working on the project.

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

We’re tied to an incubator here in Irvine that recommended Sparkhouse. They had worked with them a long time ago, but we selected them because of their proximity. When it comes to creative engagements, I don’t want to work with a company across the country. It’s challenging to meet with them and go over work when there is a significant distance.

How much have you invested with them?

Roughly, we spent between $15,000–$20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We kicked off at the end of August 2019. The video was finished within the first week of October 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The animation turned out great. Some areas need improvement, but that’s out of their control. We’re thinking about adding voiceovers. The execution and story they created were spot-on. Early on, we didn’t see a lot because of storyboarding and script work. When we saw the first version of the video, we were impressed that Sparkhouse was able to capture the essence of what we intended to do.

Their team put in a lot of effort. I was pleased with the deliverable. Torrey and Spencer’s level of attentiveness and detail were excellent. I’ve worked with other firms where I’ve spent a lot of money, and they didn’t get anywhere close to the work that Sparkhouse delivered.

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

I much appreciate Sparkhouse’s team. Compared to other firms, they’re top-tier when it comes to the level of transparency and attentiveness.

We had regular communications. Spencer checked in multiple times a week, pushing our end for logo and branding assets, our initial storyboard, and feedback. Even though our offices are 10 miles from each other, we only met once in person for the kickoff meeting. Frequent meetings weren’t necessary because they delivered work and communicated well enough.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was constantly impressed with their ability to execute and their attention to transparency. I also appreciated the frequent communication. As an operations guy, I like timelines. The team at Sparkhouse kept them tight, keeping the project moving. Typically, a lot of firms don’t chase down their clients because they don’t want to bother them. I felt Spencer displayed the perfect balance. Because of that, the deliverable was finished on time and within budget. The results are just great.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I really can’t see anything. Their communication style is excellent. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again in the near future. Ideally, we will work with them next year for the next round of video production. Overall, Sparkhouse did an excellent job.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clients need to be prepared and have a vision of what they want. We did a lot of homework on our end, mocking and sketching things out quite a bit. We put in the proper level of investment, and their team responded accordingly, delivering a great product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Teracube. We produce sustainable smartphones and just launched our product on Kickstarter.

Our product reduces the carbon footprint of cellular devices. They come with a four-year warranty. Our thought was, by making them last longer, we reduce the waste of producing new phones at the volumes we do now.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

For our launch on Kickstarter, we needed a high-quality video that envisions the value of Teracube. We wanted a creative, funny, professional video that would bring our concept to life.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we asked them to write a humorous script that captures our environmental mission and warranty offering. From there, they were responsible for finding actors, a shooting site, and selecting the crew. After the shoot, they were in charge of editing as well. The team was fully responsible for the creation of the script and the several edits of the final video.

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

We received several proposals for the work and looked over many portfolios. After reaching out to Sparkhouse based on the professional quality of their past work, we had a chat with their CEO. Creating a humorous, high-quality video is not an easy task. But, their portfolio combined with our conversation convinced us that they could deliver on it.  

How much have you invested with them?

We paid $25,000 for the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement lasted from July–September 2019. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our Kickstarter page has close to 11,000 views and we’re nearing $100,000. People are pre-ordering the phone. While this can’t be directly attributed to the video in full, we feel that they’ve delivered tremendous value, especially because we’re a new brand. Our internal team is also a big fan of the final product. We’ve received great feedback. 

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

The project window was very short. They pulled the project together super quickly, taking all of our feedback into account. We were super impressed with their team, as well as the actor and staff they hired to be part of the production. They produced something that met our expectations on an accelerated timeline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were super impressed with their casting skills and selections. They auditioned about 30 actors, and they ended up with a great team. My co-founder and I visited the shoot, and we were blown away with the quality of the equipment and the meticulousness of the site. Because of all of that, the final video came out great. Each aspect of the project was managed superbly.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. We were super impressed with the quality they delivered on such a short timeline. Even if we had more time, I can’t imagine having a better product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of content and creative services in the marketing department at TBC Corporation, a tire industry leader. We have 28 wholesale brands and also own a technology company. We have a portfolio of brands that are all across the United States, some parts of South America, and Europe. TBC Corporation is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We were looking to create an SEO targeted video that would reinforce our Sumitomo brand of tires but could also be used across our brand as a whole. A lot of our companies share a product catalog, so we wanted it to be appropriate across our brands while positioning Sumitomo as a leading brand name.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Sparkhouse developed a series of videos for us, a master Sumitomo brand promise video and 10 independent videos. Their team provided us with recommendations, such as created branded channels on YouTube. Our teams went through the somewhat arduous task of laying out all of the content beforehand, so the preproduction work was very extensive.

This ended up streamlining the actual production process, and they’ve completed seven of the videos so far. Sparkhouse animated the master video and created the series of explainer videos, which feature an expert walking the viewer through our products with spliced in product shots. The videos range from explanations of winter, summer, and all-season tires to what tires are best for different vehicles to the anatomy of a tire and how to store them.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Torrey (CEO & Founder, Sparkhouse) and Spencer (Graphic Design, Sparkhouse).

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

I worked within my network to figure out if there were any production companies that folks who do what I do would recommend. We ended up looking on Clutch as well, going through the reviews of companies that met the criteria on paper. We sent an RFP to about seven companies, got down to three we really liked, and ultimately decided Sparkhouse was the right way to go.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement with Sparkhouse began in December 2018. We anticipated it would take a full year because of the kind of content we’re producing and the number of entities in the industry it has to be vetted by due to safety factors. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While the videos have not yet been published, an internal soft launch has yielded positive feedback. Sparkhouse is right on track with the production schedule and scope laid out at the beginning. It’s one of the smoothest video projects we’ve had, with no scope creep or deadline changes.

Our Sumitomo brand does not have content like this yet so this is a brand new kind of foray into content marketing for them. When we were writing the scripts and going back and forth, they were very thorough. We’re expecting it to be very successful. I’m very pleased with how everything is coming out so far.

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

We have weekly Wednesday meetings with the Sparkhouse team. They’re very organized, at times they keep me on schedule. It’s been really easy to work with them from that standpoint. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The tires and automotive industry is often seen as being one-dimensional and it really isn’t. Sometimes that’s hard for people outside of the industry to see until they’re in the market for tires themselves. We needed something outside of the traditional kind of video content because of the amount of competition within the industry, and Sparkhouse understood that. 

They came to us with very unique ideas. It was clear Sparkhouse had spent time looking into our industry and I was very impressed by that. They took a lot of time upfront to really understand our business and our end goal. Even with taking all that time, they’re still right on target schedule-wise.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I think any challenges came from our end. We’ve been impressed by them the entire way. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of 800 Kamerman, a video production company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

My company needed support for various video production projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve done several projects with Sparkhouse, the most recent of which was a commercial. They came up with the idea for the commercial.

What is the team composition?

We work with 7–8 Sparkhouse team members, including a director, a producer, and an executive producer.

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

We’ve known each other for a while.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership began in 2013, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They offer the highest quality out there.

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

Sparkhouse’s team is always super helpful, professional, and personable. They’re knowledgeable about what we’re doing. The team does what they say they’re going to and often outpaces the deadline. They’re organized and easy to work with, and they make these projects fun.

Communication is very good; they let us know what’s going on. We communicate via email, texts, and phone calls. They’re good about getting back to us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Sparkhouse is very reasonably priced in relation to the high quality that they deliver. They’re an excellent partner that we trust completely; there’s nobody I’d rather work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any I can think of.

Any advice for potential customers?

They’re very accommodating of first-time clients who haven’t done any video production or marketing work. They provide guidance and let your ideas flourish. The team does an excellent job translating the client’s idea into the final product.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of Response Mine Health- a digital marketing services firm focused on the enterprise health & wellness industries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We had the opportunity to interview industry veteran and guru, Hank Blank. We needed an high end, well produced video of the 45 minute interview, at a convenient location. Sparkhouse helped us capture a fantastic interview in high definition.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals for this project were top-notch, professional production values, including multiple cameras and access to not just an edited interview, but raw footage from which we could easily extract select quotes and sections for wide and various formats and distribution across several online channels.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We chose Sparkhouse from a recommendation from one of their clients based upon the reputation that they were high quality and high service.

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

We shot the video in one day with the guest and interviewer, over a three hour period. The shoot was efficient and well directed, allowing for retakes of critical sections as needed.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Sparkhouse kept us in the loop on post-production and delivered the final product quickly and in the formats we needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After some post production additions of the great video they captured, we deployed the content on LinkedIn, online paid media channels, snippets and sections to prospect and email lists. We feel like the audience engagement was high and the interview itself was a great success, helping raise our profile with the hospital market.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project manager and our internal marketing team worked well together in getting what we needed. Sparkhouse was highly responsive to emails, questions and changes during the post production.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The highlight of working with Sparkhouse was their high level of service. They just made it easy for us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Can’t think of a single thing that could have been easier or improved about this project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the director of marketing for one of the largest kiosk manufacturers in North America.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We hired Sparkhouse to produce an animated explainer video.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a video that explained our Virtual Banking Expert solution. Our goal for this video is overall awareness about this product.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We used an RFP process based on the quality of work, budget, and timeline.

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

Our process started with a kickoff call so that Sparkhouse could get to know us, our business, and our goals. From there, we sent over all of our educational materials that were relevant to the solution and drafted a script ourselves. They then reviewed the script and re-worked it a little to change the length of time and voice to be more appropriate.

We worked with Sparkhouse to select a voice actor and background music, and they provided us with a color palette and artboard to approve. They also created an AV script, an animated still version of the script, and drafts of actual snippets of animation. We had visibility into the process and approval rights at every single step.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

They shared docs, milestones, and schedules, and held weekly phone calls.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re still in the early stages of deploying this video on a wide scale, but, so far, it has fully met our expectations and that of our clients and partners.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was excellent. They communicated clearly via email, and everything on their end was efficient and transparent.

There was a large delay in the project, which was 100% our fault. Internally, we had parties get involved in the project halfway through—parties that were invited to be involved from the start and initially declined—which threw a big wrench in things. But, every time we figured things out internally, Sparkhouse was right there moving forward quickly and efficiently, offering advice and assistance to help us move along.

Also, there were times when we dragged our feet and had to go back on a few things like the voiceover and the script. They were extremely flexible, accommodating, and patient, and always provided clear timelines and milestones as things moved around.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The quality of their work and the consistency of their timelines were impressive. They're a smaller team, but you can tell that they're very dedicated and organized. They never come across as stressed.

Are there any areas for improvement?

On our end, yes there are. On Sparkhouse's end, I don’t think there are any.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the head of marketing for A Shoc, a modern energy drink created for today's active generation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We hired them to create an exciting and engaging hype reel for us to show at each of our launch meetings and kick-off events.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed something that was high-energy and instantly conveyed what set our brand apart from any other product in our distributor’s portfolio.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

From my first phone conversation with Sparkhouse and subsequent team-to-team meeting, I could tell that they were listening to exactly what we needed and putting the right people on the project for us to achieve our goals. The energy level on their team is unparalleled and I've had confidence from day one that they were going to hustle to help us win with this project.

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

We kicked off with an in-depth ideation meeting and following up a week later with a meeting with Sparkhouse's chosen director, who came to the meeting prepared to ensure that we started off on the correct path for success.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We held phone calls and in-person meetings and we shared documents and texts. They did everything needed to ensure a steady flow of communication and productivity.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their communication and involvement in our creative process gave us confidence that the outcome would be as anticipated.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was great. I always got instantaneous feedback on questions and the shared documents were the perfect way for us to all stay on the same page regardless of travel schedules and availability.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The amount of communication from every member of their team made me feel confident that we were moving forward every day to complete this project on time. Everyone was professional and reliable.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we’re very satisfied.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Because of my background in video and my current position in marketing, I was tasked with finding a digital videography company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We hired Sparkhouse to create a trailer for our newest product features.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to complete a one-minute trailer using preexisting stock footage in less than three weeks, all while meeting all required formats and specifications.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We interviewed and requested quotes from a few local companies, but after seeing Sparkhouse’s passion, portfolio, and quick turnaround times, we selected them for the project.  

Describe the project in detail.

The video used stock footage and a royalty-free soundtrack under a voiceover that gave guidance on the piece. It needed to portray the features of our new product without direct reference or marketing to our company and to work without sound. The director managed both of these requirements well, designing and delivering a fantastic product in multiple formats for visual and audio.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with the company’s CEO and one of their directors.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are incredibly happy with the results. Not only did they develop a great video, but they displayed real passion for the project and did it all within a short amount of time. They applied their unique directorial insight to our idea and produced a piece that fit our guidelines and promoted features in a creative way.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Efficient communication and mutual understanding made each step of the process felt like a true collaboration. Sparkhouse kept us well informed with a steady stream of emails and scheduled calls, made sure to seek our approval for any changes, and notified us when an issue arose, or a draft was ready.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Sparkhouse remained open to all of our changes and feedback. They were more than happy to tackle new challenges as we identified more edits and requirements. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, they delivered high-caliber work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the production coordinator for an event and video production company. We specialize in all fields, such as events, video production, webcasting, and marketing assets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We used them as our crew and gear vendor for our video shoot.

What were your goals for this project?

We hoped to shoot four people and hear their testimonials.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them through an online search.

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

We had a one-day shoot where we needed crew and gear. They provided everything for us.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Torrey (Founder, Sparkhouse) was great with communication throughout the entire project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our day of filming was very successful.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We had no problems with their workflow. They always responded quickly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They found everything we needed.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we’re very satisfied.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the product marketing manager for an education technology company. We create interactive and engaging learning environments within classrooms around the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We engaged Sparkhouse to produce an informational video about one of our new classroom products. We wanted a two-minute video that communicates what the product is, what problems it solves, and how it benefits the user.

What were your goals for this project?

Since our product was new and did not fall into any existing product categories, we had to explain the product’s purpose to foreign audiences effectively.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

My company did an online search for video production companies. Sparkhouse was among the top results. After several phone calls with Sparkhouse and other production houses, it was evident that Sparkhouse would be able to deliver our project better than anyone else.  

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

First, Sparkhouse set deadlines for pre- and post-production and guided us through the project timeline to confirm we were all on the same page. They familiarized themselves with the product and even sent team members to our office to see the product firsthand.  

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Sparkhouse’s project manager was informative and quick to respond to inquiries. After the video shoot, Sparkhouse provided a fantastic collaborative editing tool that allowed us to comment on the different versions of the video edits and communicate directly with members of the post-production team. They maintained a shared log of our comments, concerns, and requests so that we were up to date at all times.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Storyboarding was the lengthiest process because Sparkhouse wanted to ensure our satisfaction with every shot. They did great with casting and gave us hundreds of options for our cast. Following the completion of pre-production, the shoot went very smoothly. We have not released the video yet, but we plan to use it on our website, on the tradeshow floor, and in our advertising and marketing efforts. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The Sparkhouse team was accessible and easy to work with. They gave us frequent updates, which allowed us to stay on schedule. They confirmed every shot with us before filming to guarantee our 100% satisfaction. When we requested minor or major changes to shots, Sparkhouse quickly obliged.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The video project was timed with the release of the product, which meant the product didn’t technically exist in the beginning phases of the project. More than once, this required us to extend the film date. Sparkhouse repeatedly adapted the project to our timeline changes.  

We were one of Sparkhouse’s smaller clients, and they did a great job educating us in best practices, working with our uncertain timeline, and accommodating the challenges typical of a small business.

As the client, we were never responsible for coordinating logistics, such as casting. In the end, they delivered a fabulous video that promotes our product and elevates our company image.

Are there any areas for improvement?

If I had to comment on an opportunity for improvement, it would be to stay on brand. However, when there were off-brand issues, such as an animation’s font not being in our brand’s style guide, Sparkhouse was quick to adjust it for us. Sparkhouse was great and we have no complaints.