Sparkhouse

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for an integrated branding and marketing agency on the account side as a liaison for various projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our work with Sparkhouse spanned all assets needed for a brand launch including brand and lifestyle photography, video asset creation, and 3D render creation.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We researched and narrowed down to a few companies we would have liked to work with. Throughout the process, Sparkhouse had stellar communication and responsiveness as well as a passion for the brand.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

We have multiple deliverables with Sparkhouse ranging from product and lifestyle photos to multiple videos. We worked with Sparkhouse on understanding what was needed for product a launch and had multiple days of video and photo shoots to achieve those deliverables.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I worked directly with the leaders of the project including set designers, photographers, videographers, directors etc. All of their team's members have been incredibly helpful in helping us deliver high-quality work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The clients were excited about the work and photography assets will be used across all channels including website as well as social and paid and earned media.

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

We communicate weekly with Sparkhouse, they've done a great job of handling a moving timeline and working hard to incorporate many rounds of feedback from multiple stakeholders.

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

I love the collaborative work we've been able to do and feel as though we are a part of the entire process.

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

Everything has been great! We've all had times and difficulty navigating through this complex project but Sparkhouse has been supportive and helpful throughout.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am an Account Supervisor at a marketing/branding communications agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We hired Sparkhouse to develop videos to support a product launch - a new oral care product in the direct-to-consumer space.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We RFP'd a handful of production agencies. Sparkhouse's past experience, flexible scoping, creative input, competitive pricing, and overall responsiveness and professionalism stood out far beyond the others. The choice to work with Sparkhouse was easy.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We engaged Sparkhouse to create video testimonials with key opinion leaders in the oral care space. We worked together to fly 4 professionals from across the country to California for in-person shooting.

Sparkhouse worked with us to find various settings, including pulling strings to gain access to an actual dental office, for shooting these interviews. The final product are four full length video reviews of the new product, including several cut downs.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with all members of the Sparkhouse team. Torrey in particular was a great help - he and his whole team of editors and producers were extremely responsive and agile.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Despite filming individuals who don't specialize in public-speaking or on-camera shooting, Torrey's team made everyone feel comfortable and the outcome was excellent. The videos are exactly what we asked for.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Sparkhouse was available for weekly status check ins throughout pre- and post-production. The team is extremely responsive and organized.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their commitment to meeting our expectations was excellent. They were diligent in addressing all feedback and pivoting to try new approaches.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

n/a

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the lead designer for a PC gaming company. I work on multiple campaigns to help promote product and promotional events to help make PC gaming more inclusive and accessible.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Sparkhouse to help with video production to support our campaign in launching a new product. Our goal was to introduce a new color to the community by making a "splash" with a dynamic and memorable impression of the product.

SOLUTION

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

We have previously worked with Sparkhouse for other projects and are very familiar with their dedication to their work as well as the quality produced. They are very reliable and can be trusted to get the work done to produce satisfactory results.

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

We always kick off the process by introducing the product and what the goals/POV we want to tell. We work together in storyboarding the narrative and ensure all gears are checked before deciding on how we want to execute.

Sparkhouse then does an impeccable job on their end to ensure we're in great hands. They coordinate any details from filming with talent to rendering CGI.

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

I worked with Torrey and his entire team as they were all great in communicating actions and feedback. The process of going back and forth for review was seamless.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The community response to our engagement on social handles were very high. Unfortunately we are not able to give direct results in sales of said product as we had announced the product, but the product was not ready to sell yet.

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

Communication with Sparkhouse is very easy. We communicated effectively though email and meetings. They used frame.io to share video reviews and that also incorporated timecoded edits. Torrey and his team are very prompt with checking for updates as they want to ensure they deliver by proposed date.

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

The time and dedication this team has to ensure each video produced is satisfactory will always be the reason we come back to Sparkhouse. We truly trust their team with production results.

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

Torrey's team is doing a fantastic job as is. I have very little to comment to help improve.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of a marketing consulting firm in Orange County, and I’ve been running the business for 20 years.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We hired Sparhouse to create our promotional videos.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For many years, they’ve created a number of promotional videos for me, which are mostly focused on promoting my business networking agency reviews, new business development, and other topics. To date, they’ve produced around 125 videos and each of them is 3–4 minutes long, which mostly features me.

The longer form of videos features my interviews with other people. Some of them have animation and graphics. The team is also in charge of the production’s music and equipment. We continue to work with their team and the only difference is that they’ve reinvented their studio due to COVID-19.

What is the team composition?

We’re working with 3–4 people from Sparkhouse, including a cameraman and a sound operator. Our main point of contact is Torrey (CEO & Co-Founder).

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

I met Torrey at a networking event where I was presenting. I knew that he had a great educational background, and we just stayed in touch after that. I also saw him at various events and decided to work with him.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing collaboration started in January 2011.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The number of people that have visited my website has increased due to the videos they’ve produced for me. I’m pleased that my interaction with people also increased because of their work.

In particular, students from all over the country have approached me about how I helped them with their personal branding. Those students have learned something they’ll never get from school and that makes what I do worthwhile. Overall, I get pretty great feedback from different people, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very organized and professional so they’re always on time. I communicate with them through phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of their work has been impressive. They also have high-quality equipment which they’ve utilized for my projects. As a result, I’ve referred them to my clients and they’ve been great with them as well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’m very happy with their work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them a call and start a conversation with them. Every project is different, and every client has different needs. Once you reach out to them, they'll give you suggestions on how to improve your vision. At the very least, test their services by hiring them on a project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the marketing manager for a tutoring company. We provide academic assistance in all subjects for students of all ages and ability levels.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Sparkhouse to film three short commercials for placements on TV and streaming channels. Our goal was to highlight a selection of stressful scenarios that parents encounter with their kids.

SOLUTION

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

We called several production companies—both in-state and out—before landing on Sparkhouse. We chose them based on their portfolio, their willingness to find creative ways to turn our ideas into reality, and their competitive price.

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

The process began with a discovery/creative meeting where we were able to work through a few of our ideas, followed by some back and forth to refine the storyline. From there, they provided a storyboard that gave us a great visual understanding of how the commercials would be shot. Sparkhouse made the casting process very easy.

After understanding the parameters we were looking for, they vetted a huge selection of auditions to present us with the best of the best for us to make a final selection. Our shoot took place in two locations, and they managed the cast and crew with excellent efficiency. We were able to participate in the shoot for the entirety, offering our input and approval on each take.

Each crew member we encountered was kind, accommodating, and professional. The post-production process went smoothly as well. After submitting a few rough cuts to work through the story, they polished the finer elements of the cut such as color and audio.

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

Torrey Tayenaka was our primary point of contact. He provided EXCELLENT communication, and always seemed to have the perfect solution to any of our concerns. We also worked closely with Aman Suri and Sruthi Alagammai during the shoot.

They were very easy to work with it was clear that they were as invested in the project as we were. They were always in control of the situation, patient, and friendly. Each judgment call they made or idea they suggested was a winner...it was impressive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven't gone live with these yet, but we couldn't be happier with the results. The commercials will be the best representation of our brand to date. Everyone we've shown these commercials to loved them.

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

Sparkhouse used a number of communication tools to streamline the process. I loved that they had weekly check-ins to keep everyone on task and inform me of the process. They had visual representations of where we were in the process timeline. For the edits, we used Frame in order to specifically pinpoint edits—no need to list out timecodes.

All in all, their communication and organization was one of the best aspects of working with Sparkhouse.

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

There's a lot that impressed me about working about Sparkhouse—their investment in our project, their professionalism, their organization—but the aspect that impressed me the most was their communication. With Sparkhouse, you will always be kept in the loop. Questions are answered quickly and succinctly. We felt like our project was their top priority at all times.

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

Not at all. We look forward to using them again in the future.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a digital design agency and we specialize in 2D&3D animation. I'm at Chief Partnership Officer&Business Development Manager here, I'm responsible for setting up business relationships and preliminary project discussions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Sparkhouse?

We worked together with Sparkhouse Agency on creating an amazing 3D character animation, which was used for marketing campaigns and on the website to increase awareness and explain the services

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Sparkhouse team was super responsive and always were in touch with us, suggested a lot of amazing ideas for our video, so we decided that they will be the perfect match for us.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The team produced the script as well as the creative aspect of the project - came up with a super detailed mood board and visual description of the future video. The production overall went very smoothly due to constant communication.

What was the team composition?

We were in touch with Torrey and a few of his colleagues, which were supporting us on different production stages.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Overall, the whole experience was very positive and it was a great pleasure to collaborate with Sparkhouse team. We believe that the video output is worth it.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team was using special software to manage projects and make sure we were moving forward timely and with no delays.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed with their creativity and prompt and clear communication.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

Everything was great!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the senior director of marketing communications for a medical device company that was not well-known in the industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our company was in an area of medical devices that people don't often think about, and are dominated by two other companies. We needed to make a name for ourselves with healthcare professionals and help them understand both the technology we were bringing to market, and what it was like to work with our company.

SOLUTION

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

We looked at video production companies in and around Southern California that could help us with a number of video needs -- from social media videos to editing to developing a corporate video. We selected three to interview and review and selected Sparkhouse based on talent, capabilities and budgets.

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

We started with a discovery meeting with the key players. Sparkhouse then developed a creative brief for review, outlining all of the steps. All work was seamless and easy because Sparkhouse explained everything we needed to do.

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

Work was incredibly seamless. Sparkhouse walked us through every step of the process and helped us understand how we could improve our video assets. They implemented our feedback quickly and efficiently, producing final videos that were professional and genuine to the company.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We published the videos through our social media channels and saw a significant increase in engagement with the posts.

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

The project manager was on top of every detail and guided us through every step of the process, including reminding us of upcoming deadlines and needs.

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

They were in this to not just provide a product, but to actually help us solve problems. The work we did was complex and not easy to translate. They were always quick to offer ingenious ideas as to how we could improve the way we communicated about our products through video.

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

No. They were delightful to work with.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Senior Graphic Designer and Production Manager for San Diego-based Optios, Inc., a tech startup in the Neuroscience space.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

The goal of this project was to create a 3-5 minute video feature for the Optios Golf MasterMind Program and to aid sales and event staff in the product launch.

1. Explaining how the product works.
2. How the product is used and demonstrate how it is implemented to optimize golf putting performance.
3. Highlight key features and briefly explain the neuroscience behind the Optios Golf hardware and software solution.

SOLUTION

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

Google search helped to locate Sparkhouse and the selection of their proposal fit our needs, objectives, and our budget.

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

Torrey and his team helped us every step of the way. They were extremely professional and worked with us to keep our project on track for the product timeline and to realize all of our objectives.

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

Worked with Torrey Tayenaka, and his team of project managers, video producers, animators, and editors.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Effective communication through zoom meetings, phone calls, and email.

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

The team worked efficiently together to help us realize our project and worked with us to bring our project to life.

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

Sparkhouse was amazing. I highly recommend their team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a marketing analyst at a PR and marketing agency based in Beijing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sparkhouse?

We needed a video and photoshoot to be processed in the US, so we hired Sparkhouse.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Sparkhouse helped us shoot a video for a governmental campaign. They interviewed the model we had selected. Due to the pandemic, we weren’t able to go to the US to oversee everything, so we communicated with Sparkhouse remotely using Zoom. They let us watch the shoot as it was happening, and they ended up producing a lot of video content for us.

What is the team composition?

There are around 10 people working with us, including the general crew. We mainly speak with the CEO and producer, but I’ve also communicated with the director and another producer from their team.

How did you come to work with Sparkhouse?

We saw their reviews on Clutch and reached out to them.

What is the status of this engagement?

I reached out to them in late May 2021, and the work is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We can’t say what the deliverables look like as they are still in the process of being edited, but Sparkhouse has done an excellent job. It’s great that we were able to watch the shoot remotely. They were more than happy to provide the services.

How did Sparkhouse perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very good, especially in terms of communication. The preparation for the filming and the shoot itself were organized well. We use a very convenient storyboard application called Boords.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Sparkhouse is really good at communicating, responding, and handling feedback. When we were watching the shoot over Zoom and provided feedback through the chat, they were able to process that right away which I think is really impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate constantly with Sparkhouse.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Managing Director for The Living Plan, a private executive administration firm that provides services similar to those of a family office controller, often picking up where other services leave off. As the Managing Director, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations to serve current clients as well as networking and marketing opportunities to procure new clients and maintain the overall financial stability of our company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Sparkhouse to help us create a company intro / overview video that could simply communicate the vast array of services and value we provide our clients. We wanted the video to be informative of the services we can provide clients while also portraying the emotional resistance that some may face when thinking about working with a service like ours. We wanted to pack a big punch in a short amount of time to give viewers the best sense of who we are and what we can do for them.

SOLUTION

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

We decided to work with Sparkhouse because their pricing, professionalism, and attention to detail and relationship was par none from the start. The owner, Torrey, responded to my inquiry immediately and was involved throughout the whole process. From our first inquiry meeting, I felt like I was working with a professional group that I could trust and the price was right!

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

The entire process was very detailed and well documented. We received weekly emails to check-in and provide an overview of where the project stood throughout the process. At any time, we could reference an online portal that also outlined our place in the process. To start, we had an initial discovery meeting with Torrey and the team. We then worked with them to provide details of our company, visual elements, and general goals for the video. We then worked on a storyboard and script together and were given many opportunities to make edits and corrections as we went.

The team provided visual elements alongside our script, and we also reviewed a number of voiceover actors before choosing the one we wanted. We prepared interview questions for filming, and before production, the team met with our client that would be providing a testimonial to prep her for the types of questions we'd be asking on shoot day. We had a half day of filming, on-site, where we captured our planned shots and so many more! We then went through a few rounds of edits before finalizing everything. It was a detailed, quick, and thorough process that kept us well informed and included throughout.

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

We worked with Torrey Tayenaka, the owner, and a team of professionals, including: Jay Mabunga, Project Manager; Tanner Love, Account Manager; Dane Liberatore, Production; and Micah Goldfarb, Production. The feedback process was continuous and immediate. I never had to wait for a response from the team and I received weekly updates at the beginning of each week outside of regular communications.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since finishing production, we've shared our video with a few current clients and professional partnered businesses. Past experience with our brand was not always positive, and all that we shared our video with said that it was beyond helpful in clearly communicating our services and potential for serving their clients' needs.

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

The project manager and the entire team provided weekly emails on Mondays to give current status on the project and follow-up on any open items. At all times, I could access an online portal which showed exactly where we were in the process. I was also connected directly to all members of the team and never had to wait on a response. At one point in the process, I requested that we talk in more detail, and the team immediately scheduled a Zoom call with me. I really felt like the process was transparent and effective.

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

I was most impressed with the diversity in experience and expertise within Sparkhouse. I could tell that each team member provided a unique skill to the creative process, and everyone really took the time to understand our brand and services in order to best communicate them through our video. I was also very impressed with the quality of service we received, the timeliness of project completion, and the quality of finished video compared to the price that we paid. Well worth the money!

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

None! I was very pleased.