Take7 Productions

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of marketing creatives services at Gerber Technology, a provider of software and hardware equipment for the flexible materials market such as fashion, furniture, and home transportation. I deal with all our company’s marketing, planning, and brand creative services needs.

What challenge were you trying to address with Take7 Productions?

We hired them to help us on a couple of video production projects.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our company was launching a new innovation center in New York. In connection with that, Take7 Productions helped us to create a video story to launch that new space. They also assisted us in launching our new product in the market. 

In all our projects, they were in charge of everything since they had their own equipment and studio — from storyboarding, filming, and editing. Our role in the engagement was to help them with the story and message of our videos. As a result, we prepared a PowerPoint deck to show them the flow of our story. We outlined what we wanted because we had a specific story that we wanted to share. After that, they came back to us with their suggestions which were mostly focused on the design aspect of the production. 

What is the team composition?

Emmanuel (Partner) was the project lead. He made sure that the meetings were set, and he was the creative mind behind the storyboarding and messaging of our projects. We also worked with two other people including the videographer and director who were part of the pre- and post-production efforts. They also had a team of After Effects designers.

How did you come to work with Take7 Productions?

We acquired a company a couple of years ago, and their marketing manager worked with Take7 Productions in the past. When I saw their style of work, it was very different from what I saw from other vendors. It was also hard to come across a small team that had a pretty big creative reach. As a result, I tried working with them and the lines fit together. After that, we were able to move forward with the team.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $30,000–$35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership ran from July 2019–September 2020.

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

One of the videos they produced for the launching of our new product received massive positive feedback. Internal stakeholders mentioned that the video they created was the best way to present our product. The product was also sold astronomically despite a difficult COVID-19 pandemic year. That happened even though we were not able to implement our full launch plan.

It was great that we were able to use the video on our social media and website. We also launched it at our ideation event. Overall, the team was very creative, and they understood what we were trying to accomplish.

How did Take7 Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Take7 Productions had multiple meetings with us to fully understand the industries we were in. They were always available to us, and they weren’t afraid to take my ideas or push back on me. I also appreciated that they didn’t need a lot of handholding. Take7Productions made the project really easy, so the partnership was a big win for us.

We didn’t use any project management tools, but we utilized Google Slides to leave comments and give updates. We also communicated through phone calls and emails.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their storytelling skills were exceptional which allowed them to create a satisfying end result. Their art and creative direction were also unique from other video production providers I worked with. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Since they were highly creative, their work was followed by a higher price tag. Perhaps, they could find more ways to work on a smaller scale so projects don’t get overly produced. However, personality-wise and considering their outputs, I wouldn’t change anything and I’d definitely collaborate with them again.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Let Take7Production be the creative force in the room and try not to overly direct them. You can also come up with your ideas.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m one of the co-founders and administrators of Every Day Ministries and Every Day Hope. Every Day Hope is a nonprofit organization, focusing on creating sustainability in the Dominican Republic among communities and people who have very little resources. We do that through clean water projects and livestock programs that help build sustainability and community education.

Everyday Ministries, on the other hand, is an organization that focuses on building communities by strengthening the churches, and having community leaders work together. We provide training, resources, empower both men and women in leadership, and also have an educational program that helps pregnant adolescents in their time of need.

What challenge were you trying to address with Take7 Productions?

Our goal was to really reveal the heart and the pillars of the organizations through video production.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Take7 Productions delivered a number of videos for us. They came here to the Dominican Republic to put the material together and understand who we were. They were able to reproduce and edit a number of videos for both our organizations and the different departments within them. There are specific videos about clean water projects, community education, empowerment of church leaders, and stories of transformation.

Additionally, they also helped us with a fundraiser for our clean water project. They created and design a landing page and helped facilitate the process. The partnership was a collaboration between the founders and their team.

I would continue using them for future projects, but as of right now our organization is at a standstill in terms of promotional efforts. We literally were shut down for a time in 2020. We’re focusing on getting projects back on track within the country. When we are ready to continue in promotional efforts, we’ll certainly reach out to them.

What is the team composition?

There were three individuals who came to the Dominican Republic and they were in charge of design, production, and shooting the footage. While three members were on-site, I believe there were additional team members who assisted in the editing portion of the project.

How did you come to work with Take7 Productions?

What made me decide to hire them was their style, their portfolio, and talking with them. Another reason was that they had a heart for nonprofits, and they wanted to make a difference. It’s more than a job for them, there’s heart and passion involved.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership started in January 2019, and it’s still ongoing.

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

They were very perceptive and creative so I yielded to that. Being the dream team that they were, they were able to put together videos that made us look good. I think one of their strengths is the ability to see the story in something and knowing how to develop it.

They did an excellent job of creating a number of products out of the same footage that they collected, they were able to tweak things that needed tweaking, they were very enjoyable to work and they listened. I also recognized that they were leaders in this market and that they knew what they were doing, so they were able to present what they believed to be the best representation for our organization.

How did Take7 Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Take7 Productions performed excellently from a project management standpoint. They were good with the communication and we were very satisfied with how they were able to go above and beyond what was anticipated. Each video that came out had that wow effect and I have nothing but good things to say about our experience with them.

We typically communicate through email, phone, and sometimes we do Zoom meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed by the heart they put into the projects, as well as the quality.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t recall anything they could’ve done differently.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would say have a good idea of what you’re looking for, but also be willing to be open and yield to their ideas and suggestions. They’re a very creative team and they have some real talent there. Their heart is to make you happy, make you look good, and sell your organization.

We had some ideas for the project, but they were there to help us focus and lead us in the right direction. Be prepared and communicative with what you’re looking for, but be ready to yield because they’ll have some amazing ideas.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Dark to Light Productions, a production company from Hailey, Idaho. Our main clientele is small businesses and nonprofits, and we make storytelling promotionals for them. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Take7 Productions?

We collaborated with Take7 in the pre-production process of a documentary for a third-party nonprofit client. The client was taking veterans to races across the US from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked with Take7 for the entire creative pre-production of a pitch deck for what exactly the documentary would be. 

Initially, we communicated with the third-party client. After that, we stepped away and came up with ideas. Then, we left the project in the Take7 team’s hands to figure out all the creative details. They put those details into a 12–13 pitch deck, which was a slideshow of the route that we’d go if the client decided to use us. 

That’s where we're currently at, and we’ve pitched it to the nonprofit. We’re on pause and waiting on whether the third-party client will actually take it or not. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with three people from Take7, including Jordan (Producer & Founder). He was the main producer, and the other two teammates were the creatives. 

How did you come to work with Take7 Productions?

Jordan and I went to school together. We both have built our own video production companies separately — I have one in Hailey, Idaho, and he has one in Milwaukee.

At the same time, the scope of work that they do is way more professional and incredible than where we're at. As such, when a job comes in and I know I can't handle it by myself, I reach out to Take7, and that's been the case for this project. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested around $10,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in September 2020, and we paused it around November 2020. We were supposed to start shooting last month. However, if the client accepts the project, we’ll probably start the actual production next year. 

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

We keep track of a lot of production companies throughout the US to see who’s a good fit for our third-party clients and for us, and Take7 Productions is at the top of their game in what they do. They’re great especially when it comes to storytelling, cinematography, and editing. 

For this particular project, we haven’t dived into production or pre-production yet. As far as our initial efforts on getting this nonprofit client on board are concerned, I can see how bringing Take7 in as a professional collaborator is good for our future projects. Hopefully, this leads to more production work for us. 

Overall, if I have to rate them, I’ll definitely give them whatever the maximum rating is — they’re great to work with. 

How did Take7 Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication skills are top-notch. That’s probably because I’m good friends with all of them, and we’ve all started our careers together. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The storytelling and the ideas they bring to the table — not just in production but also in business — are impressive. Video production is a tough business to get into, and we have to figure out how to communicate with clients before we even start a shoot. That’s true especially on bigger projects that are ultimately going to be six figures. 

In the end, we have to be able to communicate super well with clients to get them to buy into it — this is where Take7 excels. They know how to get their ideas on paper so that anyone can digest them easily and understand the route that we’re taking.

Are there any areas they could improve?

From a business standpoint, Take7 goes above and beyond what’s expected from them. However, clients don’t always bite into a project, so the team can sometimes be out of money or labor time. In other words, they can be overly enthusiastic when it comes to collaborative efforts with their clients. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Sometimes, companies come in with their predisposition on what a piece of work should be. However, if you let Take7 handle the project from start to finish, especially in relation to the creative elements, the results are going to be way better than what you can come up with. In other words, if you pay an artist to draw something, it’s going to end up way better if you leave the creation of the masterpiece in the artist’s hands. 

Clients can sometimes put vendors in a box that hinders their creative ability. For Take7’s potential clients, let them take the reins on the project, and the results will be 10 times better than what they would give if they were stifled in any way.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an independent musician.

What challenge were you trying to address with Take7 Productions?

I had challenges finding video and photography services that met the standards of what I was looking for.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The first video they shot for us was for a song called “Black Magic”, where I collaborated with another artist. The team provided a big light that was meant to mimic moonlight. They also had a couple of cameras to capture everything.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four people from their team.

How did you come to work with Take7 Productions?

I met their team lead through a good friend, and we became good friends for a year before discussing the project. I played them the song one day and they asked to do a video for it. The rest is history.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $2,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our project spanned June 2016 and wrapped up July 2016.

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

The video ended up looking awesome, and we ended up winning video of the year from a global publication. We were also screened at the Milwaukee film festival. Everyone who saw the video really loved it, too. Overall, it was really easy working with them. They’re a friendly, open-minded team that’s open to hearing suggestions.

How did Take7 Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They were awesome. I had never done something of that magnitude before, so I was a little starstruck when we started. They were very helpful in making things for the video. The team did a lot of things that went above and beyond.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a great knack for relating to the people they work with. As an artist, it’s easy to sit back and let the video leads talk about what their vision is, but Take7 is really open to collaboration.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think so. I wish their services were a bit more affordable so I could work with them more, but they charge what they’re worth.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be afraid to voice what you’re thinking, it’ll make the end result better.  

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a digital marketing agency. We provide SEO, web design, and web development services.

What challenge were you trying to address with Take7 Productions?

We brought them on to provide videographer services.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve provided videography to multiple clients. They do the filming, editing, and post-production. For each project, they go through an interview process with the client. They also provide B-roll footage. 

In addition to working with our clients, they’ve provided video snippets for us directly. We used the videos for marketing on social media. 

What is the team composition?

I usually work with a team of about 3–5 people. 

How did you come to work with Take7 Productions?

They produced a video for one of my clients. I saw the footage they shot and I was impressed, so I reached out for a referral. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested between $10,000–$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together at the beginning of 2017. We haven’t worked together recently, but I wouldn’t hesitate to bring them on for another project in the future.

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

I’m absolutely satisfied. The videos they’ve produced have attracted new clients. They do a great job of making the video subjects feel comfortable. They’re creative and use different angles to get the best shot. 

How did Take7 Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very thorough. They put everything down on paper at the beginning of the project, including cost and timelines. They maintain strong communication through phone and email. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s evident how passionate they are about the business. They have strong attention to detail and are very analytical, but they’re also personable and easy to work with. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything at this point. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Just be straightforward with them and set clear expectations. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a senior producer at a creative agency. We connect brands with a network of filmmakers.

What challenge were you trying to address with Take7 Productions, LLC?

We were contacted by a food delivery service and they needed to find a partner to create a video about one of their employees who went across the United States, making deliveries for a living. We had less than a week to find a filmmaker that would be able to capture that employee’s journey. Take7 was only an hour from where that employee lived and was immediately able to start filming.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They filmed this employee for about four months, as they were on the road making food deliveries. The team filmed his departure and met up with him in a number of states to capture footage. In the end, there were 11 deliverables; 4–5 of them were two-minute length films. Six of them were 15–30-second pieces that were used for social media.

What is the team composition?

We worked with three people from their team, including a creative director, a director, and a producer.

How did you come to work with Take7 Productions, LLC?

I was looking for filmmakers in Milwaukee, so it was hard to find teams that fit the profile and quality of what I was looking for. When I found Take7 I fell in love with their work and they were just a perfect fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $90,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2019, and we wrapped up in January 2020.

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

We’re incredibly satisfied with Take7. It was really wonderful too, because our client attended some of the shoots, and the team had such a great rapport. They were professional, did exactly what we wanted, and provided solutions for us. They’re definitely craftspeople; they never overshot because they had such a clear vision of what they wanted the end product to be. The team took the time to understand our client’s brand and was able to create content based on their tone and style.

How did Take7 Productions, LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

They were the best. The team is incredibly responsive, and they’re willing to make things collaborative. Conversely, if you just want them to take the lead on things, they’re able to do that as well. We communicated via phone and took care of any work I needed within a moment’s notice.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re communicative, organized, and quick to work, which we found useful. The team always came to us with creative solutions. They’ve produced some of the most beautiful work I’ve ever seen.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, no. They’re crushing it.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to get collaborative with them; it’s a strong suit for them. If you’re looking for a partner, then they’re the team for you.

Please describe your company and your position there.

President of a concrete manufacturing company.

For what projects/services did your company hire Take7 Productions, and what were your goals?

We hired Take7 to shoot a video production of our company and business.

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

I interviewed Jordan and his team and reviewed prior projects.

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

We met with Jordan and his team several times to craft the video message and story. It was important for Jordan to learn about our company and culture so his team could direct the video around our company culture. We filmed the video over multiple shoots and days to get the perfect footage.

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

We worked primarily with Jordan. He and his staff always provided positive feedback.

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

Everyone who video the video was blown away by the quality of the message and video production.

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

Jordan drafted a detailed layout and schedule for our company. This made things so much easier for us knowing what days and times production would be occurring.

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

The level of detail Take7 put into our video was insane. I’m typically a very detail-oriented person and company but the level of effort his staff put into our video blew us away.

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

I’m really not sure if I would do anything different for our video.