True Colors Video

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of operations at The Big Picture Consulting, an HR consulting company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with True Colors Video?

We were going to sponsor a tradeshow and needed help with video production.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We hired True Colors Video to produce two videos for our conference at the tradeshow. We started the project with a meeting to explain what we were looking to do. From there, they put together a 30-second sizzle reel featuring video commercials advertising our company and explaining who we were. Taking that small video as a starting point, True Colors Video then edited it — it has a lot of stock imagery.

After that small project, True Colors Video came back, and we had a day of on-site filming using their own equipment. During that day, they interviewed us and talked to a few of our clients to get testimonials. Their team was in charge of developing those questions and planning the videos.

Then, True Colors Video used that footage to update the 30-second reel and create a 60-second video before creating more content for us. Ultimately, they produced around 25–30 videos, ranging from 15 seconds to two minutes long. These videos feature us answering questions about our business, as well as our clients speaking about the experience they’ve had with us.

On those videos, True Colors Video added a few graphics and imagery. Each video had an introductory section featuring our logo and the question asked. At the end of each video, they placed a call-to-action section showing our contact information.

What is the team composition?

We worked with the project coordinator and someone in charge of filming. Another teammate from True Colors Video was in charge of reviewing the scripts.

How did you come to work with True Colors Video?

I found them online.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2022–February 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Initially, the sizzle reel produced by True Colors Video was spot-on. I was amazed that, after one conversation, they were able to get the tone of our company and use a little bit of humor we really liked. Additionally, the main videos we required were very successful at the tradeshow. The attendants enjoyed them.

Overall, we were very happy with True Colors Video. Now, we have a lot of content we can use for marketing purposes, specifically on Facebook. We have so much content that we’ve barely begun to use it.

How did True Colors Video perform from a project management standpoint?

True Colors Video’s project management was very good. They were great at staying within budget and on schedule. We had to change our filming date at the last minute due to some sick teammates on our side, and True Colors Video accommodated that.

Moreover, they were very flexible. We had some other priorities that caused delays, but they were very good at navigating those challenges. We communicated via email, Zoom calls, and occasional phone calls. They were great communicators.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We initially hired True Colors Video to create two videos, and they ultimately delivered 25 other videos — that was outstanding. Additionally, they offered a very reasonable price. Moreover, their team understood our business very well right off the bat, creating videos that represented us without having to iterate a lot on the content, which saved us a lot of time. Ultimately, they added a lot of value to our project; we were really happy about that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything True Colors Video could have improved on. We appreciate the work they did for us.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Reach out and work with them; they’ll do a wonderful job.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a video production company, and I’m part of the executive team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with True Colors Video?

We needed help with scriptwriting.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

True Colors Video helps us with various scriptwriting projects. Once we finalize the concept and brief for a video project, we send it over to their team so that they can read through it and assign someone to start writing the script. We’ve already worked together on about 10–15 scripts. 

What is the team composition?

We just work with Ian (Owner).

How did you come to work with True Colors Video?

We found them through Upwork.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $25,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2020, and our collaboration is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our clients always love the scripts that True Colors Video writes — the first drafts are usually received very well. Their team also does a good job of incorporating revisions.

How did True Colors Video perform from a project management standpoint?

We’ve experienced delays occasionally, but for the most part, Ian is pretty good at meeting deadlines and staying within budget. For drafting scripts, we use Google Docs. For communication, we interact via Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re really impressed with Ian’s work ethic and approach to scriptwriting. He puts a lot of effort into understanding a certain subject and conducts intensive research to come up with a compelling story.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything has been great.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Bring a lot of ideas to the table — Ian is really good at synthesizing different kinds of information and turning them into a great script.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of operations for Interstate Parking Company, a parking solutions company that provides a variety of verticals within our industry, including municipalities, events, venues, and downtown central business districts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with True Colors Video?

We needed someone to provide us with video production services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

True Colors Video helped put together a video to describe a managed parking solution for one of the verticals we were aggressively pursuing.

We provided them with the overall concept and feel of the video and collaborated closely on the script. They effectively put together stock images to create a story and produced a video that was going to be good for our organization.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was Ian (Creative Director).

How did you come to work with True Colors Video?

Our director of communications had contact with a graphic designer who then referred us to Ian.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested just under $9,000 for this particular video.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from February–May 2022. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Feedback for the video has been positive, and it has also helped us garner prospective clients since we’ve had it in our possession.

How did True Colors Video perform from a project management standpoint?

True Colors Video was able to achieve a well-orchestrated level of communication between our two organizations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with their ability to convey the overall concept and messaging of what we wanted to achieve. They were able to give us the creative space to understand the vision of what the product would look like.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any constructive feedback because the turnaround time for the revisions was quick, and they delivered a video that exceeded our expectations.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a marketing consultant that was hired by the City of Big Lake to refresh their brand and develop materials to help attract prospective residents and businesses to Big Lake.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire True Colors Video, and what were your goals?

True Colors Video helped my partners and I tell the story of Big Lake by producing three videos that were part of the marketing kit we created. We wanted these videos to tell the story in an authentic, genuine way through interviews of a number of residents and business owners (our storytellers).

SOLUTION

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

I interviewed 4-5 different video production companies. While we were constrained by budget, I was primarily looking for a company that would be able to own all aspects of creating the video–helping shape the interview questions and interviewing the storytellers, capturing awesome interview and b-roll footage, reviewing and editing the footage to create videos we needed. I sought a partner who would be invested int he project as much as I was.

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

It was essential that Ian (at True Colors) understand the scope of the project. The first step was to provide an overview of what we were doing for Big Lake. From research, I developed a narrative for the videos and a list of questions to be discussed with the various storytellers. Ian helped refine those questions in light of the different people we were interviewing.

While interviews were being arranged, True Colors captured video footage (including drone) of Big Lake and the surrounding area. As storytellers were identified, Ian showed great flexibility (and patience) as shoot times changed due to schedules. After shooting footage of 8 different interviews, Ian skillfully edited four videos for our review (prior to showing Big Lake). After making a few minor changes, we were able to share them with Big Lake. They were absolutely thrilled and approved without further changes.

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

I was hired by the Economic Development Association (EDA) of Big Lake. My primary contact was the director of the EDA. Because the project involved redesigning the logo for the City, Big Lake city council reviewed and approved all of our work–including the videos. On review of True Colors’ work, EDA and the city council were absolutely thrilled.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

To date, I haven’t heard specifically how the videos are being used and any outcomes. I recently spoke with my contact. She mentioned that local residents and businesses have also loved the work–including the videos.

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

These videos (along with the rest of the project) were produced over 2020-2021. COVID upset the original plans and delayed progress. True Colors always remained unruffled and flexible–they demonstrated a lot of understanding and professionalism. They were always quick to respond and in the loop with production.

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

I appreciated their quick understanding of the goals of the project; their willingness to work with our timelines and budget, and their deep commitment to doing the best work. What I find unique to True Colors is their ability to do everything–from understanding our overall strategy to interviewing and shaping the stories to shooting top-quality footage to editing and finalizing the videos.

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

None that I can think of–I look forward to working with them again.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I own a marketing/design consultancy, Image Spigot. We produce a wide variety of deliverables, from trade show graphics, packaging, the usual marketing collateral, logos, branding, to in this case, training videos.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire True Colors Video, and what were your goals?

We needed a detail-oriented video producer who could edit materials we supplied, including voice-over, to create a WCAG-compliant product training video for an F500 client, ultimately to be delivered to their client.

SOLUTION

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

We found True Colors through our local Creatives networking site, portfolio and to some extent the reasonable estimate were the deciding factors.

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

I'm sorry that the exact process is proprietary to us and our client and their end-client. True Colors did an outstanding job of synthesizing the content and providing accurate closed captioning so that the final resulting video is ADA- and WCAG-compliant, accessibility now being a key requirement for all deliverables in the corporate space.

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

We worked directly with the owner of True Colors and he was very responsive to special requests and creative direction, as we fed back on each stage of production.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both the direct client and the end-client said the product "looked great!" We will definitely be using True Colors again, as these training videos are part of a series of topics. We are all heroes!

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

Their communication and project management style were prompt and informative. No surprises, and that's good!

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

True Video was able to adjust to constantly changing production schedules. This is so important when dealing with a corporate client, because our clients have clients and they have clients, plus legal reviews. Timing is always shifting, and being able to roll with that is key in the corporate space.

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

No areas of improvement needed

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Sales and Marketing of Wrap-It Storage

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Create innovative storage and organization solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire True Colors Video to accomplish?

• Showcase a new product
• Make it funny

SOLUTION

How did you find True Colors Video?

Referral

Why did you select True Colors Video over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from True Colors Video were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Create a video for a new product (MagSnap) for Wrap-It Storage. This includes all: 

• writing
• planning
• casting
• storyboarding
• filming
• editing

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The key measurable outcome of success was a completed video that told the story of the product and provided entertainment through humor.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes, everything was delivered in a very timely matter. Ian and his team did a great job of quickly responding to a last-minute request I had for an alternative story.

What was your primary form of communication with True Colors Video?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They were very responsive, patient, and collaborative.

Are there any areas for improvement or something True Colors Video could have done differently?

Certain shots could have been lit a bit better, but that is being nit-picky.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

BWF serves nonprofits in the areas of campaign management, high-net-worth fundraising, organizational consulting, data science, marketing, strategic communications, and technology. Clients include universities, health systems, arts & culture organizations, faith-based organizations, and NGOs. As a truly comprehensive fundraising consulting firm, BWF has a team of consultants with extensive background and experience in philanthropy. I work on behalf of the firm as the Digital Marketing Manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire True Colors Video, and what were your goals?

True Colors worked on a Firm Video which included three angles, and two service focused videos and include two short videos each. Our goals are to use these are brand awareness as well as making our services more digestible on our website and more interesting for our clients during the early pipeline phase of sales.

SOLUTION

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

This was a referral from our web designer and while we interviewed a few options True Colors had a lot of strength in content and script writing on top of the video production side of their skills.

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

We start with a initial discovery meeting where we gather important characters and viewpoints to discuss the different approaches and important themes, as well as any deadlines and details. After the information gathering phase they reach out for either more details or a proposed script based on the themes discussed. After that we review the script internally, provide feedback and proceed to storyboarding once the script is approved. After we approve the creative direction, we get three major revisions before ending with a final product or pay of the opportunity to keep editing. Once the final video is done, they provide all the files including the captions if requested.

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

We work primarily with Ian, and occasionally his partner when Ian was out of town or sick. The feedback process is very good and communicative. True Colors uses software that makes it easy to review, add feedback, and add direction.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Considering we just started with a video strategy, I don't have hard ROI on these yet, however we've received a lot of internal support for these videos as it adds to our overall toolbox of marketing and sales materials both as our firm and for our services.

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

True Colors is timely and focused. They rarely miss details and are very persistent when they have questions or need to discuss a project. Like I mentioned earlier they use tools that allow us to see and comment on the script in advance, and provide necessary feedback to the video drafts in a way that also allows us to see previous versions for comparison.

They have always delivered the projects to us on time so far. When we have found mistakes or edits that were not made, the company fixed them without charging us more per our contract.

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

True Colors Video has a knack for turning complicated concepts into stories that resonate with the right audience. Between a few different styles of storytelling.

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

We had some issues early on with the review process and when we were at our editing limit. We have since worked through those issues from a communication perspective and they admitted they could've been more clear.