VCM Interactive Inc.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Communications and Events Coordinator for the national governing body for the sport of rowing in Canada.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire VCM Interactive Inc., and what were your goals?

We hired VCM Interactive Inc. to update our umpire education videos. We had approximately 12 videos that needed to be reshot with corrected umpire procedures and branding. The videos are embedded within online umpire education modules.

SOLUTION

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

We were looking for video production companies in the Toronto/St. Catharines area who had experience producing educational content.

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

We had various calls with VCM and the project leads from Rowing Canada Aviron to discuss our needs and organize the shoot day. We sent VCM the old videos that needed updating as well as a script document highlighting what needed to be changed. We worked closely with VCM and the venue we shot at to ensure that all required elements would be ready for the shoot. Following the shoot, VCM sent us a few rounds of edited videos for feedback.

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

We worked with Paul, and we went through 2-3 rounds of feedback on the videos following the shoot day, in which we would send Paul a document indicating time stamps and edits.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are excited to be adding these videos to our umpire education modules and sharing these with our umpires and the broader rowing community.

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

Paul was very easy and flexible to work with, especially since we had various moving elements at play that all needed to line up for the shoot day (rowers, umpires, boat holders, various stakeholders at the venu). We mostly communicated over email, with a few Zoom calls.

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

We had very few edits to pass on to VCM, and we were very impressed with how the team picked up on our vision and needs, especially since umpire procedures can be confusing/unique. The videos look high quality and professional and the VCM team was very easy to work with!

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

Nothing that we can think of at this time!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Development Communications Manager for North York Women's Shelter, one of Toronto's oldest Violence Against Women shelters. We provide emergency shelter and anti-violence programs and services to survivors of gender-based violence across the GTA.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire VCM Interactive Inc., and what were your goals?

We hired VCM Interactive to film a virtual tour of our new shelter space so we could share how community investment has resulted in one of the most innovative shelters spaces in the city.

SOLUTION

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

I reviewed several videographers through word of mouth, I found VCM Interactive through a search engine. I looked through their portfolio and submitted a request. I wasn't sold on VCM Interactive though until I had a phone call with Paul, spoke to him about my vision, and he really understood and affirmed that he knew what the objective of this video/tour was.

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

We started with a discovery meeting. We met twice to discuss logistics, timing, requirements from both parties. I sent over a script, Paul developed a shot list. We went back and forth on editing it to make sure it ended up at 5 mins runtime. The day of filming, Paul and crew came out at our shoot time. We went through the shot list as planned. They collaborated and consulted with me for every frame of the video. Then I went into the studio to record my voiceover, they sent me versions of the video at every critical stage to ensure I was satisfied with every aspect of the video.

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

I worked with Paul, Aaron, Jeff, and Michael and all of them were a dream to work with. Very kind, professional, courteous, and committed to the craft.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I showed the video to management team as well as my staff and everyone was blown away by the level of quality of the video. It shows our shelter in the best light possible and we couldn't be more thrilled to circulate it to our board, rest of the team, and our broader community.

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

Exceptionally kind, patient, but firm about deadlines and good at making sure everything's on track. Paul made it easy to reach out to him and made himself available. I knew Paul would be honest in his feedback without being harsh and/or overly critical. He ensured that I felt comfortable to provide feedback as well.

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

How collaborative they are. How they understood our organization's mission and ethos and how much it resonated with them. Our values aligned and they operated from respect, confidentiality, and commitment to care.

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

No, I'm very happy with the result.