Video Spark Productions

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of Sally Christian Music. It’s my wife’s company, she’s a pianist.

What challenge were you trying to address with Video Spark Productions?

Our main way of reaching the public is through digital downloads of newly formatted engravings of classical music. These are performed by Sally and have two main functions—educational and performance. However, they’re also a marketing tool for us.

We needed Video Spark Productions to create these educational and performance videos for our YouTube channel.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Video Spark Productions has created over 100 videos for us. They handle microphone placement and multi-camera recording. For any given video, there are four camera views. One is adjustable and the other three are in a fixed position. Gig (Videographer, Video Spark Productions) helps us with the script and carries out the video shoot.

Then, we strip off the audio and send it to our audio engineer for edits. After the sound quality is improved, we send it back to Gig. He then completes very complex digital editing—including overlapping multiple views—and polishes the final product.

What is the team composition?

I don’t know who else works at Video Sparks Production because we’ve only worked with Gig. He’s become one of our very best friends.

How did you come to work with Video Spark Productions?

I found him through a Craigslist posting. It was eight years though, so I don’t remember everything exactly. We’d been working with someone we were dissatisfied with, so I searched for someone new. I contacted Gig and he sent me his website.

My wife was apprehensive at first because his portfolio was mostly filled with sports and wedding videos. Sally questioned if he’d know anything about music filming. However, within a few moments of talking on the phone with him, she knew he was the right guy.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested approximately $20,000 so far. The video shoot and editing are a flat fee unless the scope of a particular video is complicated.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since May 2012.

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

Annually, we make $5,000 in downloads from Gig’s videos. We wouldn’t have a business without them. YouTube users find Sally’s videos through the autoplay sidebar. Then, they often subscribe to the channel and buy the digital download.

We have no other marketing practices; nobody would find us if it weren’t for Gig’s videos. Users only find Sally through YouTube. Those videos are 100% responsible for our revenue.

How did Video Spark Productions perform from a project management standpoint?

I couldn’t ask for more when it comes to communication, Gig is so responsive. All the videos are shot in our home and it’s not easy for an artist to work with just anyone. He’s very special and comfortable to work with. We’ve worked with others who weren’t so easy to collaborate with, so we know his talent is rare.

Often times, we’ll meet up to review precise edits that can only be explained in person. He’s very flexible, and I can’t imagine how we could ever replace him. He’s reasonable and fair with us. Gig truly produces works of art. The videos are both technical and imaginative.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Apart from handling all the filming and editing, Video Spark Productions also helps us develop the script and story of each video. Gig offers input on the language of the script and expresses whether it makes sense. He’ll explain when something doesn’t make sense and brings insight from his outside perspective.

If he’s working on a difficult edit that takes 10 hours or so, he doesn’t charge us for the extra time. He is a dream to work with. His work is the quality of a perfectionist. It’s very difficult work, and Gig makes it all look easy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. If he doesn’t have a piece of equipment, he gets it or works around it.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You just won the videographer lottery. Give him a shot because he can do everything. Gig also has background experience in business. He understands what it takes to build and run a good business.