Zinnia Films Inc.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are an engineering and manufacturing firm. I am the Vice President

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Both timeframe and content were very challenging. We needed an animation that showed many of the design features of the concept design. They had to translate our very complicated CAD model into an animation. They basically only had a month to complete the work! It was used during an defense industry day event.

SOLUTION

How did you select Zinnia Films Inc., and what were the deciding factors?

Availability, trust, and communication were the deciding factors!

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

The Production Manager organized weekly calls with us as the customer. We created and crafted a scope of work together and results were provided at every single weekly meeting.

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

We worked with the Project Manager, the animator and the owner directly! The feedback process was great- advice and recommendations were given great consideration!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

A 5 minute animated video was the end product! It was shown by our customer at a defense industry day event. We were very pleased with the results, given the fast time frame and the challenges this project presented.

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

The project manager was always available, always checking in, etc. The weekly calls helped and all advice was taken seriously/ listened to! It went super smoothly given the really tight time frame and incredibly challenging content.

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

The communication and partnership between us were impressive in the workflow.

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

nothing- they did great!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a fractional CMO who works with a leading national private money lender.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired zinnia to crest video content to help explain our company’s new carbon neutral initiative. Our goal was to create 3 to 4 videos based on interviews with our staff.

SOLUTION

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

We had worked with zinnia previously on similar corporate videos and were extremely pleased with their work. We selected them originally based on their flexibility, collaboration and quality of work.

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

We started with a discovery session to review our goals and provided them with background information about our initiative. They helped us get a good idea of what kind of interviews would be required, how long we should allot for each, who we should cast and how we would execute the finished product. We worked together to build both a shot list and determine what stock would be required to fill in the blanks. We filmed for a half day and then zinnia provided us with edited drafts a week later. The videos were finalized and delivered within a week.

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

We worked with David and Alicia. The process was great - they did an incredible first draft and then took our input into account to finalize.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The partners were pleased with the final product and we got great response from industry peers who saw the video.

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

Very collaborative. They used frame.io to share work in progress and provide edits. They were incredibly responsive throughout on phone and by email.

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

The way they are able to set a scene, get the most out of real people (not actors). They have constructed a story based on the interviews and executed it quickly.

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

None.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a principal investigator and associate professor of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I hired Zinnia to produce three short films on our Safe Urban Harvests project focused on urban agriculture in Baltimore.

SOLUTION

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

We had a competitive search - Zinnia was one of three applicants that was objectively selected through our process based on the rigor and quality of their proposal.

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

Zinnia met with us to discuss our ideas and vision for the videos. They produced storylines and scripts based on our conversations and other materials we provided for them. We iterated until we were all happy. They selected locations for filming (sometimes based on our connections, sometimes ones they identified), and we filmed.

They were flexible and helpful, and in one instance they let us re-film one of the videos at a second location because the first one didn't work out. The editing process was very collaborative - we iterated on multiple drafts and ended up with three videos we are extremely pleased with and proud of.

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

We worked with Dave Morley, Jenny Wierschem and others at Zinnia. Everyone was very receptive to feedback and made the process of iteration/development really smooth. They were patient - we weren't the easiest clients(!) - but they never made us feel like we were difficult.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Yes - I think the excellent videos speak for themselves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-qWOU8al8o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcNMteh1t14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMa8fTzxAqI

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

We communicated regularly via videoconference and email. Communication happened via planned weekly meetings and as needed.

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

Zinnia did amazing work and was patient and easy to work with. Jenny (and Dave) seemed very invested in the work - the success of the project felt very personal. We deeply appreciated their commitment to getting it right and producing a superior product. I would love to hire them for future projects/communication efforts.

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

No - they did everything well.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the director of development at The Arc Baltimore and I am responsible for fundraising, communications and grantwriting. The Arc Baltimore provides direct services to and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Each year at our primary fundraising event, we have a live mission appeal for guests to donate to a particular program or initiative. We hired Zinnia to help us tell the story of why we need their support via a video. We hoped to inspire people to give with the video.

SOLUTION

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

Many years ago, a partner organization recommended Zinnia for video production, and we liked the many examples of their work that they shared. We've been working with them ever since and have completed nearly ten videos since then.

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

Our team developed the concept, necessary scripting and coordinated all of the shoot locations and dates. The Zinnia team refines the concept and scripting along the way and offered additional creative ideas. Then, after Zinnia completes the first draft of the video, there are a series of edits that we make before the final product is approved.

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

We typically work directly with Jenny W. throughout the entirety of the process and she is wonderful to work with. She is very supportive of our creative ideas and always offers her guidance on how to improve the project. Then, David M. shoots all of the footage. He is also flexible and provides wonderful feedback throughout the timeline.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As a result of our recent mission videos, we have surpassed our fundraising goal by 20% each year.

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

Jenny is an ideal communicator who keeps us on time and focused. She always responds promptly with any concerns or questions we may have.

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

Zinnia has an eye for capturing the mission of a nonprofit and bringing their story to life. I am always captivated by the final product that they produce.

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

Not at all.