Media Production Case Studies
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Scripted and Directed a Fundraising Video for Church
Fundraising Video Helps Raise $10 Million for New Church Campus Situation: To complete an ambitious campus development project, the Center for Spiritual Living in Seattle hired a national firm specializing in church fundraising campaigns. The campaign would launch in 8 weeks and be centered around a video presenting the case for the improvements. Solution: I was hired to write and direct a 13-minute video titled "Creating a Campus that Supports Our Purpose." The team included myself as writer-director, our producer, videographer and graphic artist. We decided on a multimedia approach to address the past - present - and future of the campus. For the past we used old blueprints, photos and water-damaged slide that we "stressed' further for artistic effect. For the future we used CAD renderings and graphic drawings of the proposed improvements. For the present, I booked 20 interviews of members describing how the church community has impacted them over the years, how they view the need for growth and generally building a momentum of commitment to the improvements and the value they will add to the community at large. Results: Our first draft was sent to Egypt where our minister was traveling, changes were made and signed off just before Thanksgiving. We shot over the holidays and delivered the finished video the first week of January to coincide with the campaign launch - which raised over $10-million dollars! The campaign director declared the finished video one of the most professional and effective fundraising videos he had ever seen. 
Scripted Promotional Trailer for Timely Book
Situation: I had ghostwritten this timely book about the precariousness of the global currency markets and potential challenges if the US dollar lost too much value. The book was at the publisher, but the galley got out and someone was claiming authorship. The impact of the book release was threatened, as well as the author's credibility. The author needed a hard-hitting video to establish his ownership of the book and to promote his speaking campaign. Solution: I had ghostwritten this book, so I knew the material. Over the Christmas holiday I crushed out an 8-minute script based on one of the more dramatic scenes about the potential crisis in global currency markets if the value of the US dollar collapsed. I worked closely with the videographer to create a dynamic trailer, which went out to social media Influencers in the stock market trading industry. Results: The video went viral within the financial industry, establishing the author clearly as the owner of the book. |
Film Production - "Fast Lane"
Scripted, directed, and produced this short film about a day in the life of Elsa, who happened to have four distinct personalities.
One actress played all four roles. Kelly Reed was a marvel! We shot some exteriors in around Seattle, but most of the footage was the actress - in her various character roles - sitting in various seats - inside a car - inside a studio -- against a green screen. We shot over four days. It was a hoot! Then we dropped in the appropriate background scenes as the car drove around town. Derek Johnson was the cinematographer and editor. I'll have a link to the film soon. Scripted Interactive Multimedia for Dog Training
Situation: This client needed a template for a series of interactive multimedia DVDs on dog training. Solution: I logged his existing video, consulted with his editor to create graphics for the interactive features, created a testing mechanism for the student to track their progress. Results: I was able to deliver a script format to be used as a guide for future courses. 
Wrote and Produced Three Music CDs
Situation: I was ready to produce my music and share it with my fans. I knew about producing films, but audio production was a little different. I needed musicians, a studio and an engineer. Solution: I contacted my producer friend Scott Dodson and he handed me over to his music engineer Thomas Thweat. I put the word out to my musical community and quickly interviewed and hired a back-up band. Rehearsals took two weeks, the studio sessions lasted 30 days. Another week to mix, then it was to mastering. Meanwhile, I asked my graphic designer sister Kathy Foster to create the cover art for my first CD "When You're Ready." In 2010 I was ready to produce "This End Up." Rinse and repeat the process, only this time I brought in James Howard to play lead guitar and help arrange the material. James hand-picked his favorite studio musicians. The tracks were recorded at London Bridge and Free Electron studios in Seattle, engineered by Guy Staley. This project took two years due to the interruptions of life, but we picked back up and release it in 2012. In 2016 I was ready to produce "Belief Not Required" I brought James Howard in again, this time as co-producer, and recorded Jay Kenney Studio in Seattle. James helped with the arrangements again, as well as providing the lead and base guitar tracks. A remarkable musician! Results: "When You're Ready" released 1999. "This End Up" released 2012. "Belief Not Required" released 2016. |