Sawhorse Productions’ Post

You have to grab people in the first 5 seconds, or lose them forever. This is true for your videos, your LinkedIn posts, your website, your bus stop ad, any kind of marketing you're doing. People are tough and immune to advertising. You have to MAKE them pay attention. In this new commercial for Bella Del Sol, our 'grab' was to start with a bossy woke Gen-Z daughter rattling off her many dietary restrictions to her dad, who's kind of rolling his eyes. It's current, it gestures to the culture wars and to generational divides in families, and it's got some conflict. (The music and camera movement contribute as well.) Most importantly, it's not random. We didn't start this ad with a gorilla fighting a lion just because it would grab your attention. That has nothing to do with sunflower oil. The 'grab' has to make sense for the story. Bella Del Sol is ORGANIC, so it aligns with the daughter's values. There's a funny problem, and a logical solution. Did it work? Did we grab you? I guess if we didn't, you'd already be long gone by now, scrolling into the ether...but if you're still here, let me know!

ALERT: NEW COMMERCIAL WORK! Picture this: 40+ people on set, including over 20 actors and 10+ crew members, all relying on you to deliver. There’s no way you can personally guide each person through every shot, every scene, every moment. That’s where your team comes in. It’s all about having a solid team you can trust to nail their roles without you having to micromanage every little thing. I had an amazing crew that knew exactly what to do—whether it was setting up lighting, choosing the right lenses, or handling hair and makeup. Having experts on your team means you can focus on what you do best—be that directing or shooting, etc.—while they take care of their specialties. It’s less stress, fewer fires to put out, and a smoother production overall. Trust me, things never go 100% as planned, but when you have a crew that’s prepared and knows their stuff, you can handle anything that comes your way. And here’s a little secret for those looking to get more gigs in this industry: It’s not about having the latest gear or the flashiest portfolio. It’s about being someone people know, like, and trust. Show up, do the work, be reliable, and bring that positive energy to the set. That’s how you get called back for more jobs and build a rep as someone people want on their team. So, if you’re serious about leveling up, focus on building those relationships and being the kind of person others can count on. It’ll take you further than any piece of equipment ever could. Client: @jeremiahsice Production Company: @kyleloftusstudios Production Crew: - Executive Producer: @kyleloftusstudios - Director: @kyleloftusstudios - Assistant Producer & Assistant Director: @serenaisata - Director of Photography: @kyleloftusstudios - Camera Operator A: @enmanuelzabala18 - Camera Operator B: @christophergote - Key Gaffer: @Andrew._.c0x - G&E Swing: @dp_ot - Hair & Make-up: @kdianeartisty - BTS and Production Assistant: @cinematicframesstudios - Editor & Colorist: @_jpsinger #filmmaker #filmmaking #videographer #cinematic #cinematicvideo #cinematicreel #onset #setlife #contentcreatortips #shortfilm #cinematography

Hi, my name is Cem, the executive producer and CEO here at Amazen Films. In this video, I will show you how we approach each production to help you plan your next film more accurately. Although strategy, design, story creation, distribution, and promotion are vital and handled by our designated teams, I won’t delve into those details here. Let’s consider a testimonial, an interview, or even a simple music video. These can be achieved with an average camera operator, who typically works with a basic kit and a couple of lights to add depth and create a nicer atmosphere. However, if we have a simple story, perhaps for a social media post, we will require a better camera operator with storytelling know-how. They will need a location (which may have a cost), their kit, a story, and a shot list, which we also call a storyboard in bigger productions. These professionals will cost more, but the production is still fairly simple. It gets more complex when we start adding details to the story. For example, if we have actors, we will need a director with a wireless monitor to assess what is being captured. If the camera and actors need to be actively moving, we will probably need a focus puller with their own monitor to control the lens accurately. If the light at the location is insufficient or not helping the story, then a light technician and some lights may be needed. The location needs to be scouted and may require permits or negotiations with the owners and some decor with various additional props. The actors may need a hair and makeup artist and stylist to find their ideal outfit to help the story reach its ideal audience. As you can see, the list goes on and can grow exponentially. An average TV commercial requires approximately 50 creative, technical, and production crew members on set at all times. But it isn’t all bleak. There are many ways we can help manage the budget. If live action is too costly or not viable, a 2 or 3-dimensional animation and/or motion graphics can be the best alternative. As in this short example, it can even enhance the impact of a concept otherwise difficult to convey. Here you see a commercial for a new range of products that took us three days to shoot, with a smaller team but still 20-strong. Post-production, including editing, sound design, and color grading, took a further 4 to 5 days. This can give you some idea of the overall costs, considering the number of experts required to achieve the best results. It may still sound like a daunting task, but with an expert partner with a full internal vision like ours, anything is possible. All of us at Amazen Films will accompany you along the way in making the ideal decisions to achieve the best results. Want to up your video marketing efforts? Set up a consultation with us today: https://lnkd.in/d_SiUAh7 #digitalmarketing #videomarketing #brandgrowth #digitalcontent

🎬 Ready to roll? Welcome to Day 5 of our 100 Days of Video Marketing Tips series! Before we dive into today's shoot, I'd like to share an interesting observation from my 14 years of experience in film and ad production. Have you ever noticed that locations often look average to the naked eye but stunning on camera? Conversely, while we might look good in person, the camera sometimes doesn’t do us justice. Over the years, I’ve realized that while locations are enhanced by the camera, human faces can often lose some of their charm. Instead of dwelling on why this happens, let's focus on boosting ourselves in two key areas: 1.Appearance: You don't necessarily need a professional makeup artist, but it's essential to groom yourself well. Good grooming not only looks better on camera but also boosts your confidence. 2.Attitude: When you're in front of the camera, it's okay to be a bit more animated and expressive. While it might feel slightly artificial in real life, it translates well on screen. Embrace these tips and enjoy the shooting process! 🎥✨ #100daysofvideomarketingtips #lannyfilms

"What’s the #1 secret to landing and keeping those high-ticket clients like Gatorade? It’s not just about making the coolest content. It’s about solving problems and creating real results. Sure, charging more might be tempting, but the real magic happens when you shift your focus. Think about this: When you invest in something, you expect results, right? Well, so does your client. Stop chasing the “cool” factor and start listening. Understand your client’s pain points and how you can alleviate them. 🧩 Your goal? To minimize their pain and inconvenience while delviering results that MATTER. If you can do that, they’ll keep coming back, again and again. Believe in yourself and your passion. Building and scaling a creative business or personal brand takes time and effort. Stay dedicated, show up, and understand that the journey to attract globally recognized clients isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. 🚀 Ready to make your dreams a reality? Focus on results, not just aesthetics, and watch your business soar. 🌟 Client: @gatoradeja @gatorade Agency: @nobox Production Company: @kyleloftusstudios Athletes: @original_ants @wayne_jumpsquad8 Production Crew: - Executive Producer: @hellokyleloftusstudios - Director: @hellokyleloftusstudios - Producer & Assitant Director: @christophergote - Director of Photography: @hellokyleloftusstudios - Camera Operator: @enmanuelzabala18 - Photographer: @hermaximo - Key Gaffer: @dp_ot - Hair & Make-up: @nataliermua - Wardrobe Stylist: @kellielynndreher - Prop Stylist: @mickeymcclain - Production Assistant: @dreamersplayground.co - Driver: Keyonn Golden #filmmaker #filmmaking #videographer #cinematic #cinematicvideo #cinematicreel #onset #setlife #contentcreatortips #shortfilm #cinematography

Recently I made a spec motion piece and pitched it to the company I featured in the piece… This was my first time pitching a spec piece to a brand, and I wanted to make sure I nailed it. This particular brand has only been on the market for 6-7 years, and despite having a really cool product, their visuals had left something to be desired until recently. They debuted their product at this year’s Olympics and with that was a noticeable uptick in the quality of their visuals. Seeing this I knew my spec was going to nail the timing. It took 2 months of planning to produce this shoot. I collaborated with one of my fav female cinematographers to bring it together, and she and I spoke most days sending references back-and-forth and adjusting the run of show. I called in favors from top talent that I’ve worked with previously, found locations that were willing to let us shoot pro-bono (unless the spec sells), and studied the brand to figure out any brand guidelines (I.e. are branded shoes ok? How do they normally style? What kind of customer/demographic are they targeting with their talent selection?). The cinematographer and I collaborated on the budget for the crew we would need to hire to pull this off—drone pilot, gaffer, PA, on-set producer, editor, etc. Pulling off a high production value spec motion piece is no small feat. But the final result…worth its weight in gold. I sent the piece off to the brand with an offer to sell, and I heard back that it was passed along to the CEO for a decision. A win. :) 🥇 I’ll wait to hear what their decision is before I can make the piece public, but if it doesn’t sell then the pride I feel in what we were able to accomplish is more than enough for me. I can’t wait to show you all. ✨ - Creatives, I’m curious, do you like it when directors send you spec work? What’s your hot take? - Directors and photographers, what was the last spec piece you made that sold and why do you think it worked? 🤍

Clients say " I just need a video" and then at times they're surprised at the investment of time and money involved. Why does it take time and money to produce videos? First of all it's a process. You have to go through many ideas before you decide on the approach and content. Now you're deciding the level of production. Do you need client monitors, do you need a makeup artist, do you need actors, do you need to find locations or perhaps travel. What resolution cameras should you use, and how many? Ok now it's time to edit, you can edit any number of ways. Different lengths, different proportions. Are you matching brand guidelines, or perhaps you have to create them. Then there's revisions and more revisions. How many people are involved in coming to a final product. Love to partner with you on your next project, please remember it's a process! #contentcreators #videoproduction #postproduction

Building off my previous “stories from shoots” post I am going to pass along a little unsolicited advice. You are welcome 🤗 Thinking back on the “Fight Night” project I wouldn’t have been able to shoot it how I wanted to on my own. In fact most of the work that I am really proud of over the course of my career I couldn’t have done on my own. I needed help from assistants, hair/makeup, stylists, producers, etc. The images you see are all test shots of talented creatives that have helped me on projects over the years. I have been blessed to work with people that not only significantly improved the projects we worked on together but have also become some of my closet friends. I can not overstate the importance of surrounding yourself with the best possible creative collaborators. If you are early in your career and working on small personal projects I get it, you probably don’t have the funds to hire professional assistants, stylists, gaffers, grip, etc. we have all been there. Hopefully you have some professional colleagues in the industry (if you don’t get out and network until you do) and you could offer to be their assistant for their personal projects in exchange for their time on your personal projects. Find your people!! When you do find yourself in a position with some budget to put towards crew, spend that money!! I know when budgets are tight there is a temptation to try and save money wherever possible but I promise you would be better served cutting expenses in other places. What is the most important attributes when choosing your crew? Obviously industry knowledge is great particularly if you are early career but personally I will take enthusiasm and a willingness to work really hard over knowledge. Give me someone with good vibes and energy over someone who might know a lot but leads with ego on set. If you can find someone with both knowledge and good energy pay them as well as you possibly can. Learn from them, ask them for guidance and mentorship. Whatever you pay them will be a bargain. Finally, always work with people that you trust. Production can be stressful and conflicts arise so having a teammate that you know will back you (and potentially fall on a “sword” for you) is huge. Be good to your crew, they will make you better. Oh, and if you have read this far and happen to be someone that hires photographers/videographers please always give whoever your hire as much budget as possible so they can hire the best possible crew. The work will be better I promise.

Clients say " I just need a video" and then at times they're surprised at the investment of time and money involved. Why does it take time and money to produce videos? First of all it's a process. You have to go through many ideas before you decide on the approach and content. Now you're deciding the level of production. Do you need client monitors, do you need a makeup artist, do you need actors, do you need to find locations or perhaps travel. What resolution cameras should you use, and how many? Ok now it's time to edit, you can edit any number of ways. Different lengths, different proportions. Are you matching brand guidelines, or perhaps you have to create them. Then there's revisions and more revisions. How many people are involved in coming to a final product. Love to partner with you on your next project, please remember it's a process! #contentcreators #videoproduction #postproduction

What’s Stopping You from Landing Big Clients? Ever wonder how to land high-ticket clients like Gatorade? It's not just about creating stunning content. It's about believing in yourself, your passion, and understanding that growing and scaling your creative business takes time, effort, and dedication. Dreams might seem far out of reach, but remember, you can achieve them. You can work with globally recognized brands. But it takes more than just talent—it takes consistent effort and showing up every single day. Here's the truth: Big clients like Gatorade aren’t just looking for cool visuals; they’re looking for results. They want problem solvers. So, stop focusing on making things look “cool” and start focusing on how you can create solutions and drive results for your clients. Success isn’t instant. It’s a journey of learning, growing, and pushing beyond your limits. Keep your eyes on the prize, work hard, and stay committed. The right clients will notice your dedication and your ability to deliver real, tangible results. 🚀 Ready to make your big dreams a reality? Believe in yourself, put in the work, and the high-ticket clients will follow. 🌟 Client: @gatoradeja @gatorade Agency: @nobox Production Company: @kyleloftusstudios Athletes: @original_ants @wayne_jumpsquad8 Production Crew: - Executive Producer: @hellokyleloftusstudios - Director: @hellokyleloftusstudios - Producer & Assitant Director: @christophergote - Director of Photography: @hellokyleloftusstudios - Camera Operator: @enmanuelzabala18 - Photographer: @hermaximo - Key Gaffer: @dp_ot - Hair & Make-up: @nataliermua - Wardrobe Stylist: @kellielynndreher - Prop Stylist: @mickeymcclain - Post Production Supervisor: @kyleloftusstudios - Editor & Colorist: @_jpsinger - Behind the Scenes Photo & Video: @dreamersplayground.co - Driver: Keyonn Golden #filmmaker #filmmaking #videographer #cinematic #cinematicvideo #cinematicreel #onset #setlife #contentcreatortips #shortfilm #cinematography