Client growth is a perpetual goal for business. In this blog, we share our experiences on set that led to more work in the future and our observations from those opportunities.
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As we wind down from our busiest summer on record, we wanted to share with you our favorite tips for video production teams on the road!
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Meet our new intern, Hien Nguyen.
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Meet our new intern, Liam Higgins.
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You’ve seen a set of Quasar Science LED tubes. We guarantee it. These long, versatile tubes of light have taken the video work by storm. What started as a way to turn heads with light design has morphed into an amazingly powerful lighting tool. The unique properties of Quasar Science LED tubes (a long, large, light, and power soft light source) lets you hide them almost anywhere.
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Mid-way through 2018 we received an inquiry from a local printing and book manufacturing company in Grand Rapids. Their initial request read:
“We are interested in obtaining proposals to produce a short video that covers our manufacturing capabilities while highlighting our brand.”
Color us interested.
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Last week we took the idea of the “Exploding Deli Sandwich” and added a vegetarian twist to it to give the photo a more vibrant and a fresh look. In this episode of our Allied Studio Days vlog series , we show the techniques used to execute this shot from set-up to the edit.
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This is an introduction to a series of ongoing articles that looks at how to stay relevant a world dominated by social networks, AI, digital natives and great uncertainty.
We approach strategy differently than most creative agencies focusing on video, photo, and content production. Normally, this relationship is transnational, you pay X amount and get Y delivered. Our background in design thinking, product development, and helping organizations innovate has put us at the forefront of a new experiential paradigm.
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Long-form content doesn’t do well on all social-media platforms. The three-minute “About Us” and lifestyle branding video you produced for YouTube, Facebook and other online video placements will not get the same response on micro-content platforms like Instagram Stories, and IGTV. With that in mind, if you follow some of the steps below you’ll be able to maximize your time on set, and maximize your client’s return on investment.
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2018 was a whirlwind. Allied experienced an incredible year of growth and growing pains. We helped build new brands, and re-imagine established ones. We worked with the little guys, a few of the big players, the startups, even the Huffington Post and always made sure to give back.
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Live event coverage is daunting. Capturing footage in the moment and turning it into a functional recap video is manageable, but when the client wants to live-stream, deliver packaged strategic content to multiple platforms, and produce bite-sized video for social platforms, success comes down to one word: The Plan.
In the first part of this series we’ll cover how to competently plan for live event coverage and deliver against your client’s needs.
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After several months of use, we review what we like and dislike about the Zoom F4 audio recorder.
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Recently, we’ve had a few opportunities to work at some industrial and construction site locations and we’ve learned a few things along the way that have made the process run smoothly. While most locations require certain challenges to consider, working around heavy machinery provides unique challenges and opportunities for creativity. Before you tackle your first worksite shoot, there are some things you’ll want to put in your bag you wouldn’t normally consider, some approaches to shooting that may be different than what you’re used to, and some specific characteristics of your edits you’ll want to consider.
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Last spring, a client was referred to us via one of our creative agencies (and preferred clients), MoxieMen, Inc. The project required only post-production work, so we directed it to our resident editor, Mia Saba. We are happy to present a guest blog detailing this unique opportunity, including the challenges of stepping into a project years after production had wrapped, as well as the excitement of becoming involved in something so tremendously inspiring and impactful - the Heidelberg Project.
Recently, we were contacted by Vacationland Studios to collaborate on a short documentary about an non-profit equine psychotherapy facility in Grand Haven, Michigan called Out Side In Stables. This beautiful place offers trauma victims a chance to rehabilitate through equine therapy. It was fascinating to learn not only how this method works but how effective it can be. Out Side In Stables Director, Jennifer McVoy, shared her knowledge about how the bond between horse and human can be therapeutic to both people and horses alike.
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Each year, the Kalamazoo County Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Council (KCAN) puts on an unique event to raise funds for its critical mission. The Superhero 5k Fun Run is a fun-filled family tradition where the race participants dress as their favorite superhero. The event helps raise awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention in Kalamazoo County and brings the community together in a unique way.
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When Kylene Geyer, head coach of the Davenport Dance Team, approached us to shoot their 2018 -2019 team photos this year, we were excited at the opportunity to shoot a subject outside our “comfort zone.” Little did we know that opportunity would include helping some of our less fortunate four-legged friends as well.
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The third and final entry into our series on sound in film and video productions. And like any good part 3, we go back to the beginning.
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This summer, we welcomed an intern from Grand Valley State University - Stephanie Kaszewski. Stephanie is studying to be a documentary filmmaker and wanted to utilize the internship program to spend some time 'in the field' with us. We brought Stephanie along on several photo and video productions while also providing her with weekly assignments and a final project.
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