We get the opportunity to bid on non-wedding video shoots, several times a year and we end up producing about four or five a year. The other day, the phone rang with a request to bid on a video for a non-profit organization that works with kids.
I offerred to do the shoot for just expenses, since it was a cause I am deeply concerned with (and since I am only juggling about eighty projects already!).
In hopes of prompting comments from you, I thought I'd share my thoughts, and some of my early correspondence on this project. You'll find my thoughts in our latest article, "
Non-Profit Video Projects" (also on home page, but you gotta click the "read more" to get the whole article).
This is from my first eMessage after we came to an agreement -
I don't expect our expenses to be more than gasoline. The good news? We get 30mpg! (a bit less in summer with the a/c). If your organization is bursting with funds, you may elect to pay for meals, but that isn't necessary.
As for video gear, we have everything we're likely to need and more. Tapes cost three dollars apiece, but we'll cover those if your organization agrees that we retain non-exclusive rights to use the video. This lets us use it as a demo to showcase our work.
We have a decent library of music loops and software to do music for video, but as an extra enhancement, after editing, you may wish to have that music replaced with live music that can be written and played to match each scene. Generally speaking, it is too costly to get a music license for commercial works, but music and lyrics published in 1922 or earlier are in the public domain and many talented young musicians may be willing to work for screen credit. Speaking of screen credit, we would want that also. This is at the end of the video like you see at the end of movies where credit is given to producer, director, editor, camera people, actors, etc. Such credts are generally not shown for tv ads, the television people would merey cut the clip prior to the credits, but they are shown when played from the DVD, etc.
Now, depending upon how you want to do the shoot, you may want to hire a professional narrator (we have one we can recommend), though most clients just have me do the narration. My voice isn't as deep and rich as the pro, but I speak fairly well (it's all those drama classes!) and I'm "free".
Also, you may need to pay performers or actors, depending on how you want to shoot the video. Some locations may need to be paid (for instance, if you needed a restaurant scene, etc.). But we can probably work in free locations or with owners who would let us shoot for free (sometimes Sundays or evenings, early mornings, etc.)
There are performer and location releases that will be needed. I can provide the forms, if your organization doesn't have their own.
Well, that's probably more information than you were seeking! :-)
Oops - I've got still more info to toss your way...
I was thinking about the dontalmostgive.org tv ad yesterday when a similar idea came to me -
This is "doughnut style", meaning you have a begining and end that tie together, but you can change the middle. Sounds to me like it should be called "sandwich style", but nobody asked me! :-)
1st scene - three young teans in rough-looking place, grim expressions, etc. Narrator says, "Tell me the difference between this scene..."
2nd scene - same kids smiling, having a good time in a safe environment with adult supervision. Narrator continues, "..and this one. Well, the difference could be YOU."
Narration and video go on to explain situation, give organization's pitch, etc.
next to last scene replays 1st scene (but not 2nd). Narrator says, "This is the way things are today. Whether tomorrow will be different, depends on YOU."
See there? There's a bit of "screen writer" hiding in every video producer! :-) Well, maybe not good enough to make the final cut, but hopefully enough to get your creative juices flowing.
