Last week, in my closing newsletter remarks, I wrote: “As editors, we have the opportunity to work with very expensive gear to create stories that can affect tens of thousands of people. Not everyone is that fortunate. Take a look around your area and see where you can help. Food banks especially need our support.”
That comment sparked a lot of positive feedback, including this challenge from Bruce Wittman.
– – –
For me, Muhammad Ali said it best: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
THE CHALLENGE
As video producers, shooters, and editors we have the POWER to change our world one small video at a time.
Larry, I want to challenge readers to produce a free five minute fund-raising video for a local deserving non-profit. And the non-profits are so appreciative!
It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort and it can do so much good! Most five minute fund-raising videos can be shot in two or three days. And you can involve your video friends to help (free animation, free voice talent, free scripting, free production services, free editing, etc.).
I am always surprised – and pleased = with many video folks want to help, if you just ask them.
MY BACKGROUND
(Bruce Wittman)
I am the owner and executive producer of Eagle Video Productions Inc. located in Raleigh, NC. For over thirty years my company has produced award-winning videos for our international, regional and broadcast clients.
I truly believe in the power of video. I am blessed beyond measure, doing what I really love to do (and using the only real talent that I have) which is producing effective videos that help our clients.
Years ago, I promised myself that when I retire (ha ha) I would use my extra time to produce free fund-raising videos to deserving non-profit organizations. Well, a need for a video came along that really needed producing, helping this young couple start a nature camp for needy kids in South Africa. So I made the time and involved some video friends to help. That video helped this couple start Camp NELU in South Africa.
Fifteen years later, I am still producing free, fund-raising videos to help deserving non-profits. Why do I do it? Well, it brings me joy to help others in need. And I can see a direct result from our small efforts.
As I wrote on our Pro Bono webpage: “Every year Eagle Video Productions is proud to give back to our community and state by producing a free fund-raising video for a deserving North Carolina non-profit. Each project involves a five minute fund-raising video along with a thirty-second TV and radio PSA.”
Many ask how I select a non-profit. Sometimes, they come to me. Sometimes, the non-profit is doing work that hits my hot button (like “Fathers Forever”). I usually want to help non-profits that work statewide. In this way, our efforts to produce a video can affect more people than local, or county wide non-profits.
(Click to see larger image.)
PRODUCTION TIPS
We shoot everything on location. So we use green screen setups at a non-profit location to get a lot of interviews in one setup, in one day, instead of different setups for each interview. This saves us a lot of time and effort. Later we add the appropriate background in post for each interview.
We like to have an approved client script before we interview, so we know what we expect from each interviewee. We boom mike our interviews due to COVID protocols, rather than lavaliere mics.
We like to utilize any video and photos that the client can provide to save us time and efforts. Sometimes all we need is a photo or two instead a video clip that we might have to film on a separate day.
We use the Ken Burns effect within FCP to animate our photos. We usually shoot in HD because the final product will air on Facebook, YouTube or the client website or laptop.
After the final five-minute product is edited and approved, we usually cut a version down to thirty seconds for a TV PSA and radio PSA. (This is one reason I love the magnetic timeline in Final Cut.)
Finally we use Compressor to give our client different video formats based on usage. (mov, mp4, mv4, wav, avi, 1920×1080, 1280×720, etc). Our goal is produce one fund-raising video a year with a hard deadline of December 31st.
As video productions go, it takes so little effort to create these useful tools, but the results are amazing!
FINAL THOUGHTS
As I write this email, I am preparing for a two day shoot next week to help our latest non-profit: TROSA, an award-winning national model for effective long-term recovery programs. They do incredible work helping men and women recover from substance abuse disorder where up to 450 residents live on campus while getting professional help with their addictions.
I can’t wait to get the final project released so it can help others.
We have the power to do so much good – and there is so much need – that helping non-profits is a challenge I happily accept.
How about you?
13 Responses to A Challenge to Video Creators: Support Local Non-Profits
What an excellent article from Larry and Bruce to wake up to today…Many thanks! For those of us who’ve worked in the non-profit sector for years, it lends moral support and a picture of what’s happening out there beyond my desktop. My small business for non-profits includes documentaries, video promos, websites, social media and graphics. Depending on the scale of projects, I give generous discounts to some and take on other projects for free. As a small “production house” this has allowed me to supplement my income and keep my brain cells firing over the years. I’m extremely grateful for Larry’s online guidance along with fellow media producers who’s advice has kept me in the loop.
Cynthia:
As you so clearly illustrate, bigger is not always better. You’ve picked a very important field to work in.
I wish you continued success.
Larry
I love this story! Im based in the UK and also decided to concentrate on non-profits when I retired from my (unrelated to video) business. Most of my work is used in-house for several UK charities, mainly for training purposes, but my last public product was for Legacy Place Cottages in PA. It was heartwarming to produce and I’m very proud of the the finished product. Just last month, I crossed the Atlantic to produce a sequel. I hope it will be as good! 🙂
Philip:
Thanks for your comment and, more importantly, your hard work. I wish you continued success.
Larry
I have gifted videos to several non-profits over the years in exchange for sponsorships at their events. And while I feel good about doing it, it also has led to more business which has been a gift to me in return!
Kristen:
Smile. Doing good often has benefits you never expect. Thanks for your comment.
Larry
Oh boy I hate to be a curmudgeon here, but…. I’ve seen corporate video companies make free videos for nonprofits. The companies need to first study fundraising strategy and messaging before launching into this. Fundraising a unique industry. A company can make something that looks beautiful, but is it really effective? Full disclosure: I’ve made a living for decades making videos for nonprofits, and have been burned a couple times by big video companies in town taking away my business. So yes a big company is doing a very good thing by helping nonprofits occasionally, but they’re also hurting smaller video companies specializing in nonprofit communication.
Mary:
Curmudgeons are always welcome. Yup, market knowledge beats arrogance every time.
Thanks for your comment.
Larry
Thanks Larry. You are kind.
Still feeling bad that I’m a curmudgeon on this so I’m adding these thoughts. Yes, make that pro-bono video for a nonprofit that you are truly passionate about. And yes, make that pro-bono video if the nonprofit truly has no money to ever make a good video themselves.
Bruce,
I couldn’t agree with you more. The very first video project I ever shot was for a non-profit organization that works with homeless families in Trenton, NJ. That video one the grand prize in the VideoMaker Magazine short video contest back in 2001. I built my for-profit video business from that one video and have been shooting free non-profit videos ever since. My next shoot is in 2 days.
Keep up the great work and I hope your letter inspires other videographers to do the same.
I made a few no-cost or little-cost videos for non-profits over the years (a non-profit having some skin in the game can sometimes ensure a more meaningful end product) and have often used the effort to put a new camera, lens, codec, style, or process through its paces before using it with the paying customers.
I’ve made dozens of short videos for local historic sites – all non-profits – and I’ve often heard, years later, that my video is what got them financing for their Visitor Center, a field trip, prairie restoration, and once – my biggest triumph yet – A NEW PORTA POTTY!
Jürgen:
Smile. When you need it, NOTHING is more important than a porta potty.
Yay you!!
Larry