Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.

Digital Media Services is a full-service, independent production company specializing in branding, marketing, advertising, promotion and communications for corporate clients small and large. We offer cinematic, agency-level productions at small business prices. We production TV commercials, marketing videos, corporate communications and branding campaigns. As time allows, we shoot music videos, documentary films and shorts.

What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?

We employ cinematic production techniques well beyond what the typical small production company offers. We also have a background in corporate marketing so we can be an integral part of a company’s branding team. We’re fun to work with yet maintain strict professionalism and dependability.

How can people join or learn more about what you do?

Visit our Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System was in need of a high-profile 60-second TV commercial to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Their marketing team had been following Digital Media Services for quite some time and we were their first (and last) call when they decided to move forward with their production. The spot was initially conceptualized in-house but the DMS team took it to another level, adding story elements, cinematic shooting methods and set design visuals – as well as directing and editing – that presented the client’s message in a manner beyond what they envisioned. The shoot was captured over the course of two nights with talent, background extras and over 20 different location setups. The client also requested a custom music track written and recorded exclusively for this spot.

What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?

I’m most proud of the fact that the DMS team – which was pretty small – was able to light, design, prep and prepare camera support for over 20 different setups over the course of the two-night shoot. We had dolly shots, slider shots, stabilizer shots, handheld shots, tripod shots, jib shots and Dana Dolly shots. So, the biggest challenge was to capture the needed shots for a full 60-second spot for a story that took us all over the hospital from the exterior to registration to lobby to elevator to hallways to nurses station and to hospital room…and many spots in-between. With extensive scouting, prepping and planning our plan was executed almost flawlessly due to the amazing hustle and know-how of the DMS team.

Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?

Your client – which could be a company, a director, a producer or an individual – is most important. Help them discover and identify what they need, determine the best way to deliver their message or story and always keep the intended audience in mind. Once you know your objective, plan and prep until there’s nothing left to account for and work your tail off doing what you love. The end result will be something you’re proud of.

Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?

After an intensive search for the perfect Teddy Bear – a key prop in the spot’s story – the final choice was found with one of my dog’s old toys. The client thought it had the perfect look for what they were looking for…unique and endearing yet still cute enough to have character.

Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.

The two most memorable responses to the spot are that the CEO of the hospital, upon viewing the spot for approval for the first time, simply said, ” It’s amazing…I absolutely love it!” and the response of many, many viewers was not only positive but also inquired about where they could purchase the music track used in the spot!

Complete this sentence: ‘Great video storytelling is…’

…when you are able to convey your client’s message to their intended audience and provoke a response that equals or bests what they had hoped. In the end, storytelling is not about what gear you use, what your budget was or what latest trend you used…it’s about delivering a message in a way that leaves your audience feeling like they learned something new or witnessed a story they are glad they now are a part of.