Janis Carmena was so disturbed by the impact of single-use plastics on the environment and wildlife and frustrated with the lack of alternatives that she created the #NoStrawChallenge. 

#NoStrawChallenge offers a variety of reusable, compostable and biodegradable straws and also provides fundraising and Brand Ambassador opportunities.

Janis is media savvy so she knew the power of online video and reached out to us to create a series of videos for #NoStrawChallenge. She knew she wanted to appeal to a younger demographic to inspire action but wasn’t certain of the creative direction.

Often times we are inspired by a single statement - or even a single word - from our clients in discovery, and with #NoStrawChallenge it was “Make Just One Change.” Simple.

Traditionally, marketing for environmentally conscious or alternative products hit your Guilt Button - using sad music and somber images - often black and white - to make you feel bad about yourself to inspire change. We wanted to do something different.
​
We wanted to make these videos fun, bright and colourful, focusing on lifestyle - specifically how easy it is to make one simple change and make a huge impact.

Here are two of those videos:

Freda, the owner of Zealous Art wanted to convey how much fun it could be to paint and that painting parties could really bring the kid out in anyone. So we created a cinematic video emphasizing all the ways Zealous Art brings the fun and joy of the present moment back into people's lives. Whether they experience a mobile painting party, a painting class at the store or at a corporate workshop, Zealous Art will touch your heart and open your mind. It's not about fine art, it's about fun art. 

Client Type: SPIRO CLUB Member 

"My favourite pART was how they treated my customers while recording- nothing was rehearsed! No one was guided what to say, it was real! It was spontaneous! They made it simple and did not disrupt my flow nor the student’s flow! FUN experience! They know their stuff!"

We were contacted by Thompson Rivers University to create videos to promote their Applied Sustainable Ranching Program at their Williams Lake Campus.
The Applied Sustainable Ranching Program is the first of its kind in British Columbia and goes far beyond the classroom. Students gain the knowledge and skills to build sustainable ranching practices within BC's ranching industry, which can be applicable not only to the Cariboo Region but any region. Remember this part ;) ​

They wanted one video to highlight how beneficial the ASUR Program is for BC residents and one to highlight how beneficial the ASUR Program is for International Students.
This was a project that was not scripted nor planned out beyond us interviewing several of the students, unearthing the stories and bringing them to life.

We travelled to Williams Lake, met the students onsite and the two stories immediately jumped out at us: One, continuing the family legacy and the other, forging a brand new legacy back home.

"I love/hate you & Ryan for making me cry so early in the morning :-) This was AMAZING! It really hit an emotional spot in me. 
I think you did a fantastic job of creating this story and putting in the right amount of scenery and speaking and emotional quality that doesn't look fake or too sentimental."

When we first sat down with TWIST they wanted to create a video that would capture the hearts of their prospective customers.

Here was the creative pitch from us:
A 60-second Brand Hype video with high tempo and high impact. An inspirational pump-up video designed to motivate, instil the culture of TWIST and break down the myths about body type/gender roles to make TWIST feel like a person’s home no matter what shape or size they are. The only thing that matters is their drive. The power of choice is theirs. 

It is based upon the TWIST Brand Manifesto and the thematic emphasis is “CHOOSE NOW.”

The Brand Manifesto, with additional scripting of brand points will serve as a voiceover for the video. This video, in no uncertain terms, is telling the viewer what TWIST is and is challenging them & inspiring them to be a part of it.

Everything they need is within their grasp and within their control. What will they do with it?

See the possible.
Opportunity is now here.
Life is short. The moment is all we have.
In everything and in every place, seize the possibility for better health, wellness and fitness.
We can show you how.

Top of your game or coming back from a setback.
Now gives you a chance to move forward - if you take it.

What eat, how you live, how you move.
Now is the small change that makes a big difference.
Now is optimism within-reach.
Now is waiting for us to find it and make the most of it.
Now, what will you do?

Cinematic imagery, black and white perhaps with the splash of the branded red, emphasizes the story. A mixture of slow-motion and fast-paced footage leads the viewer to the undeniable conclusion:
It is all about NOW.
It leaves them with a question that will resonate with them long after the video is over. “Now, what will you do?”

"Thanks so much for featuring our video! We absolutely loved working with you guys!
It was super easy and fun. You totally understood our vision and were able to tell our story in such a captivating way. We loved our video and definitely saw an increase in traffic to our website during the campaign we ran it for. We still use the video on our website to show potential clients what to expect when training at TWIST!"

Emma Watson 
Client Experience Manager 

TESTIMONIAL:
I felt immediately comfortable with Adera and Ryan to share my story because of their genuine interest in what my business was about. We created the video before I did anything else on the business, which at the time seemed a bit backwards. I believe that I owe a lot of the thought process and brainstorming on how I wanted my vision to be portrayed to Spiro’s preliminary questionnaire.
Adera and Ryan brought my vision to life in a way I never thought imaginable. They helped me tap into what I value the most about my dance studio, and what the focus of my business is. It was a fantastic experience that I will never forget; and an absolute pleasure to work with these two brilliantly creative humans that are the epitome of yin and yang.  Love, love, love them! I can’t wait to do another video once the studio is up and running!"
Nathalie Heath
​owner
DANCE EFFECT

What's the second largest search engine next to Google? Yahoo? Nope. Bing? Not even close. The second largest search engine happens to be the largest video content provider, YouTube. Online buying is increasing in size every day - why not sit in your pyjamas and shop?! - and 90% of consumers watch online video, who are twice as likely to buy when they do. Don't take our word for it, the people at Conductor Blog have recently released a comprehensive article about the power of online video for your business and how to create a marketing juggernaut from your video content.

Online video introduces you and your brand to a wide audience, but don't think that your video content ends there. Use video content to stay in touch with customers and to maintain brand awareness and - as Conductor Blog says - have content for every stage of the "buyer's journey."

This article is an invaluable resource to comprehend video content as marketing value and to implement it to raise up your brand. Check it out here! 

    So many things are one thing on paper, and yet another in real life.  
On paper, The Autism Support Network is a parent-led organization that provides education, support and treatment information to families across British Columbia.  
What it truly is transcends that. 
We were proud to shoot a promotional video for the network this past weekend, and what we discovered was a tightly-knit second family of people brought together by their experiences with autism in their lives. Talking with the directors of the network, themselves parents of children with autism, other parents and Behaviour Analysts that work with the network, it became evident that this group of people have bonded deeply through their common experiences, although varied, and the support they provide one another and spread outwards is extraordinary.
 They have learned and grown so much both independently and together, and that wealth of knowledge and experience is what they want to share as they expand their family to include those who are looking for education, support, treatment information or just someone who understands their situation.
   They provide a save place to talk and learn for those who have something to share in common - the love of their children. For more details visit their Facebook Page. 

 Over the entrance to the Queen of Angels school in Duncan is their motto, To Build In Love. We visited recently to shoot an instalment of a video series for BC Egg, #farmersgiveback. The farmers giving back in this case were Ian and Jen Woike of Farmer Ben's Eggs. As quickly as Jen and her children, Campbell and Emma, could bring in their eggs, Red Seal Chef Andrea McIntyre was cracking eggs, creating the breakfast burritos for the students'  breakfast.

The breakfast club feeds the students of the school every morning, and a breakfast staple is Farmer Ben's eggs. The students aren't just getting a healthy meal; they’re  also being given a lesson in giving back.

To Jen, serving the community is crucial to sustaining it, and she and Ian have passed that down to their children. Farmer Ben's Eggs is a family affair, but so too is the volunteer spirit. Judging from the smiles and thanks from the students, it's clear the lesson is not lost on them, either.

Programs such as these and people like the Woikes aren't just filling stomachs, they’re filling hearts.


To Build In Love, indeed.