From First Call to Premiere Night
A simple, five-step process built around your school and church calendar, so your film is ready when it matters most.
Big projects, made simple.
A capital campaign, a gala, or an enrollment season already asks a lot of your staff. A film shouldn’t add to the pile. I’m a Christian school principal, so I plan every project around a real school calendar: chapel, recess, concerts, and all.
You’ll always know what’s next, what I need from you, and when your film will be ready.
Before filming
1. Discovery call (20 minutes, free)
We talk about your ministry, your goal, and the date your film needs to premiere: a gala, a voters’ meeting, a campaign Sunday, or an open house.
2. Story plan
We choose who to interview and what to film, then plan backward from your premiere date. For a campaign series, that includes when each film releases and where it’s shown.
Filming and delivery
3. Filming days
One to three days on site, depending on the size and scope of your project, scheduled around your school day and church calendar.
4. Editing and review
You’ll see the film before it’s final, with two rounds of revisions included.
5. Premiere and rollout
You get the finished films, ready for services, meetings, galas, your website, and social media.
Easy on your staff
Plan on about an hour for planning, plus help coordinating interviews. I handle the story plan, scheduling, filming, and editing.
On filming days, I work around class schedules and help every interviewee feel at ease, so your people can simply be themselves on camera.
"I highly recommend John for his professional yet highly personable services. He was able to connect with our people during their interviews, tie their unique stories into our overall campaign messaging, and also showcase those comments about our church and school through the footage of our day-to-day ministry."
Mike Paulsen
Principal, Prince of Peace Lutheran School
What I’ll need from you
A point person on your staff to help schedule interviews
Your goal and premiere date, even if the details are still taking shape
A few names of people with a story to tell: teachers, parents, members, students
Your photo and video permissions, so we only film the families who’ve said yes
What you get
Your finished film or film series, planned around how and where it will be shown
Versions for your website and social media
Two rounds of revisions before anything is final
Freedom to use your films anywhere: services, galas, your website, social media, and ads
Investment
Projects start at $3,000.
After our first call, I’ll send a clear quote based on your films, filming days, and travel.
Questions
How far ahead should we reach out?
As early as you can. Tell me your premiere date, whether it’s a gala, a voters’ meeting, or an open house, and I’ll plan backward from it.
What if we don’t know exactly what we need yet?
That’s what the discovery call is for. Many ministries start with only a goal and a date, and we shape the right film from there.
Do you travel?
Yes. I’m based in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin and have filmed for schools in Wisconsin, California, and Utah. Travel costs depend on location, transportation, and whether hotel stays are needed, and they’re spelled out in your quote.
Who appears on camera?
Usually your principal or pastor, plus a handful of teachers, parents, members, and students. You decide who’s included.
Can we use the films anywhere?
Yes, anywhere you’d like: church services, galas, your website, social media, and ads.
Let’s tell your ministry’s story.
Book a free 20-minute discovery call. Bring your goal and your date, and we’ll take it from there.