Lever for Change Grant Pitch
We made sure the College of Health and Human Development’s pitch video met the same level of professionalism and care that they put into their research and future application.
I’ve always thought that our recording studio would be perfect for when someone was looking for a professional, polished video at a reasonable cost, and I got to test out that concept recently when I was approached by the Penn State Development office. Their hope was that I could help the Micronutrients and Pregnancy Research lab at the College of Health and Human Development put together a 90-second pitch video required for the Lever for Change grant that the lab was applying for, but with the catch that it was due in just a few days and they didn’t have the budget normally set aside for an application like this.
I was able to convince them that the most economical approach would be to use our studio. Lights, a boomed microphone, and cameras were already set, teleprompter control available, and with the way we record, a live-switched edit could be completed in about an hour after filming. Me being me, I did decide to put a camera on an automated slider to add a little motion to the final product, and of course added a bit of licensed music to hopefully add to the emotional pull of the subject. We also ended up adding some still photos in the form of a short slideshow that showcased the usefulness of the product.
Alison Gernand, head of the lab, stopped in to deliver this pitch, and despite being somewhat new to filming, especially in a studio (and if I say so a bit nervous about the prospect of delivering this message) she did an amazing job. I don’t always recommend using a prompter, but it wound up being the right solution for this project. The final video had a very specific time limit, and having the pitch scripted out meant we could have more control over the pace of the delivery, and meant Alison didn’t have to worry about hitting the same points every run through.
I truly believe that what we make and put out into the world should be the best version possible given the constraints we are dealt with at the time it’s made. Although the grant application stated that shooting this pitch on a cell phone would be acceptable, would it be as effective at delivering the message? Would it adequately convey the years of research that led to this moment? A whole beautiful website is dedicated to the project, so why not create a video that shares the same level of care?
Using our studio, clients can have videos produced professionally, quickly, and affordably. The conventional thinking is that you only get to hit two sides of the triangle, but at CW Studios, we can deliver all three.
Application Video
Behind the Scenes
2024 Black Alumni Reunion Weekend
The Penn State Alumni Association invited us to play a large role in the 2024 Black Alumni Reunion, and we were more than happy to take on the challenge.
Every two years, the Penn State Alumni Association hosts the Black Alumni Reunion at the University Park campus. This year the event was held over the October 25-27 weekend, and we were invited to go along for the ride, capturing footage from each event to create a highlight reel to be shown on the Alumni Association’s social channels. In addition, we were asked to create two video packages: a welcome video to be shown at the event kickoff at Hintz Alumni Center, and a thank you video to be shown at the closing brunch at the Penn Stater Conference Center.
While getting to take in the camaraderie, festivities, and incredible history from the weekend was a blast, I truly enjoyed piecing together the bookending videos, since it entailed sitting down to speak to a number of influential black alumni and community members about their thoughts on the event, the role of culture at Penn State, and their place in helping current students find a sense of community here in Happy Valley. These interviews also took me to Old Main and Beaver Stadium, making me really think through what it would take to create the best equipment setups for each situation. While I enjoyed the challenge, I was never more glad to be back in the comfort of our own studio for the final interviews!
From the Client:
I had the pleasure of working with Chris Wahlmark of CW Studios on several key projects for the Penn State Alumni Association’s Black Alumni Reunion, and I can confidently say he exceeded every expectation. He was responsible for the welcome video, thank you video, and recap video — and each one was absolutely outstanding.
From start to finish, his professionalism and commitment to excellence were clear. Chris is always on point, arriving prepared and ready to get the job done. Chris can jump in and make things happen and quickly pivot when asked without missing a beat.
Working with Chris is a truly seamless experience, and I’m grateful for the care and attention he puts into each project. I would highly recommend CW Studios to anyone looking for a video production team that truly goes above and beyond. Chris is the Penn State Alumni Association’s go to for all of our video needs.
About the Project:
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Sony FX9
Sony FX6
Various Sony GM Lenses
Aputure 200d/Amaran 60x with Light Dome II and Mini Modifiers
Sennheiser MKE 600
Ronin RS-2
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Sony FX9
Sony FX6
Aputure 300x with Light Dome II Modifier
Amaran F21x Hairlight
Amaran 60d with Lantern Fill
Amaran P60 and T4C RGB for Background
Schoeps CMC414
Videos:
Behind the Scenes:
PASCP Presents: The Nutcracker
Under the leadership of a new artistic director, PASCP’s The Nutcracker once again captivated audiences at Eisenhower Auditorium, and we were lucky enough to be asked to capture the magic.
One of my favorite events to film each year is PASCP/Nittany Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. While many of the main elements remain year over year, it’s still amazing to see the new ways that each scene is dreamed up.
While I normally just film the show for archival purposes, this year I was asked to also provide b-roll footage during the dress rehearsal, to be used for social and publicity for next year. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to get more familiar with our Ronin RS-2. While I’ve usually operated with the FX6 and a prime lens, I decided to run with a Sony FX3 paired with the 24-70 f2.8 GM II. I also had two focus motors, and took the time to 3D print a couple gear rings to operate both zoom and focus from the Ronin handle. The final touch was wireless monitoring with the RavenEye module that broadcast live video to my phone. All in all, a pretty streamlined setup!
I coupled the gimbal footage with some handheld, slo-mo shots on the FX6 and 70-200 f2.8 GM II lens. Although it broke my back a bit, the 4k120 looked amazing, and I loved being able to use the rehearsal as an opportunity to get closer to the stage, to really capture the technical performance aspects that might otherwise be missed from the back of the auditorium.
I captured the show with two Blackmagic Design products: the Pocket Cinema Camera 6k Pro, and the Production Studio 6k Pro. Both have EF mounts, so I paired the pocket with a Sigma 24-70 Art zoom and the studio with the beloved Canon 70-200. Manual focus is a must, so I loved working with the large monitor on the Studio and its focus peaking abilities. I also decided to be professional and make postproduction less taxing by getting the camera timecodes synced with a couple of Tentacle Sync E packs.
Why Blackmagic versus the usual Sony packages I typically film with? Well, I’ve found for these shows that BRAW is just an amazing, invaluable tool when working with ever changing stage lighting, and the increased dynamic range allows me to reign in the spotlights while still having some of the more dimly lit parts of the stage still visible. And since I deliver in 4k, the 6k sensors give me creative flexibility with cropping if needed. The downside? File sizes. Footage and audio from both shows occupy nearly 3TB of space on my array.
From the Client:
“Working with Chris at CW Studios has always been such a pleasure. The quality of work and the attention to detail is unparalleled, and they’re never afraid to try something different. I would highly recommend CW Studios for your next video project.”
About the Project:
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Ronin RS-2 Gimbal
Sony FX3/FX6
28-70 f2.8 GMII
70-200 f2.8 GMII
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Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6k Pro
Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 6k
Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG OS HSM ART
Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS III USM
Behind the Scenes
