Five Sixteen Films
Five Sixteen Films is a production company I ran 2016-2019 that focused on producing documentary-style wedding films. The business was entirely self-run and managed, which meant I handled everything from client relations, financial management/bookkeeping, online communications, and marketing.
-----
Contents:
1. How It Started
2. Client Signing Process (User Journey)
3. Website Design/Management
4. Product Design
5. Film Samples
1. How It Started
2. Client Signing Process (User Journey)
3. Website Design/Management
4. Product Design
5. Film Samples
1. How It Started
The decision to start my own business started with realizing the opportunity in utilizing my unique storytelling and documentary interviewing skills to compete against the typical wedding video vendor that produced simple highlight reels more like spectator slideshows rather than immersive, narrative films.
2. Client Signing Process (User Journey)
Having a clear and simple way to collect potential clients' information as well as provide transparency for the entire contracting process was a big priority. Given limited financial and technical resources, I implemented Google Forms to collect information, but also used the AutoCrat add-on to enhance the experience for both myself and the client.
This solution allowed me to create an invoicing system that automated the entire process, complete with confirmation feedback, notifications, and clear communication of expectations and next steps. The greatest benefit of this system was ensuring peace-of-mind for my clients through constant feedback as well as maintaining positive relations with them as this system allowed me to stay organized and responsive to inquiries.
Screenshot of AutoCrat add-on in Google Sheets. AutoCrat allows for the manipulation of Google Form responses based on conditions. I created several different jobs based on the various situations I experienced with clients.
Below is a sample of an auto-generated invoice created through the AutoCrat add-on. After a template is created on Google Docs (left) and linked through the add-on in Google Sheets, AutoCrat populates the tags within the template with the corresponding data from the Google Form response (right).
I then set AutoCrat to send these auto-generated invoices as attachments both to myself (i.e. notification to follow up) and to the client (i.e. confirmation of submission + instructions on next steps).
3. Website Design/Management
Website hosted by and created through Squarespace. Given the simple, user-friendly nature of template-based website building tools, I did not go through a traditional wireframing process to design the UI. However, I was intentional in being mindful of the user experience by focusing on a minimalist design in order to present information clearly and simply. I focused on visibility of information with clear call-to-actions as well as an intuitive hierarchy of content to help emphasize the aspects of the business I wanted to highlight (i.e. the unique documentary style).
All photography is original content.
4. Product Design
When deciding how to give my clients their final deliverables, I wanted to incorporate a physical element in order to make the experience more personable, as opposed to simply sending my clients a link to download their videos (which is what a lot of other video/photographers opt to do).
I quickly learned to iterate my design after my first client's deliverable when I realized how much the experience could be improved by focusing more on the "gift" aspect along with overall aesthetics. I worked with a logo designer to create a branded logo and researched custom USB printing, stamps, and packaging options to then create the final design.
I called it "Digital Meets DIY."
Given the highly personalized and special nature of weddings and the memories of it that clients invest so much to preserve, I wanted to ensure that their entire experience with me as a vendor came across as authentic as possible, with a real human touch. This drove all my decisions in the design process down to the smallest details, including handwriting the note, "Please reuse and recycle!" on the tags, as a nod to my own values for the environment.
5. Film Samples
(All films interviewed, directed, shot, and edited by yours truly)
