Non-profit video helps Erie Neighborhood House raises a record breaking $600,000 at Future of Promise Dinner.
Executive Summary
This is our 5th project with Erie Neighborhood House and we are so honored to have the opportunity to deepen our work together. Each year we work with Erie House to tell the story of an Erie Neighborhood community member and how the work of Erie House has impacted their lives. We love how Erie uses our videos to raise money, educate potential donors and celebrate their community. This year Erie House wanted to focus on their STEM initiatives for youth starting in preschool and going all the way through to high school. STEM is Science, Technology, and Math. To tell this story Erie selected Alex Roman. Alex is the perfect example of the work that Erie House does. Our fig films director Melissa Fox, wrote the script for the film after meeting and interviewing Alex. The result is Alex Roman, Engineer, a short non-profit fundraising video that wows audiences with both the story of Alex and how Erie House supported him to where he is today. Erie House is one of the few non-profits that books our scripts for EVERY project. The return on that investment is seen almost immediately.
BTS of filming with Director Melissa Fox. Photo by Brian Paff, Director of Marketing at Erie House.
Challenges
The first challenge is the script. The beats of the script are written to build to a big reveal about our subject. We talked a lot about how to "wow," our audience with the work that Erie House does. Alex, our subject, learned English at Erie House and took advantage of the programs they offered as a child. We wanted to reveal that he is now the youngest engineer at a large manufacturing company at just the right moment. The audience at the gala cheered during the screening right when we wanted them to. A great example of a script in action. We know that affected their experience of Alex when he came on stage a few moments later to deliver a speech and ask the audience to help him raise money for kids just like him.
“As a filmmaker, there is no better joy than watching an audience do exactly the thing you wanted them to while watching your work. I am so proud of the process I’ve developed with my fig team over the years. Taking an idea from script to screen with our clients not only helps me live into my mission as an artist but helps me give back to Chicago. The city I grew up in. I am so grateful to Erie House for giving me the chance to grow with them and the confidence of rebooking year after year. ”
— - Melissa Fox
Not everything makes it to the final cut. Here is a cute outtake from the script that we drafted called, “young Alex.” We wanted something that pulled in the imaginative spirit of Alex in a cute way. So we came up with the idea to see Alex as a kid talking about his plans for something he designed. It turned out so cute but ultimately we cut it for time. It was more important that our audience could follow the story quickly and Erie felt that the young Alex sequence was adorable but stalled the experience. We were sad to see the scene go but excited to share it with you here.
How our services were used
This client booked our most popular package for non-profits.
Script Development and Creative Outline, Mood-Board
Filmmaking and editing team lead by director Melissa Fox
5-minute gala film and a 30-second teaser to promote the gala.
This film is used at the event to introduce Alex, who then comes up on stage to give a speech and leads the paddle raise. This formula helps Erie House raise a lot of money at their gala.
After the event the film is used in promotional activities, fundraising efforts and online on social media channels.
Results, Return on Investment and Future Plans
Alex Roman and Executive Director Kirstin Chernowsky at the Future of Promise Awards Dinner.
Alex Roman giving his speech.
"Our revenue has grown by more than 25% since we first contracted with Fig in 2015," - Brian Paff, Director of Marketing Erie Neighborhood House.
All of our films at Erie House have raised money after the screening. This film, raised THE MOST in the history of working with them.
The teaser received over 2K views within a few days of posting it online.
At the event, the audience cheered multiple times during the film.
Alex received a standing ovation.
The film is still being used online, in presentation and board meetings.
We are currently in talks about our 2019 film and a larger project for the 2020 anniversary celebration.
From the client:
“Each time we have worked with Fig, their team has demonstrated an uncanny ability to listen, generate ideas, welcome feedback, and, at the end of the project, tell a powerful, compelling story through film.
The film Fig produces for us introduces the audience at our annual fundraising gala to the event’s keynote speaker; in our case, a participant or graduate of one of our programs. Year after year, this film has evoked an emotional response from attendees and set the stage perfectly for our speaker to share about the impact Erie House has made on their life. We host a paddle raise auction following the film and keynote speech, and our revenue has grown by more than 25% since we first contracted with Fig in 2015.
Just as important, Fig thinks about the big picture when producing a film. So while we might commission a film specifically for our dinner, it is something that performs well as collateral to share with individual donors, funding partners, volunteers and more for months and years to come.
It’s easy to search for and find a bleeding heart story to tell through film, but one of the things we appreciate most about Fig is the way they have sought to tell stories that reflect the pride and resilience of people in our community. The final product isn’t just something that will tug on the heartstrings of our donors—it’s a film that celebrates the people who make us the strong, vibrant organization we are, inspiring others to join in the work we do.”
— Brian Paff, Director of Marketing - Erie Neighborhood House
TEAM
Executive Producers: James Gustin, Michele Gustin
Writer, Director, Editor: Melissa Fox