Business Promotional Docuseries

Made In Mankato was a year-long documentary project that focused on telling the story of twelve local businesses in Mankato, Minnesota. Made In Mankato was a group of local filmmakers who banded together to help make the monthly docuseries a reality. I played a pivotal role in editing, setting up for interviews, directing some shoots, and capturing lots of b-roll.

Client

Role

Made In Mankato

Video Editor | Director | Camera Operator

Responsibilities

Cinematography | Motion Graphics | Video Editing | Interviewer | Project Manager

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About the Process

CommunicateThe first step was to reach out to many Mankato, MN businesses and schedule 12 of them out for the entire year. Our team also communicated with local musical artists to use their songs in the documentaries.

Communicate

The first step was to reach out to many Mankato, MN businesses and schedule 12 of them out for the entire year. Our team also communicated with local musical artists to use their songs in the documentaries.

InterviewingOur team usually started with interviewing the business owners and staff. We learned how they got their start and what it takes to run their business. The interviews helped drive what we needed to capture for the b-roll.

Interviewing

Our team usually started with interviewing the business owners and staff. We learned how they got their start and what it takes to run their business. The interviews helped drive what we needed to capture for the b-roll.

Capturing B-rollOur team captured most of the b-roll during business hours. I learned how to work quickly and discreetly to capture authentic customer interactions without disrupting business activity.

Capturing B-Roll

Our team captured most of the b-roll during business hours. I learned how to work quickly and discreetly to capture authentic customer interactions without disrupting business activity.

EditingIt took hours of editing during the final week of each month leading up to the premiere. We never delayed a premiere, even if it meant wrapping up editing just hours before.

Editing

It took hours of editing during the final week of each month leading up to the premiere. We never delayed a premiere, even if it meant wrapping up editing just hours before.

The PremiereAfter completing the documentary, the featured business would host a packed screening with people from the local community. Watching the positive reactions made the hard work each month worth it.

The Premiere

After completing the documentary, the featured business would host a packed screening with people from the local community. Watching the positive reactions made the hard work each month worth it.

Video Samples

Environmental B-Roll

Each business was unique, and the challenge was to try and showcase that through the footage we captured. I tried to convey what it felt like to be within the space in its most quiet and busy moments with each shot that I took.

Employee Interviews

The heart of Made In Mankato are the business owners and their stories. More often than not, this was the first time the owners were in front of a camera. I made sure they felt comfortable and in control during the interview process.

Action Shots

Capturing each business in action was one of the most fun and challenging parts of the project. The right shots required optimal lighting, focus, distance, and anticipation. The business was usually operating like normal, and we had to move quickly to capture the footage we needed.

Logo Animation

To help with the branding of this project, I stepped in and animated the logo that is featured at the beginning of ever Made in Mankato documentary release.

Completed Project

The video below is one of the twelve documentaries that we created. This video is one of my favorites because of our team's deep connection with the owners, and I felt the footage was well done. The documentary also helped the business secure a TV pilot called "Minnesota Salvage."