Stories have the power – and the responsibility – to shape the world around us. Our purpose as a storytelling studio has always been to create meaningful and lasting connections with people, through love and stories. And our practice has always been to look to the horizon in order to understand the present. Shaping what’s to come, adapting to the reality of the moment, while learning from mistakes of the past. This is the direction we were always headed, we’re just getting there faster – because we have to. Because 2020 was such a wildly transformational year for all of us. Because we know we must continue to tell stories, especially when the world needs connection most.
Don’t
Stop
We’re experiencing an ongoing global crisis. Where the COVID-19 pandemic shook our foundations, centuries of social and economic inequality had already cleaved a fault line. It became clear early in the year that 2020 posed an existential threat not only to creative studios like Revery, but to the integrity of stories and how we tell them, who gets to tell them, and who is heard. Our human story was in danger, and it had been – for too long.
Where the pandemic put restraints on our business, we saw opportunities to reimagine from the ground up. Our goal is not to return to the old normal – broken, static, prescribed – but to help build a stronger, more equitable future. We are innovating, adapting, and moving forward with each new project, and continuing to review our company from top to bottom. In our pursuit, we are putting stories first.
We are setting solutions in place in order to continue telling stories for generations to come. In doing so, we’ve taken several steps to get back to shooting. We began our efforts to promote a safe, unified, and equitable return to live action production as members of a state task force, helping write the Oregon Production Protocols for COVID-19 with the Governor’s Office of Film & Television and Oregon Media Production Association. We can continue to refine our approach as our industry gets back to work. And we can take the added space in our workdays to do our part to implement deeper change.
We know that the gravity of our challenges pales in comparison to those of many, and that the creative tests we are faced with are ones we are ultimately lucky to have. We are full of gratitude to do what we love, day in and day out. That’s why we have established new systems, protocols, and resources to ensure Revery can continue to support our partners in bringing their stories to life while the pandemic – and our story – continues.
- Step 1: Get your people safe.
- Step 2: Get your community safe.
- Step 3: Reimagine your workflow.
- Step 4: Establish safety protocols.
- Step 5: Return to production.
Production is Revery’s DNA. We will never sell through creative that we cannot, in turn, produce. This includes both on-location as well as virtually-executed projects. We believe strongly in right-sizing our production approach for clients to deliver the most efficient production experience, while minimizing exposure during shoots, and of course without sacrificing quality. This efficiency is additionally critical during this unique time with ever-changing restrictions in place, from 3 person shoots to crews of 75.
As your partner, if the project at hand calls for a live action shoot, we will maximize our creative and production output while minimizing production spend: we will utilize a compact production crew, make smart decisions during pre-production to calibrate each department, and promote transparency and frequent communication through remote collaboration tools like live streaming and collaborative working documents. Or rather, if your project doesn’t call for a shoot, we love those opportunities too.
Revery maintains an extended network of collaborators, crew, and vendors so that prep is in continuous coordination and communication with the executing team. We believe in frequent, proactive communication during concepting and pre-production to weigh creative aspiration against feasibility, to ensure alignment across all parties, and guarantee a successful production. We have a phase built into our project plan to calibrate the creative for the moment based on what we believe to be the current industry guideposts. Here are few example of the efforts we’re taking:
Shoot Planning
- Constantly consulting with local film boards and production partners to stay updated on guidelines and evolving restrictions in different markets. Leverage our global network to plan productions in multiple cities, maximizing options for ultimate flexibility, creative potential, and ability to respond to evolving health trends and restrictions.
- Enlisting in-market COVID Officer in day(s) ahead of shoot (tech scout, stage load-in day) to formulate and provide a written safety plan to all participants in advance of shoot days, including a detailed floor plan with all proper barriers and safety measures outlined in advance.
- Proactively updating our clients and partners with the reality of what’s possible and forecasting where challenges may arise and working closely to tailor creative intentions within safe protocols.
- Providing creatively-based solutions when honoring safety protocols, ensuring both story and people are supported. When it may be a good fit for the project, we recommend hiring real people (families, couples, etc) as our talent to practice safe distancing measures, as well as identifying and suggesting locations that minimize filming in public or confined spaces.
On-Set Adjustments
- COVID Compliance Officer and team supervising set to ensure distancing and proper disbursement of PPE.
- Limited crew, cast, agency, and client on set at any given time.
- Zone designations for all personnel - separate pods and identification per department.
- Added precautions and protection for Wardrobe and Hair & Makeup departments.
- Rapid COVID testing for Crew and Talent at call time.
- Catering and craft service modifications.
- Shoot day schedules that reflect a more cautious – and ultimately more productive – collaboration and pace.
Remote Workflow
- Virtual participation in pre-production milestones including castings, fittings, art reviews, and the pre-production meeting.
- Production days are live-streamed so that clients can participate without compromise: see what the camera does and collaborate with the Director and Department Heads.
- Collaborative software and digital form-sharing allows Production teams to stay nimble while keeping apart.
- We are always tailoring our approach to meet the needs of our clients and partners.
Storytelling carries us through the darkest and the brightest moments in history. We believe the way we tell these stories must always shift and reflect the time. And today is certainly no exception. Charting the path through chaos is why we exist as producers, as creatives, as storytellers, and simply, as humans. Adjusting our course as needed, while staying rooted in the things that matter most—despite the wild unknowns coming at us from every direction. We accept the world is moving fast and we believe it is our duty to ensure stories remain shared as a point of connection.
We need stories,
and they need you.
Leverage
Leverage motion graphics design in lieu of live action.
Direct
Direct a shoot remotely using virtual production tools.
Shoot
Shoot tabletop product with a robotic arm.
Remix
Remix and edit archival content in new and exciting ways.
Embrace
Embrace user generated content to empower the audience.
Design
Design and deploy a digital-first experience.
Create
Create a mixed-media piece with found footage.
Invest
Invest in a global design system or content playbook.
Renew
Renew your talent and music licenses for another term.
Empower
Empower an influencer or artist to create content for you.
Host
Host a virtual event to reach a global audience.
Start
Start a movement or get behind a cause you believe in.
#storiesdontstop
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