This is a compilation of some of the visual highlights from the world of comedy we have had a chance to chronicle over the last few years.

With Corporate Documentaries and on-going video blogs content is no longer simply relegated to the office. Subject matter can be engaging. We can be a “fly-on-the-wall” as you engage with clients and go through your daily hustle.

Over the past several years we have produced over 80 documentaries for international distribution. For over the past decade, RabbitView has produced documentaries for The Documentary Channel and CTV, TV commercials, a weekly TV Real Estate series for Corus Customs Network, and a national ad campaign for Le Chateau. Our work has also appeared on such broadcast outlets as ESPN, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Dish, DirectTV, Spectrum, Google Play.

We draw upon this experience so entrepreneurs and corporate clients can have on-going content that is authentic and engaging.

#video #documentaries #storytelling #authenticity

In this episode, Tony Hinchcliffe gives a little background on how the “Kill Tony” podcast / show developed and we get to see how “preparation meets opportunity” for a few up and coming comics.

When the show on-stage ends, our show begins …

But this path to prominence is filled with numerous obstacles.  Long days, late nights, and a demented cast of characters surrounded by vices, Hirsch’s group of comics can be an insufferable lot filled with a mix of self-loathing and insecurities.  For every time they “kill” on stage or land that next big gig, they also suffer on-stage bombs, mental breakdowns, lack of discipline, neurosis, insecurities, ego, narcissism, excess, jealousy, moodiness, irritability, anxiety, laziness, bitterness, greed, insecurity and a variety of other self-sabotaging traits that threaten to derail their progress.  However, Jake is driven, and his comics are unequivocally talented and funny.  They all dream of “making it,” however, navigating these aforementioned landmines, and rising through the crowded ranks of comics, will definitely prove to be a formidable task.

Hirsch relentlessly prowls open mics and comedy festivals scouting for new comic talent.   In his impassioned pursuit of becoming the next “king of comedy,” he mines his way through the crowded field of aspiring comics in an effort to uncover the next diamond in the rough.   Jake balances his time trying to polish these new-found talents while managing the burgeoning careers of his madcap attention-seeking roster.  A master schmoozer, the enterprising manager is also continually hobnobbing with big-name comics in an effort to promote their shows and build his brand. 

You’re Funny provides an unfiltered glimpse behind the bright spotlight into the comedy business. The comics hone their craft travelling to various clubs and shows, while struggling to navigate their careers and rise through the ranks of the ruthless comedy-club system.  In addition to showcasing their on-stage performances, the series will pull back the curtain and provide unparalleled access to their colourful off-stage antics. The camaraderie and competition, rivalries and rituals, and sordid shenanigans that characterize this captivating subculture will provide plenty of moments of poignancy and hilarity, and form the building blocks for numerous compelling story arcs.

Documentary content has the opportunity to be unbelievably compelling because it can provide an unfiltered glimpse behind-the-scenes of interesting subcultures. The comedy club scene and the world of comics certainly exemplifies a setting with colourful characters and scenarios as well as absorbing narratives.

This video highlights one of many shorts set that we filmed for The Jake Hirsch Entertainment Group. It features brash young comic Brett Forte, who has appeared at The World Famous Comedy Store opened for the likes of Bobby Lee and Chris D’Elia, and worked alongside Russell Peters.  He is a young comic on the rise. In addition to filming comics on-stage we look forward to supplementing that content by filming their antics off stage as well.

While the antics of comedians certainly will provide a lot of fodder for great viewing, we are trying to connect with entrepreneurs, leaders, trail-blazers, influencers or pundits who provides a service or product, or are beacons of a particular community, niche, lifestyle or subculture. These people/groups often have stories worth sharing and the creation of a systematized filming/editing workflow enables greater accessibility of professional on-going doc-style content.

RabbitView has had the opportunity to film numerous city landmarks in Calgary and provided video services for essential city services such as The Calgary Fire Department and The Department of Transportation.   We recently were tasked with filming Mayor Naheed Nenshi and the unveiling ceremony of one of Calgary’s historic Centre Street Lions at Rotary Park.  Previously we were given the assignment of producing a video on The Calgary Peace Bridge, something that has certainly become one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.  These sorts of cultural monuments are important to providing a municipality with a distinct character and providing the images that are used to present the iconic landmarks is certainly a momentous responsibility.

We have also provided video content for various Calgary city counselors, and covered areas such as property assessments, the impact of the floods, culture in Calgary, the opening of local community amenities, and city growth.  Being on the preferred vendors list for The City of Calgary, and having had successful alliances with such groups as The Calgary Real Estate Board is something we are very proud of because it signifies our high standard of production and client service.  When you enter into a committed partnership with these sorts of organizations, there is a very thorough vetting process.  Not only are you measured by the quality of your work, but there is a check with references and previous customer experience.  When tasked with the responsibility of delivering content on important city matters presented to the public, your company has to have significant experience in delivering clear, professional content.  Furthermore you have to have a proven track-record of adapting to various shooting scenarios, providing deliverables on-time, meeting specific budgets, and properly covering important details such as having the proper liability insurance and acquiring the proper waivers and paperwork.

Essentially, the ability to craft quality productions is only one part of the equation when clients choose to work with RabbitView.  Building a stellar reputation through on-going commitment to quality customer service is the other very important factor.  We take a great deal of pride in providing all of our clients, regardless of size, this same commitment to both quality production value and clear communication and customer satisfaction.  Since 2003 we have had thousands of positive customer interactions and hold a A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.  It is our goal to continue to build our reputation so we can continue to work on new and engaging project s with a diverse set of clients.

Testimonial videos are a simple but important part of the success of most businesses. Building loyal clients and customers helps establish your credibility and highlight your expertise. When you record that testimonial with a video, potential future clients can see that the person delivering the message is indeed genuine when being complementary about your company. In addition, you can pair their positive remarks with images that also highlight their positive interaction. As they say, “pictures don’t lie” and having images that support the dialogue will undoubtedly strengthen the quality of a testimonial.

At RabbitView, we have had the opportunity to film many first-person testimonials. In our experience, the best testimonials are simple messages where the customer describes their satisfaction with a particular service or product and their affirmative comments are matched with images that support their testimony. When you have a video documenting a testimony, a person’s sincerity can be witnessed and this is definitely something that is integral when we are directing people when asking them about a particular service or product. We make sure that the subject is relaxed and get them to talk clearly about their true experience. In the editing process, we make sure to accentuate the most positive aspects of that experience.

With your video testimonial you will be able to elicit an emotional reaction from potential clients by not only appealing to them visually but by pairing those appropriate visuals with pointed dialogue and affecting music. Promoting your business with the strategic and intelligent use of a video testimonial is a simple a proven method of enhancing your reputation.

When prospective clients are booking a show or hiring a speaker, inevitably they are going to want to see a video clip.  Speakers have to engage audiences and have substantive messages in order to differentiate themselves to land gigs – corporate event planners want to see examples of enthralled audiences and speakers who deliver their message in a dynamic fashion.

When trying to highlight and illustrate these points, video is undoubtedly the best medium to do so.  At RabbitView we have produced a large number of speaker videos and presenters such a Wayne Lee employ us on a regular basis to highlight what they do for prospective new clients as well as to create on-going content for their social media platforms.