Making Your Film

How can we communicate our mission and our achievements to a wider audience?

Five Star Films helps nonprofits and corporate clients discover the power of visual storytelling through video. We can help you achieve your communications goal - whether it's education, persuasion, fundraising or simply greater public awareness of your organization and its unique programs. We'll advise you on the right distribution strategies to ensure that your videos will reach your target audiences - broadcast television, web, DVD, educational markets, international distribution and much more.

Whatever your goals, you'll always receive our FIVE STAR TREATMENT - the secret to your project's success:

Listening to You

We believe the secret to good client communications is good listening by us - listening actively and with an open mind to the goals and needs behind your words. We don't have any one agenda or strategy for every client. We offer individualized, unique solutions. And you can be assured that our recommendations are always the most cost effective and appropriate video marketing strategies available. We know how to produce videos that are just right for you and your budget.

Challenge Find the best reading teachers in Maryland to train their peers Solution Teaching the Reader, Maryland Public Television, Press Media Award, International Reading Association Council, 2001

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The Art of Persuasion

You have a vital message to deliver - a message about your products, services, programs, advocacy agenda or recent accomplishments. We are expert communicators who know how to find the right words and images to move an audience to tears or to action. We can help you shape your message into a persuasive, visually compelling narrative by telling your real life stories. Our work is always driven by your message, not the other way around!

Making your Message Visually Memorable

Many nonprofits and companies worry that their programs aren't "visual" enough for video. We don't buy that! With creative techniques such as fast cuts, artful camera angles and careful direction of hand held shots we can turn even dull board meetings into interesting video. Whatever challenge you give us, we'll create a recipe for a visual success using a combination of creative production design, good scriptwriting, beautiful graphics and dynamic camerawork for maximum impact.

Challenge Create lively video for training BBC journalists on legal pitfalls of investigative reporting Solution "Courting Trouble", BBC in-house legal training video

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The Power of Our Partnership

We may be the visual communications experts, but you are the vital other half of our dynamic partnership. Our skills in filmmaking, public education and social issue marketing together with your knowledge in the field will produce films that captivate and motivate your target audiences.

A Global Perspective

Making films in Africa and Eastern and Western Europe has given us a rare appreciation of the dramatic differences in perspective and communication styles found around the globe. We have handled a wide variety of languages, cultures and people in our films with sensitivity and understanding. And we are adept at facing and overcoming the challenges that arise during filming overseas. So, wherever your project may take us, you can be assured that we'll be your flexible, patient and compassionate partner, ensuring your project's greatest success.

Challenge Increase public understanding and empathy for the plight of impoverished street vendors in South Africa. Solution The Fast Lane, which aired on SABC3 (South Africa) as part of Expressions documentary series

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