Our crews are in a class of their own. To become our crews at all, they go through a strict vetting process. Once they’re a part of our online database of international crews and post-production teams, clients can be assured they’re dealing with true professionals. And according to our clients, they’re also just plain delightful to work with. We interviewed Kelly O’Neill, production manager for one of our true standouts—Video Dimensions—to learn more about this month’s featured crew.
Just like our clients, we love working with Video Dimensions. Having a dedicated staff member available for clients means Video Dimensions is able to provide a high level of service from the initial contact through the shoot itself. O’Neill is always on the ball and able to respond to client needs almost immediately—a huge plus in the fast-paced video world.
Crew Connection: What’s your company’s story?
Kelly O’Neill: After being a stringer for news and working in a few other avenues, Steve Liebowitz started Video Dimensions in 2005. When I started in 2008, we shared an office and had all the equipment in one room. We’ve grown steadily since then and now have two studios, plus a room for gear, a makeup room, and more. And everyone has their own offices!
E! News has been our biggest client since the company’s early days—we cover their movie premieres and celebrity interviews. They’re still our bread and butter, but now we also shoot a lot of corporate interviews, multi-camera shoots, live events, and more.
CC: What sets you apart among the competitive New York set?
KO: We have the biggest staff. In addition to having a dedicated staff member for client needs, we also have two people dedicated to taking care of gear, a full-time editor, and three vehicles available to send out crews. This sets us apart from owner-operated situations. Our infrastructure and staff allow us to get things done quickly and smoothly.
CC: What are some interesting shoots you’ve done recently?
KO: We recently did a very complicated Facebook Live shoot with Pampers. It was a live, 4-hour webcast moving between both studios with the singer Ne-Yo and other prominent bloggers. It required a massive coordinated effort and just speaks to our level of organization.
We also got to visit the granddaughter of the artist who created Wonder Woman. We got to tour her house, which is now a Wonder Woman museum. It was just so unique and exciting.
CC: What gear do you use most often?
KO: It’s really important for us to upgrade our lighting, audio mixers, and other gear often. We just added a third Sony FS7 because that camera is going out so much. We also have some new Prime Lenses, a C300 Mark 2s, and a Panasonic VariCam 35 (which is the kind of camera Orange Is the New Black is shot on). Basically, we’re always upgrading to new equipment.
We use our one-by-one bi-color LED lights a lot because they make setting up for interviews simpler, especially when we’re on a short timeline or don’t have a lot of space.
The bottom line
O’Neill says Video Dimensions is a “soup-to-nuts company.” They have producers, editors, writers, videographers…everything…and can put a whole production together within reasonable budgets.
About Video Dimensions, Midtown West:
Video Dimensions Inc. is a full-service production and post-production company. Boasting the ability to shoot on location or in our studios, VDI can equip your single or multi-camera productions with either union or non-union crews. We can see your project through from start to finish with producers, makeup artists, grips, gaffers, teleprompting, and editing in addition to our first-rate video and audio crews.
About Crew Connection
Crew Connection puts a world of video and post-production service providers at your fingertips. In just a few clicks you can search, chat with, and book vetted crews local to your shoot—all on your own schedule. Rely on Crew Connection’s team of media experts to organize the crews and gear you need for multi-day and multi-location video projects anywhere in the world. Our professional crew coordinators are on call around the clock if you ever need live assistance. Sign up on CrewConnection.com, call us at 303-526-4900, or shoot us an email at info@crewconnection.com.
