CERISE FILMS – You’re Cherry-Picked Production House

213 W Institute Place, Suite 508 | Chicago, IL 60610

312.402.6956 | amanda@cerisefilms.com

With over 25 years of experience and Chicago’s best freelancers on speed dial, CERISE has what it takes to bring any video to life. We specialize in character-driven pieces, answering the question: what makes a story human? We believe humanity is in the details.

Whether it’s the perfect set designer or a local musician to tailor a song to the story, we cherry-pick the best for the job. No role is more important than the next.

Gail Gilbert founded CERISE in 2007. After spending most of her career as a successful creative editor at a large post-production facility in Chicago, she realized there was more to share with her viewer’s than just her amazing editorial skills. She opened CERISE FILMS to chase her dream to be a director, and dove into the world of production. And so, team CERISE grew.

Added to the roster in 2010, Gail brought in Amanda Marien to capture that fresh-out-of-college vibe CERISE needed to compete in a world no longer run by broadcast spots, but smart phone apps and social media. Her editorial and motion graphic skills brought the company into the third dimension.

With the influx of work, CERISE hired in Jeremy Vranich in 2014 to help produce, giving Gail more time to focus on directing. CERISE FILMS hires in various other specialty freelancers to form the perfect team for every gig.

With Gail’s experience, Amanda and Jeremy’s millennial mind-set, CERISE has the perfect base for HelloTech project. In a world where computers, networks, and mobile devices fuel the environment around us, keeping up can be a challenge. That’s where CERISE and HelloTech are similar. We both understand the value in the next generation. What seems second nature to them, can be a struggle for the rest. It can also bring about some pretty hilarious scenarios--at least when we look back on them, anyway.

Comedy in video production has changed over the years. Nearly everyone has access to YouTube, where “movie magic” is understood by the masses. Using this knowledge, comedy can poke fun at the realism of production. In the Dollar Shave Club video, for example, they satirically break the rules. “Don’t look into the lens.” “Show, don’t tell.” That’s why it’s funny.

Another huge factor contributing to the success of this video is their attention to detail: the set, the sound effects, the camera movements, the ridiculousness of the talent—the character.

Check out “Lunch In Lima” on our portfolio page for an example of how set design can drive a video.

With the majority of YouTube users being in the 18-24 age demographic, it’s important that HelloTech finds the right balance of comedy in their video. Odds are, the older crowd will hear of the video from an 18-24 year old in their life. That means it has to first appeal to that demographic.

The Toys R Us Spot on our portfolio page is an example of a comedy driven spot directed to one demographic (parents), when the product is actually for another demographic (children). It takes the right editor, in this case, Gail Gilbert, to use the best reactions at the perfect time.

We love the idea of using a similar style of shooting, with the attention to detail in the Dollar Shave Club launch video, but expanding it to fit the needs of HelloTech. Today, any parent would laugh at the reality that, well, let’s face it, their kids are smarter than them, at least in the tech world. We can see the video go viral already.

With the team we have, and the access to Chicago’s best freelancer’s, CERISE has the experience and personality to make this video a hit. Using 1-2 shoot days, 1 week for editorial and another week for finishing, this video can be shareable in about two weeks after production.

The majority of the budget would be in the production days. To achieve the fluid camera effect used in the Dollar Shave Club video, we would rent a relievable dolly track and experienced crew to make sure everything goes smoothly.  Maybe even add in a drone. Location and set design would also be a major player in pulling off this video.  We would need 1-2 weeks of pre-production to scout for locations, design the set, find the props, and do casting for the perfect talent. Character is key.

With every project, CERISE hopes to go above and beyond the client’s expectation. One video isn’t enough. We want to be your go-to video people. That’s our goal. With the $7,000-$15,000 budget, we believe we can accomplish this.

Thank you for your consideration in the production and completion of your HelloTech video.

-CERISE FILMS