Here at Slow Clap Productions, we are blessed with the opportunity to film in some amazing places with our corporate and commercial clients who like to think outside the box and venture forth from the office. Being in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are spoiled for choice! But there are some places so special that it’s worth giving them a shout out and, dare we say, a slow clap, for being over-the-top fantastic. 

In no particular order, here are some favorite filming locations in our stomping grounds.

Samuel P. Taylor Redwood Forest

2,700 acres of Redwood trees. What’s not to love? This state park is located in Marin County and offers a quieter chance to commune with nature’s tallest trees than the more touristy Muir Woods. Also, you can camp there! 

In 2022, we filmed Chris Young, General Counsel for Ironclad in these woods, which he calls his “happy place,” when things in the world get a little too crazy. This shoot may appear peaceful and zen-like, but we pulled out all the stops including a 12-foot jib, to capture the majesty of these woods.

Take a look at the full project and the BTS below.

Ironclad State of Digital Contracting Spring 2022

Behind The Scenes

Salesforce Tower

This tower is one of the newest additions to make the list of iconic structures in San Francisco. The six-year-old tower is the tallest in the city and the 12th tallest in the United States. It’s also home to the highest public art installation in the country! 

You can catch sight of some of the interiors of the tower in this video we produced for the Asian Law Caucus. Gotta love those gorgeous windows and the view from the Covington and Burling office sees all of downtown San Francisco!

Asian Law Caucus: Covington and Burling

The San Francisco Waterfront via Heron’s Head Park

You can’t talk about the Bay Area without talking about the waterfront. It is the defining feature of the region, both geographically and in the name! While there are many breathtaking views to be had from all angles of the San Francisco Bay, one of our favorites is Heron’s Head Park. It’s a 22-acre, wetland park just south of Pier 96 that’s ideal for bird watching. It also features The EcoCenter, a 100-percent, off-the-grid, living classroom and visitor center. It’s a great place for kids and family to unplug from the hustle and bustle within the city limits. 

You can catch views of the park alongside other iconic waterfront spots in this video we produced for The Port of San Francisco, which manages the waterfront:

The History of San Francisco Waterfront

San Lorenzo High School (SLZHS)

This high school is the perfect place to channel your inner Molly Ringwald or Judd Nelson ala The Breakfast Club. This school was built in the 1950s and just oozes vintage vibes with wood paneling and green chalkboards. 

We filmed a 1980’s high school themed virtual event for Ironclad at SLZHS. We had an absolute blast getting our clients into character. Mary O’Carroll, Chief Community Officer for Ironclad, even got dropped off for “school” in a 1980s Porsche 911 and sported permed hair, a black leather jacket, and her Ironclad Academy “yearbook.” 

Ironclad State of Digital Contracting Summer 2022

Bernal Heights

Lea Loeb/ Golden Gate Xpress

• 360, breathtaking views of San Francisco and the Bay? Check.
• Wildflowers and wildlife (including coyotes)? Check.
• Hidden staircases and a scenic tree swing for selfies and IG reels? Check.

If you’re looking for a picturesque spot that’s a little off-the-beaten path, check out Bernal Heights, a residential neighborhood on a hill in the southeast portion of San Francisco. We love the spectacular views that aren’t typically seen in videos. 

You can see what we mean in this video we made to showcase the San Francisco Treasury Kindergarten to College Program. 

A Future Worth Saving For 

In the Bay Area, there’s always more to explore. Here are a few spots on our filming wishlist.

Hiller Aviation Museum

Hiller Aviation Museum

This collection specializing in Northern California aircraft and helicopter history will delight children and adults alike. Located at the San Carlos airport, the Hiller Aviation Museum features more than 50 aircrafts, many of which you can climb inside. It also boasts a replica of the first privately-financed commercial spacecraft; and no, it wasn’t manufactured by SpaceX! This museum is chock-full of visual delights that would be a dream to film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlbAW7o0t7

Mama Dog Studios

Mama Dog Studios

Mama Dog Studios is to Bay Area filmmakers what Carnegie Hall is to musicians: a second-to-none venue to showcase your craft. This 5,000 square foot production space features a drool-worthy, 35’ x 55’ cyclorama soundstage that we would love to play in. We hope 2024 will be the year that we have the opportunity to collaborate with one of our clients in this special space. Also, did we mention that they are a locally-owned, dog-loving business in the heart of Oakland? Clearly, we have a lot in common! 

You can check out Mama Dog’s fabulous studio in this walkthrough video:

Mama Dog Studios Tour 2022 

Point Bonita Lighthouse

Al Greening/ National Park Service 

This historic lighthouse at the mouth of the San Francisco Bay is a beaut. At 306 feet above the sea, this picturesque watchtower in the middle of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area can only be accessed via a suspension bridge during fair weather. The half-mile trail to the lighthouse is also chock-full of spectacular sights, including views of the Golden Gate Bridge, paths through hand-carved tunnels, and observation points to spy marine life such as harbor seals, whales, and porpoises.

It may not be as famous as that lighthouse in Forrest Gump, but you can achieve a similar look at Point Bonita.  We think it’s still a beautiful (bonita means beautiful in Spanish!) place to film. 

Here’s a brief travel blog detailing the hike to Point Bonita:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRYgpvRVCbY

Got any spots we’ve missed? Or, are you dreaming of a video in a fabulous locale? We’d love to hear from you! We’re available to help you achieve your next project at hello@slowclap.com. 

Blogs to check out:

Tips for Great Video Production at any Budget

Why Your Company Needs Branded Content

How to Maximize Views for Your Video Content

These Five Case-Study Videos Earn Brand Recognition

Five Great Explainer Videos

Get to know Kiante a bit better with our quick Q&A interview.

Introduce yourself!

Hi! My name is Kiante. I was born and raised in Oakland. As a kid, I dreamed of being a pro-wrestler, but now I’m a filmmaker. At the age of 12, I started making Pro-Wrestling Stop Motion on Youtube. I wrestled throughout high school and continued my stop-motion animations. I decided to major in cinema at San Francisco State University. I made a short film during my last semester of my sophomore year and that is what inspired me to be a filmmaker today.

What made you interested in joining Slow Clap?

As a new filmmaker, my experience has mainly been short films. The process has been very fun and rewarding but definitely challenging. I’ve been a one-man band, working on a few music videos and weddings for a few friends and family. I’ve also filmed for a fitness competition, an episodic hunting video, and for the real estate industry. These experiences have helped me with producing videos for people. I was interested in Slow Clap because I wanted to join fellow filmmakers and learn the process of production. Slow Clap was a great fit for my goals because of the company’s authentic, docustyle storytelling approach.

What’s your role? What made you gravitate towards this craft?

I am the Camera & Post Production Assistant and right-hand man to Jake Richards! Working with Slow Clap, I’ve learned the importance of transitioning from working solo to a team. I really enjoy interacting with the team as well as the clients. I especially enjoy making clients feel comfortable and at ease during the interview process. Sitting in front of the camera isn’t as easy as it seems!

Favorite Film? What am I watching?

My favorite film so far is Scarface because of Tony Montana’s character development. I loved  the character arc of leaving Cuba, going through from literal “rags to riches” which then takes an epic turn, leading to one of the greatest lines of all time: “Say hello to my little friend.” I recently watched, The Killer, from one of my favorite directors, David Fincher. I will say it’s another banger from him.

I take a lot of inspiration from my favorite directors and writers: David Fincher, Aaron Sorkin, Bong Joon Ho, Ryan Coogler, and Donald Glover. Thanks to my part-time job as an usher at the Grand Lake Theater, I recently saw Oppeheimer and Killers of the Flower Moon; two films from two of the greatest directors in cinema history. Experiencing these films on the big screen was amazing! 

Also, I’m writing a feature film script that spans various genres: Drama, Thriller, and Crime. 

Any Hobbies?

I love to read fiction and self-help. A must-read is ‘Psycho-Cybernetics,’ as it changed my whole perspective on achieving life goals. I also enjoy bowling with friends, writing, and directing my short films.

Here is one of my short films inspired by the bipping of cars that’s rampant in the Bay Area. I even submitted it to a horror short film contest!

Lastly, favorite projects you’ve worked on/seen from Slow Clap?

My favorite project so far is the client testimonial for InterPayments, which involved a trip to Orange County.  I enjoyed getting to know the crew that helped make the projects so eventful and professional. 

One of my favorite videos on the website is “The Story of Freemark Abbey” as the story and cinematography is amazing. 

I was also heavily involved in the creation of this year’s Slow Clap Holiday card. I have a lot of experience in stop motion, so the team let me flex my creative muscles. A lot went into the creation of the project and I love the way it turned out.  

Meet the rest of the Slow Clap team, if you haven’t already!

Dan Lichtenberg, Founder & Creative Director

Sarah Nathan, Producer

Katy Bailes, Producer

Beijo Lee Wang, Associate Producer

Jake Richard, Post-Production and Camera Manager

Alexander Flores, Junior Editor

Darissa Hicks, Production Coordinator

Get to know Sarah a bit better with our quick Q&A interview.

Introduce yourself!

Howdy! I’m Sarah and I’m the latest lucky duck to join Team Slow Clap. I recently moved to the Bay Area from Charleston, South Carolina with my fiancé and our dog, but I’m originally from New Jersey. Prior to Slow Clap, I was a producer/shooter with AJ+, a digital channel of Al Jazeera. My background is visual journalism and documentary but I also have experience in educational marketing and communications.

What’s your role? What made you gravitate towards this craft?

I’m a producer, which means I’m involved in the storytelling process from start to finish. I gravitated towards video production because I love to connect with people and tell stories. As a kid, I explored storytelling through theater and music, but I had the good fortune to take a photojournalism/multimedia class in college and I was hooked.

What’s your prior experience? What made you interested in joining Slow Clap?

I often describe myself as a visual storyteller because my prior experience is diverse. In addition to being a producer, I’m also a photographer, cinematographer, camera operator, and editor, so I have a lot of experience in most aspects of video and visual production. 

I joined Slow Clap because I want to expand my skill set to include more scripted, commercial work while still having the opportunity to pursue docustyle projects. I was impressed that Slow Clap has attracted a diverse client base that allows them to produce a wide range of visual work. One of my favorite things about video production is learning new things every day with every project. I love that I will have the opportunity to connect with clients who work in corporate, tech and nonprofit industries during my time at Slow Clap. 

I was also excited about the opportunity at Slow Clap because of its seamless blending of a casual, approachable demeanor with utter professionalism. The company culture deeply resonates with my personal work ethos.

Favorite Film? What am I watching?

I’m a documentary nut, but Amélie, O Brother Where Art Thou?, and Singing in the Rain are on the list of all-time favorite narrative films. You can count on me for a good documentary recommendation, usually in the cult-genre. This summer, my fiancé and I have been binge-watching M.A.S.H, a childhood favorite of his. We’re on Season 7 and I’m still upset that they killed off Colonel Blake at the end of Season 3. 

Any Hobbies?

I love hiking with my dog Ollie, so please send your favorite Bay Area trails my way! I can often be found at farmers markets laden with local produce or at a vintage/thrift store. I enjoy baking bread and exploring a variety of craft projects that allow me to create something with my hands. My current interest is bundle dyeing; think tie-dyeing but with natural plant materials. I also love working up a good sweat in a hot yoga class or on a dance floor. I’m also always down for a good pub trivia.

Lastly, favorite projects you’ve worked on/seen from Slow Clap?

I’m brand spanking new, so I haven’t worked on any projects yet, but I can’t wait to dive in! Some of the projects that drew me to Slow Clap were The GitHub Building the Future video, an elegant scripted project, as well as the short documentary featuring the story of Daniel Maher for the Asian Law Caucus. It’s a powerful story that humanizes the struggle many immigrants face in this country while highlighting the important work of a local civil rights organization. 

Meet the rest of the Slow Clap team, if you haven’t already!

Dan Lichtenberg, Founder & Creative Director

Katy Bailes, Producer

Beijo Lee Wang, Associate Producer

Jake Richard, Post-Production and Camera Manager

Alexander Flores, Junior Editor

Darissa Hicks, Production Coordinator

With more and more things clamoring for our attention in the digital age, and even less attention to devote to them, the competition for those precious seconds of customer engagement is fierce. And in those few seconds, brands have to communicate their message in a way that’s compelling, interesting and impactful to their customers.

That’s a pretty tall order to fill for just a few seconds isn’t it?

Fortunately, video gives you a way to not only attract attention, but build brand awareness in a way that encourages the customer to learn more. Here’s why video is the best option to connect with new customers and how to do it right: 

Why Use Video to Create Branded Content? 

Whether you’re creating a corporate or non-profit video, your chosen “brand content vehicle” matters. And with online video viewing on the rise globally, there’s no better time to share your story visually than right now. Here’s why: 

Video is Engaging and Memorable

Great video has the ability to connect with viewers in ways that plain text or images can’t. Through a combination of sound and visuals, video has the potential to plant a seed in our mind. 

Whether through a quirky slogan, a catchy beat, or an awe-inspiring moment, we often find ourselves sharing it with friends, who share it with friends of friends, and so on. In the very best cases, a video is so good that it goes viral.

Here’s one such example from LG promoting their HD TVs. Nearly everyone can identify with the stress of a job interview. Now add the end of the world to that moment and you’ve got a video that people can’t help but talk about—to the tune of 33 million views.

Video Forges an Emotional Connection

Great branded content isn’t just about presenting a product. It’s about presenting a product as part of a larger, more intricate and more compelling story. Through visual cues, music, speech, body language, and tone, branded content can evoke everything from joy to empathy, excitement to inspiration. Done right, these very same emotions can nurture and create a positive association with the brand they’re promoting. 

This Coca-Cola commercial, will tug at your heartstrings even though the people involved are thousands of miles away. If nothing else, it most certainly gives you a new perspective on the holiday season.

Video Demonstrates Value – Quickly

Even though our attention is often being pulled in a thousand different directions at once, there’s still a spark of an opportunity to create value, and video is the best way to get that message across succinctly. 

Video directly answers the question at the forefront of the viewer’s mind: “What’s in it for me?” Nobody wants to sit through a minute and a half product pitch droning on and on. But they will watch a captivating video showing just how far we’ve come in our quest to do things not just faster, but also better. 

Branded content allows brands the freedom to showcase their values, mission, and personality in a way that is authentic and real. Have a look at the video we created for GitHub to see just how quickly value can be shared in a way that’s powerful and impactful. 

Video Lets You Tell a Compelling Story

Last, but certainly not least is the very heart of what video and branded content is all about: storytelling. We’ve been sharing stories around a campfire for generations and even with the advent of new technology, there’s something about a captivating story that speaks to us on a different level.

This video from Dove tells the story, not of Dove the brand, but of women who, for years, have been told by society, television, and even by their parents, how they look. So during the video, you can hear them share these bits of self with the artist by saying things like “My mom told me I have a big jaw.” or “I would say I have a pretty big forehead.”

When they see how the forensic artist has drawn them, their natural beauty surprises them, leading one woman to add “I should be more grateful of my natural beauty. It impacts the choices in friends we make, the jobs we apply for, how we treat our children.” Dove doesn’t even mention its products, it merely creates this association of real beauty with its brand.

Can I Use a Branded Content for Marketing? 

So far, we’ve talked a lot about building brand awareness using video, but what about the next step and using branded video content for marketing? Here are seven steps you’ll need to take to ensure your branded content resonates well with your target audience: 

Step 1: Define Your Marketing Goals

Are you aiming to drive website traffic? Promote brand recognition, generate leads, or introduce a certain product? The clearer your goals, the better your video will be at reaching them. By defining your goals before the video production gets underway, you’ll also give your video production team room to get creative and make your marketing vision happen. 

Step 2: Identify Your Target Audience

Knowing your ideal customer’s demographics is a key step in video creation. The more you can be “in tune” with your target audience, the more your video will stand out and get watched. 

Step 3: Weave Your Narrative

The key to a successful branded content piece is a compelling narrative: a mission, story, or piece of content that attracts attention and helps people to see themselves in the story. What kind of emotions or messages do you want to share? Look at the examples above for several ideas to help inspire you. 

Step 4: Create a Powerful Script

The best video scripts communicate your brand in as few words as possible. Keep your script clear, concise, and compelling and look for ways to connect with your viewers through the power of emotional storytelling.

Pro tip: Work with a video agency like Slow Clap on this step, if you don’t have the capabilities in-house.

Step 5: Plan for Your Shoot

What sort of visual style, tone, and mood will your video evoke? High quality video, animation, graphics, and music that all align with your brand each work like pillars to prop up the message you’re promoting and the words and feelings you want to be associated with your brand. 

Step 6: Optimize for Different Platforms

Once your video is complete, you’ll want to ensure that it’s optimized for different platforms and devices. Depending on your marketing goals, your video may be broadcast at a conference or showcased on Instagram or anything in between. Make sure it’s designed to work flawlessly on the platforms you’re targeting, including on mobile devices. 

Step 7: Promote and Share Your Video

Even after the production work is done, you still have to promote your video. Add it to your website, your social media accounts, relevant video sharing platforms, and encourage viewers to do the same. You have a wide range of options for marketing your video, including partnerships with influencers, email marketing, and paid advertising to help boost your video’s reach. 

Conclusion

That’s a considerable number of steps, and for brands that are just starting out—or even more established brands—you may not have the time or the team to do it all yourself. That’s where a great video agency partner like Slow Clap comes in.

Leveraging our experience working with Fortune 500 brands like Sony PlayStation, eBay, Adobe, and Capital One, as well as startups like Slack, Ironclad, and Stampli, our creative team is ready to help you make a powerful impression through video content.