CHICAGO318 W. Adams, Suite 1600Chicago, IL 60606312.585.7649
KANSAS CITY4600 W. 51st Street, Suite 300Roeland Park, KS 66205816.868.8320
April 2, 2020
Video production companies are having a tough time right now. As little as three weeks ago, when businesses talked marketing, video marketing was at the center of every trend. Now, a huge percentage of video production is on pause, and even though it’s difficult to travel, local video production can still be done. Small crews and social distancing mean you can still shoot and edit that all-important CEO message, anthem video, or service offering.
Video marketing remains the highest-performing digital content tactic. Video also drives more views, engagement, and response than any other social posting option. Scenic Road decided to make your life easier and list some of the top video production companies in the United States for 2020. We want you to know that wherever the location of your company or business, making videos as part of your marketing strategy is smart. And necessary. Brands can’t just go dark for extended periods of time without losing their audience. So here goes:
JLB Media Productions, in Birmingham, Alabama, shares a portfolio video that covers its products and service in a streamlined, intelligent way. The business was founded in 2008 by award-winning writer, producer, and director, Jonathan L. Bowen (JLB), and their capabilities include cinematography, aerial videography, motion graphics, animation, and more.
In Montgomery, Alabama, Dan Black Studios can take care of all your video production needs. With a five-star rating on Google, Dan Black Studios offers broadcast and media production expertise. He should be pretty good at what he does since he’s been in the business for 35 years. Dan calls what he does “Creative Ideas,” such as designing, developing, writing, mixing lighting, and much more.
Alaska is a bucket-list state for production, and we were lucky to produce the brand film above.
If it’s not feasible for your brand to fly our small team there, Channel Films in Anchorage is a force with which to be reckoned.
Film and video production in Alaska is kind of like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Ginger had the toughest job because she was always dancing backward in high heels. In Alaska, video production companies have to produce, direct and edit in frigid weather. No, it’s not cold in Alaska all the time, just sayin’. With 26 years of experience, Channel Films has won three Emmys, but they are most proud of the way they build strong partnerships with their clients.
Alaska in Motion is a company run by Beau Sylte, and his wife, Tanya. Not only is Beau a videographer, photographer, and production manager, but he is also a volunteer firefighter. He and Tanya have produced videos in 29 different countries and have worked for large corporations, co-ops, non-profits, corporations, and local organizations. Take a look at what the National Geographic Society had to say about Sylte.
Video production found me. I started making vids in my backyard sandbox with my parent’s 8mm Sony handycam. All through public school education I took photo and video electives, eventually earning me a scholarship to a technical video school. Fresh out of that, I was hired full time at a video studio. That was 13 years ago now. When it comes to travel gigs, getting jobs in other states, not much changes for me. Alaska is huge and has very few roads. I’m always flying to jobs, it’s just part of business here. It takes me more flights to get to Fairbanks AK than it does to get to Seattle.
If you’re looking for facilities, staff, and capabilities in Phoenix, Arizona, you need to visit Sneaky Big. This company has big studios and handles video production for commercial, broadcast, web, and digital projects. These guys have two sound stages, a recording studio, top-of-the-line equipment, and a production team extraordinaire.
Film Creations, LTD. has been around in Tucson since 1978 and could be the oldest and most experienced video production company in the state. Rick Rose, director, videographer, and award-winning producer, is the founder of Film Creations.
Little Rock, Arkansas is the home of 360 Degree Filmworks, an award-winning, full-service video production company that produces videos and television campaigns locally, regionally, and nationally. The company’s motto is, “Your story is not going to tell itself.”
Element Studio is in Lowell, Arkansas, approximately 147 miles northwest of Little Rock. Some of their clients include General Mills, Tyson, Walmart, Nickelodeon, and the University of Arkansas.
Some states have much more experience in film production than others. California is on the top of the video production game, and the city of Los Angeles is the star on top of the tree. Businesses, industries, and brands, small and large, can give AD.JUST Video Production a call if they require a marketing video. The company has offices in LA and Orlando, and their former and current clients include Cirque Du Soleil and Reebok.
In Irvine, California, 212 Degrees Fahrenheit is ready to assist clients who are not looking to make a movie, but those who need help with content production, media buying, commercials, social media, online retail, infomercials, and more. These are the guys to look for when you need creative experience in all levels of budgets and projects.
“Try”, a short brand film shot in Colorado by Scenic Road
Rockethouse Pictures in Denver, Colorado, is a company that brings together inventive, diverse, and skilled minds to connect ideas by using video and film. The team at Rockethouse likes what they do and love making a difference. Whether it’s content development, scriptwriting, casting, or finding locations, this video production enterprise is up to the task. They have the honor of being one of the Top Video Production Companies in Denver.
Colorado is the coolest of the cool without even trying. So you can imagine that there are video production companies in the state that have excellent ratings. One of those companies is Access Media Group in Colorado Springs. The company is a full production studio located at the base of the Rockies. They’ve been in the video business for 40 years. Creativity knows no bounds in Colorado.
Maverick Productions, LLC, is one of the leading video production companies in Hartford, Connecticut. With seven Emmy Awards under its belt, the company covers everything from marketing and sales videos to videos for non-profit organizations.
If you need a full-service video production company, MediaCom, Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut is a smaller company with a big vision and the capability to get the job you need both completed and delivered. This digital media services company gets reliably outstanding results from its projects.
Short Order Production House, in Wilmington, Delaware, is working with the Delaware Department of Education to address the teacher shortage in the state. The video they developed as one part of this mission is bound to give you chills. This company works in commercials, documentaries, radio, training, safety, sketch comedy, musicals, and more.
Located in Wilmington, Deleware, the 1440 Film Co. tells stories that connect, impact, and inspire. The team at 1440 Film Co. say they love telling stories, and they specialize in commercial, documentary, and branded content. These video production men and women say they want to make the most of the 1,440 minutes in each day.
The Sunshine State is full of entrepreneurs, creatives, artists of all kinds, and businesses that need a video to step up their marketing goals. Of course, Orlando is the fastest growing and most artistically drenched of all the larger cities in Florida. And one of the best video production companies in the town is Vibrant Media Productions. This “force of nature” can produce professional and creative media that will resonate with any audience you choose.
Bonomotion Video Agency in Miami, Florida, receives plenty of five-star ratings from Google. The agency covers corporate videos, training videos, commercials, event video production, private parties, expos, and conferences. The team has also created a Marine Video Production arm of their business. They use videos to sell yachts, promote cinematic video tours, and promote interactive 3D yacht tours.
Chroma House is another reputable, highly rated video production company that can connect you to talented production crews with experience on big-name projects.
New York has NYC, and Georgia has the ATL. And in Atlanta, you will find Levitate Media, winner of 6 Inc. 5000 awards. Another thing that sets Levitate apart from the rest is that they offer “free start” to their customers. What “free start” means is that the team will begin discussing the video for a client, will present the first portions of the project, a script, and a visual mock-up. Only then does a client decide whether he or she would like to move forward.
About 37 minutes of driving time from Atlanta is Left Digital Media. This medium-sized production company has 25 years of experience in the professional video production arena and a passion for using video to evoke emotion and propel awareness.
A Day in Hawaii, by Scenic Road
Berad Studio has pre-production capabilities, tools, techniques, distribution support, as well as a goal to make beautiful and remarkable video content. Berad Studios work for clients including Kyoya Hotels, Hawaiian Airlines, and other top-quality enterprises. Based in Honolulu, this studio has every
thing it takes to develop stunning digital storytelling.
Sam Small, director, editor, writer, and producer, is also the owner of Small Wonder Video Services in Maui, Hawaii. In the business since 1979, Small has never stopped production. Small Wonder Video Services may be the largest small company in the US.
Looking for a company that does excellent work in the areas of video production and web design? Many businesses are these days. RedFox Visual in Boise, Idaho, might be the place you are looking for right now. The folks at RedFox Visual understand the importance of video and know how popular (even essential) video is to brands.
Besides earning the 2019 Idaho Business Review Reader Rankings Award as Best Web Design Company, Best Public Relations, and Advertising Agency, PepperShock also has a heart. Located in Nampa, Idaho, this company wants to tell its clients’ stories and create messaging that gets results. You need to see some of their projects in their Portfolio.
Scenic Road in Chicago tells authentic stories for brands. We specialize in documentary-style work that puts a beating heart behind your brand. We offer video and content services. Our team includes artists, strategic digital marketers, cinematographers, and journalists. We integrate seamlessly with our clients. At Scenic, we get stuff done, on-time and on-budget. We work across the country and internationally for brands like Bayer, John Deere, Pella Windows, HNTB, Samsung, SunTrust, VFW, and numerous others.
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Think Ahead Studios works with small business owners as well as medium to large e-commerce companies. As one of the top video production companies in the country, they also have experience with start-ups and national and international businesses. Their goal is to connect people and ideas through video, motion graphics, and visual effects.
Located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, Vidionix is into live event production, event activation, multi and superwide screens, live streaming, and A/V procurement. Vidionix supplies virtual reality, trade shows, augmented reality, interactive displays, and 360-degree video to its clients.
515 Productions has a basecamp in Des Moines, Iowa, and has the equipment and expertise to complete almost any product anywhere, no matter how tough the terrain may be. This company has a fresh way of looking at things. They create secure connections and trust with their audiences. The team says videos can tap into people’s emotions, and they know how to use visuals and sound to give their audiences goosebumps.
Looking for a company to film, edit, and complete your video? Around the Corner Productions (ATCP) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, can get the job done. They are well-trained in the commercial arena, television shows, documentaries, and testimonials. Some clients include John Deere, ESPN, NFL Films, Iowa Public Television, and more.
Scenic Roadis based in Kansas City. Whether you use the skills of the Chicago, Illinois, team or the folks at the Kansas City location, you will receive the same services and philosophy. “We believe that real people are the best, most effective voices for your brand. We use emotional storytelling to drive empathy and to resonate with your core audience. Our expertise in marketing shows and branded entertainment sets us apart.”
BlueFrame Technology
is the only streaming and event technology provider that specializes in the sports market. BlueFrame began in 2015 and now has over 600 customers and services over 100,000 live broadcasts. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, most of its clients are in the collegiate sports market.
In Louisville, Kentucky, Nadus Films is making stunning films. This production company wants to deliver videos that have an impact on the audience and help companies, businesses, brands, non-profits, agencies, and organizations grow. Nadus Films’s team says they are “street smart,” and they produce films that make a difference.
New Orleans is a city close to our hearts, and at Scenic Road, we were proud to tell this story.
Whether your business is small or one of the most recognizable brands in the world, NolaVid can be where you need them to be with a single videographer or an entire crew. This company has done work for Emeril Lagasse, Groupon, Walmart, the Louisiana Restaurant Association, and many more. If you are filming in the New Orleans area, NolaVid is the company to call.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is home to Synergy Productions, Inc. Over 30 years of experience surround each project they accept. This company can create aerial drone video, video production, creative editorial filming, and stock footage and will top it all off with an abundance of Southern Charm.
Portland, Maine is the home of Media Loma, an Emmy Award-nominated, story-driven media production company. Much of the work they enjoy doing focuses on media marketing packages for environmentally conscious organizations in New England and other regions of the US. The Media Loma team has been a part of media production for small business owners, local non-profits, and national multi-million dollar corporations.
The small town of Kennebunk, Maine, a frequent destination for tourists, is also the home of Video Creations, LLC, well-known for its video production, equipment rentals, 12 seasons as Company Videographer for the Ogunquit Playhouse, TV commercials, live event videography, and graphic design.
(Keep reading for 2 OF 2: MARYLAND-WYOMING)