Introduction
Greetings,
I am Ben Mercedes II, a storyteller dedicated to crafting compelling narratives through film since 2014. It has been my privilege to collaborate annually with diverse non-profit organizations, driven by a personal commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices. As a member of a minority community myself, this work holds profound significance, and I am proud to lead a team comprised predominantly of individuals from similar backgrounds.
My journey stems from an immigrant entrepreneur family, instilling in me a deep sense of gratitude for opportunities like the one presented by this project.
Enclosed are references from several impactful projects, including:
The Brock Foundation, based in Atlanta, GA, focused on creating minority pilots during their high school years.
TechEquity, a California-based non-profit dedicated to fostering equity within the tech industry.
"Nancy Breathes Again," a poignant project documenting my late mother's healthcare journey.
These references offer a glimpse into the breadth of my experience and the depth of my commitment to storytelling with purpose.
Thank you for considering my proposal. I eagerly anticipate the possibility of collaborating with you to bring your vision to life.
Portfolio
Approach
Project Overview: Our proposal outlines a comprehensive plan to produce engaging visual content highlighting the vibrant Fort Pierce neighborhood. We aim to showcase its major landmarks, diverse voices, and key topics through a combination of interviews, B-roll footage, timelapses, and drone shots.
Pre-production Planning:
Identify and select ideal interviewees representing various facets of the Fort Pierce community.
Determine optimal interview locations, considering indoor, outdoor, or hybrid settings to capture authentic narratives.
Conduct thorough scouting to pinpoint major landmarks for inclusion in visual storytelling.
Develop a structured outline of main topics and talking points to guide interviews.
Provide coaching to subjects to foster natural and compelling on-camera presence without reliance on teleprompters.
Production Execution:
Utilize high-quality cinema cameras to film in 4K resolution, ensuring dual recording to guarantee redundancy and data integrity.
Implement a rigorous backup strategy by storing footage on hard drives daily, creating a third backup copy for added security.
Upon return to the studio, upload footage to the cloud and server storage to facilitate seamless collaboration and safeguard against data loss.
Utilize on camera microphones + Lapel mics on our subjects to insure audio quality is of the highest quality
Post-production Expertise:
Within one week of filming completion, synchronize project for efficient editing.
Offer the option to export transcripts of interviews for SGA review, allowing for input on preferred sections or entrusting editing decisions to our experienced team.
Seamlessly integrate interviews with licensed instrumental music and captivating B-roll footage to create two compelling short films.
Provide a review platform for SGA to offer feedback, allowing for precise notes at specific time markers to facilitate revisions.
Offer two rounds of revisions per film to ensure alignment with SGA's vision and objectives.
Timeline: Delivery of first drafts is estimated to be within 2-4 weeks after the shoot date, ensuring timely completion of the project. Any revision requests will be completed within 2-4 business days.
Conclusion: Our proposal embodies a meticulous approach to visual storytelling, aiming to capture the essence of the Fort Pierce neighborhood while ensuring the highest standards of quality and professionalism. We are committed to delivering content that resonates with SGA's mission and exceeds expectations.
We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate on this impactful project and bring the stories of Fort Pierce to life through captivating visual narratives.
