How can we help the community and grow at the same time? These were my initial thoughts for adaptable service offers from Brick House Media Co, my custom media strategy and production company based in the county. Not an easy question to answer in these odd times, and it took a few months to develop this new concept.
With COVID-19 continuing to spread, it has changed our working game and still so many people working from home, outside the office. We know some have returned to work at emptier office spaces but most are really different from a few months ago. So how can we offer our services more remotely, safely and on the move?
One answer #vanlife
“Vanlifers see themselves as free from restrictions and rules. They do not want to be in R.V. parks. They want to be in the wilderness or on the streets of beach towns.”
Vanlife is a cultural movement of people customizing all types of ‘vans’ as vehicles capable of sustaining mobile living and nomads working too. The cache of this movement is cooler than simply RV living and represents a deeper level of creativity, minimalism and adventure all rolled into one. When we thought of the values of our own company… all three surely apply!
So in early July, after heavy searching (via Craigslist and the CarGuru app) we were able to secure our first company van, a 2016 Ford Transit 350 XLT a passenger van. As an active father of two young boys, having legal and safe interior seating was a necessity, hence the passenger model over the cargo. Passenger vans have a few positives such as more seat configurations, large scenic windows and insulated interiors. While empty cargo vans are epic for customizing 100% of van interiors, they also require much more time, money and van building skills… three areas I’m low on for the moment. So we are humbled and proud to offer new video productions, audio capture (think podcasting and interviews) and also still photography inside, around and on-location via the van.
The Van (Name TBD) with all new ceramic window tinting, the best and darkest films available for blackout privacy and major heat reduction by Santa Cruz’s own Central Coast Audio & Tint
The business case: supporting businesses to remain open to grow and to survive this moment in time. All companies are adapting from the pandemic, from large to small and Corona has already unfortunately removed some from the market and more to come. A colleague coined the term, ‘Business First Responder’ and we liked, Mobile Responsive Media Productions… relating to how we can respond and as a play on web design format. With any new venture, getting feedback first is critical to define the real need.
In May, we worked with Matthew at Event Santa Cruz to help live stream a music concert at the now closed Felton Music Hall. Learning how we can still create and people want to be engaged via video streaming to Facebook and Instagram.
In June, we helped local Community Bridges produce videos to help save ElderDay, a local senior and special needs care center to remain open from CA state funding cuts. Learning how digital media and video can help to keep organizations and businesses afloat by sharing their mission, impact and need in the community as essential.
In speaking with more colleagues and clients we started to realize the supreme importance of up-to-date communications, rapid turn-around digital media and up-to-date engagement of existing customers and users. Businesses simply have to inform and communicate more now and digital media is the key!
For the businesses that have lost access to their offices and studio spaces we hope to offer remote productions inside the van, around it with backdrops or on-location services. Safety is always our priority and so we will be fully masking up and sanitizing the van in between all clients.
We’re excited to partner with Andrew Devlin the CEO from PitchHub to provide custom script services, using their cool new teleprompter features and remote editing services for projects. PitchHub is now supporting hundreds of regional real estate agents and they’re excited to leverage the van for remote productions at home and outside their offices.
For audio folks, such as podcasters and other media creators, being able to record in an insulated sound dampened van will be helpful, especially with many of us with kids and families all under one roof. Homework has taken on a whole new meaning, WFH culture is changing how we all function, here are some tips from Zen Hustlers.
We’ll be also be building out a custom roof rack and roof deck for more aerial type media shots and for drone capture... thanks to some local pilots.
Our ninja skill is media strategy for business video… so the van will operate as a mobile production studio including backdrops, greenscreen and on-location capture. We’ll modify the van interior to be modular and flexible for these options and also offer in-van editing on the fly. Feel free to stay tuned into our Instagram @bhmediaco , please follow along our journey.
We’re continuing to offer local nonprofits and community organizations truly discounted rates during these times to make sure they remain open. We want to hear how we can help you and your business to survive and continue to thrive. Learn more and book a free consultation at: bhmedia.co/van
