Green Lens Media

Tag: boston

  • Green Lens Media Produces Videos for ELM’s 2020 Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards

    Green Lens Media Produces Videos for ELM’s 2020 Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards

    The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) signed Green Lens Media onboard to create videos for their 2020 Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards. This year’s awards go to Secretary John Kerry (Dec. 8), Biogen (Dec. 10), the League of Conservation Voters (Dec. 15), and the organizers of the Boston Climate Strike (Dec. 17).

    You can read more about the upcoming CELA event below, and register for all four presentations (free) here: http://bit.ly/CELAS2020

    But first, some history about our projects with this terrific organization…

    Our history with ELM…

    GLM was proud to first begin working with ELM in 2017 during their efforts to increase public awareness and support for funding state park projects. As a company founded on the mission of providing top shelf video production services to green and eco-conscious organizations, businesses, institutions and advocates, ELM is exactly the type of client for which we aspire to fill our production schedules.

    Green Lens Media founder Adam Greene captures a foggy scene at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation in Boston, MA.
    GLM Script Supervisor and Camera Assistant Viktor Herrmann discusses shoot agenda with ELM’s Legislative Director Erica Mattison and the rest of the on-camera talent.

    Our film shoots for that first project took us to the hidden gem of Belle Isle Marsh right near Logan Airport, which the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs refers to as a Reservation that “includes the last remnant within Boston of the salt marshes that were once prevalent along the Massachusetts Bay shoreline.” If you haven’t been, put it on your list–it’s an incredible to have in the backyard of Boston. You can check out that production here: 

    ELM also had GLM produce in that campaign a video drawing awareness to the importance of Lobby Day(s), since potential environmental policies are more likely to get attention and become law and real projects the more the public is in favor of those measures. Our Lobby Day video can be viewed here:

    Events: From In-Person to Online

    Since this year’s CELA event is occurring during the pandemic we’ve all been dealing with, ELM was faced with the same predicament many organizations and businesses have been challenged with: how do you create a completely online experience for a normally in-person event? 

    The process of creating such a presentation began with ELM sending GLM photos, zoom interviews they conducted, some graphic layers they’d been using in their marketing and wanted either animated or replicated for brand consistency, and a foundational outline for suggested spoken content that would help drive the narrative. After using that as a guide and putting our own filmmaker-touch on the editing, we then supplemented this with video media of several variations.

    First and foremost, we turned to the archival media from our previous project with ELM 3 years prior. By working with us again, ELM was able to tap the benefits of all the production work done with GLM before, using previously unseen footage, recycling a project with no new cost implication, allowing us to move faster in editing due to our prior organization and familiarity with the footage, and the added benefit of it being customized content for ELM in the first place.

    Next, we turned to select other environmental clientele we felt may have footage in their archives befitting of the project, and after gaining their blessing we were able to showcase some of those clips as well throughout the storytelling.

    We then turned to the GLM archive. We’ve accumulated hundreds of hours of original and personal projects over the years. We combed through our library, picking out moments that could work well for the CELA videos, with the added benefit of not needing to obtain any further releases. Lastly, we looked to round out some of the more global and “climate change in-the-flesh” moments from world events and the news by sourcing from licensable clip vendors. We always turn to this last in order to keep videos as fresh and original as possible. 

    We are greatly looking forward to the Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards being shown over the next 2 weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and do hope you can check out the event, whether your looking for information on who’s doing what on climate change in our communities, the state of environmental goals and policy in MA and America, or you’d simply like to see what does one approach to adapting an in-person event to a virtual experience look like. These local leaders are inspiring, and we hope it contributes to even more attention to the most important issue of our time. When it comes to the video work, our philosophy on this is the same regarding any video content shown online—it should be as engaging and entertaining as possible, should feel authentic and memorable, should be designed as much as possible for a specific audience, and should touch viewers on an emotional level.

    Keep up the great work ELM!

    ELM’s Original Post

    ELM has written on their site the following about Tuesday’s Awardee, Secretary John Kerry:

    Secretary John Kerry has dedicated his life to public service. He served the Commonwealth in a number of roles – as District Attorney for Middlesex County, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, U.S. Senator for Massachusetts, and U.S. Secretary of State. Throughout his tenure, he tackled issues like combating acid rain as Lieutenant Governor, bringing attention to the warming planet to the U.N. as a Senator, and working with foreign governments to spearhead numerous efforts to combat climate change as Secretary of State. Notably, Secretary Kerry was a key architect of the Paris Climate Accord, signing the historic agreement to reduce carbon emissions in 2016.

    In 2019, Secretary Kerry launched World War Zero, a coalition of unlikely allies joining a global mobilization against the climate crisis. This group includes scientists, CEOs, military leaders, activists, artists, entertainers, political leaders from both sides of the aisle, business and industry leaders, and many more want to tackle this crisis. The coalition focuses on public education and community engagement to activate climate action at the massive and urgent scale necessary to win this war. Bringing together influencers like celebrities and politicians will help this message reach a broad, global audience. Messengers will make connections between climate change and the economy, jobs, and national security.

    ELM is pleased to award Secretary John Kerry a Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Award in recognition of his exemplary work in our community.

    For original post, please visit: https://www.environmentalleague.org/event/cela-2020/

  • The No-Brainer Business Venture and/or Education Decision

    This past weekend, on September 1st, 2013, Green Lens Media finally announced its newest service, The Filmmersive™ Workshop Series. This workshop series has been a year and a half in the making, and was much more demanding in its planning than was originally projected for multiple reasons. But we kept at it, because we knew as soon as we conceived of it, no matter how difficult it was to set up, we HAD to do it. It was just too perfect to not do it, as it fulfills multiple needs to multiple parties in a cost effective way. Through hard work and the will to succeed, we finally have it ready, and I am proud to officially proclaim our workshops are launched, public, and open for business – let the filming begin!

    Why is this such a big deal?

    Today, if you are a business, you want your product and service out there, circulating, known, because that leads to clients and customers. If you are a filmmaker or involved in video or marketing, you are looking for experience, for contacts, for resources, but really more than anything those are means to the end—you are looking for JOBS. If you are a writer, you want people to see your work, make connections, improve your storytelling skills, but more than anything, you want more and better JOBS. If you are an actor, you may want people to watch you onscreen, get your name out there, and meet people who can hook you up, but all of those things are to feed your ultimate goal, landing killer JOBS.

    I know this. Everyone knows this.

    But what is anyone DOING about it?

    As a filmmaker, I believe in video. I love making it, and I love telling a good story. As a business owner, I believe video can help a business in ways that almost all other forms of marketing fall short. Video presence is important, and will continue to increase as the years go on. And once everyone finally catches up and realizes video is important to attract attention, how will your video become more attractive than someone else’s?

    Film school is expensive, and a big decision. A fully customized video production is expensive, and also a big decision. Getting attention as a writer or actor is hard, because there are so many others out there, and so few really great jobs. I wanted GLM to solve these 3 problems faced by our community: 1) Attention, 2) Cost, and 3) Return On Investment (ROI). I believe our Filmmersive™ Workshops address these issues in a unique, smart way.

    I’m not advocating our workshops as a replacement for college degrees, program certificates, less expensive or free online training, or high-end custom productions, but as a supplement and booster for your career or business there is truly nothing like it. For some it may be just enough, while for others it will prove that only the surface has been scratched. From my perspective, it’s the kind of thing I wish had been available to me, both as a filmmaker AND a business, back when I was first starting out in the professional workplace.

    All the details can be found on the Training page of our website, so I won’t explain how it works in great detail other than this synopsis: the workshops are 5 days of intense filmmaking training for small 4-8 person groups given by experienced instructors. Workshop Attendees pay to learn filmmaking but also take part in actually executing a short video by the end of the week, start to finish, giving them a portfolio piece to showcase. In Narrative workshops we pay a modest fee to use a local writer’s 3-6 page fictitious script, which gives this writer heightened exposure. In Corporate workshops the Attendees do a 1-day shoot at a real company, each editing their own version of the video; the business gets to review all versions and decide at no obligation if they would like to purchase it for their website for a fraction of the normal cost.

    Basically, we structured our workshops to focus on the collaboration and the ROI for all involved. For Attendees, it’s a cost-effective, fun, and rewarding way to learn, and you wind up with a unique portfolio piece. For writers, actors, and sponsors, it’s a great opportunity for exposure with a limited commitment and with a quick turnaround final result. For businesses, it’s a risk free way to preview multiple videos about their business, since purchase costs are more affordable than highly customized projects and always no obligation to buy. For GLM, it’s a way to share our knowledge through training while continuing to operate in the field making productions. And for everybody, it is a great networking opportunity and an all around enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

    So what’s the catch?

    Honestly, I can’t think of one. This is the NO-BRAINER part of the whole concept – everyone benefits. Really, the only hesitation was in the idea of actually structuring the setup of the program, and then executing it. With all the variables involved it is a complex undertaking. As the host of the workshop, this responsibility falls on GLM’s shoulders, but I felt so strongly this model would strengthen the business and film community in Boston that it was worth every effort to see through. I would like to see new startups, particularly green / environmental ones (though we won’t be exclusive to them), benefit from this program, and begin to flourish and enhance our city. I would like to see Boston, which has already grown as a film town in the past decade, take this to a new, even higher level.

    The Filmmersive™ Workshops are not where your film education or video productions end, though it will be a good jumpstart. Every ingredient like this helps, and GLM will make its workshops one such ingredient of the overall recipe that promotes companies, individuals, and the film community. I hope you will check out what our program offers to see if it is right for you, but whatever you choose to do I hope you will continue to investigate how to get video on your site and / or learn the practices of filmmaking by whatever means make the most sense in your situation. 21st century communication is already headed in video’s direction, and riding the wave of the future should be one hell of a thrill, so let’s make it thrilling and catch the perfect wave.

  • Cambridge Naturals: Local Eco Advise and Health Products

    Recently, we came across Cambridge Naturals in the Porter Square Shopping Center. Their mission, store, and service caught our eye and we thought we would share some of their story.

    We sat down with one of the owners, Michael Kanter, who discussed Cambridge Naturals’ role in the community.

    What is Cambridge Naturals’ mission?

    “While we are not a pharmacy,” answered Kanter, “our mission is to help people find solutions for their health issues. But our mission goes well beyond that. It includes trying to build a better society, and trying to promote locally owned independent businesses—to help be part of building a strong local economy.”

    Michael emphasized, “It’s about the relationships, not the initial sale. We want to provide the community with solutions.” In order to supply those solutions, Michael says that they spend a lot of time carefully researching their products, so that their customers get exactly what they need and so the community can thrive from it as well. “We research the brands really carefully both in natural medicines and supplements and in body care. We try and find products that are organic and fair trade. We try and find products that are made locally, or include some local ingredients.”

    Curious about the growth of the company, we asked Michael what the future was for Cambridge Naturals.

    “Our goal is to continue to thrive as a locally owned and independent business in Cambridge. We’ve almost tripled our business since we moved to our current location six and a half years ago. What we have in the works is to keep seeking out more products that are not available elsewhere and yet can help people enhance their lives.”

    So, here’s GLM’s take: If you are interested in natural health and want to support the Cambridge community, Cambridge Naturals is a solid recommendation. They supply everything from vitamins and herbs to groceries, books, body care, and even yoga and meditation items, many of which are made or grown locally. If you are in the area, stop in for a visit with the Cambridge Naturals team.

    Cambridge Naturals can be found at 23 White St, Cambridge, MA 02140, calling (617) 492-4452, or at www.cambridgenaturals.com

  • Cambridge Naturals: Local Eco Advice and Health Products

    Recently, we came across Cambridge Naturals in the Porter Square Shopping Center. Their mission, store, and service caught our eye and we thought we would share some of their story.

    We sat down with one of the owners, Michael Kanter, who discussed Cambridge Naturals’ role in the community.

    What is Cambridge Naturals’ mission?

    “While we are not a pharmacy,” answered Kanter, “our mission is to help people find solutions for their health issues. But our mission goes well beyond that. It includes trying to build a better society, and trying to promote locally owned independent businesses—to help be part of building a strong local economy.”

    Michael emphasized, “It’s about the relationships, not the initial sale. We want to provide the community with solutions.” In order to supply those solutions, Michael says that they spend a lot of time carefully researching their products, so that their customers get exactly what they need and so the community can thrive from it as well. “We research the brands really carefully both in natural medicines and supplements and in body care. We try and find products that are organic and fair trade. We try and find products that are made locally, or include some local ingredients.”

    Curious about the growth of the company, we asked Michael what the future was for Cambridge Naturals.

    “Our goal is to continue to thrive as a locally owned and independent business in Cambridge. We’ve almost tripled our business since we moved to our current location six and a half years ago. What we have in the works is to keep seeking out more products that are not available elsewhere and yet can help people enhance their lives.”

    So, here’s GLM’s take: If you are interested in natural health and want to support the Cambridge community, Cambridge Naturals is a solid recommendation. They supply everything from vitamins and herbs to groceries, books, body care, and even yoga and meditation items, many of which are made or grown locally. If you are in the area, stop in for a visit with the Cambridge Naturals team.

    Cambridge Naturals can be found at 23 White St, Cambridge, MA 02140, calling (617) 492-4452, or at www.cambridgenaturals.com