TurnHere Projects Huge Increase in Video Production Demand

Mark R Robertson   |   April 28, 2009   |  

turnhere logo1 TurnHere Projects Huge Increase in Video Production DemandGood news today for filmmaker’s that are part of the TurnHere filmmaker network as well as for customers which utilize Turnhere for professional video production services.  Despite the economic recession, TurnHere is expanding its creative online video production network and has announced significant growth numbers today. The company states that they are on target to double video orders in 2009.

In addition to expanding their video production network, they are also expanding their direct division and sales team to support the growth in demand for creative videos for big brands.  As part of this effort, they have also just brought on new a VP of sales, Stan Taigen, to help manage and drive this growth.

“In this economy, brands are focusing on the programs that deliver reach, cost efficiencies, engagement and ROI. At the same time, customers are looking for compelling content that speaks to them, not markets at them,” said Bud Rosenthal, CEO for TurnHere. “The Social Web is redefining how a company or brand can connect with customers at deeper levels than previously possible through expensive broadcast productions or traditional Web marketing.”

The company posseses a large and growing network of more than 8,000 professional filmmakers across 70 countries.  This network is responsible for creating more than 11,000 custom videos in the past year alone for customers and brands which include NBC, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, InterContinental Hotels, and many others across the media, publishing, retail, travel, legal, local and real estate industries.

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Posted: in Video Industry News, Video Production
About the Author - Mark R Robertson
Mark Robertson is the Founder and Creator of ReelSEO.com. Mark has had extensive experience in online marketing, particularly in Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Local Search, Video Marketing, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). You can follow Mark on Twitter @markrrobertson

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  • Hunter and Tim R., I cant validate your claims but I can say this, If it weren't for in part, companies like Turnhere, the businesses that you are talking about would either do the videos on their own, or wouldnt do them at all.

    Additionally, what would you have done Hunter that day if it weren't for the work? I realize that filmmakers feel they should make the kind of money that cinematographers on movies make, but isnt $100 for a couple hours worth of work, better than none, especially in this economy?

    Honestly, Turnhere has done many great things for filmmakers accross the US and if it were so awful, how would they continue to produce 1000 and 1000 of videos if the filmmakers were not getting something out of it? Getting kind-of tired of this feedback, there are plenty of filmmakers out there without any work.
  • Skip B
    Turn here is bad news for independent video producers. They pay very little to the "film makers" as they outsource work from major clients and pocket the profit to cover their expensive offices in NY, SF and elsewhere. They are brokers or a clearing house and nothing else.

    Tom Sawyer once got huckleberry finn to paint a fence. Turnhere will never get me to undercut the market and produce video at what they pay. Its usually about 300.00 to produce edit and deliver a HD 16:9 1 minute movie. You are talking a minimum of 12 hours in the shoot and edit process. In Turnhere scale that's about 25.00 per hour.

    Granted if you are just out of college and or still in college then this is a great entry level situation and resume builder. They do have a "film makers" area on their website with information, music, and release forms for your shoot. It also has directions and PDF's for everything they expect for minimal pay.

    They are now extending their reach into Wedding Videography by pairing with Bella Pictures. I wonder how long that relationship will last?

    They may be busy, but they may be busy looking for people who will actually shoot their videos for them at what they pay. I cannot see turnhere lasting unless they adjust their
    pay rates.
  • Skip,

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. While you haven’t worked with us directly, we’re disappointed that you feel that way about TurnHere. As a company TurnHere is all about creating online video demand for filmmakers to capitalize on. Over the last year and a half we’ve created more than 15,000 new shoots that otherwise may not have been available to independent filmmakers. We feel that creating this market is a good thing.

    We also want to clarify some of your statements about how filmmakers complete projects. The 1-minute videos you’re referring to typically take filmmakers approximately 4-6 hours to complete at a maximum (and are normally shot in SD, not HD). Many produce them in their entirety in shorter time frames. Many filmmakers who haven’t shot projects for TurnHere overestimate the time required to complete these shoots; but according to filmmakers who produce videos for our clients this time frame is very manageable and the implied hourly rate makes it attractive for them. Additionally, TurnHere has larger projects above and beyond the 1-minute videos that many of the filmmakers in our network participate in and make significantly more per project.

    We know that our offering is not for every filmmaker. If it doesn’t work for you we wish you nothing but success for your venture. We believe the market we’re helping to create for online video is a positive development for independent professionals.

    Marc Prager
    VP, Filmmaker Network
    TurnHere, Inc.
  • Skip B
    Well Marc, we will continue to disagree then. If you think it takes 4-6 hours to shoot a one minute 16:9 format commercial for the web with travel to and from location, importing footage, selecting footage, rendering footage, rendering your provided graphics and music library then that's fine by me.

    In the real world it takes a little longer. But given your model if you don't pay for gas or parking, or tolls and walk to the shoot or ride your bike you could make about 50.00 an hour.

    Now if the Deals with Your clients are spec'd out at lets say at 2000.00 minimum who benefits most? the "filmmaker" I don't think so. The web video community, perhaps because the filmmaker is courageous in making a great video product at way below cost.

    Who else benefits?

    Creating a new Market is a good thing Marc I can agree with that. I am also glad you have been able to provide 15,000 plus "filmmakers" with that opportunity that they may not of had otherwise. I wish you nothing but success with your venture as well.


    Skip B.
  • J Maxwell
    I highly disagree. I am a younger filmmaker and have been shooting for the business for quite some time. This business enables young filmmakers and older to make a name for themselves and also experience a great deal of memorable moments.
    I am able to go to school as well as fit shoots in my schedule at my convenience and the team at Turnhere has given me some very constructive criticism which has made my materials a great deal better. The pay rates are fine for me at this time because I am getting paid. We are in a recession and any job at this time is better than no job at all.
  • Regardless, Turnhere, as a pioneer in online video, has helped to bring online video production to those businesses that need it and is a large contributor to the overall growth that has occurred with regard to online video in general. All of this will action within the industry is driving business to filmmakers and if it were not for Turnhere and companies like Turnhere, it would be difficult to say whether or not so many filmmakers would be in demand as much as they are today. The nice thing is that the story will only get better for filmmakers as businesses all over the world, small and large, will continue to desire the services of filmmakers. Turnhere, unlike some other companies in this space, prides itself on evangelizing professional, creative online video production versus, for example - slide-show videos. As a result, more and more businesses see the benefit of increasing their budgets in order to obtain quality online video. --- Just my 2 cents..
  • I just went ahead and signed up with it turnhere. I have been shooting videos for about seven years and the only challenge I have had is being solo solo. I hope I will begin getting some work with this turnhere. Regardless thanks for this post.
    Best to you all.
  • @VPTampa - Let us know how it goes. It would be great to get some feedback from the 'trenches' to see if you find some success there.
  • Tim R
    I hope another company steps into this market and competes with TurnHere and make rates more competitive and worth-while.
  • Hunter
    I worked for Turn Here for a while, but will not anymore. The last time they called they offered $100 to shoot and edit a video. Their contract is also a non-compete so I refused to sign it. I found its easier to call the businesses directly and make the profit on my own. If you are running your own business you will not make any decent money working with Turn Here. Rest assured though, their founder is making millions.
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