Teamwork
Home About General Operations Team Projects Tasks
Philosophy BusinessPlan Strategy Marketing Research
Development
Address Book Links Talkback SandBox
GotWiki
Suggestions
|
Professional Production Services - ( PROPS )
a business unit of 'Siskiyou Media Council'
SBDC consultant Stephanie Hoffman offers the following comments/questions to consider to fine tune the PROPS Biz Plan
Professional Production Services (PROPS)
Business Plan Review 8-10-09
By Stephanie Hoffman, SBDC Consultant
AG - Proposed mission statement
The mission of the Professional Production Services unit of SMC is to increase the capacity of area non-profits in the community by providing the use of media to support their efforts.
• The plan is very well written and thought out, congratulations! This is a very exciting direction for SMC and our community.
• Is the Board in favor of this new direction?
- AG - The Board adopted the PROPS concept at the annual retreat, 2009. 9/1/09 Fund raising workshop highlighted the need for revenue producing projects.
• What is the relationship with YCTV 4? Are they part of SMC? There is no explanation.
- AG - YCTV 4 is not a part of SMC, they were at one point looking for some management ideas, John Cumming considered they could become a separate business unit under the SMC. Since then, they are now under the umbrella of the City of Yreka, and not looking for a formal fiscal partnership that we are currently aware of. The current relationship is challenged with technical issues that prohibit our sharing of programming (on their end) and Audra would like to establish a stronger working relationship with them, identifying next steps in collaboration. Project goal to share programming by end of 2009.
• Give more information on your target markets, e.g., is there funding available for schools and government agencies to pay for the services?
- AG - Possibly. Target non-profit orgs. Get in JEDI resource/toolbox as service provider.
Whom have you spoken to about the services within those organizations? Kobseff, Smith, Valenzuela
How do you know the organizations are interested in your services?
Identified "potential" for using our services.
Consider sending out a survey (Survey Monkey?.com is a great resource) and determine what the needs are and if the organizations have funding for the services.
- AG - Ideas presented in this plan were based on speculation. I am interested in developing such a survey. I can think of who to send it to, but have not developed the questions and content. Inquire with funders as to the needs of their clients. Get acquainted with grant funders through the back door of identifying the needs for services to their clients. Get them to do the survey? Help?
• Marketing goals: How many organizations do you need to work with per month? What is your fee structure? Please do a Cash Flow Projection.
- Cash projection for FREE PSA Day
• You state, “There are several local media companies with limited production capabilities that compete for the few dollars available in our market place.” You then list the companies. Consider explaining how PROS stands apart from them and how you will be able to compete for the “few dollars available in our market place.” On the other hand, if there are very limited funds for this service, then why do you think PROPS will be able to succeed?
- AG - non profits helping non-profits for common goals at affordable costs, we can partner for grants whereas commercial businesses can not.
• What are the potential obstacles and challenges for PROPS? How will you overcome them?
- AG - marketing, public perception, testemonials
• Will PROPS be self sustaining or will grants be needed as well?
- AG - upsell examples as JC has proposed could build funding for these types of projects. All PROPS projects are different. Need to establish base rates to build basis for pricing various projects.
• Say more about the team…background / experience. Do you know what you will pay your sub-contractors?
- AG - training is an issue, we need to build our capacity to deliver finished product at a professional level.
• Let’s discuss the “SMART” goals at our next meeting…they need some work!
• Next step is to identify the goals for the next six months to one year and the action items needed.
Executive Summary
Mission
The mission of PROPS is to provide locally based 501(c) organizations with professional media production services in an effort to help them fulfill their mission and to strengthen collaboration efforts in our community.
Vision / Objectives
In 2015, the PROPS will be an award winning, peer group recognized, community service business that has strong relationships with many local 501(c)organizations. PROPS employs best business practices and has sustainable growth through sound fiscal management. PROPS provides the best production expertise available within the area through contracting and staff hiring. PROPS delivers the highest standard of media production through it's on going investment in digital equipment and methodologies, thus providing the best bang for the buck for budget constrained non - profit organizations. Students with technical expertise acquired through a well defined, flexible curriculum at College of the Siskiyous will have opportunities to work and gain practical experience through the PROPS business model.
Values
Above all else we value:
- Professionalism
Deliver quality service on time, on budget with a smile.
- Community
Supporting local talent through collaborative services.
- Responsibility
Accountability for goods, services, fiscal management
- Creativity
Foster individual expression of creativity with purpose.
- Trust
Established through clear, honest communications
- Loyalty
Cultivating professional products that encourage repeat business
Keys to Success
PROPS is uniquely positioned to provide services to the greater Siskiyou County nonprofit community. Keys to success include;
- SMC / MCTV 15 has and continues to foster positive working relationships with many county non-profit groups.
- MCTV 15's Internet delivery platform for content distribution provides for greater exposure for PROPS projects.
- MCTV 15 and YCTV 4 provide a 24/7 cable television channel for PROPS content distribution.
- Extensive network of local talent that can be drawn on for production support.
- MCTV 15 has developed extensive expertise in production of both live and recorded television productions.
- Access to a fully equipped studio production environment.
- Supportive relationship with College of the Siskiyous administration and Media Department.
- Contacts with local production professionals who have more professional level production gear for potential subcontracting of production needs.
Company Summary
Company Ownership
Professional Production Services ( PROPS ) is a business unit of Siskiyou Media Council ( SMC ). It is wholly owned and operated by SMC. PROPS is used to further enable the mission of SMC in it's efforts to develop and enhance community media production that ultimately enriches our community.
SMC is a California based 501(c).3 public service organization that was established in 1999 to provide Siskiyou County residents access to media production tools and distribution. Mountain Community Television Channel 15 ( MCTV15 ), the first business unit of SMC was established to support public access television in south Siskiyou County on Northland Cable television channel 15.
Start-up Summary
PROPS will provide full media production services to local nonprofit organizations. We have established five initial agreements to produce long format ( 28min ) television shows and short format promotional videos. Fees paid by the nonprofits will be used to pay for production staffing and oversight management. Retained earnings are to be reinvested in growing the PROPS services, i.e. purchase of equipment, expertise, and program development.
Start-up Plan
The initial PROPS projects will be fulfilled by a combination of PROPS paid staff and subcontracted local based professional production companies or individuals. The PROPS business unit will be administered by SMC's executive director. The executive director may hire a PROPS director, who will handle the day-to-day operations of the business unit. Each PROPS project will be managed by staff and a producer will be selected to provide the production services to the client. A detailed selection process will ensure quality producers are certified for PROPS work.
PROPS intends to provide project management oversight to sub contracted skilled production companies or individuals. A request for proposal will be made available to all interested parties. A selection process that measures experience, resume, equipment and skills will identify qualified companies or individuals. A written contract will be in place for the PROPS services to be delivered.
PROPS will become a nonprofit access producer at MCTV 15 and YCTV 4. Through this agreement, it will have access to studio facilities and equipment. PROPS will pay MCTV 15 and YCTV 4 for services and materials consumed. No special privileges will be afforded to PROPS. MCTV 15 has adequate studio equipment and environment to deliver good quality standard definition television productions. MCTV15 also has live call-in show capability that is simulcast live on the Internet. It is expected that several PROPS productions will make use of MCTV15 Studio COS production facilities. At least one production is planned to make use of MCTV 15 live call-in capability.
Neither MCTV 15, nor YCTV 4 presently have suitable production equipment available for on site productions. Their cameras are basic with small image sensors that greatly limit their use in low lighting environments such as indoors. No lighting kit or adequate audio kits are available. PROPS will currently need to rely on rented or donated equipment supplied by a subcontractor for location based productions.
It is expected that PROPS will acquire location production equipment within two years. A basic single camera kit would include a:
- pro-consumer grade high video camera recording to SDHC cards;
- mid level shotgun XLR microphone with camera mount;
- UHF wireless microphone transmitter and on-camera receiver;
- ENG dynamic microphone;
- self power Lav microphone;
- stand alone MP 3? recorder;
- on camera LED lighting kit;
- mid grade fluid head tripod and
- portable lighting kit ( LED or florescent based ).
Ideally this kit would be owned by the PROPS business unit for the successful execution of PROPS projects. The equipment would not be available to MCTV15 producers.
Additional post production tools would also have to be acquired to support the demands of high definition work.
Company Location and Facilities
Through an agreement with MCTV 15, PROPS will initially maintain a production office located at MCTV 15 Studio COS, 800 College Ave, Weed CA 96094.
PROPS will develop and maintain a virtual office environment via Internet based technologies. This will allow producers and administrators to communicate, develop and report on ongoing operations. Clients may also have access to project specific information via the same technology.
PROPS will develop and maintain a virtual office environment that's features includes:
- Skype PBX telephone system;
- Internet collaboration site based on Got Wiki or other self editing software.
Services
Service Description
PROPS provides locally based quality media production services to nonprofits within Siskiyou County.
Our clients will be limited to nonprofits, institutions and government organizations that do business and are located within Siskiyou County.
We provide a complete, customized production package designed to meet our clients video needs. Contracted packages may include:
- a dedicated project producer;
- administrative and technical oversight;
- up to four camera studio productions;
- live to recording, hard drive, cable, and/or the Internet;
- chroma-keying for live and post production;
- teleprompter;
- graphic and video inserts;
- single and multi camera location work;
- audio only location and studio production;
Our clients will hire us to create their message for delivery in a number of different physical and digital formats. Initial services will only be available in standard definition formats. Future plans will bring high definition options. Client will retain the copyright to all finished products. It is expected that most clients will require one or more DVD's as their final product. We can also provide support for Internet based distribution such as You Tube and U Stream?.tv.
It's is expected that the types of productions that we will be hired to provide will vary greatly. Our first few contacts included;
- a live to DVD production;
- a documentary with extensive voice over narration and
- a location based interview production with inserts recorded on location.
Two of the contracts required extensive post production work.
To help maintain quality and minimize costs to the client, PROPS will develop several show templates that our clients may select in order to minimize their costs.
PROPS will maintain a list of certified local producers that can be hired / contracted to provide producer support. Certification will be handled through a formal application submission and review process. A significant value will be placed on the applicants video portfolio. Clients will be encouraged to select certified local producer after viewing presentation packages from available producers.
Competitive Comparison
PROPS is the only Siskiyou County based organization that exclusively targets local nonprofits and helps them create their message in modern media.
There are several local media companies with limited production capabilities that compete for the few dollars available in our market place. They are:
- John Veltri
- Action, Video, Entertainment
- Silicon Sorcery Productions
- Tri-Dimension Films
Budgets permitting, local nonprofits have hired production services from outside Siskiyou County. The College of the Siskiyous hired a production company the came from Florida to shoot a commercial on campus. It is the goal of PROPS to be able to market our available service to allow for local hiring.
Sales Literature
PROPS will develop a sales flier, a portfolio & demonstration video and a website to help market our products and services. Executive staff will routinely visit nonprofits and hold open house events in order to develop strong long term relationships. A culture of constant contact social networking will be encouraged and deployed. Partnerships with College of the Siskyous various academic departments could be developed to give students a wide range of business and creative experience while working with/for PROPS.
Sourcing
PROPS will use best practices in working with MCTV 15, YCTV 4 and local community production services in meeting it's obligations with our clients. PROPS will:
- be an active nonprofit producer registered with MCTV 15 and YCTV 4;
- use and support public access facilities and equipment as needed to meet production requirements;
- purchase quality consumables such as miniDV tape, DVD's, and hard drives for use in projects.
- hire or subcontract local talent and expertise as needed.
- strive to purchase production equipment as needed to provide an increasing level of professional services.
Technology
PROPS will develop and maintain a virtual office environment via Internet based technologies. This will allow producers and administers to communicate, develop and report on on going operations. Clients may also have access to project specific information via the same technology.
Features includes:
- Skype PBX telephone system;
- Internet collaboration site based on Got Wiki.
PROPS will use the best equipment and practices it can afford to deliver quality media products.
In initial contracts we will use MCTV 15 Studio COS facilities employing digital video equipment with an analog distribution system. The analog component introduces noise and ground-loop issues into the signal. MCTV 15's switcher degrades signal quality of all signals that pass through. The resultant signal is adequate for most public access productions, yet would not be considered to be sufficient for any professional broadcast application.
PROPS will subcontract initial on location production needs. The subcontractor will be supplying the production equipment. A digital 3 chip standard definition camcorder that records in the DV 25? format with XLR audio inputs will be consider as a minimum requirement.
Future Services
High definition production.
Internet delivery options.
Mass production of DVD's.
Live radio productions.
Market Analysis Summary
Siskiyou County is under served in many industrial segments. Video production services are all but not existent. Many local organizations have a need to use media to get their message out to their constituents.
Management Summary
Organizational Structure
Management Team
Audra Gibson, SMC Executive Director
John Cumming, PROPS Operational & Technical Director
Audra Gibson, PROPS Financial Director
Personnel Plan
Hired as needed to serve as crew on productions. Independent contractor may sub contract personnel to complete project.
Financial Plan
Important Assumptions
- Local nonprofits value media production;
- Budgets will allow for adequate spending on media;
- Service is provided as independent contractor
- Local professional can provide services for available money;
- Standard definition equipment is adequate for the first few years;
- Initial funding can be allocated from SMC general funds in order to get the ball rolling.
Key Financial Indicators
- Donation to SMC to kick start PROPS business unit
- Donation to area non-profits to engage PROPS for projects, to be completed by December 31, 2009
- Professional contractors available to work within restricted budgets to get PROPS business unit established.
Break-even Analysis
Projected Profit and Loss
Projected Cash Flow
Projected Balance Sheet
|
|
