We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Sarsfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
A proper, goal oriented video that produces results requires preproduction! South Florida Video Productions specializes in creating effective marketing videos, and the first step is to establish a strong concept, and often requires a professional script and storyboard before pressing the record button. Preproduction is the most important phase of a successful video project. Our first step is to meet with clients, either virtually or in person, to establish the needs and goals for each video project, and also discuss what they want the viewer to do after watching by creating an effective CTA, or call to action. Clear communication from the start ensures our video projects are always on time, on budget and on point!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been a creative person, and know monotony drains my energy. I had to find something that was engaging, challenging and unpredictable and studied journalism and TV production at Towson University in MD. My professional career started by recording high-end weddings and then network Television in the NYC/NJ area, but when the sun and shores of Florida beckoned, I relocated! When South Florida Video Productions first opened, we did just about anything even remotely related to the word video, just to pay the bills. The early years were very challenging, and every mistake was remembered, policies were adjusted to ensure that these mistakes were never made again. After 10 years of growth, our niche is producing successful marketing videos, and we are one of the premiere companies in Florida to offer this service. Two of the strongest lessons I have learned are 1) clearly communicate concepts, goals and needs with clients and 2) pay attention to your instincts!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh this is easy, because everybody wants to visit FL at least once, and many friends and family keep coming back, some yearly! Day one is usually a relaxing day on the beach, sunning and swimming, perhaps a taco, salad or steak in one of the great and affordable restaurants on the Broadwalk in Hollywood. Day 2 usually consists of some exercise, bicycling, kayaking or canoeing. At night, dancing, karaoke and mingling is fun at one of the many places in downtown and on the beach. Day three would be a road trip kinda day, to south beach, everglades airboat ride, a trip to the west coast of FL, St. Augustine, or the Keys for a day or more… Some day I would like to hike all the way down the beach from Hollywood to south beach Miami and just take our time and enjoy the hike! Upon returning home, the last day would be another beach day, with the possibility of visiting one of our many casinos, but more and more when I offer an excursion to Anne Kolbe nature center for a hike or walk up the overlook tower this is preferred. Nature is so invigorating!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank Joost van Rees, one of the original directors of Sesame Street. Unfortunately he passed in 2007, but this was the impetus to open South Florida Video Productions. Joost was a key mentor who taught me proper aesthetic frame composition, lighting, pacing and video flow. These are all things that, when done correctly, are usually not noticed by nonprofessionals, but when done incorrectly are noticed by many. Amateur looking videos create an amateur impression of a company, and command amateur prices. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, talent and skills!

Website: www.sflvideoproductions.com
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sflvp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SFLVP
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/soflamm

Image Credits
Photos courtesy South Florida Video Productions

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