News

Smart Growth America (SGA) is seeking an experienced videographer to help us produce two (2) short videos that share the story of Complete Streets in rural America. Please submit proposals to Heidi Simon, Director of Thriving Communities, at hsimon@smartgrowthamerica.org by Friday, November 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET (instructions below).

Project Scope

SGA is excited to tell the story of the role Complete Streets plays in rural communities across the nation. We envision two videos that work together to demonstrate the way that the adoption of a Complete Streets policy and its implementation can support safe, accessible mobility for community members of all ages and abilities. For more on Complete Streets’ role in supporting rural communities, check out our recent report An Active Roadmap: Best Practices in Rural Mobility.

SGA is seeking an individual or a small company with experience producing short narrative videos to help flesh out and develop these videos and which is available to travel to Saco, ME, is comfortable conducting interviews (with logistical support and/or scripted guidance from SGA), can capably shoot compelling b-roll of street scenes to focus on people and infrastructure, edit, move quickly and lightly with simple setups, and think and adapt on the fly to unearth and follow an emerging story. Animations or motion graphics could prove essential for telling these stories.

The two videos will cover the following topics:

• Complete Streets Policies in Rural Communities: This video will explore specific considerations for rural-context Complete Streets policies, and strategies that helped in their adoption. Smart Growth America would use its policy framework and scoring to demonstrate the relevance of Complete Streets policies to rural communities.
• Complete Streets in Action: This video will showcase how rural communities enjoy increased safety and accessibility through the adoption of a Complete Streets approach. Smart Growth America has selected Saco, ME, as the location to highlight, emphasizing the community’s efforts to improve the lived experience of all community members with an emphasis on older adults and people with disabilities. Please view this case study on Saco, ME and its AARP Age-Friendly page for additional reference.

Our core goals for these videos are to:

• Capture the important work being done in rural communities to adopt and implement a Complete Streets approach to improve the lives of all community members
• Demonstrate the possibility of Complete Streets as a strategy in rural environments and combat the narrative that Complete Streets is an urban solution
• Highlight the role of Complete Streets in supporting improved mobility independence for people of all ages and abilities

Desired final product

Smart Growth America will work with the videographer and local experts and advocates in each city to conceptualize and produce two short films (4-8 min max) that tell the story of Complete Streets policies and implementation in a rural environment. Videos should meet the latest best practices in accessibility and web compatibility.

Travel

Travel to Saco, Maine will be an essential part of this project. Travel costs should be included as part of the proposed budget.

Coordination with Smart Growth America

Smart Growth America will provide the selected contractor with background information for each video, including existing efforts relevant to the project, contacts for interviews, and policy information necessary to create the first video. The videographer will develop an overall outline and narrative for each video in cooperation with Smart Growth America.

Budget

Our budget range for each video (including editing the final product which can potentially be farmed out to a separate editor instead) is $10,000-$12,000.
Cost will be considered as part of the assessment of proposals. Travel costs to Saco, ME should be included as part of the proposed budget.
Our working assumption for travel is two shooting days: one day to shoot interviews and a second day to shoot street scenes and/or b-roll content from around the city

Desired qualifications

• A proven ability to communicate complex policy and projects into simple, understandable videos accessible to a wide range of audiences.
• Basic understanding of transportation and accessibility issues as well as a readiness to listen and learn more.
• Quality portfolio of videos designed to educate and demonstrate a need for change.
• Experience creating art that communicates the equity implications of policy or decision-making, and that accurately depicts a range of demographics.

How to submit a proposal

Please submit proposals to hsimon@smartgrowthamerica.org by Friday, November 17, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Proposals should include the following information:

• A short one- or half-page letter describing your approach and interest in the project.
• A draft budget for the project.
• Some samples of recent work, preferably that which renders complex subjects clearly and understandably, comparable in length (less than 10 minutes), work done for non-profits, etc.

Timeline

Proposals are expected to be reviewed within two weeks. Work will begin immediately upon vendor selection.

About SGA

Smart Growth America (SGA) is a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing equitable, sustainable land use, development, and transportation. The organization empowers communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to create livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity. We work with elected officials at all levels, real estate developers, chambers of commerce, transportation, and urban planning professionals, and residents to improve everyday life for people across the country through better development.

About the National Complete Streets Coalition

The National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America, is a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of public organizations, professionals, and advocates committed to the development and implementation of Complete Streets policies and practices.