Drew Ott Videography

Hello! I'm Drew Ott, a corporate videographer with 17 years of experience, living in Austin, Texas. I specialize in shooting talking-head interviews and documentary-style storytelling pieces.

Videos are more than just decorative rectangles that go on your website. Video is the most powerful form of communication, as it combines all other forms of communication.

Video can skyrocket sales, make recruiting top talent simple and easy, get you and your business featured in huge media publications, and make you famous.

Successful video production begins with strategy and writing.

I provide superior strategy and writing abilities compared to other video producers. This is because I spend the majority of my time reading and learning.

Unlike other video producers who pretend that they understand "storytelling," I am actually a real storyteller who has published my own stories for mass audiences of delighted readers. You can see my first book here

The photo below was taken on an offshore oil rig in middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Good times!

Work

This film was made for The University of Texas. I produced, wrote, directed, edited, color graded, and sound mixed this by myself. Due to space limitations on the helicopter, I was the only crew member who was able to go on this offshore rig in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, and I could only bring minimal camera and lighting equipment. Above is a 90-second version, but there is also a 26 minute film that I recommend you view in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGRRbLVL37M

The above advertisement was made as a "spec" ad. I created this during the 2020 lockdowns to experiment with what could be done using stock footage. The voiceover script was written and voiced by me.

The above is a simple brand film for a business strategist. We also shot three complete testimonials and a 10-minute interview-style "about me" video.

The above video was filmed for a fractional Chief Marketing Officer who helps plumbers and other trades services run their business.

This is a longform video (~30min) to help attract to new members to a private community in Tennessee.

Above is a random selection of some of the talking head interviews that I shot as a cinematographer in 2019 and 2020. For nearly 15 years, I worked on corporate videos as the cinematographer on set, who is responsible for setting up the camera, lights, and sound equipment to shoot talking head interviews. All of these are shot with minimal crew, and with minimal setup time to accomodate the busy schedules of these professionals.

I didn't produce this video, but I was the cinematographer. This was the type of video I filmed as a freelance cinematographer for about 15 years before I launched my own company.

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This was a short highlight of a 5-day conference that takes place in Bastrop, Texas. I did this alone—meaning that there were no additional crew members, and I was also responsible for conducting the interviews with the people on-camera. I deliverd a 6-minute version, a 90-second version, 12 testimonial videos, and there was enough longform interview content for months of additional content.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Isn't video expensive?

Yes, video production is expensive. But I will not sell you anything unless we both agree that you are likely to see a 10x return on investment. We will strategize first, assess possible outcomes, and only move forward if there's a massive opportunity. If we cannot find this opportunity together, you will pay nothing.

Why do I need a video?

There is no better way to influence people than with video production. They need to SEE, HEAR, and WATCH you demonstrate your abilities. We judge people we can SEE, and we want to assess them with our own eyes and ears. My video production process is designed to make you likable, trustworthy, competent, and authoritative. This is what makes your customers, clients, and patients choose you over the competition.

What do we do with the video?

After you have a video that convinces your customers to buy what you’re selling, your only job now is to get them to watch it. Post it on social media, put it on your website, send out postcards with a QR code that links to Youtube, or run the video as paid ads. Have any questions about any of this? Just ask.

What if we don't have the time?

Not every video needs to take months of planning. If your team is busy with limited bandwidth, I can still make a great video in only 4-8 hours on site, and with less than an hour of prep ahead of time.

Can't we film our own videos?

Honestly, yes. I’ve seen lots of completely authentic iPhone videos shot by untrained business owners that are more effective than professional video production. This is because professionals often ruin your brand image by making you look stiff and awkward. If I think you’d be better served by an “authentic” video you make yourself, I’ll tell you straight up and not waste your time or money trying to sell my own services.

What if I look ugly in the video?

While I can’t change your looks, I promise you that when you hire me, I will put VASTLY more effort into making you look good than my competition. I specialize in using lighting and subtle, ethical digital alterations that make people look as good as possible. However, all of that can only make about a 15% difference, and the rest is up to you.

I'm bad on camera. What if I look awkward?

Charisma actually comes from relaxation, as opposed to hyperactivity or excessive energy. When you work with me, I stay incredibly calm, which helps you relax. I also have a special process where I do literally DOZENS of takes to make sure you come across saying everything perfectly. I am not one of these typical “marketer” people who is super peppy and upbeat and fake. To be honest, I can't stand those people. Don’t get me started.

Why should we hire you and not someone else?

I don’t know how to say this without boasting and sounding “rude”, but here it goes. I’ve been in video production for 17 years, and I can count on one hand the number of people I’ve met in this field who are not morons. Making a video that looks good visually is only worth 1% of the value. The rest comes from persuading human beings to buy your product or service. On that front, I have read over 1000 books on the topics of psychology, behavioral sciences, and storytelling. When you hire me, you are getting the most sophisticated, knowledgable strategy and writing skills available.

Ok this sounds interesting, but am I going to get a good deal? Or are you still going to rip me off? I like a good deal.

Usually when you want video production, you’re hiring an advertising agency, who subcontracts a video production company, who subcontracts freelancers. You are paying for the salaries and office space of about 15 different people. When you hire me, you’re paying one single dude who works out of his home office. While I provide vastly more value than this hypothetical ad agency, I am able to charge substantially less because I’m able to do everything myself.

What does it cost? I need to know the price up front. Just tell me the price.

I literally am unable to have a standard price, as video production has no price ceiling. The most expensive documentary ever made cost $90 million to produce. So if you want me to film underwater footage of dolphins around the globe for multiple years, I’d need to charge $90 million. But to give you SOME vague idea, the price could be as low as $3,000 or as high as $500,000. The last video I did was $35,000. Does that help? For a half-day of shooting and a quick edit for a one-person business, it would be around $3,000. For full strategy, writing, a week of production with full crew, and a month of editing, it could be $100,000.

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