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It isn’t enough to be technologically savvy behind
the camera. What sets the Chicago Video Project apart from
other video production companies is our in-depth understanding
of the social and economic issues facing low- and moderate-income
people. We combine a state-of-the-art production facility
with experience in organizing for social change and expertise
in communications and media relations. We help clients develop
winning strategies for positioning their issues and crafting
a message that educates and motivates people to act. CVP
also assists in the development of a comprehensive plan for
using the commissioned videos to achieve tangible policy
outcomes.
We are committed to the highest quality video production.
CVP employs a talented and highly skilled team of video producers,
scriptwriters, camera operators, video editors, and technicians.
Our crew members have extensive and award-winning experience
in television news production and corporate and documentary
filmmaking.
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- Shape public policy. CVP produces
videos with clear and credible messages that graphically
capture the urgency of issues facing low-income communities.
Our videos influence public opinion, engage people in meaningful
action, and help bring about concrete policy changes.
- Craft a compelling message. CVP
works with clients to frame the issue and develop strategies
for reaching key audiences. Our videos communicate a uniform,
clear message and bring cohesion to state, regional, and
national campaigns.
- Mobilize civic action. In
the uphill battle for social change, CVP videos help convey
the important roles in shaping the future of communities.
Our productions get people involved. Even the process of
producing the video itself often helps participants understand
their organization and role more clearly.
- Generate media coverage. Videos
are an effective way for nonprofits to tell their story
to the media. They help journalists and editorial boards
deepen their understanding of an issue. They also deliver
messages in a format far more dynamic and memorable than
standard print news releases.
- Expand the reach of training programs. Training
videos are an inexpensive means of providing “how
to” information. They can help an organization reach
a larger audience, or enable members too far away to travel
for workshops to receive the same instruction.
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How can video strengthen your organizing campaign?
A coalition of housing organizations—the Chicago
Rehab Network (CRN)—used a 12-minute video to organize
community action to address Chicago’s affordable housing
crisis. Integrated into CRN’s organizing strategy,
the CVP video graphically captured the urgency of the housing
crisis faced by Chicago’s low-income residents. When
shown in town hall meetings, the video helped to galvanize
civic action. When shown to elected officials, it helped
secure their backing. And when shown to reporters, it helped
frame the media’s message to the public. CRN’s
use of video helped to obtain an unprecedented five-year
$752 million affordable housing program for the City of Chicago.
 How did a small group of mothers living in public housing
reach a national audience with their message?
Working with the Henry Horner Mothers Guild, CVP produced
a 4-minute video news release depicting the desperate living
conditions at Chicago’s Henry Horner Homes. Released
in conjunction with the filing of a class-action lawsuit
against the Chicago Housing Authority, the VNR generated
news coverage on ABC’s World News Tonight and CBS
This Morning. News reports also appeared in the Washington
Post, and in every major news media outlet in Chicago.
It enabled a group of mothers to tell their story the way
they wanted it told.
“A group
of mothers suing the Chicago Housing Authority in federal
court for years of neglect at their dilapidated public-housing
project is using a sophisticated media strategy usually
reserved for corporate public relations.” --washington
post
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