Elevating Thought Leadership: L.E.K.’s Video Series from the Heart of Chicago

Skillman Video Group (SVG), a trusted partner of L.E.K. since 2016, recently embarked on an ambitious project to create a series of thought leadership videos in the heart of Chicago.

These videos, designed to showcase the expertise of L.E.K.’s Managing Directors, required a meticulous approach to pre-production and a deep understanding of the target audience.

Pre-Production: Unveiling the Expertise Within

Thought leadership videos are a powerful tool for consulting firms like L.E.K., but their success hinges on thorough preparation.

SVG’s pre-production process involved in-depth phone interviews with eleven Managing Directors, a crucial step in establishing rapport and ensuring that the interviewees felt comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

By engaging in these conversations, SVG’s team not only built trust but also gained valuable insights into the topics that would resonate with the target audience.

This allowed them to develop targeted interview questions that elicited thoughtful and engaging responses.

A Boston Director in the Windy City

For this project, SVG’s CEO, producer, and director, Christina Skillman, traveled to Chicago to oversee the shoot.

However, unlike their typical Boston-based productions, Christina had to assemble a local Chicago video crew.

Despite not being their usual team, the Chicago crew rose to the occasion, providing top-notch video production services that exceeded expectations.

Efficiency and Expertise on Set

The shoot, condensed into a single day, ran seamlessly, with each interview lasting approximately 30 minutes.

The client was impressed by the efficiency of the process and the eloquence of the Managing Directors on camera.

Christina’s expertise in conducting interviews shone through, as she skillfully guided the conversations, eliciting insightful and authentic responses.

Capturing the Chicago Skyline: A Technical Challenge

One of the client’s requests was to incorporate the iconic Chicago skyline into the videos.

The floor-to-ceiling windows in the filming location provided a breathtaking view, but also presented a lighting challenge due to the constantly changing natural light.

To overcome this, SVG employed neutral density (ND) gel on the windows. This simple yet effective solution softened the sunlight, allowing the team to capture both the interviewees and the stunning cityscape without compromising on visual quality.

A Testament to Collaboration and Technical Prowess

The L.E.K. thought leadership video series is a testament to the power of collaboration between SVG and their clients.

Through meticulous pre-production, expert interviewing techniques, and innovative problem-solving, SVG delivered a series of videos that not only showcase L.E.K.’s expertise but also engage and inform their target audience.