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When we create your Cheap TV Spot, we TAKE CONTROL of the creative process. We realize that this kind of "let us handle everything" approach just plain isn't for everybody.
Cheap TV Spots® are carefully crafted for their psychological, sociological, and emotional impact on your potential customer. We really don't believe in tinkering with "The IDEA" once it's done. We tell everyone this up front, but we still hear from some folks who want to play director after the fact, and make... "changes". Of course, we start barking when we hear this, so be forewarned!
If you're anxious to take the reins on your television production, you're probably also inclined to perform your own brain surgery. You're also probably not going to like it very much that we won't let you look through the camera lens or put make-up on an actress. If that's the case, then you may want to check out some other advertising agencies, and find one that will let you get in the middle of things, and hose up the ad, but good. Just kidding; we know you mean well...
Still up for it? Read on.
Changes
Policy
Each Cheap TV Spot is produced as a complete, ready-to-air television commercial or infomercial. You receive a Video Proof (a copy of the finished production on VHS tape) of the completed spot so you can view the commercial before it goes on the air. We are compelled to give you the following official-looking notice:
WE
ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS AND OMISSIONS REPORTED DURING OR AFTER
AIRING.
Obviously, if we didn't set some sort of limit on changes, some clients
would never stop asking for them, we'd never get the spot on the air,
the client wouldn't get their TV exposure, and we'd all go broke. So,
changes fall into two categories: FREE, that is, what we're willing
to do to the ad, and A LA CARTE, which is a pay-per-change service.
FREE: As part of our hyper-discounted service, we include, free of charge, a limited set of changes that our clients may request prior to airing:
We
are (somewhat) happy to accomodate more extensive changes.
A LA CARTE: (HONESTLY, WE'D RATHER GO WITH OUR ORIGINAL IDEA THAN TAKE YOUR MONEY TO CHANGE THE SPOT.) Any work that goes beyond the scope of FREE changes is priced "a la carte," that is, you pay as you go, and the actual price depends on how hard it is to make your change. The director and editor have sole discretion on pricing and execution of such changes. Here are some examples ( not a comprehensive list):
We really don't believe in tinkering with "The IDEA" once it's done. We'll tell you this up front. And, there are some things we simply won't do. We can go only so far before the changes add up to a whole new commercial.
That said, you've seen your Video Proof, and you really don't see any typos or bloopers, but...your ferret-walking business has transformed into a telephone cleaning service, and you really, truly need to change the commercial. A La Carte lets you make those after-the-last-minute, tactical changes.
If it's not a typo or blooper, more like a "fix" but not quite a "do-over," A La Carte may be for you.
Creative
Control Policy
WE'RE A "LET US HANDLE EVERYTHING" KIND OF COMPANY. The client lets go, and just lets the Cheap TV Spots® team get to work. When we do your Cheap TV Spot, we listen to you first -- get a feel for what you need to say. From there we take over the look and feel of the production, using our best Hollywood-bred judgement on what presents your message best.
HANDS
ON: Also known as hand-holding, we do offer Production Options that
allow more interactivity with the Cheap TV Spots Team.
Honestly, most agencies offer hand-holding to make a client feel secure, but in reality, these services simply cost more money, and create endless debate among you and your partners, bogging down your business as well as the TV production. Usually, when a client sees all the bits and pieces in their rough state, it generally causes despair about just how it's all going to turn out, and concern that they've spent all that money just so the production company can turn out a piece of crap. Ultimately, with all the added client input, you do get a commercial that suffers from "too many cooks."
On
the other hand, when clients don't see the bits and pieces beforehand,
they are pleasantly surprised at how good their finished Cheap TV Spot
looks. Besides, we do confer with you beforehand, so you get to pour
out your inspiration to our producers, who will incorporate the best
of your ideas, anyway. Regardless of the Production Option you choose,
the Cheap TV Spots Team takes control every step of the way, and under
no circumstances do we allow clients to sit in on editing sessions,
and we never send out "rough cuts" or semi-finished versions
of any production to soothe your savage curiosity. It just wouldn't
be right...
-
Hands-On
features include:
- Script Concept Approval. If you really want to know in advance whether the Cheap TV Spots Team "gets it" about your product or service, and you want a formal description of how we plan to tackle your project, please order the Classic level or above.
- Script approval. If you are part of a corporation, or license materials, trademarks, etc. from a third party, you may be required to offer the script to this third party for approval. Trust us, you'll know if you need it. You should order the Classic Plus, Ultra-Spot or Cinematic level. Please note that, due to the highly flexible nature of TV production, a script may have to be altered slightly even after approval has been granted.
- Storyboards. For clients who really want the full-on, hand-holding process, we offer a package that also includes storyboards (professionally drawn illustrations) of the main shots in your commercial. Due to the time and labor required for these drawings, we offer this type of service only through our Ultra-Spot and Cinematic levels.
Refunds
Policy
Refunds...refunds.
Here's the thing. NO.
If you want the option of asking for refunds, we recommend you go with a retail-priced agency.
We want you to be satisfied with your Cheap TV Spot. We work hard to ensure you receive a quality product that you can be proud of.
Technically
speaking, as a hyper-discount service, we cannot provide refunds after
commencement of work.
Why?
Two words: time and resources. When we create a Cheap TV Spot, lots
of time (work hours) and resources (equipment & supplies) are expended
to create the best looking, most effective spot. People are funny; they
expect to be paid for what they do, and pronto. One way we are able
to do the magic we do is that we pay our bills promptly and fairly.
Things would be different if getting a TV commercial produced was like ordering a plate of spaghetti at your local eatery. If you sent us your spaghetti back, we'd be fine with a refund -- heck, we'd kick in a free drink next time you visit, just for your trouble. A plate of food is pretty cheap.
TV production, on the other hand, is what people in the Industry call "a giant pain in the ***". Even with our Super Secret Streamlined System, we jump through some hoops. Remember, we operate on a "bare bones" budget -- which is pretty tough for dogs. Once your ad is made, it's made.
Still,
it's not a bad deal, when you consider that your entire production costs
less than what you'd shell out just for the retainer at those retail-priced
agencies.
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