Meet the RESLV Intern | Maddie Agresta

Our new office space is down the street from Xavier University making it extremely convenient for potential internship opportunities to all Musketeers. And the Digital Innovation Film and Television (DIFT) major has been the home for many RESLV interns in our past, present, and hopefully our future. But before you meet Maddie, I’d like to caution that this blog post is not an intern-themed Crosstown Shootout, as we equally love our University of Cincinnati interns as well.

This is actually real! Maddie thought she was only going to PA and then she ended up saving 3 lives at Hoxworth Blood Center

Hello, my name is Maddie Agresta and I am a RESLV summer intern. My hometown is Indianapolis, IN and I am about to enter my senior year at Xavier University. I am majoring in Digital Innovation Film & Television (DIFT) with minors in both writing and studio art.

This internship has been so beneficial to me because I never really considered how the skills that I have learned in the classroom would transfer over into the real world until now. I didn’t know how a business and content agency like this operated or how to anticipate what a client would want out of a final product. This internship has taught me so many technical skills with equipment and post production but also opened my eyes to the business and marketing side of things in ways that I didn’t expect.

Prepping a 4th of July social post with RESLV team. Left to right: Maddie, Molly, Jesy

The team has been so great at answering questions and going into detail about very specific things that I want to know more about. I have taken a deep dive into the world of color grading with Kyle, gone over marketing, website and social media tactics with Jesy and have learned more about professionalism and operations management from Scott to name a few examples. The entire team works hard to allow us interns to learn all that we can from this experience and set us up for success in the future.

I think one of the coolest parts of this internship is the variety of shoots that we get to go on and help make a success. You never know what to expect from our location or who we will capture on camera. My experience with RESLV and the relationship that they have with their clients has been so positive and I have learned so much about other industries and the individual stories that clients have to share outside of just film production. I remember on one of my first ever shoots Steve told me he loves this job because it is an ocean of knowledge an inch deep. That has stuck with me and every shoot that we go on I really feel like I get to learn something new about the world.

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

Did You Know Series: Pre-Production

Preparing for Success: The Power of Video Pre-Production

It’s the day of filming, are you ready? Wait, rewind. A successful video shoot begins on day one of planning. Just as the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing,” there’s no such thing as a bad shoot when you have the right preparation and the right equipment.

Why Pre-Production Matters for Video Content

When you partner with an experienced video agency, there are no limitations on the story you can tell. Want to tell a human story without the standard cliches? For UC Health Nurses Week, we traveled beyond the hospital to interview kids at home about why they were proud that their parents were nurses. The result: engaging footage that broke through the healthcare clutter.

Is your brand always on the move? Knowing how to prepare a video storyboard and shot list—and having the right equipment to capture each moment with clarity—can make all the difference. For HealthPoint, we custom-built and tested car rigs in advance so day-of-shoot footage flowed seamlessly. While this approach was not the “easy” answer, it definitely was the right one. Trying ideas, testing them in advance, and explaining when an alternate approach will get a better result, that’s the power of experience.

Are you looking for real-life authenticity? An expert video agency understands how the right filming style and props can truly elevate your brand. Maybe you’re like us and are into popular true crime specials on Netflix. If so, we can talk about whether a documentary style could work for you. Or perhaps your brand wants to celebrate decades of company history. Our team has sourced period pieces like old televisions and rotary phones for live reenactments of key moments—adding energy where others may have relied solely on photo stills.

Whatever story you are looking to tell, pre-production sets you up for success from video strategy to filming and post-production.

3 Essential Tips for Video Pre-Production

Kyle Breitenstein, RESLV’s Associate Creative Director / Editor, has boiled down his years of experience into three tips for any brand considering video content:

Be focused. There are many directions a video can take. The most effective videos are crafted to meet an objective. Come to our kickoff meeting prepared with a list of what you are hoping to achieve, whether that is awareness, sales or any other priority for your organization. Then, we can build a story to drive business results.
Be collaborative. Remember that your knowledge of your company—and our video team’s storytelling and technical experience—are the secret sauce. Both perspectives are needed to craft powerful content.
Be prepared. Interviews can bring interest and humanity to videos. When preparing your list of interviewees, let us know why you chose them, and what space you hope they will fill in your story. When we understand their role in the big picture, we can ask tailored questions to get engaging quotes and genuine expressions on film.

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

Meet the RESLV Intern | Kenidi Allen Morris

Being an intern doesn’t just mean you go on coffee runs, take out the trash, or make unnecessary copies of boring paperwork. RESLV video agency gives first-hand experience to all of our interns allowing them the access to handle equipment, learn editing techniques, animation, and more. A RESLV internship is self-motivated and self-driven with an abundance of opportunities. But wait, don’t just take our word for it. Let’s see what Kenidi, current RESLV intern, has to say about us!

My name is Kenidi Allen Morris and I am a graduating senior at the College Conservatory of Music (CCM) in the Media Production department at University of Cincinnati. Before summer started, I happily accepted a position as an intern for RESLV, a video content agency.

When I first thought about starting an internship, I believed that as an intern you were to get coffee and bend at the very whim of your bosses. Boy, I could not have been more wrong! While yes, I’ve been known to get coffee on the occasion (hey, I also work at Starbucks) I’m also getting the most experience I’ve ever had while at RESLV. In school it was always so hard to really get the full experience of creating an entire set and also learning the intricate craft of building a beautiful scene. I’d only ever had practice within my specific concentration, but now I’m able to get my hands on all of the equipment and gain access to all the different positions on set. I picked this industry because I really appreciate what it is to have a team that you get to share your creative experiences with to create content people like to consume.

My summer internship is about halfway over and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in such a short time at RESLV including my communication skills with high level professionals. The culture at RESLV is designed to make me feel absolutely welcomed and the open-door policy allows me to ask any questions I have without feeling like I might sound stupid. Even on the hottest of days for an outside shoot we can all still make the best of it and take care of one another.

And yes. Jesy really is that great.

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

What’s New with RESLV | We’ve Been Nominated

What’s New with RESLV | We’ve Been Nominated
Cincinnati-based video agency, RESLV, is humbled to have received three (3) Emmy® nominations recently. For those of you that don’t know, The Ohio Valley Emmy® Awards are a division of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The Columbus, Ohio division was founded in 1964 and our RESLV team is excited to attend the Ohio Valley Chapter’s 58th Emmy® Awards Gala near the end of July.

While we want to bring home more hardware, this opportunity wouldn’t even be a reality if it wasn’t for our amazing clients that partner with us and trust us to guide them to video content success.

One more thing, the RESLV team has decided to show up to the Emmy® Awards Gala in a specific style. If you’d like to see what we end up wearing that night, please follow us on our social accounts to keep tabs. We promise that we will not disappoint.

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

Meet the RESLV Team: Steve May

Meet the RESLV Team | Steve May

Introduce yourself:
I’m Steve May, Howdy!

Explain what it is that you do at RESLV:
I am the video production specialist and junior editor for RESLV. Basically, that means I fill in the gaps that our team needs filled. I manage our equipment and gear, shoot video, assist on shoots, and edit. I also seem to work closest with our interns.

Favorite professional achievements:
I’ve earned several Ohio Valley Regional Emmys through our work at RESLV. I was also the producer and editor for a short film that won 8 awards in last year’s 48 Hour Film Project, including Audience Choice.

Tell us about your passions and values:
I love helping talented people tell their story also helping interns and colleagues hone-in on their craft. Pretty passionate about equal education and voting rights. I am also very passionate about my dogs. They’re my best friends.

Personal interests outside of RESLV:
As a self-professed nerd, I grew up on Star Wars and movies. I even co-host a TV/Film podcast called Streaming Things where we geek out about movies and TV shows. I am also a big fan of professional wrestling because it is the dumbest thing I have ever seen.

Favorite travel destination:
Mexico

Interesting fact about you:
I am undefeated in my pro-wrestling career. Went to a pro-wrestling school for 1 day, had a match, and won.

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

Meet Kyle Breitenstein

Meet the RESLV Team | Kyle Breitenstein

Introduce yourself:
Hi, I’m Kyle Breitenstein.

Explain what it is that you do at RESLV:
As the associate creative director I am tasked with initial concept and creative all the way to post production and taking your project to the finish line. Editing is just a small part of what goes into making a video look and sound great. I provide motion graphics, sound design, animation, and professional color grading as well in order to make your project look and sound its best.

Favorite professional achievements:
Over my ten years of post-production experience, I’m proud to have worked on projects for some of the biggest brands in the world and in some of the fastest growing sectors in the market. I’ve been honored with 5 Ohio Valley Emmys, and countless other awards (I’m being lazy and not getting up to count the ones on the wall.) as a part of the RESLV team.

Tell us about your passions and values:
I value equity, inclusion and social justice and I’m passionate about cancer research, BLM, trans rights, lgbtq + inclusion, and environmental protection. Only through diversity can creativity shine widest.

Personal interests outside of RESLV:
I like building computers, going to the movie theater, and all things Marvel.

Favorite travel destination:
My ideal vacation would be hiking amidst the grandeur of our National Parks. Just not in Joshua Tree. That potential serial killer wigs me out.

Interesting fact about you:
I know how to blow fire.

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

Driving Donations for Hoxworth | Live Action Branded Content

Follow the Blood: Driving Donations for Hoxworth

Hoxworth Blood Center at University of Cincinnati has been a local institution since 1938—making it the second oldest blood center in the United States and an internationally-recognized leader in transfusion medicine. But despite its longstanding impact and name recognition, many in the community weren’t clear on how donation works.

People often asked: “What happens to my blood after donation?”

Live Action Video Tells the Step-by-Step Journey from Donor to Recipient

When Hoxworth asked RESLV this question, we imagined high-energy, branded content that reveals each step of the journey from donor to recipient. By debunking misconceptions and creating transparency around the donation process, this video for Hoxworth could decrease barriers to donation and increase pride in each person who is a part of the process.

In collaboration with the Hoxworth team, we mapped out the video from strategy and pre-production to shooting and editing.

With a tip of the hat to director Steven Soderbergh, RESLV’s Associate Creative Director and Lead Editor Kyle recommended we bring the energy and hook viewers with live action video and Ocean’s 11 heist-style sequences. We may be biased but we think it was an inspired choice.

Engaging the Community to Save a Life

With a video that is entertaining and educational, Hoxworth is able to engage existing and prospective donors with the critical impact of their donations. With 30 area hospitals and medical centers relying on Hoxworth, this work could not be more important.

You can spot this branded content on Hoxworth’s social media channels YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.

“We (Hoxworth Blood Center) are beyond thrilled that the team at RESLV could take a very complex, technical, multi-function process and break it down into an impactful 2-minute story. The talent and ingenuity of the RESLV Team allowed us to bring the science of blood donation to life in real-time. We are looking forward to working with RESLV on many future projects,” Alecia Lipton, director public relations at Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati.

For more content from the Hoxworth/RESLV team—a flexible video partnership producing content since 2019—check out Hoxworth | Full Donor Experience (live action branded content) and Donors Needed (video animation).

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

Thanksgiving 2021 was a mix of our team feeling grateful, surviving COVID and moving our video agency headquarters across state lines from Bellevue, KY to Cincinnati, OH. The new space is nearly 6,000 square feet of space featuring a hand-painted mural in the lobby honoring the building’s history and celebrating Cincinnati as the birthplace of professional firefighting. RESLV is now headquartered in Engine Co. 39 – proudly representing Cincinnati as one of the “first in the nation.”

“We are very excited to be part of a growing and dynamic area of Cincinnati,” said Scott Thompson, owner and team champion of RESLV video agency. “The creative community here has always embraced Cincinnati and iconic, historic buildings like the firehouse. We’re so looking forward to putting down roots and becoming a landmark business within this district.”

Located in Hamilton County, Evanston is home to King Records, where musical artist James Brown recorded several albums between 1965-1967. In 2013, Evanston developed a 10-year plan for ongoing business enhancement and community improvement and growth, making it the perfect place for RESLV to expand its business and become an integral part of the Evanston community.

“While I’m new to RESLV, I have been a part of the Cincinnati advertising and marketing community for more than a decade,” added Jesy Herron, vice president of client partnerships. “I was attracted to the company because of its ability to really put viewers in the shoes of the storyteller. There’s a genuineness to our work that is real and raw and open. Putting our studio in an authentic piece of Cincinnati history like the firehouse just feels like a perfect fit.”

RESLV is looking forward to commemorating the opening of 100-year-old historic firehouse with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 1, 2022 at 11:00am in coordination with city officials. While this is an invitation-only private event, the RESLV team is excited to open their doors and host tours to clients, partners, and friends on April 7, 2022 with an open house style soiree.

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

Why Interviewing is like Therapy.

The core of making a good video is storytelling, and a big chunk of our work is bringing stories out of people in interviews. In theory, a successful interview sounds like an easy, straightforward task. But in reality, it is much like a therapy session: delicate and compassionate, carefully bringing out someone’s truth. That can be hard enough behind closed doors, but it becomes exceptionally tricky when the lights are on and camera is rolling.

So how do we get those stories on film? A good producer is key to getting someone to open up and tell the story they need to tell. But there are some simple techniques to use to help people relax and give detailed answers. First of all, eye contact and active listening is necessary. Simple enough, but not everyone does this instinctively. Just running through the list of questions and expecting something other than stiff, overly prepared answers is a big mistake. And those awkward answers are going to be difficult to work around in editing.

An experienced producer knows how to ask the right questions, dig deeper when they know someone is holding back, and do all of this with compassion – just like a good therapist! Even just asking the right questions isn’t always enough – being a conversationalist and warming your interviewee up with small talk can help them not to freeze up when the cameras are on.

This connection of interviewing to therapy really shines in our videos with ThrivePointe, a counseling services company It was an interesting perspective to have professional counselors respond to our style of interviewing.

When someone is picking their own therapist, it is so important that they connect with that person and feel as comfortable as possible. This is why the storytelling element and ease of the interview was so crucial during production of ThrivePointe’s videos. Not only did the message need to be delivered – but it needed to be delivered in a positive and comfortable way.

We also took over the challenge of completely rebranding ThrivePointe from their website to design elements. This way we could effortlessly connect the vision of the videos to the rest of the company’s look and feel. It was a treat to start from the ground up and elevate this brand even beyond video content.

Check out the results of a great interview in our video for ThrivePointe:

Want to see how RESLV can help you drive results?

Drop us a line to see how.

This is where we come from. It may be a small city, but it’s got some big vibes! As a video agency,we spend a lot of time capturing the world around us – especially what’s close to home – Cincinnati!

We wanted to share the excitement for our region with everyone else – so we gathered up some of our favorite footage and made a little ‘highlight reel’ for the city. People should know that Cincy is as cool as any other city on the map…so let’s show them! The sights, the food, the people. We’ve got it all right here.

Our Cincinnati region is full of charm, but we’ll let the video speak for itself.

Hopefully we’ve created something that features all the best parts about living in Cincinnati! Of course, we couldn’t fit all of what makes this region great (or the video would be hours long) so let us know about your favorite part of Cincinnati and #RepOurRegion!

Meet the RESLV Intern | Maddie Agresta