Agency Housing Finance Agency

Contractor Seavert Studios

SWIFT Contract Number 202050

Project Name MHFA 50th Anniversary Content Series

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: Minnesota Housing was founded in 1971 and first opened its doors in 1972. The Agency decided to commemorate its 50 years with a 50-minute film about its origins, its work and its future. We needed a contractor to interview key principals and stakeholders, develop storylines, and edit video content into chapters that held together as a complete film. While we have a videographer on staff, the extensive interviews, length of film and narrative shaping required an outside contractor.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 10/11/2021 - 00:00

Original end date Sat, 04/30/2022 - 00:00

Actual end date Tue, 01/31/2023 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $75000

Amendments $12000

Contract total $87000

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? Communications Budget

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) {Empty}

Evaluator Name Jill Mazullo

Evaluator Email Address Jill.Muzullo@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The contractor was timely in its execution of deliverables and always communicated when anything was delayed (such as when an interview subject fell through). Amendments to extend the deadline were required to capture all stories desired for the film and to execute a highly polished finished product.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The quality of the final product is award-worthy (and will be submitted as such this year). The look is professional. The flow of the narrative in each chapter is natural, with voiceovers by the contractor where needed. Staff and Agency partners alike were moved by the film and applauded the final product.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The cost was very fair, considering we received a 50-minute documentary for $1,740 per finished minute (industry standard ranges from $1,000-$10,000 per finished minute). Given the high quality of the finished product, the cost was more than reasonable.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The contractor performed with excellence on all fronts. They were communicative, thoughtful, engaging and productive. They used their prodigious narrative skills to intertwine long interviews on housing financing with personal stories of housing instability into a compelling and emotional film.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): None

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 5 - very satisfied