Shoot Better Video
Story and Messaging Strategy | Video Consulting
Hollywood-Trained Video Strategy for Executives Who Don't Have Time to Learn Video
25 years on the set and in the meeting rooms for national campaigns and Super Bowl ads — now applied to your keynote reel, sales videos, and personal brand.
OVERVIEW
The experience and resume you want when hiring a video consultant
You want someone who can work with top performers? We have worked with quite a few — Shaq, Seinfeld, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Whitney Houston, Van Halen, Eurythmics, David Fincher, Ridley Scott, and the list continues.
What does that mean for you?
It means we work as a director works — pulling the best out of you on camera, the same way we pulled it out of A-list talent and Fortune 500 brands for two decades.
Services
Video Consulting
We help high performers grow their business with video — without the confusion of what to shoot, how to say it, or which platform it belongs on. We work with you on your story, your message, and the 10–20 small things that separate a video that gets watched from one that gets scrolled past.
Directing Live Action
From TV commercials to talking-head videos to full brand films — live action is where most video lives, and every format has its own rules. Two decades on Hollywood sets means I know how to direct the room, solve the problems that come up mid-shoot, and get the take that actually serves your goal, not just a pretty shot.
Creating Your Impact Story
Most executives don't have a video problem — they have a story problem. They're too close to their own expertise to know what's actually worth saying on camera. This is where the director's eye matters most: finding the one throughline in everything you know, and cutting away the rest so the message is clearly understood.
THE DIRECTOR'S NOTES
Three ways of thinking that separate videos that work from videos that get scrolled past — Industry insider knowledge can’t be learned on YouTube. Two decades in the trenches is where real knowledge is learned.
THINK LIKE A CAMERA
The camera hides nothing. It doesn't care what feels normal to you — it only shows what's actually in frame, down to the reflections and the flubbed emotion. Most people have never been trained for that. Presenting to a room and performing for a lens are different skills, and knowing the difference is what separates you from everyone else's video.
THINK LIKE A STORYTELLER
There's a difference between telling a story and being a storyteller. Telling a story is just reciting facts. Being a storyteller means holding someone's attention even on a topic they've never cared about before — the way a great director doesn't just film the script, but shapes every visual and every beat of nuance to keep the audience locked in. That's the job here: let's get your story told that way.
EVERY VIDEO NEEDS A PURPOSE
Before we shoot anything, you need to know why the video exists. Is it there to sell something? To be watched like a Netflix episode? To get you booked on a stage? There's no wrong answer — but a video made without knowing its job almost never does that job well.
Brands that Trusted Our Work
What a Few of our past Clients say about Us
I've had the opportunity to work with Rick on numerous projects through the years, ranging from creative direction to video production to app development. Rick is one of the most creative and enthusiastic people I've ever worked with. He always has innovative solutions to production challenges, and does a great job from concept through completion. In addition, I have referred him to my clients to produce and direct videos. Rick has my strongest recommendation.
I love working with Rick. He helps me feel so at ease being in front of the camera. Not only is he really amazing at what he does, he brings humor and fun to the experience of being on camera. I'm always impressed at how much he knows, how much he is willing to share, and how he goes above and beyond to provide great customer service. It doesn't matter if you are a first timer or a veteran at being on video, Rick has something to offer you to make you more confident on camera.
When all is said and done; there is little which provides more value than years of experience in an industry when it is linked to a person who is engaged and enthusiastic about the work they do. This is a description of Rick. A professional who blends years of hard-earned experience with the excitement of the rare professional who really loves their job! Rick is a can do guy and makes no excuses Rick is a good choice as a Vendor, A Colleague and Friend!
Rick Toone offers a wealth of experience and skill served up in his unique style of humor, warmth and fun. He generously shares his knowledge and talent in an unusually effusive, expansive and life-affirming style. The Chamber of Commerce and community have benefited from his willingness to share his skill, wisdom and special sensibilities. He was also on our Bucks Fever Film Festival Committee for 6 years and served as co-chair for one of those. It was great to have a piece of "Hollywood " at our event. Additionally, he produced and directed an inspiring short film for an artist who was receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chamber.
There used to be an old ad line "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." Well, I am a chiropractor and not an actor, but through Rick's magic, he made me look presentable on video! Working with Rick made the process of filming a video so easy, even though I was a complete nervous wreck. He continually revamped the script, getting it so that I sounded normal, like I was talking with a friend. While we were filming he was so patient and supportive, after many flubs on my part, he made the experience very pleasant. I'd recommend Rick to anyone looking to up their marketing game.
Rick has documented interviews and my participation in a few powerful marketing and promotional events - where his skill and experience in directing, filming, and planning have produced outstanding videos. His hollywood experience, national advertising successes, and easy-to-work-with personality make any video shoot with him an outstanding event in itself.
"We had been producing our own videos in-house for some time. But, when we needed to produce a video that we knew had to make a splash, that's when we turned to Rick. From the storyboard to the technical aspects of the video shoot to working with the on-camera talent, Rick brought a professionalism to our production that really put the video that we created over the top! And, in the process we learned some valuable lessons that we'll be using for our future video projects. We recommend Rick and his years of experience for whatever video project you have in mind!".
Working with Rick Is Simple
“Video is the most effective way to show who you are, what you stand for, and how you do business."
Let's talk about your video — and what it could do for your bottom line.
Videos Every Business Needs to Have
Most companies are missing at least half of these. Here's the full list of videos to get you noticed.
Most companies have a logo video and a testimonial page — and stop there. But a real video library does more of the selling for you, long before anyone gets on a call.
Businesses don't realize how much they're losing in trust, authority, and closed deals by not having a few clarifying videos.
About Us
Rick and Jen in their Happy Place - By the ocean
Who is Rick Toone?
A Hollywood insider who somehow still answers his own email.
Rick spent 25 years on set — Working on the first eight Got Milk? campaigns, American Express with Jerry Seinfeld, Mercedes, FedEx, over 50 Super Bowl ads, Emmy-nominated work. His job wasn't just pointing a camera. It was selling the scene, making the unbelievable feel true, and getting a director's vision on screen inside a producer's budget — He does not assume that one take will be all you need. Ask about 56 takes with Kevin Costner.
That's the same job he does for you now. Because a keynote reel, a sales video, or a founder story on camera has the same problem a $2 million commercial has: someone with real expertise who isn't being shown at their best. Rick knows what you need and how to get it.
Rearranging words to convey just the right message
He works with executives, consultants, and coaches who don't have time to become video people — and shouldn't have to. He digs into why you do what you do, not just what you're selling, then applies the same eye that got 50-plus Super Bowl spots on air to make sure your video does the work for you.
These days Rick lives by the Caribbean Sea with his wife Jen. Having spent a lifetime chasing new places to live— by 18 he'd already covered all 48 contiguous states in his dad's motorhome. Traveling and visiting different cultures drive a storyteller.
Contact
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