2025 Grantmakers for Southern Progress Convening

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: VIDEOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

This proposal outlines our plan to provide full videography and photography coverage for the 2025 Convening. RED SQUARED has produced media for events across the South, with a focus on organizations advancing equity, policy, and cultural change, bringing technical skill and regional insight to every project. At RED SQUARED, we believe strong documentation is part of movement work and this proposal shares how we approach this kind of work and what we can bring to the 2025 Grantmakers for Southern Progress Convening.

1. COMPANY OVERVIEW

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1. COMPANY OVERVIEW ✱

Who We Are

RED SQUARED is an award-winning, Black-owned multimedia company based in Jackson, Mississippi. We specialize in strategic storytelling, documentary-style video production, and culturally responsive content for mission-driven organizations across the South.

Experience & Relevant Portfolio Samples

Our work blends technical skill with a deep understanding of the communities we serve. We’ve produced video and photo coverage for large convenings, rural site visits, summits, and community-based campaigns. This includes work for the Higher Purpose Hub, The Center for Mississippi Food Systems, The State of Black Learning Conference, and The National Farm to School Network, among others.

We propose a four-part approach to document the 2025 Grantmakers for Southern Progress Convening through thoughtful photography and strategic video storytelling. Our approach combines culturally responsive documentation with clear logistical planning to ensure full coverage of the learning tours, plenaries, and key moments of the convening. We aim to deliver high-quality content while creating a respectful, affirming experience for everyone involved.

2. Approach & Execution Plan

Pre-Production Planning & Coordination

We will work closely with Grantmakers for Southern Progress staff to finalize a production schedule, confirm venue logistics, and map key moments across the event. This project will have its own Project Manager dedicated to coordinating this project between both groups. This includes reviewing scripts or run-of-show documents (as well as helping develop documents as needed), confirming learning tour locations, and identifying priority sessions and speakers. We will also coordinate pre-event calls to align on voice, tone, and post-production goals.

✱ DELIVERABLES:

  • Full Digital Production Book including a run-of-show document, shot lists and production schedule

  • Up to 5 pre-event planning meetings for coordination and alignment with Grantmakers for Southern Progress staff

  • Location Scouting Plan document that includes pre-event technical planning, an onsite walk through and equipment prep list.

Learning Tour Coverage

We will deploy two trained videography/photography teams to cover two concurrent learning tours, each lasting approximately four hours. Our team will document group travel, community site visits, interviews with participants, and meaningful interactions with local leaders.

✱ DELIVERABLES:

  • Raw footage of both tours

  • 150+ select stills for post-event use

  • Interview clips and audio coverage (if feasible in location)

Convening Documentation

Our team will provide full coverage of all convening activities across two days. This includes b-roll of panels, keynote sessions, attendee interactions, and behind-the-scenes moments. We will also capture select full length panel or plenary discussions with a three person video team to assist with filming and a lead photographer to capture photos of the convening.

✱ DELIVERABLES:

  • B-roll video coverage and photo coverage of main convening

  • Full video coverage and recordings of select plenary sessions

Post-Production & File Delivery

Following the event, we will begin post-production editing for the learning tour videos and highlight reel. This process includes video stabilization, color correction, music licensing, light motion graphics (titles, lower thirds), and final mastering. Photos will be delivered in high-resolution formats and organized into a shareable cloud folder with video footage to as well as to portable SSDs for ongoing use by Grantmakers for Southern Progress.

✱ DELIVERABLES:

  • 2 edited learning tour videos (30-45 minutes long) each from both tours. 

  • 1 edited video recap of the convening (3-5 minutes)

  • Select plenary session recordings

  • Delivery of all raw footage and images

  • Licensing rights for unlimited use by Grantmakers for Southern Progress

3. Sample Work

The work below represents a range of our recent work documenting convenings, community gatherings, and mission-driven campaigns across the South. Each project showcases our commitment to high production value, collaborative storytelling, and culturally grounded documentation and we’ve selected examples that we think would potentially align with the goals and tone of the Grantmakers for Southern Progress Convening.

4. TEAM & EQUIPMENT

  • SaraCaroline Jones

    DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Husam Elmadih

    CINEMATOGRAPHER

  • Joshua Martin

    PHOTOGRAPHER

  • Bethany Moore

    PHOTOGRAPHER

  • Andrea Reid

    EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR

Mobile Production Van

Production will be supported by our OnDeck Mobile Production Unit, a fully outfitted production van that serves as our on-site base for film equipment and gear management. The van will be parked near each venue and tour site to ensure quick setup, organized storage, and seamless transitions throughout the convening. It carries everything needed for multi-camera coverage, high-quality audio capture, lighting, and backup equipment, allowing our team to stay agile and prepared in any environment.

A full list of available gear, including camera bodies, lenses, audio kits, lighting, and grip, is available here or below.

5. Cost Proposal

We’ve outlined a transparent, all-inclusive cost structure for this project based on the scope described in the RFP. Pricing includes planning, travel, labor, post-production, and licensing. We’ve built this proposal to reflect both the scale of the convening and the level of care and production value RED SQUARED brings to every engagement.

  • This covers planning meetings with Grantmakers for Southern Progress, developing the production schedule, coordinating access and logistics for learning tours, prepping equipment and crew and assembling all documents into your custom Production Booklet.

  • Includes videography and photography coverage of two simultaneous four-hour learning tours. Each team includes a videographer and assistant, along with transportation, gear, and prep.

  • Full documentation of the convening across two days, including keynote sessions, panels, breakout groups, and candid attendee engagement. This includes both video and photo coverage with a multi-person crew.

  • Includes curation and delivery of up to 150 high-resolution, color-corrected images from both the tours and convening. Files will be organized and delivered digitally with licensing included.

  • Covers editing of three final videos: two learning tour videos (30-40 min) and one convening recap (3–5 min). Includes editing, color correction, light motion graphics, music licensing, and file mastering.

  • Flat rate to cover travel, meals, lodging, and transportation for a 4–5 person team traveling from Jackson, MS to Little Rock, AR.

Total: $22,500

This rate includes unlimited use licensing for all final assets and access to all raw files upon request. A 50% deposit is required to commence project booking. Invoicing for subsequent payments and balance will be submitted with a detailed summary of completed services and deliverables.

6. References

Dr. Victor Sutton

Director, Office of Preventive Health and Health Equity
Mississippi State Department of Health
Project: Mississippi Health Disparities Symposium (2024)
Link to work: Watch Highlight Video
Email: Victor.Sutton@msdh.ms.gov
Phone: (601) 672-2914

Noel Didla

Co-Steward, The Center for MS Food Systems
Project: MS Food Systems Gathering 2024
Link to work: See Project Samples
Email: noelestherdidla@gmail.com
Phone: (601) 212-1558

*More references are available upon request.

Thank you for reading and considering our proposal.

RED SQUARED brings deep production experience, a values-aligned team, and a strong track record of documenting movement work across the South. Through intentional storytelling and responsive event coverage, we aim to help Grantmakers For Southern Progress preserve the spirit of this convening and extend its reach beyond the room.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and support the success of the 2025 Convening.

Roderick Red
CEO, RED SQUARED
roderick@redsquared.co | 601-953-6124 | www.redsquared.co