Missouri, USA. Amanda Aschinger of Solstice Production
Tomilli: What was the case with which your agency obtained the most awards this year, and which made you the agency of the year according to the TopFICE global rankings? Let’s talk about that case.
We were thankful to receive several awards throughout the course of 2020, in a range of categories. We’ve worked to build a strong team of creatives and storytellers over the past decades, and having the industry respond so warmly is such an honor.
On the Internet everybody talk at the same time, but how can you manage to maintain a good conversation online?
The best conversations online are genuine conversations. I see a lot of good video, and also a heck of a lot of not so good video. The difference is usually a matter of authenicity. The story that is told, the visuals that support that story, the music, voiceover, or interview, all of those components must be well thought out and executed in order for authenicity to be obtained. The camera knows when you are lying.
How are the best stories told?
Careful preparation. You need to know what story you will tell, how you want the audience to respond, and how you can gently guide the audience through that story to earn that response. Prep is Paramount.
In 2020, conversations were about Covid and politics. How do you tell relevant stories when conversations are so intense?
It’s hard not to have a point of view when it comes to issues like Covid or politics, but good stories have a point of view, but allow for different interpretations.
What has been the best story (production) told by Solstice in these 23 years?
That’s an imposible question to answer. I love too many of them.
What changed in Solstice’s story in 2020?
We always plan to be nimble and to be proactive, but still able to adjust to circumstances. The biggest change in 2020 is the determination to stay flexible.
What production lessons has this year left you with?
Say “yes”, you’ll be able to figure it all out during prep.