Wide Open Films 2016

Animation

In Development

Commercials

eMotive Stories

Who We Are

In Development

eMotive Stories

To see some eMotive Story© samples (click here).

Nothing brings people together like a well-told story. Our passion is helping you connect with family, friends, and future generations through digital stories. We call it “eMotive Storytelling.” We curate (select, organize and protect) your most cherished photos, slides, videos, home movies and music so that your best memories can be enjoyed now and preserved digitally for future generations to enjoy. We take this...

What We Do

Your Once Upon A TimeNothing brings people together like a well-told story. Whether it’s a TV commercial, anniversary, birthday, vacation or family history, when we tell your story, it emotionally connects with the people you care about most. We call it eMotive Storytelling©. Special Life EventsWe grew up in advertising, where rule #1 is: “If you don’t get their attention, nothing else matters.” We apply this rule to your home movies for the new millennium. We curate (sift through and organize) your most cherished photos, slides, videos, home movies and music so that a timeless story emerges about your special life events. Your Family StoryHow will future generations know where they came from and what you value most...unless you tell them? We capture your story on digital video, edit it with family photos, home movies and compelling music so that your story emotionally connects them to you.

We take these elements...

What are the stories that you'd like to tell?We'd love to help you tell them before they're lost.

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back

and turn them into this…(press play ▶ to view).

After visiting several of NYC’s largest ad agencies, Smith and Wagoner sharpened their vision from advertising to producing TV commercials. Upon winning the top two TV commercial awards in the Phoenix market, Mediacraft became Wide Open Films, a boutique creative production shop.

Today, Wide Open Films is primarily focused on producing episodic content. From our main page select the “In Development” button to see what we’re up to now.

It’s A Story About Two Guys Who… Wide Open Films started out as an ad agency by the name of Mediacraft founded in 1995 by John Wagoner and Dan Smith. Both Arizona natives, who cut their teeth in Phoenix ad agencies and in-house ad teams, Smith and Wagoner honed their storytelling skills writing and producing ad campaigns for consumer products in the metro-Phoenix market. Dan Smith (below in photo) and John Wagoner (left in photo) hold their “Best of Show TV Commercial” and “Best of Show TV Campaign” ADDY awards at the 1997 ADDY Awards.

:30 Second Short Stories for TV In :30 second storytelling our #1 rule is: “If you don’t get their attention, nothing else matters.” Our commercials are known for their compelling, heartfelt and entertaining story lines. Shot on the highest quality cameras,using professional crews, lighting andequipment, our TV spots capture yourprospects’ attention, draw them in and tell your story in :30 seconds. The Results...Our TV commercials consistently excel at generating qualified leads and creating brand value for our clients. Here are some samples of our TV commercials that aired in the Phoenix market. (Click on the images to see the commercials)

Commercials

Home Movies for a New Millennium Remember the thrill of watching home movies as a kid? Remember being fascinated with moving pictures of relatives in far away places wearing funny clothes and wishing you could hear them tell their story? Thanks to new technology we can help you tell your stories in an entertaining and compelling way that will safeguard them for your grandkids and great grandkids. Instead of cumbersome film projection equipment, outdated videos and boxes of photos, you’ll be able to share your stories on your home entertainment (TV), DVD, computer, smart phone or tablet. Welcome to digital home movies; we call them eMotive Stories© . Who’s helping you preserve your story...before it’s lost? Here are trailers created from actual eMotive Stories. (Click on the images to see short clips)

eMotive Stories

The First 80 Years

Family Waves

Maui Christmas

Nana's Cookies

A Lifetime Shared

How long is the average run time of an eMotive Story©?It can be as short as 30 seconds or as long as 45 minutes. Most are somewhere between 3 to 20 minutes, depending upon the story you want to tell? What if I only have print photos without the negatives, can you still create an eMotive Story© for me? Yes, for an example of this, go to “eMotive Stories” and click on “A Lifetime Shared.” Can personal interviews be included in an eMotive Story©?Absolutely. We capture these conversations digitally for inclusion into your story. Can you mix photos and video in the same eMotive Story©?Definitely. For an example, go to “eMotive Stories” and click on “Maui Christmas.”

How much does an eMotive Story© cost?That depends upon a number of elements: 1) The “Run Time” (length) of the story, 2) The number of photos, slides, videos or film may be digitized or transferred to an electronic medium that we can included, 3) producing photos or video (interviews), 4) Special requests such as scripting, multiple locations, multiple cameras, microphones, lighting kits, props, special equipment and event coordination. An eMotive Story© with 60 photos starts around $300.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does the word “eMotive” in “eMotive Stories©” mean?A: Eliciting an emotional response. Well-told stories cause an emotional response, e.g. laughter, sorrow, nostalgia. What is an eMotive Story©?Your digital home movie utilizing the latest technology so you can enjoy your stories now and preserve them for future generations. What types of media elements comprise an eMotive Story©?- Photographs- Slides- Videos- Film- Negatives- Music- Electronic Files- Graphics

Phone: 480.718.3066eMail: dan@wideopenfilms.com

◀ Contact Us

Get Directions (Click on "View Larger Map")

14300 North NorthSight BlvdSuite #126Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Harkins Theatres

Assignment: Brand the largest independent theatre chain in Arizona. Strategy: Tell the story of families enjoying the magic of a Harkins movie-going experience scored with original swing music.

◀ Commercials

Shasta (Clouds)

Assignment: Introduce a TV campaign to differentiate the Shasta Pools’ brand and extend its reach in the highly competitive Phoenix pool market. Strategy: Tell the story of a daydreaming couple who escape together in their Shasta Pool.

Shasta (Youth)

Assignment: Differentiate the Shasta Pools’ brand and extend its reach in the highly competitive Phoenix pool market. Strategy: Tell the story of a couple who relive their youthful memories in a Shasta Pool. Award: “Best of Show TV Commercial” 1997 Phoenix ADDY Awards.

Sunset Ford

Assignment: Brand Sunset as the Ford dealership that understands and caters to the unique car-buying needs of women in the Valley. Strategy: Tell the story of a young woman revealing how Sunset treats women differently during their car-buying experience.

Assignment: Brand a new Cadillac dealership in North Scottsdale. Strategy: Tell the story of three generations of the Culiver family and their commitment to serving their auto customers, creating “Traditions for Tomorrow.”

Culiver 1946

Family Waves

Synopsis: This is the story of two brothers and their families vacationing at Tunnels Beach, Kauai. Shot on a Sony Handycam. Run Time: 12 Mins.

◀ eMotive Stories

A Lifetime Shared

Synopsis: This is the story of a 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration created with digitized slides and photos from 1929 - 2012 set to music meaningful to this couple. Run Time: 22 Mins.

Synopsis: This is a video “Thank You” created for in-laws who took their two daughters’ families to Maui to celebrate Christmas. Video and photos shot entirely on the iPhone 4S. RunTime: 7 Mins.

Maui Christmas

Synopsis: This is a story looking back over 80 years of a man’s life. We scanned hundreds of old photos and slides, but only used just over one hundred of them in this digital story. Run Time: 11 Mins.

The First 80 Years

Nana's Cookies

Synopsis: This is a “just for fun” story of three generations enjoying their cabin in the woods. Using a single question, we crafted a simple story that involved the whole family. Shot on a Sony Handycam. Run Time: 4 Mins.

Reluctant hero, wrong place, right time.

Do What’s Lawful

Do What's Right

Choice of Evils

History teacher, mentoring the next generation.

In Development

Log Line: When gun violence takes the lives of two family members, a husband and wife polarize in their grief and coping. Just seeing a gun grips her with fear and anxiety, while he feels compelled to carry a handgun to protect his family and his students …even in a gun-free zone.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — George Santayana

When every second counts, minutes matter.

Assignment: Create an animated infographicrecruitment video for an outsourced sales company serving Fortune 100 companies. Strategy: Get the attention of job seekersin their ‘20s to ‘40s who desirea career in sales with a steady paycheck and health benefits as well as training, support and a healthy work-life balance.

Animation