Videography & documentary
Footage that actually tells the story.
Silver Thread Media Group is the technical production company that helps artists, nonprofits, and organizations pull off documentary and brand video projects without the missed shots, blown deadlines, and unusable footage that come from an underprepared crew. David McKay brings the same preparation standard used in high-stakes live production to every shoot.
Trusted by artists, nonprofits, wineries, and brand teams
Motivation
What triggers the need for a documentary or video crew?
Most people don't come looking for a videographer when everything's going smoothly. They come because a previous freelancer delivered footage they weren't happy with, and they rode it out anyway because it felt too late to start over. They come because they need a "digital reel" or portfolio piece and don't know how to ask for it in industry terms. They come because the shoot date is locked, the moment is unrepeatable, and there's no room for a crew that can't keep up.
Silver Thread Media Group steps in with one standard: plan for what could go wrong before it happens.
What you avoid
Documentary and brand video projects without the missed shots, blown deadlines, and unusable footage that come from an underprepared crew.
- No missed shots during a one-take moment
- No footage that's technically fine but emotionally flat
- No "sunk cost" situation with a crew that isn't delivering
- No confusion about what you'll actually walk away with
Value proposition
What makes this different from hiring a freelance videographer?
Multi-cam and technical fluency.
Documentary-style coverage that captures the real moment, not a staged reenactment.
Preproduction that prevents problems.
Gear, shot lists, and contingencies are planned before the crew ever shows up.
Comfortable in demanding environments.
Multi-day shoots, physically demanding locations, and long shoot days are the norm, not the exception.
A crew mindset, not a freelancer mindset.
This isn't a "gear head for hire" — it's a technical producer who understands both the creative and engineering sides of a shoot.
Selected work
Recent projects.
Selected documentary and multi-cam pieces. Full portfolio releases as approvals finalize.
Who it's for
Who is documentary & video production for?
Artists
who need a professional reel, live performance footage, or documentary-style content.
Nonprofits
who need footage that communicates mission and impact clearly, without a corporate feel.
Wineries & hospitality brands
who need content that matches the quality of the experience they sell.
Corporate & organizations
who need a "digital reel" or ongoing video content without managing a crew themselves.
Process
How does a shoot get planned?
- 01
Discovery call.
We talk through the vision, the story you're trying to tell, and what the final deliverable needs to look like.
- 02
Budget and scope.
We define the shoot — how many days, what setup, what crew, and what you'll walk away with.
- 03
Preproduction.
Shot lists, gear checks, and contingency planning happen before the camera ever rolls.
- 04
Production and delivery.
On-site problem-solving keeps the shoot on schedule, and you get footage that's usable — not just captured.
Pricing framework
Three tiers, scoped to the actual project.
Essentials
Single-day shoots, short-form content, artist reels
- One-day shoot
- Basic edit
- Digital delivery
Custom quote — confirmed on discovery call.
Recommended
Documentary-style or multi-cam projects
- Multi-day coverage
- Full edit
- Story-driven cut
Custom quote — confirmed on discovery call.
Custom / Corporate
Nonprofits, wineries, ongoing brand content
- Fully scoped project
- Ongoing content builds
- Tailored to budget
Custom quote — confirmed on discovery call.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
I got burned by a freelancer before — how is this different?
Preproduction planning and technical fluency mean fewer surprises and no guessing about what you'll receive at the end of the shoot.
I don't really know how to explain what I need.
That's normal — the discovery call is built to translate your goals into a clear shot list and deliverable, no industry jargon required.
What if the shoot runs long or something goes wrong on location?
Multi-day, high-pressure, and physically demanding shoots are already part of the track record, so problems get solved in real time rather than after the fact.
What's the difference between a "reel" and a documentary project?
A reel is short-form, performance- or portfolio-driven footage — used to showcase an artist or brand quickly. A documentary project is a longer, story-driven piece with preproduction, multi-day coverage, and a full edit. Exact deliverables are scoped on the discovery call.
Positioning
Silver Thread Media Group is the technical production company that helps artists, event producers, and organizations pull off high-stakes live audio and documentary video projects without the failures, missed shots, and last-minute scrambles that come from an underprepared crew.
Credits
Film & series credits.
David's on-set experience spans short films and pilots in roles from BTS video to 1st and 2nd AC:
Book a discovery call- 2nd AC
Table Tops
Short Film
- 2nd AC
Couples Communication
Pilot
- 1st AC
After Jason
Short Film
- BTS Video
How To Eat An Elephant
Short Film
Gear
What gear does Silver Thread works with?
Video Hardware
- Blackmagic ATEM TV Studio
- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema series
- Sony FX & a7 series
- Canon R series
- Panasonic S & G series
- Fujifilm Eterna 55
Video Software
- OBS Broadcast
- vMix
- Adobe Premiere
- DaVinci Resolve
- Zoom
- Discord
Pricing
What does video & photography cost?
Pricing depends on project type, length, and deliverables. Sample starting points:
| Service | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Quarter Day Shoot (4 hrs / 10 photos) | $300 |
| Half Day Shoot (6 hrs / 21 photos) | $500 |
| Full Day Shoot (10 hrs / 42 photos) | $900–$1,250 |
| Wedding Videography (10-hr shoot + highlight video) | Starting at $2,000 |
| Monthly Content Package (businesses) | Starting at $500/month |
Custom packages available — full breakdown on the Pricing page.
Book now
The story deserves to be told right.
Shoot dates and production windows fill up — the sooner we talk, the more preproduction time we have to protect the final result.
Book a discovery call