Request for Proposals – Videographers

Ramsey County Historical Society
February 8, 2016

The Ramsey County Historical Society (RCHS) is seeking a video team (depending on a successful grant outcome) to create a set of four 8-minute video episodes, and a compilation video of those 4 short videos into a program for distribution on social media, YouTube, viewing on personal devices and for possible airings on cable or broadcast television. The productions will provide classroom students and the public with videos that will inform viewers about the experiences and contributions of African Americans from Minnesota during the Civil War, and the impact of the war’s aftermath on African Americans in the state. Possible stories might include: the underground railroad in St. Paul; freed slaves living in Minnesota; the founding of Pilgrim Church in St. Paul by former slave families; Henry Mack or other Black combatants in the Union army; the lives of returning soldiers; and other possible topics, to be determined by a planning committee.

This is a work-for-hire assignment; the Ramsey County Historical Society will own the copyright for the video episodes and the edited 30-minute program.

The successful applicant should have:
· experience in creating historic documentaries as videos or television programs;
· the ability to re-edit images and video from other formats to edit into the new program;
· the ability to provide closed-captioning to the program, for accessibility;
· the ability to create high-quality graphics and maps, as needed;
· the capacity to post the finished program and videos online;
· access to the process necessary to offer productions for broadcast or community cable TV distribution;
· the ability to create HD video and audio.

Applicants must have a proven record for producing high-quality documentaries on schedule and on budget.

The production portion of this project, if funded, will begin July 1, 2016, and must be finished by June 30, 2017. The scope of work will include creating an outline for each production with a planning committee; planning and shooting for 12 field days with a full crew; recording up to 15 video interviews; adding voiceover for credits and narration; offline and online editing; creating new maps and graphics; adding b-roll as needed; adding music and sound sweetening; adding closed captioning; post production preparation for web streaming and for cablecast or broadcast; posting final files to the web; maintaining files on a server for a minimum of five years (at which time files may be maintained by RCHS). All new recording will occur within the Twin Cities; no overnight travel is anticipated.

Expenses will include acquisition of, and permissions for, still images, drawings and maps.

Please reply with schedule, estimated budget, sample video and letter of experience, no later than 4:30pm on Friday, February 19, 2016.

Please send inquiries or responses to:

Chad Roberts
Ramsey County Historical Society
Chad@rchs.com

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 177.41 to 177.44 and corresponding Rules 5200.1000 to 5200.1120, this work is subject to the prevailing wages as established by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Specifically, all contractors and subcontractors must pay all laborers and mechanics the established prevailing wages for work performed under this agreement.