A captivating professional video informs and entertains by drawing you into the heart of the action and giving you a feel for the people on the screen. Beautiful cinematography is critical—but not enough. There must be a clear message presented in a compelling way. That’s how Tzvi Simchon makes videos. He produces visual stories with a cinematic flair for a wide range of clients including professional service firms, corporations, nonprofits and schools.
Today, video is indispensable for anyone who wants to communicate to an audience on their social media channels, podcast, website or in person programs. “I am a visual storyteller,” said Simchon. “I tell my client’s story in a really high-quality way that is engaging and meaningful.”
I asked Simchon what makes a video high quality. “There’s always a focus to what I show,” he said. “I know how to direct the attention of the viewer to what the client wants to share.” He does that by using cutting-edge cinematography techniques to tell a story developed by old-fashioned listening. “I learn about all the client’s goals, their core values and their messaging. I always ask, ‘What is your main goal in producing this video?’ Is it to increase sales? Is it to get more feet in the door? Is it to create a more refined brand image? There’s a million things that somebody might want to do through the power of video. Knowing that will allow me to really understand what they are looking for.”
Some clients come to Simchon with a basic idea; others look to him to take the lead. “My method is very collaborative,” said the director/cinematographer. “I’ll send samples of work that I’ve done or I’ve seen other people do that we can emulate and draw inspiration from. We brainstorm and take a few days to hone our ideas until we have something we really like.” After back-and-forth collaboration on the script, Simchon shoots the final version and edits the footage, with continuing feedback from the client.
Simchon’s process works with any type of project, so he can confidently apply his skills to new areas. “No two videos are the same,” he said. “I have the skills to create any kind of video, even though I may not have done one for a specific industry yet.”
Looking at the extensive portfolio on Simchon’s website, you may be surprised to know that he is still in his early 20s. He has been making videos since he was a child growing up in Flatbush. Simchon’s dad was his first teacher. They spent many hours watching movies together, and when the son became interested in making videos, his dad taught him introductory editing.
Simchon’s first inkling that he had a gift for tapping into people’s emotions came when he made a video for his eighth-grade graduation. “It was very basic; I had some interviews and some slow-motion shots and some photos and I put it together with nice music,” he recalled. “My friend’s parents reached out to my parents saying how it made them so happy they were tearing up. And I realized I have the power to make people really feel something in a deep way through the power of visual storytelling.” After that he began to be more serious about video. With his parents’ support, he upgraded his equipment and learned how to make more sophisticated productions.
Simchon had a standard yeshiva and college education. He chose not to go to film school but continued teaching himself through YouTube tutorials and experience. When he was 15, he reached out to Meir Kay, a social media influencer who started making an annual Super Bowl party for the homeless. Simchon contacted him, said he was a big fan, and offered to video the party. He was astonished and thrilled when Kay agreed. Doing that project raised his confidence and inspired him to make video production his career.
In addition to commercial productions, Simchon does documentary work. He produced a film titled “Can These Bones Live Again,” about an MTA high school trip to Poland in conjunction with the program Names Not Numbers, in which students interview Holocaust survivors and create a film. He recently directed, filmed and co-wrote “Finding Moshiach” with Berel Solomon. The film has amassed over 600,000 views on YouTube.
Now residing with his wife in Teaneck, Simchon is continuing the trajectory he has taken to produce high-quality professional videos, exploring new subjects and attracting new clients. “Video is probably the most effective communication tool today,” he said. “Even though anyone can make a video, it’s not always the highest quality and it’s something people might click away from because it’s not engaging. So what I do is help them tell their story in a way that deeply resonates with people and moves them to take action.”
Find Tzvi at https://www.tzvisimchon.com; Email at [email protected] and follow at https://www.instagram.com/tsimchonproductions.
