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Economic Development
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Grants
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City + County + Community + Candidates + Economic Development + Tourism + Grants +
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Well-crafted visual media increases public understanding, trust, and participation,
strengthens grant applications and funding outcomes; boosts tourism and economic interest; and elevates the professional image of city and county initiatives.
Smiley Face Media combines high-end production skill, government-savvy processes, and community-first storytelling to deliver media that achieves measurable public-sector goals.
Make your next public-facing initiative unmistakable. Smiley Face Media blends cinematic craft, public-sector experience, and strategic storytelling to deliver content that informs, persuades, and mobilizes. Contact us to discuss a custom production plan that meets your goals, budget, and timeline.
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LA-Level Production, Local Sensibility: We bring advanced production value and storytelling craft from Los Angeles while understanding Midwest budgets, timelines, and community priorities.
Strategic Storytelling: Every asset is designed with a clear objective — inform voters, win grants, attract tourists, or close deals — and optimized for the platforms that matter.
Compliance & Accessibility: We understand public-record considerations, disclosure requirements, and accessibility standards (closed captioning, transcripts, translated assets) to ensure your content is compliant and inclusive.
Turnkey Project Management: From concept and script to shooting, editing, and distribution-ready files, we handle logistics, permits, and stakeholder coordination so your staff can focus on priorities.
Scalable Solutions & Transparent Pricing: Packages for single projects, multi-year campaigns, and emergency communications, with clear estimates that respect public budgets.
Measurable Results: Analytics-ready assets, conversion tracking recommendations, and post-campaign reporting to demonstrate ROI and inform future initiatives.
Fast, reliable project management
Clear timelines, milestone-based deliverables, and transparent budgeting tailored to public procurement needs.
Single-point-of-contact production managers handle scheduling with departments, vendors, and community partners to keep projects on time and on budget.
Secure, compliant asset handling
Professional rights management, release forms for talent and locations, and organized asset libraries that make reuse, translation, and future campaigns efficient and legally sound.
Secure delivery and storage options suitable for public records requirements and long-term archival needs.
Community-centered production practices
Respectful engagement with diverse communities and stakeholders to ensure authentic representation and to build public trust.
Local crew options, when preferred, combined with LA-standard creative leads for the best balance of authenticity and craft.
Grant- and campaign-focused expertise
Experience producing visuals and supporting materials that meet common grant criteria: clear problem statements, measurable outcomes, stakeholder testimonials, and evidence of community impact.
For political and election work, we provide rapid-turnaround spots, compliance-aware messaging, and production processes that respect legal and ethical boundaries.
Tourism and economic development specialization
Visual strategies that highlight place-making, workforce assets, quality-of-life indicators, and site readiness—materials designed to persuade site selectors, tourists, and investors.
Eye-catching hero content, immersive b-roll, and lifestyle photography that elevate destination branding.
Transparent pricing and scalable offerings
Packages scaled for one-off projects, multi-phase campaigns, or ongoing communications programs—so municipalities, nonprofits, and agencies can plan and budget with confidence.
Clear breakdowns of creative, production, and post costs help clients justify expenditures to governing bodies and funders.
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We craft narratives that make policy, services, and programs understandable and compelling to diverse community audiences—residents, businesses, elected officials, and grant reviewers.
Messaging designed to increase public engagement, voter turnout, volunteer recruitment, grant success rates, tourism interest, and investment attraction.
City & County Communications: Clear, accessible videos and photos for public information, emergency messaging, council highlights, and civic engagement. Crisp, professional videos and photography for announcements, public meetings, and community updates that build trust and clarity.
Community Projects & Events: Documentary-style stories and promotional assets that spotlight stakeholders, volunteers, and project impact to build support and fundraising momentum. Reels that showcase community impact, volunteer contributions, and program outcomes for residents and stakeholders.
Election Campaigns & Candidate Messaging: Authentic candidate profiles, issue explainers, and social-first spots optimized for reach, persuasion, and compliance with campaign regulations. Ethical, compelling campaign spots, interview packages, and social media assets that communicate platforms clearly and humanize candidates while staying compliant with local regulations.
Grant Applications: High-quality and high-impact videos, photos, and graphics that strengthen narratives, forms clarity, demonstrate community need and program effectiveness, and make applications stand out to funders.
Tourism Initiatives: Cinematic destination films, seasonal promos, and lifestyle photography that showcase attractions, events, and local hospitality to drive visitation. Seasonal campaigns that present your city or county as a must-visit place, optimized for web, social, and visitor centers.
Economic Development: Pitch and project videos, site tours, workforce stories, and investor assets that communicate opportunity, infrastructure, and quality of life to attract businesses and investment.
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Proven track record working with municipalities, county offices, and public agencies. We understand procurement processes, public-record considerations, ADA compliance for media, and the need for transparent, repeatable workflows that align with government timelines and budgets.
Sensitive handling of permitting, location access, and stakeholder coordination to minimize disruption to public services.
We understand the unique needs, timelines, procurement rules, and public accountability that municipal and county projects demand. Our workflows and documentation are built for transparent, auditable delivery that meets government standards.
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From single-day shoots to multi-location campaigns, we scale resources to match scope and budget. Our efficient production planning minimizes disruption to public operations and community events while maximizing content yield.
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Beyond production, we advise on distribution strategies—earned media, social platforms, broadcast, and gated grant portals—to ensure your content reaches the right audiences and achieves measurable results.
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We don’t just make pretty images. Every frame and narrative arc is created to achieve measurable objectives: increase voter engagement, strengthen grant proposals, boost tourism visits, attract business investment, or build community pride. We align creative strategy to your KPIs.
A dedicated project manager for streamlined communication and compliance.
Creative concepts tied to objectives and approval checkpoints.
Professional crews, equipment, and production insurance.
Fast turnaround with transparent scheduling and invoicing.
Rights and deliverables formatted to your policy and distribution needs.
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Our team brings industry-grade cinematography, lighting, audio, directing, and editorial craft honed in Los Angeles and adapted for local goals. You get cinematic visuals and compelling storytelling with a local, homegrown team. Being Indiana-based means we know local stakeholders and logistics. Bringing LA standards and practices ensures each project benefits from top-tier creative direction, production quality, and professionalism.
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Discovery: Rapid intake to align on goals, audiences, compliance needs, and success metrics.
Creative & Production Plan: Storyboards, shot lists, schedules, and budget options for approval.
Production: On-location shoot with professional crew, equipment, and permits handled.
Post-production & Delivery: Editing, color, sound design, captions, and distribution-ready masters plus optimized social cuts.
Support & Reporting: Distribution guidance, performance tracking, and archival asset delivery.
Below, we’ve included a smattering of Photos and videos (look for the white play button in the middle of the image) from our work for public-sector projects
The Public Sector
Historic Preservation
City & County
Economic Development
Natural Spaces

