MADISONFILM, INC. IS PLEASE TO RESPOND TO
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES
(RFP) No. 025-005
Madisonfilm, Inc. is pleased to submit our proposal in response to RFP No. 025-005 for Photography and Videography Services. With more than 20 years of experience producing high-impact visual media for public institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies, we bring a deep understanding of storytelling, logistical coordination, and mission-driven communication to this opportunity.
Our photography partner, Revolve Solutions, brings over 25 years of professional photography experience, with a mastery of both event and environmental photography—skills highly relevant to the VRE scope of work.
TRAIN-RELATED VIDEO PRODUCTION
PACIFIC SURFLINER BEAUTY REEL
This cinematic video was created to highlight the stunning scenery along the 351-mile Pacific Surfliner route from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Combining sweeping drone footage with grounded tripod shots, the film immerses viewers in the natural beauty of the California coastline. Authentic train sounds were recorded in the field, and an original score by a professional composer elevates the experience. Our team meticulously scouted the entire route to capture its most iconic and picturesque segments. The resulting footage has been repurposed for multiple campaigns and branded content initiatives. A four-person crew captured and created this video, which included a cameraman, photographer, drone pilot and producer/director. Our technique was to capture high-end, professional travel photography/videography.
CHARGER LOCOMOTIVE ANNOUNCEMENT
Madisonfilm provided full production services—videography, photography, lighting, and audio—for the high-profile unveiling of the new Charger locomotive at Union Station in Los Angeles. Working in real time, our team captured the live event and delivered edited video and photography to LOSSAN’s marketing team within hours. This rapid turnaround enabled immediate distribution to news outlets and integration into a press release, maximizing the event’s media impact. The technique behind this project was to capture a live event with photography/videography.
DEL MAR RACES
To promote rail travel to the Del Mar racetrack, our compact production crew—director, videographer, audio tech, and PA—captured real riders arriving on opening day. On-location interviews with enthusiastic passengers and lively crowd shots brought energy and authenticity to the final video. This project demonstrates our ability to craft engaging testimonial-style content in dynamic public environments. The technique was to capture an ENG (Electronic News Gathering) news/media style photography/videography.
OVERHEAD VIRAL VIDEO
This viral hit was conceived and directed by Griff Partington during a photography assignment along the Pacific Surfliner corridor. The visually striking overhead shot was originally developed for social media banners but gained national traction. Amtrak’s national brand team adopted the video across all digital channels, contributing to the highest ridership numbers ever recorded for the route. The technique behind this social media video is stylized aerial videography with After Effects editorial.
ADVERTISING & MARKETING
DON’T GET PLAYED
Created for Virginians for Fair Contracting & Employee Protection, this tongue-in-cheek 1970s-style car commercial satirizes Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). The campaign showcases Madisonfilm’s ability to work with actors, develop creative concepts, and produce distinctive, humor-driven content tailored for hyper-targeted social media distribution—in this case, Loudoun County. The techniques used in this production was comedic, period piece storytelling in the form of a television commercial.
DC CHARTER SCHOOL ACTION COMMERCIALS
Madisonfilm specializes in producing cost-effective commercials featuring real people. In this campaign for DC Public Charter Schools, we interviewed a parent and an elementary school teacher, helping them feel confident and natural on camera. These polished 30-second spots were crafted to resonate with DC policymakers and stakeholders, demonstrating our expertise in transforming everyday voices into compelling advocacy content. The techniques used were strong, emotional reenactments to make a political change.
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS
THE MOBY BOOKMOBILE: DELIVERING LITERACY TO THE RESERVATION
This profile of an NIH outreach grant highlights a project that aims to provide books and other library materials to residents of the Wind River Reservation, especially those with limited access to traditional library services or internet access. The techniques used were aerial videography, traditional interviews, and guided tour walkthroughs.
REDUCING HEALTH DISPARITIES DURING COVID AND FUTURE PANDEMICS
This profile of an NIH-funded grant at Clemson University highlights a team that seeks to develop a modeling toolkit to improve infectious disease surveillance and prediction in underserved populations and prioritize the delivery of essential resources to high-risk communities in real time. The techniques used were interviews with non-actors and professional B-roll via a tripod, drone and stabilized handheld rig.
Photography Samples
TRAIN PHOTOGRAPHY
These images demonstrate our expertise in capturing both the scenic exterior views of trains in motion and the interior environment featuring staged amenities with actors. All photographs were taken using high-end professional DSLR cameras and lenses, utilizing a combination of handheld and tripod setups. Lighting techniques included battery-operated strobes, cinematic lighting setups, and available natural light to achieve visually compelling results. The final images have been widely published across print and digital platforms—including brochures, bus advertisements, station displays, and billboards positioned along the entire 351-mile rail corridor.
HEADSHOTS
The headshots featured in this proposal highlight our ability to capture authentic, professional portraits of non-actors in a variety of settings. We’ve photographed individuals both in natural environments and against clean backdrops, demonstrating our flexibility to match each client’s aesthetic and logistical needs. To ensure a polished final result, we engaged a professional hair and makeup artist for each session, helping subjects look and feel their best on camera. The result is a collection of approachable, high-quality headshots suitable for a wide range of professional and promotional uses.
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
The event photographs included in this proposal showcase our ability to document a wide range of events in both indoor and outdoor settings. Several images highlight our experience capturing rail-related events, including those staged in front of locomotives and station platforms. Our work spans everything from formal staff gatherings to dynamic public-facing events, reflecting our versatility and professionalism. Our photographers are skilled at working discreetly to capture authentic moments, ensuring that the tone, energy, and purpose of each event are preserved through compelling, candid imagery.
Trusted by
OUR TEAM
Our staff and partners are well-versed in the roles and responsibilities that comprise a collaborative team for the purposes of developing audio visual and integrated media programs for government, non-profit and educational clients.
Madisonfilm, Inc. retains offices and production facilities in Alexandria, Virginia with full-time personnel in Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland and Indiana.