# Cinegrade

> Cinegrade Inc. is a cinematic video production company based in New York, serving Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the Hamptons) and the greater New York City area (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester and the tri-state). It makes commercials, social and brand content, event films, documentaries, and brand and food photography, with editing, color grading and sound design in house. Founder: Mike J. Maher. Phone 631-816-5052. Email michael@cinegradeinc.com. Book a free 30-minute strategy call: https://cinegradeinc.com/book/.

## Services
- [Commercial Production](https://cinegradeinc.com/services/commercial-video-production/): Broadcast-grade spots that sell, from 15 seconds to a full brand film.
- [Social & Brand Content](https://cinegradeinc.com/services/social-media-content/): Scroll-stopping vertical content shot for the feed, not cropped for it.
- [Event & Cinematic Storytelling](https://cinegradeinc.com/services/event-videography/): Real moments, cinematic execution. Recaps people actually watch.
- [Documentary & Campaign Films](https://cinegradeinc.com/services/documentary-production/): Mission-driven storytelling for nonprofits, causes and founders.
- [Brand & Food Photography](https://cinegradeinc.com/services/brand-photography/): Campaign, lifestyle and food photography with a cinematic eye.

## Areas served
- [All areas](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/): Long Island, New York City, Westchester, and the New Jersey and Connecticut parts of the tri-state
- [Long Island](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/long-island/): Cinematic video production across Long Island, from Nassau law firms to Route 110 offices and East End hospitality. Commercials, social and event films.
- [New York City](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/new-york-city/): Cinematic video production across New York City for brands, nightlife, events and hospitality. Permitted shoots, lean crews and content built for NYC feeds.
- [Brooklyn](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/brooklyn/): Brooklyn video production for DTC brands, restaurants, makers and venues in Williamsburg, DUMBO and Industry City. Social-first films built to post weekly.
- [Manhattan](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/manhattan/): Manhattan video production for corporate offices, law and finance firms, fashion brands, restaurants and launches. Executive interviews and rooftop shoots.
- [Nassau County](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/nassau-county/): Video production in Nassau County for law firms, medical practices, retailers and country clubs, from the Miracle Mile and Garden City to Long Beach. Call us.
- [Queens](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/queens/): Queens video production for family businesses, restaurants, healthcare and logistics near JFK and LaGuardia. Multilingual versions built in.
- [Suffolk County](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/suffolk-county/): Video production in Suffolk County for Route 110 companies, Huntington businesses, North Fork wineries, charity golf outings and first-responder events.
- [The Hamptons & East End](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/the-hamptons/): Video production in the Hamptons and on the North Fork for hospitality, real estate, lifestyle brands and private events, planned around the summer season.
- [Westchester County](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/westchester-county/): Westchester County video production for corporate campuses, health systems, private schools and country clubs, from White Plains to the Hudson River towns.
- [Garden City](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/garden-city/): Garden City video production for law firms, medical practices, retail and hotels near the Mineola courts and Franklin Avenue. Brand films that earn trust.
- [Huntington](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/huntington/): Huntington video and photography for village restaurants, bars, boutiques, salons and harbor businesses. Social content and event recaps, posted weekly.
- [Long Beach](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/long-beach/): Video and photography for Long Beach businesses: boardwalk restaurants, surf and fitness brands, wellness studios and summer events, cut for vertical social.
- [Long Island City](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/long-island-city/): Video production in Long Island City for startups, real estate, breweries and galleries, with skyline backdrops on the Queens waterfront. Filmed by Cinegrade.
- [Manhasset](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/manhasset/): Video production and photography for Manhasset businesses: Miracle Mile retail, North Shore healthcare and club campaigns, filmed by Cinegrade on Long Island.
- [Melville](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/melville/): Melville video production on the Route 110 corridor: corporate and recruiting films, executive interviews and conference coverage for local headquarters.
- [Port Washington](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/port-washington/): Video and photography for Port Washington businesses: Manhasset Bay waterfront, Main Street restaurants, yacht clubs and real estate, by Cinegrade.
- [Smithtown](https://cinegradeinc.com/areas-we-serve/smithtown/): Video production for Smithtown businesses: Main Street shops, medical practices, home services and family companies, with testimonials and local commercials.

## Work
- [All films](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/)
- [Justice, Told Personally, Akiva Shapiro Law](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/akiva-shapiro-law/): Commercials. A brand film for a personal injury firm that leads with people, not billboards.
- [We Fulfill Thousands of Orders, Amazon Shipping Center](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/amazon-shipping-center/): Commercials. A thirty-second spot inside a working fulfillment floor, built on kinetic type and pace.
- [Morphood App Introduction, Morphood](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/morphood-app/): Commercials. A product launch film for a recipe app: cooking, evolved.
- [Cuffing Season, Shimmer Culture](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/shimmer-culture/): Commercials. A seasonal jewelry campaign: soft light, close detail, and a story told in hands.
- [Racket Sports at SVCC, SVCC](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/svcc-racket-sports/): Commercials. A membership promo for a country club’s pickleball and racket sports program.
- [Back to Life, NY Auto Collision](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/ny-auto-collision/): Commercials. Paint booths, precision and a high-energy ad for a Long Island body shop.
- [Second Best Isn’t an Option, NY Auto Collision](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/thirty-second-spot/): Commercials. The alternate :30 for NY Auto Collision, built around craftsmanship and care.
- [Ceramic Coating, Done Right, Onyx Elite Detailing](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/onyx-elite-detailing/): Commercials. Moody, low-key product cinematography for a premium auto detailer.
- [Moving What Matters, Plycon Van Lines](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/plycon-promo/): Commercials. A recruiting and brand promo for a national moving company.
- [Get Your Life Back, GKMD](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/karen-haleiko-gkmd/): Commercials. A patient story told on her own farm, in her own words.
- [VALA Summer Campaign I, VALA](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/vala-promo-1/): Social & Brand. Vertical-first apparel campaign shot on the courts and at the clubhouse bar.
- [VALA Summer Campaign II, VALA](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/vala-promo-2/): Social & Brand. The second hero promo from the VALA campaign: golden hour, garden courts and graphic tees.
- [VALA Paddle Ad, VALA](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/vala-ad-1/): Social & Brand. A short, product-forward ad built for paid social.
- [VALA Story Ad, VALA](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/vala-ad-3/): Social & Brand. A fast, hook-first story ad cut for Instagram and TikTok.
- [A Night at Brooklyn Mirage, Brooklyn Mirage](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/brooklyn-mirage/): Event Films. Crowd energy, lights and flags in the air at one of the city’s biggest venues.
- [John Thomas Golf Classic 2026, John Thomas Golf Classic](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/john-thomas-golf-classic/): Event Films. A cinematic recap of a charity golf classic, from first tee to final putt.
- [Golf Classic Highlight, John Thomas Golf Classic](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/john-thomas-golf-highlight/): Event Films. The one-minute highlight, delivered fast for social.
- [Echo at HQ² Nightclub, HQ² Atlantic City](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/echo-hq-atlantic-city/): Event Films. LED robots, feathers and a packed floor at Atlantic City’s HQ² Nightclub.
- [Big Daddy Golf Outing, Big Daddy Golf Outing](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/big-daddy-golf-outing/): Event Films. Carts, crews and a good cause: a charity golf outing recap.
- [FanDuel Event Recap, FanDuel](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/fanduel-recap/): Event Films. Interviews and event coverage for FanDuel, featuring leadership on stage.
- [Hangerfest 2026, Hangerfest](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/hangerfest-2026/): Event Films. A sponsor-packed festival recap with color, lights and plenty of energy.
- [Gheist Live, Gheist](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/gheist/): Event Films. A moody live set from the electronic duo: haze, synths and a crowd that never sat down.
- [Suffolk Showdown, Suffolk County PBA](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/suffolk-showdown-pba/): Event Films. Charity hockey on the ice for the Suffolk County PBA.
- [John Mulvey’s Story, Paws of War](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/paws-of-war-john-mulvey/): Documentary. A documentary for Paws of War: a veteran, his service dog and a stadium full of support.
- [From War Zones to Warm Homes, Paws of War](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/from-war-zones-to-warm-homes/): Documentary. The rescue flights that bring soldiers’ animals home from overseas.
- [In Memoriam, John L. Barry Police Headquarters](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/memorial-tribute/): Documentary. A respectful film of a police memorial ceremony, made for the department and the families.
- [Meet Dr. K, ESI Healthy Dentistry](https://cinegradeinc.com/work/dr-k-interview/): Documentary. A founder interview for a holistic dental practice, filmed in the office.

## Pages
- [Photography](https://cinegradeinc.com/photography/): VALA apparel campaign, Enology Wine Bar & Bistro, the Strathmore at Vanderbilt
- [Process](https://cinegradeinc.com/process/): pre-production, production, post-production, delivery
- [About](https://cinegradeinc.com/about/)
- [Book a Strategy Call](https://cinegradeinc.com/book/)

## The Journal
- [All articles](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/)
- [Why Video Is the Strongest Brand Asset You Can Own](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/why-video-is-the-strongest-brand-asset/): A well-made brand film carries your tone, your people and your proof at once, then keeps working on your site, in ads, in sales and in hiring for years.
- [Brand Film or Commercial? How to Choose](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/brand-film-vs-commercial/): Brand films and commercials differ in goal, length, call to action and shelf life. Here is how to pick the right one, and how one shoot can deliver both.
- [Telling Your Founder Story on Camera](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/telling-your-founder-story-on-camera/): How doctors, lawyers and owners come across naturally on camera: interview prep, questions that draw out real stories, and b-roll that shows the work.
- [Building a Consistent Visual Identity Across Every Video](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/consistent-visual-identity-in-video/): A video look book covering color, framing, type, music and pacing keeps your ads, social clips and brand films recognizable as one brand on every screen.
- [Testimonial Videos That Actually Feel True](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/testimonial-videos-that-feel-true/): Film customers in their own world, never script them, ask for stories instead of praise, and edit for honesty. Our approach to testimonials people believe.
- [Vertical-First: Shoot for the Feed, Don't Crop for It](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/vertical-first-shooting/): Cropping widescreen footage to 9:16 loses the shot. How we frame, plan safe zones, move the camera and pick lenses for vertical, and when to shoot both.
- [The First Three Seconds: Hooks That Stop the Scroll](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/the-first-three-seconds/): How to build the first seconds of a social video: visual versus text hooks, opening on motion, pattern interrupts and testing hook variants from one shoot.
- [One Shoot Day, a Month of Content](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/one-shoot-day-a-month-of-content/): How we plan one content day to fill a month of posts: a shot list by post type, outfit and location changes, stills alongside video and a posting calendar.
- [Paid Social Video Ads That Convert](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/paid-social-video-ads-that-convert/): The structure behind paid social ads that sell: hook, desire, product in use, offer and call to action, plus native style, test variants and captions.
- [Reels, TikTok and Shorts: What Actually Changes Between Platforms](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/reels-tiktok-shorts-what-changes/): Reels, TikTok and Shorts share a vertical frame but not an audience. What changes in length, sound and pacing, and how to adapt one video without reshooting.
- [What Actually Happens in Pre-Production](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/what-happens-in-pre-production/): A plain walk through video pre-production: discovery, treatment, script, shot list, casting, locations, permits and schedule, and why it shapes the shoot.
- [How to Prepare Your Business for a Shoot Day](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-your-shoot-day/): A practical checklist for business owners before a shoot: space, staff, wardrobe, products, releases, timing around operations and who should be on set.
- [Filming an Event: How We Plan Coverage Before the Doors Open](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/filming-an-event-planning-coverage/): How we plan event coverage before guests arrive: run of show, must-get moments, crew positions, low light, sponsor shots, speech audio and fast highlights.
- [Lighting Makes the Brand: Why Light Matters More Than the Camera](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/lighting-makes-the-brand/): Why lighting shapes how your brand feels on screen more than any camera, with key, fill and rim light explained plainly and what signals premium or friendly.
- [Interview Setups That Look Cinematic](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/interview-setups-that-look-cinematic/): What makes an interview look cinematic instead of corporate: background depth, eyeline, two-camera setups, lav plus boom audio and putting executives at ease.
- [Food and Hospitality Photography That Fills Tables](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/food-and-hospitality-photography/): How restaurants and bars should plan photography: clean menu shots versus moody in-venue images, cocktails, interiors, chef portraits and a working shot list.
- [What Color Grading Actually Does for Your Brand](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/what-color-grading-does-for-your-brand/): Color correction versus grading for business owners: how a grade sets mood, keeps skin tones true, protects brand colors and keeps your videos consistent.
- [Sound Design: The Invisible Half of Every Video](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/sound-design-the-invisible-half/): Why audio decides if a video feels professional: clean dialogue, room tone, music licensing, sound effects, the final mix and planning for sound-off viewing.
- [Editing for Retention: How Pacing Keeps People Watching](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/editing-for-retention/): Why people stop watching and how the edit fixes it: cutting rhythm, structure, kinetic type, ruthless trims and re-editing from real retention data.
- [One Film, Every Placement: Cutdowns and Aspect Ratios Explained](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/cutdowns-and-aspect-ratios/): How one shoot becomes :60, :30, :15 and :06 spots in 16:9, 1:1, 4:5 and 9:16, and why cutdowns and delivery specs belong in the script, not in post.
- [How Much Does Video Production Cost?](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/how-much-does-video-production-cost/): What actually drives the cost of a video, the typical budget tiers from under $5k to $40k and up, and practical ways to get more from the budget you have.
- [Measuring Video ROI: The Numbers That Actually Matter](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/measuring-video-roi/): How to measure whether a video paid off: set the goal first, then track view-through, watch time, CTR, cost per lead, page conversion and sales value.
- [Nonprofit Video: Storytelling That Moves Donors](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/nonprofit-video-storytelling-for-fundraising/): How nonprofits can make fundraising videos that work: one person's story over statistics, earned emotion, separate gala and social cuts and one clear ask.
- [Why Your Event Recap Should Sell Next Year's Event](https://cinegradeinc.com/blog/event-recap-videos-that-sell-next-year/): Treat your event recap as a marketing asset: what to film for sponsor renewals and ticket sales, plus why a fast highlight and a later cinematic recap win.

## Optional
- [Full site text](https://cinegradeinc.com/llms-full.txt)