Phil Castle, The Business Times

       Seth Schaeffer tells stories in the films his Grand Junction video production company produces. And some of his favorite stories are about manufacturers.

Schaeffer has his reasons, among them the compelling footage manufacturing processes offer. “Visually, it’s always so beautiful and spectacular.”

Schaeffer also likes to portray the humanity behind the operations — not just the machinery, but the people involved in making things.

In addition, Schaeffer believes there’s an important message to convey: manufacturers play a critical role in promoting a healthier economy and, in turn, healthier communities.

That’s why the owner of Hoptocopter Films says he’s particularly excited about the story told in a new film produced in partnership with the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, a statewide membership organization for manufacturers with a Western Slope chapter.

In just under three minutes, the short, documentary style film explores the role of manufacturing as an economic underpinning, changes in the industry and efforts to expand the sector in part through collaboration. The film features footage from nine manufacturers that belong to CAMA, including the Capco military contractor in Grand Junction and Talon Winery in Palisade.

“I think they did a fantastic job,” says Eric Goertz, vice president of operations at Capco and chairman of the CAMA West Chapter. Goertz is among the people who appear on camera in the film.

Goertz says he expects the film to be used for a variety of purposes in promoting the manufacturing industry in Colorado, recruiting potential employees, encouraging students to consider careers in manufacturing and explaining the goals of CAMA. “It paints a great introductory picture of what the organization is about.”

Brian Watson, communications director at Hoptocopter Films, says the firm long has been involved in CAMA West and frequently works on projects with local manufacturers that belong to the organization. So it was natural for the firm to also want to work on a film that promotes the manufacturing sector and the organization, he says.

But there was another objective, Watson says. “We point our cameras and tell stories that make a difference. We pointed our cameras at an industry that makes a difference.”

Watson said he hopes CAMA members post the film on their Web sites and share it through social media. The film also will be shared with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade to use in recruiting new manufacturers to the state, he says.

Schaeffer says the film constitutes a tool manufacturers can use to promote the industry, but also increase awareness of the variety of products made in Colorado. Manufacturers sometimes can take advantage of local suppliers rather than purchasing parts and equipment from outside Colorado or outside the United States, he adds.

Watson says promoting local businesses and, in turn, the local economy is part of what Hoptocopter strives to achieve in its films. “The Colorado story for us, is really important. We work where we need to, but we live where we want to.”

While Capco sells its products to the military, the firm has developed connections with Colorado-based suppliers as a result of its involvement in CAMA, Goertz says. Other local manufacturers can do the same thing in selling their products to other manufacturers, he says, as part of the collaboration the organization promotes.

It’s important to build the manufacturing base to bring back high-paying jobs to Colorado and the United States, Goertz says, a point he also emphasizes in the film. One result of outsourcing manufacturing to China and other overseas countries has been to strengthen the middle class there rather than in the U.S., he says.

Meanwhile, work for CAMA and other manufacturers have strengthened the operation at Hoptocopter, Schaefer says.

Schaeffer turned what he launched as a recording studio in 2005 into a video production firm within two years.

The firm since has developed a clientele that includes such local companies as International Concept Management, Munro Companies and Pepper Custom Baits as well as such national companies as Red Bull.

Hoptocopter just moved into a different location that at 3,000 square-feet offers seven times more space than the previous location, including ample room for not only offices, but also studios.

The staff has expanded as well with the addition of Jeff Gustafson to a team that includes Schaefer, Watson, Jess Rigg and Will Campbell.

Rigg says Hoptocopter evenly divides its work between films and commercials, although film projects for CAMA and the University of Wyoming have required more time lately.

Schafer says short documentary films have become something of a specialty for Hoptocopter, as has the role of the firm as a consultant in helping clients develop their messages.

Schaefer says one result of producing the CAMA film was the realization Hoptocopter is itself a manufacturer or sorts in turning raw video footage into finished films. And the firm can benefit from some of the same techniques other manufacturers use to make their operations more efficient.

While Gustafson works primarily as an editor, he also handles a variety of other duties as needed to speed production. “I help the bottlenecks go away,” he says.

Schaefer says the passion to tell stories remains at the core of what Hoptocopter does, though, including stories about manufacturers.

“They’re our favorite stories to tell,” he says.

For more information about the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, including the CAMA West Chapter, send an e-mail to Eric Goertz at e_goertz@capcoinc.com or visit the Web site at www.coloradomanufacturing.org. For more information about Hoptocopter Films, call 628-5099 or log on to www.hoptocopter.com. Watch the CAMA film at www.hoptocopter.com/cama-film.