Native Development of Stunt Performer Database App
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Mobile App Development
- $10,000 to $49,999
- Jan. - Dec. 2016
- Quality
- 5.0
- Schedule
- 5.0
- Cost
- 4.5
- Willing to Refer
- 5.0
"What I like is they could understand my need for clean, efficient-appearing elements in the app."
- Arts, entertainment & music
- New York City, New York
- 1-10 Employees
- Phone Interview
- Verified
Apptunix developed an iOS and Android application that serves as a casting database in the entertainment business. Apptunix will continue to provide support as the app requires updates or new functionalities.
Apptunix makes collaboration easy and fluid, and they create tangible solutions out of loose concepts. They take notes and feedback well, but they can also make better suggestions. The team finds the balance between savvy functionality, simplicity, and practicality when it comes to app design.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
BACKGROUND
Describe your company and what you do there.
I work in the entertainment industry as a freelance stunt performer/coordinator.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Apptunix?
I wanted a mobile application directory to archive different stunt performers according to ethnicity, height, weight, and set skills. This way, when I need to search in the database, I could just punch in “I’m looking for X person with a certain look and skills,” and then come up with options, according to their locale or proximity to where they live.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Stunt performers create profiles. They have options on how to list their skills. Because of the way the information is categorized, I have a search function tool to immediately pull up information according to height, weight, skill set, gender, and local area working out of. From the same app, I can get that information and forward it via email to people who may need to have access to that, whether it be for casting or wardrobe reasons. I can do everything through my phone very quickly.
This is an app to be used as a resource within the industry itself. It’s an app that I’m sharing with other stunt coordinators. My idea is that I want to create a general database so that if I pull in other stunt coordinators, they pull in people that they hire and add their information onto the database, which makes it more complete, cohesive, and functional for people like myself that are always in search of different people with different skills.
They developed the app natively on both iOS and Android. What I’m looking for them to do is, as I go on and add more features or figure out what works and doesn’t work, provide the support that I need in future updates and versions of the app that fit what my current needs might be at that time.
How did you come to work with Apptunix?
I went online looking for app designers and developers and interviewed a couple that I came up with. When I came across Apptunix, I found them to be the most equal in personality. They seemed very easygoing. I don’t want a yes-person exactly. I know what I want and how I want it designed, but I don’t want anybody to just “yes” me all the way into a corner. I want someone who can, at the same time, work with my concept and throw an idea at me that might be even better. Or if they’re running into a road block, according to the limitations of what I’m asking them to do, I need them sometimes to think outside of the box for me and come up with a different solution to give me a similar result of what I’m looking for. I found them to have those qualities.
When I Skyped with them online, they had the right responses. There were other people that seemed overqualified and eager, but I felt like I was being yessed. I’m not a yes-person. I work in an industry where you’re blunt and upfront—you can do something or you can’t do something, or you don’t know. I’d rather have somebody tell me they don’t know if they can do something than blatantly lie to me and tell me that they can do it, and on the day, things don’t show up the way they say they would. And they gave me that feel.
How much have you invested with Apptunix?
It was $10,000-$20,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started in January 2016 and finished in December 2016. The app is released. Currently, I’m working on a new update with them. I’m very happy with their performance. The app is a fluid tool. I have a bunch of things I want to add to it, but I want to do it slowly. I want to get feedback from people using the app and incorporate those with my feelings on the app and continue working along. I’m doing this as a service and not as a profit for business because it also benefits me. The more resources I have as far as knowing who’s out there who can get a job done, the better it is for me as a stunt coordinator. It makes me more valuable because I know what resources are at local areas where I might be working.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
I’ve gotten feedback from people, and it’s usually pretty good. I have a Facebook page for people who are on the app to leave comments, whether it be good or bad, along with ideas. It’s a living, breathing page, and feedback has been pretty good. I think I have 600-700 users at this time, and this is just locally. It’s a work in progress, but it’s been a very practical and functional tool for me.
How did Apptunix perform from a project management standpoint?
I think they were pretty spot-on. We’re in two way different time zones, so sometimes it’s just a matter of me sending details and breakdowns of my notes, and they get back to me immediately with their notes on my notes to make sure that they understood everything correctly. After that, they would issue me an updated test version of the app just to see how I felt it would perform. If I had any further notes, it would go back and forth. It was a very fluid, mutual running back and forth. I would come up with an idea or a note on how the app was performing, and they would come back and tell me, “Is this what you want? Here is the test of that.” They were pretty agile as far as getting back to me and coming up with quick updates or corrections to whatever notes I had during the development process of the app.
What did you find most impressive about Apptunix?
What I like is they could understand my need for clean, efficient-appearing elements in the app. I don’t want it to be very busy. I want it to be simple and straightforward. Most of the older generation of people that I’m trying to get involved in the app, they’re like tech dinosaurs—they’re scared dealing with the tool. I call myself a “stunt geek”: when new technology comes in, I’ll try to find out if there’s a way that I can use it to my advantage, as far as my business goes. It’s very important for me to have something that’s very practical for somebody that’s more tech-savvy, but at the same time, something simple enough so that someone who’s not comfortable working with tech can fully comprehend and use it. Apptunix has done that for me.
Are there any areas Apptunix could improve?
I can’t think of anything.
What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Apptunix?
If you’re looking for someone to help you design something from scratch or if you have a good premise to what your idea is, they could provide the framework for it. As far as my experience goes, they’ve helped create a concept that I have into a functioning idea. I speak totally as a novice because I’ve never done anything like this before, but I’m very content and happy with their ability to help me out.
RATINGS
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Quality
5.0Service & Deliverables
"I’m happy with the design of the app. It’s very important to me that it looks clean-cut, professional, and simple. Whenever I provide them an example of what I’m looking for—a screenshot or design on paper—they’re pretty spot-on on giving me what I want."
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Schedule
5.0On time / deadlines
"I have a really crazy schedule. Sometimes I’m up really late at night or get up really early the next morning with very little sleep, depending on work. I leave messages at weird times, and they’re pretty damn good at getting back to me."
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Cost
4.5Value / within estimates
"I find them reasonable."
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Willing to Refer
5.0NPS
"Very highly.