I am Zernul R. Shackelford Jr , owner of Darque Syde of D'Lyte Productions, Inc, a Veteran Owned and Operated digital media production company. I am the proud father of 4 very amazing individuals, a Marine Corps war veteran, a musician, composer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur.
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20 customer reviews
Max Wheeler
Video Design & Production
Working with Zernul was an amazing experience. He was able to grasp a concept that had not been created and bring it to life. The attention to detail and his easy demeanor to work with was a joy through the entire process. He is an asset to the industry and was exceptional. More...
Peter Saltzman
Video Design & Production
In every respect, Zernul operates at the highest level.
Let's start with the first step—communication. After I contacted Zernul on Bark with a description of my project, he got back to me immediately with questions and comments that helped clarify what I was going after in my TV show trailer.
EVERYTHING in Zernul's communications, whether by email or over the phone was clear, thoughtful, and articulate. Right away that tells me that Zernul is a pro.
And then you look at his work posted here and on his site. Everything is professional. No shortcuts, no easy way out. Everything looks and sounds great.
And finally, his work on my own project. During the shooting, editing, and postproduction phases, Zernul always did things the RIGHT way, which was more often than not the harder way. He's a perfectionist. He cares. He does not settle for just good enough.
Zernul is the very definition of a pro. And on top of that, he's a true artist. Not only do highly I recommend him highly, but I really have no desire to work with anyone else. Trust me, you will not find a better man for the job.
More...
Gina Wood
Event Videography
So great to work with---came it at the LAST MINUTE to save the day when our other videographer double booked and canceled on us just days before our event. The video turned out great and was edited promptly and perfectly! Thank you so very much! Definitely will use again! More...
Reply from Darque Syde of D'Lyte Productions, Inc
Thank you so very much, Gina! It was an honor and a pleasure to be able to serve you and the kids this way. I truly hope they enjoy the final product as much as I did watching them perform!
Chi Dates
I am very proud of the results I had from this production company. Z was attentive to my goals and worked with me on tailoring the type of videos we would ultimately have. He was timely, efficient, creative, kind and a oy to work with. The energy was fantastic! I knew from the start that I was in good hands! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Daphne L.
Z was such a pleasure to work with, he made everyone feel comfortable during the video shoot and his finished project was beyond awesome!!
Reviewed on Thumbtack
Nikei Salas
ABSOLUTELY!!! The talent he brings to his work is not average. He exceeded my expectations of the work he did for me. He didn't match my vision. He went beyond it.
Reviewed on Facebook
Erika Gilchrist
What is incredible about this production company is that they help you peel back the many layers of your project to produce a final product that exceeds your original expectations. You feel very comfortable, respected, and put at ease especially if you are new to video production and being in front of the camera. I love how new and fresh ideas are presented that I may not have ever considered. I don't have to overthink anything; the vision and professionalism of Darque Syde of D'Lyte is unsurpassed! I strongly suggest that you don't overthink it either. You have found the right place! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Bobby
Z was great from start to finish. He saw our vision and delivered. He was very engaged throughout the whole process. We had a very unique idea and Z knocked it out of the park.
John King
Zernul has done videos for me helping promote my music festival for Special Olympics. Class act and high quality workmanship. I recommend him for all your video promotions. I guarantee you will love the work he does! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Melissa Birks
Zernul ("Z") directed a short film that I wrote and produced. It is a mockumentary that goes back and forth in time, uses live action re-enactments, historical photos, and CGI. He not only directed the project, he edited it and scored it as well. Anybody lucky enough to work with Zernul will be amazed at his dedication, passion, and creativity. He makes good things happen. I teasingly refer to him as the "Man, the Myth, the Legend." More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Tomer Yogev
It is never easy for anyone to combine true professionalism, real funkiness, and supremely high-quality work. But, then, most people aren’t Z. Darque Syde has helped my business grow by bringing a unique take that I KNOW I could not find anywhere else. Everywhere I go, people tell me how much they L-O-V-E my video marketing, and I have Z to thank for that. A big +1 and a strong recommendation from me for anyone who is looking for quality video work that has real flavor and charm without all the corporate mindset nonsense. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Monique Caradine
Every now and then you meet a person who instinctively knows how to execute your creative vision. For me--when it comes to video--Zernul is that person. Over the years I have teamed up with him to create a variety of marketing videos for myself, my events and my clients. He nails it every time. Z's ability to turn projects around in a timely and professional manner is another plus. I give Zernul and Darque Syde my highest recommendation. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Chandra Nicole
I had the pleasure of meeting this talented brother 2 years ago. As a beginner/novice at creating video content for my business, I was worried Zernul wouldnt have the patience I needed to complete my project. He is patient, professional, and a joy to work with. I was in awe when i saw the finished product for my promo video. Seeing myself on the screen coupled with his expertise, I was amazed with the finished product. He makes video creation simple. He is easy going and down to earth which made working with him a blast!. Zernul is innovative and it amazes me how he makes his clients look like seasoned professionals. Trust me. He is your guy for all things video marketing/videography. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Tomer Yogev
It is never easy for anyone to combine true professionalism, real funkiness, and supremely high-quality work. But, then, most people aren’t Z. Darque Syde has helped my business grow by bringing a unique take that I KNOW I could not find anywhere else. Everywhere I go, people tell me how much they L-O-V-E my video marketing, and I have Z to thank for that. A big +1 and a strong recommendation from me for anyone who is looking for quality video work that has real flavor and charm without all the corporate mindset nonsense. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Chandra Nicole
I had the pleasure of meeting this talented brother 2 years ago. As a beginner/novice at creating video content for my business, I was worried Zernul wouldnt have the patience I needed to complete my project. He is patient, professional, and a joy to work with. I was in awe when i saw the finished product for my promo video. Seeing myself on the screen coupled with his expertise, I was amazed with the finished product. He makes video creation simple. He is easy going and down to earth which made working with him a blast!. Zernul is innovative and it amazes me how he makes his clients look like seasoned professionals. Trust me. He is your guy for all things video marketing/videography. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Monique Caradine
Every now and then you meet a person who instinctively knows how to execute your creative vision. For me--when it comes to video--Zernul is that person. Over the years I have teamed up with him to create a variety of marketing videos for myself, my events and my clients. He nails it every time. Z's ability to turn projects around in a timely and professional manner is another plus. I give Zernul and Darque Syde my highest recommendation. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
John King
Zernul has done videos for me helping promote my music festival for Special Olympics. Class act and high quality workmanship. I recommend him for all your video promotions. I guarantee you will love the work he does! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Melissa Birks
Zernul ("Z") directed a short film that I wrote and produced. It is a mockumentary that goes back and forth in time, uses live action re-enactments, historical photos, and CGI. He not only directed the project, he edited it and scored it as well. Anybody lucky enough to work with Zernul will be amazed at his dedication, passion, and creativity. He makes good things happen. I teasingly refer to him as the "Man, the Myth, the Legend." More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Ruby Monique
I was very impressed with my voice over demo! Z was very easy to work with. He was very engaged during the entire process and creative! I loved all his music selections and edits he made to my recordings. He is now my go-to video and demo producer! More...
Monica L. Garrison
I have worked with Darqye Syde Of D'Lyte on several projects including Live Events, Book Trailer, and Brand Video. The work is always done on time and exceeds my expectation. I would highly recommend the company for your video needs and more! More...
Reply from Darque Syde of D'Lyte Productions, Inc
Thank you for your review, Mrs. G., You are my frist.
What do you love most about your job?
At my core, I am a creator. I live and breathe creativity all day and night. If I couldn't create, I have no idea what else I would be doing.
This business has allowed me to exercise that passion while also being able to support myself and my daughters. It allows me to meet new people all of the time and to bring some excitement into their lives. It is SO cool to see the reactions I get when people see their visions come to life for the first time.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I am a composer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. My imagination has always been very active and I always wanted to create and score my own films. As the technology became more affordable, not wanting to rely on other people to help bring my visions to life, I started purchasing my own gear, teaching myself how to use it by watching and learning from others.
A good friend of mine came to me one day and asked if I would create a short promo for her new business endeavor. I look back on that video now and shudder! But that was the beginning of me going into business with this. Someone saw that video and asked where she'd gotten it made.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Why should our clients choose you?
Our clients can tell you better than we can.
We treat your project with the same care and attention to detail we give to our own. When you hire us, you are not hiring a contractor. You are collaborating with a partner in your journey.
Watch our testimonial/demo reel to hear from our clients:
https://vimeo.com/826133469?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Depending on the type of video you are looking for, it is possible that we never have to meet in person. I have an extensive library of stock footage and imagery, making location shooting unnecessary in most cases.
Even if you have to appear in your video but don't want to meet face to face, we can help guide you in some best practices to help you record yourself and maximize the quality as much as possible. We can then take that footage and make something special for you.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
I am fully vaccinated but still mask up and sanitize all of my equipment after each location shoot.
Promotional videos
Promotional videos are broad marketing videos designed to raise awareness, spark interest, and move people toward a next step, whether that is visiting a website, making a purchase, attending an event, donating, or simply remembering the brand. Adobe defines video marketing as the use of video content to achieve business goals such as promoting products, increasing engagement, and reaching audiences who prefer video over text, while Vidyard describes promo videos as quick, punchy pieces built to create awareness and excitement around a product, service, event, or campaign. In plain English, a promotional video is the business’s short-form sales pitch, brand statement, and first impression rolled into one.
They matter because people increasingly expect to learn from video before they take action. HubSpot reports that 93% of marketers say video is an important part of their strategy, and 73% of consumers prefer to watch a short-form video to learn about a product or service. Wyzowl’s 2026 video marketing report adds that 84% of consumers want to see more videos from brands, which tells you the appetite is already there. For a business, brand, or organization, that means promotional video is not just decoration. It is one of the clearest ways to get attention fast and communicate value before people scroll past.
Promotional videos are also important because they build trust and help convert interest into action. Wyzowl found that 85% of people say a video has convinced them to buy a product or service, and 89% say video quality affects their trust in a brand. That is the real argument for using them: a good promotional video does not just look nice, it helps an audience understand who you are, why you matter, and whether you feel credible enough to engage with. That applies just as much to nonprofits, schools, and community organizations as it does to businesses selling a product.
Training and Educational Videos
Training and educational videos are videos created to teach, guide, or explain something clearly enough that people can actually use the information. For businesses, brands, and organizations, that can mean employee onboarding, safety procedures, compliance training, customer education, software walkthroughs, or step-by-step process instruction. What makes them valuable is consistency: instead of different people explaining the same thing in different ways, the organization can deliver the same message, the same process, and the same standard every time. That is one reason video-based learning has become so common. Training’s 2025 Industry Report found that 34% of all training hours were delivered through online or computer-based technologies, 92% of organizations did at least some compliance training online, and 56% did at least some onboarding online.
They matter because they make learning more scalable, more repeatable, and easier to access when people need it. In a 2024 Panopto and College Pulse survey of students from more than 1,500 colleges and universities, 85% said video technology enhances the learning experience, 83% said they value the flexibility of on-demand video learning, and 68% said they prefer enrolling in courses that offer video content. That same logic carries over to workforce training: people want instruction they can pause, replay, search, and revisit instead of depending on one-time explanations or bulky manuals.
They are also important because well-designed educational videos can improve understanding and retention, not just convenience. In a 2025 peer-reviewed study on short educational videos in undergraduate pharmacology, 94.9% of students said the videos were helpful in reinforcing concepts, 58.5% said they enhanced retention, and 67.6% reported improved long-term retention. So for an organization, a strong training or educational video is not just content for content’s sake. It is a practical tool for reducing confusion, improving consistency, and helping people learn faster with fewer gaps.
Animated Explainer Videos
Animated explainer videos are short, story-driven videos that use motion graphics, 2D or 3D animation, or other illustrated visuals to communicate the value of a product, service, or idea quickly. TechSmith describes explainer videos as modern-day elevator pitches, and notes that animated explainers are especially useful for abstract concepts, complicated features, and products that do not photograph well, because animation gives brands more freedom to simplify and visualize what matters most.
They matter because they help people understand faster and buy with less hesitation. In Wyzowl’s 2026 report, 96% of people said they have watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service, 63% said they would rather watch a short video than learn through text, manuals, webinars, or sales calls, and 85% said a video has convinced them to buy a product or service. The same report also found that 89% of consumers say video quality affects their trust in a brand, which is a strong argument for using polished animated explainers instead of relying on static copy alone.
For brands, that makes animated explainer videos more than just nice-looking content. They are one of the clearest ways to turn complex information into something memorable, scalable, and useful across landing pages, social media, sales presentations, onboarding, and email campaigns. That lines up with broader marketing data too: HubSpot’s 2026 marketing statistics report says the top three ROI-driving content formats are all video-based, reinforcing the idea that video is not just attention-grabbing, but a serious performance tool.
Product Demo
Product demo videos are short, focused videos that show a product in action so people can quickly understand what it does, how it works, and why it matters. For physical products, that usually means showing real-world use; for software or digital services, it often means screen recordings or guided walkthroughs. Shopify defines a product demo video as a video that shows the product in use, and notes that demonstrations help potential customers imagine how the product fits into their lives while clarifying features and value.
They matter because they cut through vague marketing language and replace it with proof. Wyzowl’s 2026 video marketing report, based on a late-2025 survey of 266 respondents, found that 96% of people have watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service, and 85% say a video has convinced them to buy a product or service. That is the real power of a strong demo: it reduces uncertainty, answers objections, and helps buyers picture themselves using the product before they spend money.
For brands, demo videos are important because video now sits at the center of modern marketing performance. HubSpot’s 2026 marketing statistics report says 93% of marketers consider video an important part of their strategy, and the top three ROI-driving content formats are all video-based: short-form video, long-form video, and live-streaming.
In plain terms, brands use product demo videos because they educate faster, build trust better, and give the same asset multiple jobs across websites, landing pages, social media, ads, and email campaigns.
Music Video Production
A well-produced music video is no longer just an extra piece of content attached to a song. It is one of the main ways an artist, band, or brand gives the music a visual identity, strengthens its image, and gives people something memorable to connect with. IFPI’s Engaging with Music 2023 found that video streaming accounts for 31% of the global music engagement mix, nearly matching audio streaming at 32%. In IFPI’s 2022 report, video streaming ranked as the top way people engage with music at 82%, short-form video came in at 68%, and 50% of 16–24-year-olds said they discover a new artist at least weekly.
That matters because music now competes in a discovery environment that is heavily visual. YouTube says more than 2 billion people come to the platform each month to listen to music, and it specifically points to the combination of music videos, live performances, premieres, and short-form video as a driver of stronger fan connection and community. In plain terms, a strong music video helps a song stand out, makes the artist feel more established, and gives fans something they can watch, remember, and share beyond the audio alone.
It also has real commercial relevance. The RIAA’s Gold & Platinum program counts on-demand audio and video streams toward certification thresholds, and it notes that only official label or company videos count toward certification, not user-generated uploads. That does not mean production value by itself guarantees success, but it does show that official video content is part of how music performance is measured. A well-produced music video is not just about looking good. It is about credibility, discovery, fan engagement, and giving the song a better shot at leaving a lasting mark.
