Producing a video whether it’s for commercial broadcast, corporate communications (internal or external), music entertainment or documenting a special event has several aspects to it. Each one is a piece of the puzzle that completes the story in a compelling way and if you’ve been given the task, then there are some things to know.
With all due respect to those fresh out of ‘film school’, it is important to hire someone with the experience and skills that can make your project successful. Cost is always foremost in the ‘clients’ mind, especially in today’s market and some with little or no experience in organization and execution can charge very little for the production but in the end, leave their client with unfinished work, long delays or a large chasm between their expectations and the finished product. Time could cost for re-doing wasted footage or partial work completed.
When searching for the right individual to produce your video, look for a track record of success with recognizable company names to go along with the work. Someone with long standing business relations with large Fortune 500 companies for example can speak volumes about their work ethics and professionalism.
Even if you’re not sure about your concept but have a set of goals in mind for the project, it’s a good idea to interview producers to find out their approach, ones that know the subject matter or are familiar with your company’s goals. Also, look at their portfolio of work to see if it matches the style or creative look that best suits the overall concept of your project. Some producers work very well with non-talent people, as in on-camera testimonials, while others might do well in motion graphic design.
Look for the skills and talent that are delivered in such a way that they retain interest, move the viewer to action, or inform in unique way. No question is a dumb question. Ask away….a seasoned producer has heard them all and should be open to help.
Today, we all watch TV with spectacular special effects and even larger budgets to fill our minds with wonderful visuals; so don’t be naive to think that your project can have the same look without the costs. It takes time to setup lights for a dramatic scene, get a camera into place, check for proper sound and run through the scene to get pacing. Back in post it takes time to create motion graphics, composite those graphics with other elements into the show and mix sound and music.
“How much is it going to cost me” is a question we get all the time. That’s like asking “How much to build a house”. A lot of questions need to be asked. How many bedrooms, single ranch-style home or 2 story Victorian? The same with video production. How long is the finished product, 30 seconds or 30 minutes? Do you have on-camera talent (actors) or is this voice over recorded? Are there multiple locations, interiors and exteriors? Do we need special daylight lighting for the scenes? Do you want high shots (as in Jib) or camera movement (as in Dolly)? There is an old saying in the business…you can have it CHEAP – FAST – GOOD…pick 2!
At the end of the day, my bet is on the experienced professional with years of ‘what if’ scenarios under his belt and has ‘been down that road before’! It never fails; Murphy’s Law is always waiting on a video shoot!
Cre8tiv Werks can help you with free consultation and estimate to align with your goals and budget. We’ve been around for over 25 years and can offer the finest in production value at a competitive price to make your project less of a task and more of a successful venture. Look at it as ‘partnering’ with you for the long term!