This article was updated on 8/26/2024
Interested in the realm of video production? The process includes everything from initial planning to the final editing stage when creating video content. This comprehensive guide delves into crucial stages, variables affecting costs, and various categories of videos that can be created. It’s an ideal resource for companies seeking to have a video created.
Key Takeaways
- Mastering the video production process involves three key phases: pre-production, production, and post-production, each crucial for crafting compelling video content.
- Understanding and managing production costs are essential—budget considerations such as location, talent, and equipment can greatly impact the project’s success.
- Choosing the right video production services is vital; seek experienced partners who understand commercial video production and can deliver on your specific objectives.
- We’ve provided some examples of the types of videos a company can use to elevate brand awareness.
Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Video Production Services
Imagine you’re searching for a doctor, mechanic, or lawyer. The first step is to always look for experienced, trustworthy professionals. You research each industry and analyze their proficiencies and reviews before choosing an ideal candidate. Selecting a video production company should be no different.
Selecting the right video production services is pivotal for the success of your video project. Begin by assessing the experience level of the production company and their knowledge pertaining to your scope of work. Such expertise will amplify the impact of your video, making certain it achieves your business goals and connects with your target audience.
Lastly, consider how they orchestrate their production process and whether their team has a comprehensive strategy in place to execute your vision efficiently while adhering to both budgetary constraints and deadlines.
For instance, Mighty Fine Production Company merges expert copywriting skills with impressive cinematography, along with motion graphic design proficiency – attributes that position them as an adept collaborator for assorted video production requirements.
Keep in mind that the production company will be collaborating with your team. Make sure there is chemistry between each team that is participating in the process. In a creative project, collaboration is pivotal to the success of your video!
Discuss Your Vision with a Video Producer
With video projected to account for over 82% of all consumer internet traffic by 2024 (Demandsage), ensuring your video aligns with your brand’s message is more crucial than ever.
Before starting anything, you should meet with the video production company. It’s a good idea to discuss any ideas or concepts you have for the video. Think about why you want to produce the video and who it’s intended for. The production company’s job is to guide you through the process ensuring your vision comes to life.
So, begin by outlining ideas, expectations, and goals for your video. As a result, the creative team can tailor an appropriate plan, timeline, and quote for your video production. Let your project manager know:
- What’s the purpose of the video?
- Who is the audience?
- Do you have examples of videos that share your vision?
- How many locations will be required for the project or do you need a professional sound stage?
- How long does your video need to be?
- What is your budget range for the project?
- What style (animation, live-action, interviews, etc.)?
- What is the intended action/goal you want people to take after watching your video?
Producing a video from script to screen can take up to 3–8 weeks from start to finish. Naturally, this number will vary depending on the workload and scale of the video production.
Factors Affecting Video Production Costs
Grasping the variables that influence production costs for video content is critical when setting a budget and organizing your project. The expenses tied to video production are contingent on the unique requirements of each client as well as their allocated funds.
The video pre-production process is very important. Most importantly, ask your video production company for a detailed proposal that outlines the cost and scope of your project. Here are some primary factors that play into these costs:
- Concepts and Art Direction
- Script and Storyboarding
- Pre-production planning
- Location scouting
- The number of locations and how many days will it take to film?
- Do we need to secure filming permits?
- Is there a need for professional actors or voiceover talent?
- Does talent need stylist/makeup artist?
- Does the shoot need a studio with a sound stage?
- Consider the lighting packages you need for your production.
- What type of camera package and equipment will be needed to capture your vision?
- Do you need original motion graphics or animation?
Every component has substantial implications for the final cost profile, which can fluctuate based on how sophisticated a project is.
Some creative and logistical aspects require legal compliance. Acquiring all necessary permissions while observing industry standards can increase expenditures. Such as the production company procuring permits if you are using public areas for commercial purposes. Also, there may be a cost to maintaining safety standards while shooting in public places.
Additionally, there could be a the cost of renting a location, whether it is private or public.
How Much Do Video Production Services Cost?
Here it is—the most important question: How much should you expect to invest in producing a video? The truth is, each situation is unique. There are many moving parts to any production, and various factors can influence the cost of a video.
In our experience, from soup to nuts, a professionally produced video generally starts at $5,000–$10,000 and increases based on the scope of work. You can expect three days on average of editing for every day that you are on-set or shooting on location. We estimate editing rates at $150 per hour.
Motion graphics can be expensive and require more time to create because they are handcrafted and require a team with different creative skills.
A video that requires only a few interviews or testimonials will be on the lower end of the spectrum, while more complex productions with scripting, special effects, or multiple locations will cost more.
To get a clearer idea of the cost, it’s helpful to share examples of videos that align with the message you want to convey. These examples allow the production team to better understand your vision and provide a more accurate quote.
Most corporate videos are under two minutes, which should be ample time to communicate your message effectively, especially with the help of an agency copywriter who can craft a concise and impactful script.
It’s important to be realistic and establish a budget that your organization is comfortable with. Remember, investing in a high-quality video can significantly enhance your brand’s image and effectiveness in reaching your target audience. In fact, businesses that use video marketing grow revenue 49% faster than those that don’t, making the investment in high-quality video production a crucial component of your marketing strategy. A well-produced video can serve as a powerful marketing tool, offering long-term value by engaging viewers and conveying your message clearly.
Not only that but a well produced video can repurposed across all your digital channels.
The Video Production Process: Three steps
Finding out what you need is where we begin. Do you want a video that sums up your brand and conveys your identity? Are you introducing a brand-new product? For twenty years, we have been creating videos and guiding customers to tailor projects to their budgets and needs. We’ve listed the three pillars of video production with a brief overview of each.
Pre-Production
The first step in the process of creating a video is all about preparation. This phase includes research, planning, problem solving and organizing to lay a groundwork for your project.
In the pre-production phase you’ll need to clarify the goals of the video and create a budget plan that outlines key expense areas. Developing a project timeline is essential for staying on course.
Determining what talent will be needed for the project is a huge consideration. Often times we’ll use the employees of the company as talent for a branded video. Employees can be used in speaking roles or asked to perform their jobs as they would on any other day while being filmed. This could be described as capturing a day in life to be used as an overview for many aspects of a marketing video.
However, sometimes it’s best to hire professional talent to keep the production on-time and on-schedule.
We’ve produced many branded videos using professional talent, and employees from other locations often ask where those people work within the company. What I’m trying to say is that professional talent can seamlessly blend in and appear as though they are part of the organization.
By focusing on creating a roadmap you ensure that your project is well prepared and ready, for success. Thoughtful budgeting and scheduling help prevent expenses and setbacks ensuring that production runs smoothly and efficiently from beginning to end.
Location Scouting
Scouting locations is vital to conveying your vision if you are not using your office or facility as a backdrop. It’s a producer’s job to try and get the best day rate for a location; typically, smaller venues can cost between $800 and $1600 per day. The gig economy has introduced alternatives to traditional scouting.
There are resources like Peerspace that offer locations that you can use to shoot your next video. Airbnb has also been a great resource for scouting and securing locations for a video production.
Video Script Writing and Storyboarding
Being concise is key. In most cases, you want to say everything in less than two minutes to keep a viewer’s attention. Our copywriters can clarify your core message as succinctly as possible. Professional copywriters can explain essential services and express your unique selling points without losing your viewer’s interest.
Alternatively, longer scripts can be important for brand awareness. Longer videos often provide more instructional content for folks thirsty for more information about what you do or how your business can solve their problem.
One of the best examples is instructional videos. They might get fewer clicks. However, this isn’t about the hard sell; you are providing content someone is searching for and boom they are watching a branded video from your organization.
We’ve worked with a broad spectrum of clients; some like to be a part of the scriptwriting process, while others are hands-off. At the end of the day, Mighty Fine is here to work with you and has the tools to craft your message.
Right off the bat, the production team will break down your concepts into storyboards or a shooting schedule. Sometimes, production companies use visual artists to methodically map out productions, frame by frame. The production team can then follow the storyboard for the day you shoot your video. Production companies will often include technical notes like camera placement and lighting settings to aid them on set.
(A storyboard produced by artist Darwin Tan)
We’ve done plenty of video shoots with just a written shot schedule. This can reduce the overall cost as detailed storyboards take considerable time to create.
Video Production: Lights, Camera, Action
Now that the script is finished and the locations have been scouted. This is where the rubber meets the road! At this point, all the ideas start to come to life. The producer will let you know what to expect, the daily schedule, and timeline for the shooting schedule.
During the production phase, the magic of filmmaking happens. In order to get professional-grade film at this stage, you’ll need top-notch gear including cameras, lights, and audio equipment and a seasoned crew. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of high-quality equipment to capture the final product. Our production company is always upgrading when it’s necessary to keep up with aesthetic trends and what video requirements are expected.
It’s also crucial that a video production crew has backups for any technical aspect of the production. In most cases you only have one shot due to client schedules and budgets.
Some productions have a lot of moving parts that require a larger crew. So it’s good for everyone who’s participating to know what’s going on during production. Our aim is always to stay on time and budget. It’s equally important to have a production crew who are in-sync with each other and check their egos at the door. We have been in the production game since 2001and recognize that crew fidelity is one of the most important aspects of production.
There might be a small 3-person crew or a 20-person crew, depending on the scope of your project. In most situations, you can expect to see a lot of equipment, even if it’s just a one-person interview. For example the picture above was for an outdoor interview that broadcasted on national television so everything needed to be perfect.
Post Production: Where the Magic Happens
The post-production process is where raw film is transformed into a polished video. Our team considers all the fine details when evaluating how to proceed with post-production based on our client’s goals.
The production crew begins by carefully collecting all the necessary clips based on the script and shooting schedule. Our editors then ensure continuity throughout the editing process, which allows them to seamlessly add transitions and effects that create a smooth, engaging narrative for your audience.
Second, we enhance and correct color so every shot appears natural and maintains visual continuity throughout. Color retouching can also convey a visual mood that can enhance the storyline.
Third, we execute all the sound design and Foley to bring your marketing video to life. Post-production can also include motion graphics and animation which can add a whole other dimension to the video, drawing the audience deeper into your content.
Contrary to popular belief and advertising, editing software takes time to understand. And it’s like every other craft it takes time to master; It’s all about finding the right balance, timing and enhancements. It’s a highly iterative process, even for a two minute brand video.
Types of Videos You Can Produce
Different types of video formats have purposes whether you’re promoting a product or educating your audience. Popular styles such, as animation, live action and mixed media can effectively convey targeted messages. When deciding on the kind of video to create it’s important to think about your target audience and the results you hope to accomplish.
Producing high quality videos is crucial for grabbing and maintaining interest, which’s vital for sustaining engagement and optimizing your marketing endeavors. Videos that elicit emotions can establish connections between brands and consumers. Exploring known video formats and understanding their individual advantages can provide valuable insights, for shaping your upcoming video project.
Brand Videos: Stand Out From Your Competition
Strong brands don’t lead with products or services — they share their stories. Brands that stand out from the competition are set apart because of their research, values, and work.
They stand out because their brand and message is unique. Creative brand storytelling only becomes an art when the storyteller creates meaningful, emotional connections. This happens by activating feelings living inside the audience receiving the message.
Brands using video report that they can increase customer understanding of their product or service by 74% (source: Wyzowl).
It creates a human, emotional connection. The real challenge for a brand is not to be “better” than the competition. Instead, it’s about bettering themselves by thinking beyond their own products or services. Creative brand storytelling identifies the strongest, most meaningful bonds formed with customers. That’s where inspiration is born. So are you inspiring anyone with your brand’s story?
Corporate Videos
Corporate videos have functions like improving communication offering training materials and serving as promotional aids. They typically feature interviews with employees, tours of company premises and showcases of products or services. The main aim is to convey the company’s identity, mission and products.
Corporate videos play a role, in enhancing communication channels fostering organizational culture and aiding in training and recruitment activities. By delivering consistent messages they not only boost brand recognition but also deepen customer involvement and interaction.
Product Demonstration Videos
Demonstration videos play a role, in showcasing products or services by highlighting their features and advantages in an appealing manner. These videos focus on spotlighting the selling points of the product and showing how it effectively addresses a problem or fulfills a need.
People who watch your videos are more likely to become clients and they are 64–85% more likely to purchase. (Source: Linkedin)
So consider boosting attention and sales by using product demonstration films in your marketing approach.
Video Testimonials: Think Outside the Box
Testimonial videos are highly valuable, for establishing trust with customers. By featuring stories from customers, these videos offer authentic and relatable insights, into how a product or service has positively influenced their lives.
To enhance the impact of testimonial videos consider moving beyond the basic one-camera interview format. Instead of one camera angle consider two for increasing visual interest and making the scene more compelling.
Consider incorporating motion graphics making the testimonials more dynamic and compelling. Motion design is an excellent way to to make stats and other things more interesting and reinforce key ideas in your message.
The sincerity and positive feedback conveyed in videos often resonate deeply prompting potential clients to take action based on shared experiences of others.
Drone Video: Look Ma I’m Flying
Drone photography, once a luxury for big-budget productions, is now accessible to nearly any business looking to enhance their marketing videos. Stunning aerial shots—like zooming over oceans or capturing the sunrise on a skyscraper—can add a cinematic quality to your video marketing content. It’s also one of the best ways to establish a shot. Think of a wide shot panning down in the air to reveal your location.
However, not all drones or operators are created equal. High-end drones capable of carrying cinema-quality cameras require skilled operators who know how to manually control camera settings and understand composition and pacing. Before hiring, ensure the drone photographer has the expertise to capture smooth, professional footage that aligns with your brand’s story. Balancing impressive aerial shots with relatable, intimate moments is key to a successful video, so always discuss how the drone video footage will fit into your overall narrative.
It’s All in the Reviews
Every company leaves a digital footprint on the internet, whether positive or negative. Everyone is familiar with Google Reviews. They are trusted because it is nearly impossible to get them to remove a negative review, even if the reviewer has never done business with you and left the review after a two-minute phone call. This happened to us.
Third-party research firms are dedicated to connecting corporate clients with reliable service providers in the business and service sectors. Considered factors include customer reviews, the portfolio, and market reputation. Based on verified reviews, Mighty Fine Production Company has been recognized on Clutch as one of the Top Production Companies for 2023. There are quite a few others that we subscribe to, like Design Rush, to acquire quality clients.
All of these resources will assist you in determining the quality of work you can expect from a video production company. Reputation is of the utmost importance to us.
Video Distribution: Show the World
The video is finished! Now, how are people going to watch your video? Promotion and distribution are vital to getting the most out of your video. Is the video intended for a broadcast audience? Or maybe it’s for an audience of professionals, specifically mobile device users?
Remember that having a target audience from the get-go is just as important as any other planning. Find out the best way to reach and engage your target audience with your video.
• Social media advertising allows you to target demographics based on factors, like location, age, interests and behavior. It’s important to tailor videos for viewing by keeping them short and including calls to action.
• Email Campaigns incorporating videos can significantly boost click through rates by as much as 65%. Make sure your videos are properly embedded, linked, and optimized for loading to maximize engagement.
• YouTube and other video hosting sites focus on creating content. Utilize SEO strategies such as optimizing video titles, descriptions and tags for visibility.
• Landing pages with video can greatly enhance conversion rates by up to 80%. Ensure that the video complements the web pages call to action for an excellent user experience
Need a video produced? Schedule a free consultation! If you have any lingering questions about production, be sure to check out our FAQ.
In order to collect email addresses and create leads from your videos, make sure to add calls to action once you’ve distributed them. Distributed films with strategic storytelling can do wonders for your brand’s reputation!
Need a video produced? Schedule a free consultation! If you have any lingering questions about production, be sure to check out our FAQ.
