This article was updated on September 5, 2023.
The first step of the video production process. How do I choose the right video production company?
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 reviews before choosing an ideal candidate. Selecting a video production company should be no different. You should request to see examples of their work to get an idea of their capabilities and style. Always be sure to ask to see work that is relevant to your project and target budget. Keep in mind the production company will be working with your group. 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!
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Discuss your ideas for the video.
Before starting anything, you should meet with the 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 while making your vision come 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 video production company know:
- Why do you want a video?
- Who is the audience?
- What’s the project deadline?
- The length of the video.
- How many videos do you need?
- What is your budget for the project?
- What style (animation, live-action, interviews, etc.)?
- The goal of the video. What is the intended action you want people to take?
- How to market, publish, and distribute the video.
- Do you have examples of videos that illustrate your vision?
Script Writing
Being concise is key. In most cases, you must say everything in less than 2 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. For example, we’ve worked with a broad spectrum of clients; some like to be a part of the brainstorming 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 guide this process.
The Magic Question: How Much and How Long?
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. Of course, there are many moving parts to just about any production. Different factors affect the cost of a video; we’ve listed some variables below.
Sharing examples of videos you think are relevant to the one you want to produce can help most video production companies visualize what you expect. Examples will also help us determine what style and production level you expect. Provide as much information and direction as possible to ensure you receive an accurate quote.
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 video production project. Here are some steps to video production process:
- 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?
- Or even a 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?
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.
4 Pillars of the Video Production Process
Pre-production process: Creating a Map
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 as a road map 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)
Production: The Nitty Gritty
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 the process of video production, the daily schedule, and what to expect for each shot. 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. There might be a small 3-person crew or a 20-person crew, depending on the scope of your project.
On many occasions, we use our client’s workspaces as a backdrop for the marketing video. Combined with, employees acting out different scenarios if needed – we call this B-Roll. In most situations, you can expect to see a lot of equipment, even if it’s just a one-person interview. At Mighty Fine Production Company, we have some of the industry’s finest lighting and camera tools.
Post Production: Where the Magic Happens
When we move into the editing suite, our post-production team tailors the finished product to be exactly what you need. Our team considers all the fine details when evaluating how to proceed with post-production.
First, we make sure we follow the golden rule when editing: Maintain Continuity. Second, we enhance and correct color throughout. Third, we execute all the sound design and Foley to bring your online video to life. Post-production can also include motion graphics and animation.
Most marketing videos benefit by including Motion Graphics, even if it’s something as small as a logo animation. Here’s a post we created if you want to know more: What is Motion Graphics? Contrary to popular belief, editing software isn’t quite magic. That said, software like Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects makes production companies’ jobs lightyears easier!
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 three-minute phone call.
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. Design Rush is another third-party service aggregator with verified reviews.
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 and all other production companies. These third-party sites function as guardrails to ensure you work with a company that does a good job servicing its clients.
Distribution: Show the World
The video is finished! Now, then, 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. After that, make sure your videos are optimized with call-to-actions so you can capture emails and generate leads with your video content. Bolster your brand with strategic storytelling! Need a video produced? Schedule a free consultation! If you have any lingering questions about production, be sure to check out our FAQ.
