Producing a company video to market your company or deliver a message to potential clients and clients has proved to be a productive technique for numerous companies. Now add in the opportunity to use that video within an internet marketing campaign and the opportunities of reaching an even wider audience increase significantly. Before embarking on what can be a costly and time intensive exercise (if done incorrectly), here are a few things to consider when choosing a corporate video production company.
How big a production company do you really need?
You’re probably unlikely to be filming a Hollywood blockbuster but by taking into consideration the type and size of production company you should have, you will have a greater probability of keeping within your budget. There are positive aspects to working with a bigger production company for the reason that they’ll have access to more equipment, editing suites and a workforce who are on the books full-time. The ultimate product will look great but may come at a marginally higher cost.
Small or medium size video production companies can yield exceptional results and keep a project as lean as possible by crewing the shoot with freelancers who are paid on a film-by-film contract. These companies will probably generate the core of their work from small to medium-sized companies and will thus be used to working with reduced budgets.
Watch the showreel
Any serious specialist corporate video production company will be able to show you a demo reel of their most recent work. When you have refined the agencies that sit within your price range, assess their showreels and look at the quality of the visuals, audio, camera techniques and general production values.
Which video format?
Ask about video formats as this could reflect the overall cost. Will spending more on high-end formats increase the response to your film and accomplish the goals you have established for the production or will a less expensive alternative work equally well? A video that needs to be broadcast on tv requires a high quality format while a training video needn’t be top-end. In today’s market, High Definition (HD) provides a good trade-off between quality and cost.
Is the company professional in its approach?
Creating a professional corporate video it isn’t just about pointing a camera in the right place and shooting. A significant part of the work is in pre-production and the company you ultimately choose needs to have a professional approach to this element of the project. Once you have agreed on the budget of your video, the producer should create an outline (often known as a ‘treatment’) which is a working blueprint that establishes the schedule of the shoot and the equipment and crew needed.
This will also lay out the creative areas of your video such as style and content. You should talk things over with the producer and director so use the time to get a sense of whether they understand their own industry while also appreciating the needs of yours. They ought to provide valuable input but not be too pushy or ride rough-shot over your ideas. Video production is usually a collaborative process so make sure you can work together.
Finding a video production company online
We’re all becoming accustomed to finding what we want through the internet so seeking out a film production agency should be no different. Why go online? Because you’ll get an immediate feel of the professionalism of the company you’re dealing with depending on the calibre of their website along with the information they offer. A website will also have a showreel offering you immediate access to a demonstration of their work. Silverfish Media is a great example of a website that demonstrates these points.
First impressions count and a website will give you a valuable understanding of who you’ll be dealing with. If they hook you from the start, you’re more likely to get in touch and follow through with a commission.