The process of making a video is not always clear-cut for those looking for a place to start. Whether you are increasing video content in your marketing plan, finally pursuing a great idea for a documentary, or need a commercial or testimonial for your business, the following process will help get you up and running in the right direction no matter the scope of your project.
Often, potential clients have two important questions:
- How much does a video cost?
- How soon can we get our video produced?
Many factors influence a video production company’s answer.
A more pressing question that should be considered is, “What does 100% success look like to you and how do we measure it?”
Every client is unique and each video project is created to serve a purpose and connect with a target audience. It is our job to help guide our clients through the important process of producing successful videos. We can start to measure what success looks like for a client by beginning with the first three stages of video production.
Stages of Video Production
Stage 1: Pre-Production (planning) The main objective of this stage is to begin planning all of the details of the project. It takes a team effort to create a compelling video. This means that before shooting begins, our team is involved with the initial creative process and everyone thoroughly understands the vision of the final project. This allows the client and our team to see opportunities together and make critical decisions during the next stage.
Stage 2: Production (filming) The production process involves capturing all of the audio and video elements needed for the project. In this process, technical expertise, high-quality equipment, creativity, and our storytelling are combined to create dynamic video elements that can be assembled into a compelling narrative.
Stage 3: Post-Production (editing) Editing is more than splicing video; it is about crafting a story. In this step, we work to actively consider the story from a viewer’s perspective, ensuring that there is continuity throughout and that the original message and client vision remain intact. We pay particular attention to the technical qualities of the video and carefully fine-tune audio and video levels, timing, closed captioning, and file specifications, making sure that your story is optimized for any platform.
BONUS! Stage 4: Distribution (posting) This stage is commonly lumped in with marketing, but it’s an important factor to plan for from the beginning in pre-production. The way your video is created can vary based on the channels of distribution. During this phase, we ensure you are getting the best quality result and utilize more of the viewer’s screen to maximize audience engagement. Additionally, we work with the algorithms, constraints, and best practices of your chosen distribution channel(s), working with the result in mind.
As you can see, each stage of the video production process is important to reaching our goal of “100% success” for each client. We can’t skip ahead to stages 2 (filming), 3 (editing), or 4 (posting) until we have invested time working with our clients and assembling a solid plan in stage 1 (planning). During this process, you will hear many questions- ranging from logistical considerations to abstract ideation generation. When meeting with a video production team, there are some questions you may be asked. We encourage you to ask yourself these questions before meeting with a team, however, video production is a collaborative process, and we are happy to find the answer together.
Important Questions to Consider
Idea Generation
- Who is the audience for this video?
- What goals does this video fulfill?
- What is the main message of this project?
- Where & when will this video be viewed or posted?
- What is the length/running time for this video?
- What is the budget for this project? Check out these helpful tips https://atc-p.com/how-much-does-a-video-cost/.
- Will there be a representative from your organization on the shoot? If not, who is a person from your organization that ATCP can contact in case of questions or concerns?
- Will there be any on-screen talent?
- Will there be an interview? If so, will you or someone from your team be conducting the interview?
- Will it need a green screen or any other special effects?
- Do you need any animation?
- If the shoot spans multiple hours, is there access to restrooms, snacks, and breaks for cast and crew?
Locations
- Create a list of locations needed for the project.
- What is the travel time for all of the crew/cast members?
- Are you filming outside? For best outdoor lighting conditions, filming should take place in the morning or evening.
- Are there any safety concerns or protocols for this location?
With this article, you are ready to start creating your video. If you decide you want to move forward with your video project and need help, feel free to reach out to us at Around the Corner Productions. Together, we will work with you every step of the way to put together the best plan for your next video project.