The 5 Steps of Video Production

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5 Steps for Video Production

The thought of making a video that perfectly captures you and your business can be daunting. But it needn’t be. Video production is our business and as such we make it as easy as possible to get our business working for yours. All you need is the desire to produce a visual tool for your company.

1. THE BRIEF
Our first meeting will establish what you offer, how you offer it and the type of clientele you cater for. We then explore ways to convey this via video. Nobody knows your business like you do, so your assistance along the way is essential. We also ask for any other materials and information that could benefit our research i.e. websites, brochures, old videos etc.

Next we decide with you exactly where you want this video marketing to be distributed and who you want to target. At this point, we can discuss options around your budget and give you basic ideas on a production quote.

Then we put all the ideas and concepts together from the brainstorming session/s into a brief, to give you an idea of where we are heading with the final product. This detailed brief will include aims and targets, an interpretation of the ideas, and outline of the video’s purpose, how we will approach production, a basic listing of a script and ideas on locations etc.

2. SCRIPT

Next up is the script – the most important part of any production. It’s at this point that we need to get everything right as a base for shot listing, casting and post production additions. We develop a script based on the information about your business we have discussed in the brainstorming session. The script is broken up into a few sections – basically what we hear i.e. is it going to be a narrator, presenter or interview. The other part of the script is what we see i.e. scenes, animations, titles etc. The script will be sent to you to make any amendments and we will go back and forth until you are 100% happy with the wording. It is very important to remember that if the script that a narrator reads is incorrect, this can become a costly exercise when the talent is asked to return for a second read.

Based on the “we see, we hear” aspects of the script, a shot list is developed. This essentially lists all locations that are required for filming, which people are required at each location and any props that may be required. This list is categorised into times so we ensure we have ample time to film each shot. This shot list is very important for you to co-ordinate any staff you may have appearing in the video and if any of the locations need to prepare for a film crew.

We can also develop storyboards to give you a clearer indication of exactly how we visualise each shot looking.

3. FILMING

Filming is the next step and by now we will have worked out with you how many hours/days are required and viable location/s will have been sourced.

Depending on the scale of the production, our basic crew starts with a camera operator, a producer/director and assistant. Other crew additions include second cameras, make-up artists, sound recordists and more. The camera operator will arrive with broadcast camera and lighting kit. All our crew are experienced and hand picked with a vast catalogue of both broadcast and corporate video production. We have all created videos featuring professionals and amateurs alike and will make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

4. POST PRODUCTION

From filming, it’s then to the post production stage. This is where is all comes together, the elements of the jigsaw combine to create a fluid story.

Using the footage that has been filmed, the video is cut based on the style of video. Did the video feature interviews with your staff, perhaps it was all read by a narrator or was it a dramatised video with actors and presenters? Our editors work from the detailed briefs, scripts and shotlists to complete a first edit.

There are a number of elements that can be added in post to get a really dynamic video such as motion graphics, music, animated logos etc. We also work within your brand guidelines.

That first edit is then provided to you via a web link to provide feedback. On many occasions, our clients are blown away to see all these ideas come to life! We appreciate that the first edit is not 100% to your satisfaction every time, but we can discuss with you any tweaks or changes required, perhaps you want to see other shots replacing existing ones or maybe other soundbites from interviews. Just like the script, it’s in post production where we work with you to get the video matched or exceeding your expectations.

5. DISTRIBUTION

And the final step is Distribution – where to want this video to be seen, who do you want to see it and how do you plan on getting it to them? At our initial meeting, we work with you to figure out with media platforms you want to distribute to. But now that you have the finished video, perhaps you want to expand the distribution outlets. Remember, all our videos are created in Full HD. So if you initially only wanted a short web advert at low-resolution but now want to create a broadcast quality TV ad, that’s not an issue.

Just think of the growing number of media platforms that your video can be seen: The internet: Youtube, Facebook, your website; Company intranet; Large screens at major events; Television; Mobile phones; CD/DVD/Blu-Ray… the list is endless.

We can also provide quotes on duplication of CD, DVD or Blu-Ray.

So there you have it, a brief overview of the Video Production Process. For more information, please get in touch!

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