Understanding Corporate Video Production
The Corporate Video Production Process The reason why Corporate Videos have been so expensive in the past and continue to be with some outfits even today, is because time, workforce and equipment are all expensive commodities and all are required to bring a film production to fruition. Fortunately, some production houses like Transcendent Films, are experienced enough to know how to sensibly manage a production end to end without the frills but without compromising creativity or quality either. You want a professional, highly-polished production that doesn't cost the earth, but doesn't look like YouTube trash either. There are three main production phases of any film or corporate video.
These are;
Your First Step - Initial Enquiry & The Brief The first stage in the prodedure to produce your corporate video is for you to make an enquiry to us. At this stage we can field your questions, assess your needs and evaluate the budgetry requirements. You may also require an initial consultation which is completely free. If you then instruct us, we can take your brief into the pre-production phase of development. Your video brief is important because it allows us to give you an accurate costing and it informs the scriptwriter of your vision so that he can come up with creative ideas and meaningful content. When you send us a brief, it should tell us: - Who the video is for
We send you our Proposal You receive from us;
Pre-Production - Our Consulation with you Here at our first pre-production meeting, we should agree to a production schedule and the video content which will help to ensure the future stages go smoothly. At this intial meeting your team sits down with our producer and scriptwriter to get things moving. Ensuring a quality result that really works for your organisation is not just a question of the creativity of the crew and the talent of the performers. It's also the result of careful planning and approval at each stage of the process. The producer should provide you with a detailed schedule of production activities at the outset. If you feel unhappy about the way things are going at any stage, say so immediately. By the end of this meeting we should have agreed; - a detailed schedule for the production, including deadlines for approval of the script and storyboard, pre-production meetings, shoot dates, dates for viewing the rough cut and fine cut, completion and final delivery rollout
Pre-Production - Script Approval If we were to put our finger on the most important part of the entire production, it would be the script. The script is the engine that drives your video. It tells the story and ties the pictures together. Some clients prefer to approve scripts remotely by email, but we think it's always better to have a face-to-face consultation as it's more effective to get agreement and commitment. Amendments can be agreed on the spot. We also use this meeting to discuss visual content in more detail. For example, the best way to demonstrate your product, the best example of a range of products, a specific machine or person you want to see in the film.
Pre-Production - Industry Storyboard Sometimes called a 'shooting script' the storyboard is the map of your video production. It is a master document which contains a detailed listing of all visuals connected with the script scene numbers. Locations detailed with prop requirements, actors required, staff needed, etc. The Storyboard is the blue-print of the entire production. It is at this stage you will decide if you want to use your staff as extras in the film, or pay actors/extras to stand in for them.
Pre-Production - Shooting Schedule Now that you have agreed what the scenes are going to be and where they will be shot, a shoot schedule and shoot list will be required. The shoot list, lets everyone - managers, video director, camera crew, performers - know what's happening and when. This is determined by convenience and practicality, not by the order that the scenes will appear in the finished video. Be prepared, where possible, to walk round all the locations yourself, and check that everything is as the storyboard says it is. You need to remember that it takes up to an hour to move a video crew from one location to another, even within the same building, because of the time needed to dismantle, shift, set up and relight at the new location. In other words try to schedule all the scenes in one area in one session. Time is always of the essence in a video shoot. The more time is spent shooting and the less time is spent travelling, then the more footage you'll have for the edit. You also need to liaise with the manager or owner of that location, so that the place is clean, tidy and safe, that all the processes are working, staff or cast are appropriately dressed, and there are no distractions like a fire drill scheduled. Shooting in public places may also require special permits (The Tres Coronas Corporate Video required two permits. One from the Airport and the other from the Shopping Centre used as a backdrop in the film).
Pre-Production - Final Consultation pre-shoot As a final check list on-site: - Walk the locations so that you can see that everything is ready
Production - First day Some clients find the production day(s) time-consuming, demanding and disruptive. They are, and you should plan for this. Getting the right shot is extremely important and it often takes a few times to film the same shot over again before getting it to the director's satisfaction. There is no point in compromising for the sake of convenience; the end result will be disappointing. During a recent shoot at a retail store, the owner actually wanted to keep the shop open for business during live filming in the shop! This caused many problems with sound and delays. You really need the best you can get on film without distractions. Production days are expensive so close the shop, reap the rewards! The minimum crew will consist of the director and camera operator. This is fine for many shots, particularly outside, but there is obviously a limit to what can be done in a day if only the camera operator is moving the kit, setting up lights, etc. If there are many locations, a presenter and a cast of actors or interviewees on site then using additional crew becomes more esential. Tthe crew may then include a sound recordist, an assistant, an autocue operator, steadicam operator, or other specialist. Our production staff are experienced enough to assess your needs completely, hire what is required for the job, and perform the work as competitively as possible.
Production - Can I be on Set? On shoot day, some crews feel the client should not interfere with the director's decisions. To an extent this is true, but then you're the one carrying the can in terms of your company's investment in the video. If an actor is not doing something the way your company (or your audience) would expect it to be done, say so. If there's something in the shot that's not right for technical, safety or PR reasons, tell the director at once. Where possible, the crew will provide you with a monitor (a small tv) so that you can watch the action as the camera sees it. There should always be someone from your team to supervise the shoot.
Post-Production - Editor looks at the footage The editor examines all the footage taken at the shoot and decides what are good shots and what isn't The director may already know this and noted down the particular 'takes' he wishes to use. This takes longer than people might think, as grading is the process by which the editor becomes familiar with the footage and becomes absorbed into the project. The editor takes the footage and starts working, producing a 'rough cut' for first viewing.
Post-Production - Soundtrack More often than not, the 'voiceover' is recorded by a professional voiceover artist in a recording studio. Often, the presenter has voiceover sections of the video which she may record on-set during a quiet period or at the end of the shoot. Either way, iIt is a good idea to record the voiceover only when the script is finally approved, to save the cost of recording changes. Make sure too, the voice you use is compatable with the message and audience you are trying to reach. Music can be used in intros for increased impact and as background throughout the video. Music can be used in many ways, but it comes in four main flavours:
Post-Production - Rough Cut & the Final Cut Once video editing is complete, the programme will be shown to you as a Rough Cut. Today, most Rough Cuts are very close to the final finished job as the storyboard will have been widely approved, the footage shot to plan, and everything else agreed in advance. At the Rough Cut viewing, you will suggest amendments, though again if all has gone to plan, none of these amends will be major. Once you have agreed any changes, a Final Cut will take place, incorporating your suggestions.The Final Cut is the final product. You should expect to pay extra if you ask for changes after this, unless there is an error on the producer's part. This means you need to get approval from all your colleagues at the Rough Cut stage and not wait until you have the finished video.
Post-Production - Replication & Distribution Duplication is the final stage before you can distribute your video. How you decide the delivery mix for your video will depend where it's going. DVD is now the most widely available medium. Points to remember:
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