What Does a Video Production Company Do?
Your Complete Guide.
Video is more than just a trend. It’s the dominant medium for connecting with your audience.
Crafting a compelling video isn't as simple as hitting 'record' on your smartphone. There's an entire process behind it that requires strategic planning, technical know-how, and a flair for storytelling.
Beyond the obvious benefits like increased engagement and conversions, well-produced videos also build trust. Whether you're a startup, an established business, or a nonprofit, understanding the full scope of video production is crucial. It empowers you to make informed decisions and delivers content that not only resonates but also fosters trust with your audience.
With that in mind, you might need to hire a video production company at some point. Maybe even specialists who serve your industry. For example, we’re a healthcare video production company.
Let’s breakdown what video pros can do and how they help you.
What Does a Video Production Company Do?
Pre-Production: The Planning Stage
Idea Brainstorming
Before anything else, you need a concept. This could involve creative meetings where you discuss target audience, messaging, and what you hope to achieve with the video.
Scriptwriting
After settling on an idea, the next step for many companies is crafting the script. This serves as the backbone for your project, outlining dialogue, visual elements, and the overall narrative flow.
It’s worth noting, as a healthcare video production company, we save script creation for the post-production phase. We’re journalists by nature, so we prefer to let the sound bites and raw video we gather dictate the script we produce.
There’s nothing wrong with scripting in advance, we just like our way better. We think it delivers a far more authentic video.
Logistics Planning
This involves identifying locations for shooting, acquiring permits, and scheduling shoots. You'll also decide on the team—producer, videographer, sound tech, etc.—and the equipment you’ll need.
Budgeting
Knowing your budget constraints upfront helps in planning effectively. You need to allocate resources for crew, equipment, post-production, and any other variables.
Timeline
Create a project timeline with milestones and deadlines to keep everyone on track. This includes pre-production tasks, shoot dates, editing timelines, and final delivery.
The Production Phase: Action Time
Setup
Before rolling the camera, there's a lot of setup required. This involves setting up lights, rigging the camera, testing microphones, and ensuring all equipment is functioning.
Producing
The producer is essentially the storyteller, guiding both the crew and the talent to bring the vision to life. They ensure the right shots are captured, and that they’re in line with the script and storyboard (if you have one).
Videography
It’s not just pointing a camera and shooting. It's choosing the right angles, lenses, and movements to best tell your story.
Sound
Good audio is crucial. This involves setting up microphones, monitoring audio levels, and ensuring the sound syncs with the visuals.
Compliance
Especially relevant for regulated industries, making sure your production meets any necessary guidelines is crucial.
Post-Production: Where It All Comes Together
Scriptwriting
As I mentioned in the pre-production phase, some companies (cough, cough… like us) prefer creating the script once the video shoot is complete. There’s no right or wrong for when a company creates a script. It’s all personal preference and they’re particular productions style.
For instance, corporate video pros with a background in filmmaking tend to prefer writing scripts in advance and creating storyboards for the video shoot.
Pros who come from TV news (like us), favor a more organic approach to creating videos.
Editing
This is where the raw footage is cut, rearranged, and assembled into a coherent story. It's arguably one of the most critical steps in the process. This is where the video really takes shape.
Effects and Transitions
Visual effects can be added to enhance or embellish the story. Transitions between scenes are also decided at this stage.
Sound Design
Any music, sound effects, or voice-overs are added in post-production. The audio is mixed and mastered to ensure levels are balanced and clear.
Color Grading
This affects the look and mood of the video. Color grading can make your footage look more vibrant, set a specific tone, or even make it look like a completely different time of day.
Revisions
Based on customer feedback, edits and revisions are made. This step may occur multiple times until everyone is satisfied with the final product.
By understanding the intricacies of each stage, you can better appreciate the depth of expertise, time, and effort that goes into creating a high-quality video. Each stage has its challenges, but they all contribute to that final, polished piece that helps you connect with your audience.
Types of Videos You Can Create
Promotional Videos
When you've got a new product or service, this is your go-to format. It's about showcasing features, benefits, and why your audience should care. Think flashy but substantive.
Training Videos
Ideal for educating your team or customers. They're detailed, informative, and they cut down on repetitive in-person training. It's the how-to guide of the digital age.
Event Highlights
These videos are like your event's highlight reel. Quick cuts, energetic music, and all the best moments captured to relive or share with those who couldn't make it.
Customer Testimonials
Real people, real reviews. It's word-of-mouth for the modern age. Authenticity is king here. You want believable people sharing genuine experiences.
Explainers
You’ve got a complex product or service, and you need to explain it quickly. Animations, quick cuts, and clear language help break it down for your audience.
Production Companies Keep You Focused on the Audience
Targeting
Who are you speaking to? Define your audience clearly—age, demographics, needs—and speak their language.
Message Adaptation
Different strokes for different folks. Make sure your videos are hyper-focused on the audience and its needs. You’re not producing this video for yourself. It’s for your viewers. Make sure their interests are met above yours.
Specialized Content
A good production house knows how to pivot. That means adapting your video's style, tempo, and visuals to suit your target audience.
Look for Quality Companies
Gear
High-end cameras, drones for aerial shots, top-notch mics. Quality equipment is non-negotiable for a professional outcome.
Lighting and Sound
These are the unsung heroes of any video. Good lighting can elevate your visuals, and crisp sound makes your message clear.
Attention to Detail
Every frame, every second counts. Consistency in quality keeps your audience engaged.
Make Sure They Understand Your ROI
Analytics
Track views, engagement, click-through rates, and conversion. Get to know what's working and what needs tweaking.
KPIs
Identify your Key Performance Indicators upfront. Could be leads generated, engagement rate, or something else. Measure against these.
Adapt
Use the data to adapt future projects. It’s about continuous improvement.
Why Expertise Matters
Vision
A seasoned team brings more than just technical chops. They bring a creative flair that can elevate your project from good to great.
Project Management
It’s not just about making a video. It's about managing a project from A to Z with minimal hiccups. Good project management saves both time and money.
Storytelling
Knowing how to craft a story is an art. A skilled team can make even the most mundane topic engaging. That's the power of storytelling.
The more you understand these areas, the more confident you'll be in your video projects. Each aspect plays a pivotal role in the final product. It’s a blend of art, science, and business smarts.
Closing Thoughts
So, what does a video production company really bring to the table? It's a lot more than just fancy cameras and editing software.
From the initial brainstorming to the final edit, the process combines technical skill, creative vision, and strategic planning. It's not just about creating eye-candy. It’s about crafting a message that hits its mark.
The end result is a compelling video that not only looks and sounds amazing but also nails its intended purpose—whether that's educating, entertaining, or driving action. In today's digital world, where video content reigns supreme, the value of getting it right can't be overstated.
Working with a skilled production company means you're investing in quality, effectiveness, and ultimately, the trust and engagement of your audience.
