Choosing a Video Production Company

Working with a video production company should be pretty easy. At the end of the day, they are just another supplier who should understand your business, your values and what’s important to you.

But like most areas of life, you will have plenty of choices. But, as Anakin Skywalker once said – choose wisely.

So how do you pick a production company best suited to your needs, you’ll have to do a bit of research or ask colleagues or business networks for recommendations.

Things to look out for:
First off, have you decided what format you’d like your project to be made in?

Choosing a Format for your Project

Live action is filming with a camera and sound. Or would you prefer your content to be made as an animation or as an infographic?

Once you know this you can start to check out some providers. Most companies will work in both media formats, but the production process is slightly different depending on what format you chose.

What to look for:
Also, it’s absolutely fine if you haven’t decided yet, a good production company should be able to advise you on:

• The best format to make your project in,
• Give you some ideas,
• A guide price,
• Explain the process and
• Give an idea of the timeline.

How experienced is the video production company?

Film/video Production companies range from one person with a camera to companies that provide full production services. there is a whole range of abilities and skill sets out there with the quality of the final product ranging from average to very good.

• Look for:
• Recent credits,
• A good showreel (examples of previous work)
• Does what they offer or have made before fit in with what you are looking for?

We are all consumers of media be it broadcast TV, video streaming sites or social media platforms we all have a reasonable idea of what ‘good’ should look like.

• You want to hear what people are saying
• Sound levels set correctly
• Picture quality
• Good picture framing is an important thing to look out for.

Speak with the production company directly. The video/film production industry, like any industry, has its own glossary of terms. If you don’t understand what they are talking about, get them to explain. Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t be blinded by jargon. A good producer will be able to talk you through all the steps to get you started on your video or animation project.

Video or Film formats

Animation or Infographics the choice is yours.
Some subjects lend themselves more to animation and infographics. Such as Explainer and Instructional videos. The production process is very different to live action and your production company should be able to explain the workflow/production process. In most cases, the voiceover is recorded first and then animators will work with the voiceover to build the animation.

Live Action offers a lot

Live action is a very flexible format and can be used for all varieties of corporate video content. The material is filmed (rushes) and then edited or what’s usually called “post-production”. The more footage you have for a project the longer the editing process will take. Here voice-over can be added as well as music and graphics. It just depends on the content you have commissioned.

Rights to the footage, images and audio assets

You need to ask the video production company about rights and who owns the footage or animation. We believe you should own the content as you’ve paid for it. You should look for “all rights in perpetuity”. Again, any production company worth its salt, will know all this and explain this to you at the early commissioning stages of any project.

Obviously, if you are looking to put the latest Ed Sheeran number on your film then this could cost you thousands. However, there are composers and music libraries that will license their work to you for use.

Library photos and stock video footage again this is subject to copyright and should be explained to you by your production company.

Also if you are filming with members of the public and/or your own teams – if there are no media clauses in their contracts – so you should consider getting signed consent to allow you to use their contribution in your video.

Would you like to speak with us about your Video production needs?

Moray and the team here at Picture Lock Films are ready and waiting to take your call.  it’s our pleasure to listen to your ideas and help you make an informed decision about making a video that suits your business or charity. Simply click the phone numbers on this page or contact us via email.