For a first-time buyer, the world of video production can be intimidating to step into. There is a vast ocean of video production companies to choose from, ranging from chalkboard animation to 3D animation that can bring your message to almost life-like proportions. It is best to find out more about the industry and keep to your objectives in order to source for the right video producers. Here are 5 useful tips that you can keep in mind when you are hiring a video production company.
1. Â Know what type of video you want
There are many types of specialists in the industry that you can pick from, depending on your needs. There are specialists that focus more on 2D animations and motion graphics, while some are better at 3D animation and corporate videos. Knowing what kind of video you want is very important because it will be easier to source for a company that suits your needs. Do your research before sourcing for companies so that you know what type of videos are there and which style would suit your business needs best.
2. Video portfolios are important
Every video production company will have a video portfolio or a showreel. It is only professional to give your clients a sample of your work, and the portfolio is a very important reflection on the company’s strengths and capabilities. Portfolios allows you to see the editing style and examples of previous projects that could be similar to the video that you’re looking for.
When you find potential video vendors, make sure you look through their showreel thoroughly and analyse their skillset to make sure that they are able to create the video that you are looking for. Again, it is important to know what you want so that it is easier to gauge if the company is able to fulfil your requirements. However, do note that sometimes showreels cannot gauge a company’s full capabilities. Some companies are able to produce quality videos that are better than their showreels. So do take note of their video portfolios, but take it with a pinch of salt. Give opportunities if you need to.
3. Ensure that they have strong storyboarding skills
A script and storyboard is the core of almost every video. It determines the structure, flow and tone of the video and even provide substance to the video. Good video producers never skip the process of scripting and storyboarding, that way, the message of your video will not be lost. You can tell a lot about a company’s skill set through its storyboarding and the way they structure their videos. Articulation is an important skill: it will determine how clearly your message will be sent across to your audience.
Through our years of experience, we have crafted various methodology to ensuring the effectiveness of our videos, such as the following:
- Â Corporate videosÂ
- Â Explainer videos
- Testimonial Interviews
- Onboarding videos
And many more, read more about our services here
Each of these framework requires a different structure and way of scriptwriting. Some agencies are able to create beautiful videos, but if the messaging is not structured clearly, the video will not deliver as well as it should. Developing a video for your company doesn’t have to be a dread – just be a little more diligent and thorough and you will get your desired results.
4. You get what you pay
When it comes to video production, it is always advisable to not be overly stingy with your budget. Understand that video specialists have a higher overhead than other services because of the equipment and software required to film a professional video. Technical costs are costs that you can’t save on if you don’t want to compromise the quality of your videos. Besides the technical costs, there are many hours of manpower spent on shooting the scenes and editing it afterwards.
As a client, the engagement with the video producers are mainly at the front and at the end of the process. You don’t get the chance to see much of the work behind-the-scenes. The truth is, post-production takes up a lot of time and effort. The entire process of creating a video can be long and arduous, video editors often have to stay up till the wee hours just to finish editing.
How much can you afford?
To share your budget with your vendor or not? Contrary to popular belief, sharing your budget with your video vendors does not necessarily put you at the losing end.
Being transparent about your budget allows you to filter out the best providers for your video and also avoid wasting each others’ time. Trustworthy companies will work with you to suggest options that are within your budget, instead of trying to profit from you.
Getting quotations from a few companies can help you to make an easier decision if you are struggling to find a suitable vendor.
Having problems with your budget? Gram has video grants as well, find out more about it here.
5. Find out more about the video process and understand deadlines
Your video vendor is essentially your work partner. Taking time to understand their work process helps to bridge a better working relationship, ensuring that the video process is smooth and efficient. A good video vendor will also take the initiative to explain their work process to let their client understand their services better. However, you can also take the initiative to ask them about their work process if they haven’t told you about it. Also, understand that although deadlines are important, video vendors still have to be given sufficient time to complete the project. Below are some questions that you can ask your video vendors before engaging with them, to better understand their work process and collaborate smoothly.
Here are a few questions you can ask:
- How long does creating a video usually take for your company?
- What will the process be like?
- Who will I be liaising with?
Learn more about how Gram works here
6. Look at their most recent projects
Updating websites is time consuming, so many companies only refresh their videos once every few months. A company’s recent projects are a clear gauge of what their current capabilities are. Showreels are indicative of their skill set, but recent projects are more accurate in showing their updated skill set and that would determine if it will cater to your needs. Recent projects also deliver an accurate representation of the equipment and software that they will use for your video. From there, you can easily decide if they are the right fit for your video.
