3 Steps to Video Production Success

Introduction

The video production process can seem daunting, especially if you have no experience of creating films. Here, in our first in a series of 'Insights', we walk you through the production process of creating a business film.  Whether you are starting with a fully developed brief or just a seed of an idea, the process is much the same. We hope this 'insight' allows you to understand our work a little more so we can understand yours.

Pre-Production

Notably the most important part of the filmmaking process is Pre-Production, the start of the process. Spending time in this phase is really key to getting the most out of the finished film, looking at what’s important, the key message and story.

After an initial conversation with the client about the brief we put some initial questions down ‘on paper’ to allow the client to really think about what they want to achieve with the film,  it also ensures that we are on the same page.

The initial questions we start with are…

• Who is the intended audience of the film?

• Where is the film to be used?

• What is your key message(s) for the film?

• Are there any key products/services you want to feature in the film?

• Are there any sound bites you are looking to include?

Taking the clients responses, we then set to work on the creative, developing a range of filming sequences and questions for the interviewees. We are always keen to ensure the film had a narrative and story running throughout, to make it as engaging as possible for the audience, so the questions will be closely liked to the filming sequences and vice versa.

Once the sequences and questions have been signed off we produce a shot list for each sequence along with a filming schedule, this allows us to keep on track and ensure everybody is in the right place at the right time.

We believe having an open and honest dialogue with the client is key to both fulfilling their brief and managing their expectations; communicating the plan and making adjustments depending on the clients feedback throughout the process.

Production

This is our favourite part of the filmmaking process.

We strive for the highest quality content and work with a team of highly skilled industry professionals, from Directors to Assistants. Using the latest 4K cameras, precision microphones and broadcast lighting, we ensure your content is not only visually stunning but drives a clear message.

We don't believe in over-shooting and live by the motto ‘less is more’. Once we’ve understand the clients needs, the sequences are already formulated and pre-planned ahead of the shoot. Being able to do this allows us to be both economical and precise in what we capture, affording us more time to create content that will be used, and not left on the cutting room floor.

It can be a daunting prospect appearing on camera, however we work hard to make contributors feel relaxed and informed about what we were trying to achieve. For instance, letting them know when we weren’t capturing audio, so they can relax about ‘making sure they say the right thing!’, or allowing them to understand a take ‘doesn’t need to be perfect’ as we will only use elements from different shots.

Following the filming schedule, we not only ensure we capture the required content to produce the film, we also ensure that the client, contributors and crew all have an enjoyable experience 'on set', as this leads to a better working environment and therefore a better quality film.

Post Production

Post-Production is where the film comes to life! We start by first creating a story with the interviews and then editing together the best shots from the sequences, creating two separate 'timelines'. We then cherry-pick the sequences to layer over the interviews so the visuals matched the story.

Once a first cut has been produced, we then carry out the 'finer work' of polishing the audio, laying any music and sound effects onto the film along with colour grading, which has a massive impact on the quality and look of the finished film. These finer elements are very key in producing the high quality films you can see on our website.

While the Post-Production process is something we very much ‘just get on with’ behind the scenes, we do involve the client in every stage and provide a client review cut, allowing changes to be made to ensure the client 100% happy with the finished film before it is signed off and delivered.

Check out some of our other 'Insights'