The digital space has changed over time with new ways of marketing and advertising emerging every day. It wasn’t long ago when a video production agency was made up of a single individual with some video editing skills, but the standards are much higher now.
Video production agencies have a lot of moving parts today. With so much demand for video, it is necessary that these agencies continue to sustain the needs of their clients.
It makes sense to outsource your projects to a production company that has the capacity to produce multiple high-quality videos fast enough.
In this article, we break down video production agencies into their basic elements. you’ll get to learn about:
- Who does what in a production agency?
- How to hire the best production agencies.
- And how to start your own video production company.
Why Outsource to a Video Production Agency?
Brands love video because it is a great way to create trust and intimacy between the company and the consumers.
Here are more reasons why brands choose video as a form of advertisement:
Get Multi-purpose Videos
Production agencies create a variety of videos depending on the clients they get. There are educational videos, entertainment videos, online video ads – there is just no limit to what you can create.
And if you are willing to go the extra mile and dub your content, you could reach multiple audiences across the world.
Video Production Agencies Help You Keep Up
Mobile video consumption doubles every year. Social media posts that include videos enjoy 48% more viewership. Online videos are also easily sharable on social media.
If you are still wondering why you should let a video production agency tell your story, here is why:
Get Tailor-Made Videos
The best video production agencies meet the unique needs of all their clients. Most have flexible budgets that can accommodate a wide range of clients.
Save on Video Production Costs
Production agencies usually come with a specialized team, professional equipment, and the appropriate software for the job. Doing it yourself means buying equipment, looking for the perfect space to shoot, training your team, and other unforeseen expenses.
Outsourcing to a video production agency saves you a lot of time and money.
Work with Experts
In as much as you would want to, you cant do it all.
Production and marketing companies are here to help, and they come with in-house skilled experts who understand how to produce professional video content.
Working with a video production agency means working closely with all the people involved in the production process. This ensures continuity between your brand goals and the end result.
Professionally done videos always look so much better! Hire a video production company to unlock your business potential.
How to Hire the Best Video Production Agency
Working with video production teams means being on the same page at all times. Since there are a lot of people involved in the video production process, you need to set up a system before the project begins.
Who reports to who? What is the budget and the scope of the project?
For things to flow smoothly, you need to have a plan from the very beginning.
Do your Research
To get the right people for the job, you have to put in some work.
Look up reviews from previous clients. Find some of the projects they have worked on in the past and see if they align with your vision.
Video production is about expertise, organization, and experience.
You can also rely on referrals from friends and associates.
Communication is Key
The best video production agencies have an open policy when it comes to communication. Information should reach each member of the team fast.
Usually, this will means hiring a project manager to oversee the general direction of the production process. With so many people involved in video production, it makes sense to prioritize communication and organization.
Have a Vision
Before you hire a video production agency, it’s important to know what you want to achieve.
You might not know exactly what the video will turn out to be, but it helps to have a general idea. It’s also essential that your video is in line with both your brand goals and the market needs.
A vision makes the production process faster because it gives the team something to build towards.
How Much Does it Cost?
There are many elements that affect the budget of a video production agency. These include the equipment being used, the number of actors involved, the size of the client’s project.
Some people prefer to go cheaper, which often leaves the quality of the video in a wanting state. Poorly done videos can harm your brand, and if you must go cheap, do your research well.
When it comes to video production, the safest bet is to choose quality over quantity.
A video with stunning visuals and attention-grabbing punchlines might cost you more, but the returns are worth it.
A video production budget can cost anywhere between $500 to $500,000 depending on the type of video, the crew, the location, equipment, amount of editing, pre-production requirements, and more.
Cutting Video Production Costs
Pre and Post Production
Pre-production involves the following processes:
- Scriptwriting
- Getting permits
- Finding the perfect shooting location.
Post-production, on the other hand, involves editing and putting the scenes together.
You can control these costs by having your in-house team write the script and help out in some post-production duties as well.
2. When it comes to hiring talent/actors, you really don’t have to.
Unless you are shooting a big commercial, then you can probably do with your employees or customers (particularly when shooting testimonial videos).
3. Hiring a crew
The budget for a decent crew depends on their experience, equipment, and location.
If you are looking for a team of experts with specialized equipment, then you might have to spend more. The standard price for some crew members in video production range from $400-$1000 for a commercial video editor, and $300-$700 for a sound technician.
4. Hiring freelancers
You may find freelancers are cheaper but usually lack the ability to operate at the level of an entire production house. When hiring freelance talents, go for specialized skills like video editing or video ad designing. You can find expert freelancers on trusted sites online.
Here is a comprehensive guide on how to plan a corporate video production budget.
Who Is Involved in the Video Production Process?
There is the pre-production process which involves setting up the equipment and preparing the location. Then there is the shooting process where experts come in to take the best shots with the best lighting angles.
Lastly, video production involves editing which usually happens in the post-production process.
All these processes can be handled by either a small or a big team depending on the scope of the project.
Here are the key people involved in video production:
- The Director
This is the creative mind behind the video. They dictate the feel, style, and general direction of the video.
- The Producer
Producers coordinate every process of video production – from hiring the director and other talents, to helping out in the post-production process. The producer also plays a hand in managing the finances to ensure the project stays within budget and is finished on time.
- Camera Operators
The most important thing for camera operators is to get the best shots for the editor to work with. Skill makes a good camera operator, not expensive equipment.
- The Editors
Editors can make or break a video project. The cut what is not needed and fit the scenes together to create one fluid story.
- The Script Writer
- The Lighting specialists and sound technicians
- Actors/ Voice talents
How To Start a Video Production Agency
A lot goes into the video production process. This means you need resources and manpower to start and maintain a successful video production agency.
Below is a checklist of what you should have when starting a video production agency:
Register Your Business
Registering your business ensures you are covered in case of anything. It’s important that the law backs you up in the case of bad debt or any other scenario.
Take your time to come up with a name that best describes your brand.
Online Presence
Have a simple website where potential clients can get to know who you are, what you are about, and also get your contacts.
You should also have a social media page that allows potential clients to engage with your clients and share your content.
Appropriate Equipment
It helps to have your own equipment when starting out but it is not a requirement. You can hire good production equipment at an affordable price, or even buy second-hand equipment off the internet.
What matters most is your skills and what you can do with them.
Once you start booking clients and making that dough, you can then invest in good equipment. Remember, high prices don’t necessarily mean high quality.
Pick Your Team Well
You might be starting out solo or with a team, either way, ensure everyone brings something to the table. Here are some tips on picking a good team for the video production agency
- Look at the backgrounds of the applicants to see if their career paths are aligned with your brand vision.
- Pick team members whose skills complement each other
- Ensure everyone is familiar with their role in the agency.
Always find ways to enhance efficiency and maximize everyone’s time and efforts. And you can always supplement your skills with free courses on the internet.
Conclusion
Companies should use video to increase their brand visibility and engage audiences.
The rising number of skilled video production agencies has reduced the cost of video production for companies. There are professional production companies ready to help you create high-quality videos for your brand.
Are you ready to explore the full potential of video marketing?
