We’ve all spent hours scrolling through videos on phones or laptops, for both business and entertainment. There will be hundreds you’ve instantly forgotten – and some that you remember for all the wrong reasons. However, out of that torrent of moving images, there will be a few which slide into your brain and stick there – which make a real impression – and will very likely lead you to take further action, such as buying a product or service or taking a closer look at a website.
It’s that connection, that spark, which anyone producing commercial videos wants to achieve. We want to draw you in and keep your eyes on the prize.
So what exactly does a video production company do to achieve this? We can only tell you about our approach, but it’s a tried and tested formula which has all the essential ingredients plus an impressive injection of creativity and originality.
Starting from the basics, a video production company covers everything necessary to bring a polished video to an appreciative audience. There are three main phases – pre-production, production and post-production.
Pre-production
This is where it all starts – with an idea, the original concept, which is then explored and expanded with the client. What’s the best way to tell this story? Who is the target audience and how can we tempt them? What does the client specifically want to achieve with this video? One of the most important things at this stage is to ensure we are fully on board with the budget. We want to produce a stunning video within the client’s financial parameters – sometimes it’s a challenge but we like to think we always rise to the occasion!
Pre-production also involves storyboarding (making a shot-by-shot graphic plan of how the video will progress), searching for the right locations to shoot in and getting everything booked, casting, choosing music and drawing up a schedule which covers every aspect of the shoot’s operation. This has to be flexible to cover all eventualities: the sunshine shoot where it pours with rain for two days, the video’s star coming down with flu, problems with external sound which have to be resolved . . .
Production
Lights, camera, action. This is when everything comes to life and makes all that planning worthwhile. It needs rigorous co-ordination to ensure time is optimised and the director, camera operators and technicians work seamlessly together. It’s an exciting time as clients begin to see their original idea take shape. We might be filming anything from a company promotion to a product placement; we could be anywhere from a golf course or factory to the African bush. Each type of shoot will have its particular challenges but overcoming them is part of the job and a good test of ingenuity.
Post-production
Your footage is all in the can – although the days of the can of film are long gone! Now comes the wizardry which will bind it all together in a whirl of creativity. This involves editing the footage for maximum effect, sound mixing (adjusting volume, adding music and sound effects), adding any graphic elements or other special effects and making final enhancements. Good editing is crucial – you can capture stunning footage but if it’s not put together in a compelling way the impact will be lost.
The video is now ready for marketing and distribution on whatever channels the client has chosen. It’s slick, top quality, ready to grab and, more importantly, hold attention.
Get in on the act
There’s no better way to get your message across than a video. When shot by a professional video production company, it’s a supremely adaptable marketing tool which showcases not only your product or service but also captures your style and ethos in one eye-catching concept. Get it right and the potential is limitless – who knows, your company could be the next viral sensation! Every video should tell a story and it’s the emotional response to it which pulls people in. At Flagship Films, creating this is what underpins all our work. If you’d like to take your marketing to the next level with a video which really makes an impact, why not contact us?