Notes
1. Get the most bang
for your buck!
You’re going to shoot a training video? Multipurpose it. Design it so it can be shown to customers as well. Use it into video to kick off your next big meeting. Turn it into a web commercial to spice up your website, and be sure to tag it for organic search purposes. This will provide a huge return on your initial investment. Finally, be sure to post it on YouTube and send it to everyone you know. If it is original or funny it may go viral.
2. Nail down a strong concept.
Don’t make the mistake of setting for a boring concept, or developing your ideas on the fly. If you’re stuck for ideas, do some research? Go on the web, watch as many promotional videos as you can, and identify ones that you like. Don’t copy them, asks your producer to use them as inspiration for creating something fresh and unique for you.
You’re going to shoot a training video? Multipurpose it. Design it so it can be shown to customers as well. Use it into video to kick off your next big meeting. Turn it into a web commercial to spice up your website, and be sure to tag it for organic search purposes. This will provide a huge return on your initial investment. Finally, be sure to post it on YouTube and send it to everyone you know. If it is original or funny it may go viral.
2. Nail down a strong concept.
Don’t make the mistake of setting for a boring concept, or developing your ideas on the fly. If you’re stuck for ideas, do some research? Go on the web, watch as many promotional videos as you can, and identify ones that you like. Don’t copy them, asks your producer to use them as inspiration for creating something fresh and unique for you.
3. Be realistic with
your concept.
So, you just saw an episode of Lost and want to set your corporate video on an exotic beach locale? It may be a brilliant idea, but it may not be realistic. Be open to a collaborative solution that may work much better given your goals and budget.
So, you just saw an episode of Lost and want to set your corporate video on an exotic beach locale? It may be a brilliant idea, but it may not be realistic. Be open to a collaborative solution that may work much better given your goals and budget.
4. How long should your
video be?
You don’t need ‘Gone with the wind’ to get your point across. The best corporate videos are short and sweet and really grab your attention. A 15minute video can feel like an eternity. A 2minute to 5minute video with higher production value will be far more effective.
You don’t need ‘Gone with the wind’ to get your point across. The best corporate videos are short and sweet and really grab your attention. A 15minute video can feel like an eternity. A 2minute to 5minute video with higher production value will be far more effective.
5. Brochure text is
not a vide script.
Don’t assume that informative brochure or PowerPoint text will be an effective video script. What looks good on the printed page often sounds stilled or incredibly dull in a video. Read the script out loud to others and get feedback. Chances are it will need serious tweaking by an experienced scriptwriter. Or, chuck it altogether in favour of a fresh approach.
Don’t assume that informative brochure or PowerPoint text will be an effective video script. What looks good on the printed page often sounds stilled or incredibly dull in a video. Read the script out loud to others and get feedback. Chances are it will need serious tweaking by an experienced scriptwriter. Or, chuck it altogether in favour of a fresh approach.
6. Casting the right
company spokesperson.
Should you use your staff to hire professional actors? There are pros and cons to each choice. No one knows your business like those who provide your services or sell your products. But don’t star you CEO or any other staff member if they aren’t good on the camera. If you’re not sure how they will come across, shoot a quick ;screen test; using a small camera and available lighting, and then look at the footage objectively with your producer.
Should you use your staff to hire professional actors? There are pros and cons to each choice. No one knows your business like those who provide your services or sell your products. But don’t star you CEO or any other staff member if they aren’t good on the camera. If you’re not sure how they will come across, shoot a quick ;screen test; using a small camera and available lighting, and then look at the footage objectively with your producer.
7.As the client, be responsive to requests.
The producer may ask you to provide assets like logos, photos, products, brochures, or PowerPoint’s. You’ll certainly need to give feedback on scripts or rough edits. You might need to secure company locations or make your staff available to participate in the video. Try be responsive or production may get slowed way down.
The producer may ask you to provide assets like logos, photos, products, brochures, or PowerPoint’s. You’ll certainly need to give feedback on scripts or rough edits. You might need to secure company locations or make your staff available to participate in the video. Try be responsive or production may get slowed way down.
8. Should you shoot in Hi definition video?
If you are considering showing the video in HD then yes shoot in HD. If not, then there are pros and cons to this question and no simple answer. HD is wonderful but it may increase your costs requiring additional crew and equipment and post production resources. Furthermore the crystal clarity of HD can be stunning but it can also be unforgiving. Revealing every flaw in skin. Every paint chip on the wall ask your producer whether or not HD makes sense for the job at hand.
If you are considering showing the video in HD then yes shoot in HD. If not, then there are pros and cons to this question and no simple answer. HD is wonderful but it may increase your costs requiring additional crew and equipment and post production resources. Furthermore the crystal clarity of HD can be stunning but it can also be unforgiving. Revealing every flaw in skin. Every paint chip on the wall ask your producer whether or not HD makes sense for the job at hand.
9. Know your
audience.
What’s the purpose of the video? Sales? Awareness? Information? Entertainment? Who will be seeing it? Where will it be shown-on the web? At a meeting? On a DVD? This information is critical when designing a concept and delivering a message that your audience will enjoy and relate to. Younger sales staff customers often respond to humour that senior management just doesn’t get- but if it works for the audience, don’t argue with it.
What’s the purpose of the video? Sales? Awareness? Information? Entertainment? Who will be seeing it? Where will it be shown-on the web? At a meeting? On a DVD? This information is critical when designing a concept and delivering a message that your audience will enjoy and relate to. Younger sales staff customers often respond to humour that senior management just doesn’t get- but if it works for the audience, don’t argue with it.
10. Don’t forget the
script.
Finalise the script before production begins. Is the information accurate and up-to-date? Will it fly by your legal department? Will it serve your purposes? It’s much easier to make changes on a word processor than on location with a costly cast and crew hovering nearby, or in an expensive post-production suite.
Finalise the script before production begins. Is the information accurate and up-to-date? Will it fly by your legal department? Will it serve your purposes? It’s much easier to make changes on a word processor than on location with a costly cast and crew hovering nearby, or in an expensive post-production suite.
11. Enjoy the process.
Enjoy it.
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