Everything you Need to Know about the Video Production Process

Are you planning a new video to promote your brand? If the last couple of clips haven’t provided the desired outcome, perhaps it’s time to seek assistance from professional video makers.

The video production process involves four essential stages, including development, pre-production, production, and post-production. Each stage has an influence on the final product and the engagement of the brand with the audience. While the pre-production stage is all about discussing the requirements and goals of businesses, the post-production phase is dedicated to editing clips to perfection.

Here is everything you need to know about the video production process, explaining each stage in detail.

Development

The first phase of the video production process is the development phase, during which video producers discuss the content objectives with clients. It’s of the utmost importance for the objectives to be measurable, specific, relevant, and achievable. The majority of businesses use these clips to boost brand awareness or increase their sales. Unless you determine the purpose of the video, you won’t experience the desired outcome.

Once you define your objectives, the next task is identifying the target audience. Some businesses decide to target their existing customers, while others wish to target a whole new group of people. Therefore, companies need to research their target audiences so as to learn more about their requirements and problems. The gender, age, and geographic location of the audience aren’t the only factors to consider. Their issues and needs are also worth considering.

Another vital aspect in the development phase is defining your core message. Businesses need to determine the actions their audience is supposed to take after watching the video, as well as consider the thoughts and emotions they wish to induce. Every viewer should understand the core message of the clip in order to feel, act, and think in the way the creator of the video wanted. Make sure there are no more than a few core messages, as your audience will end up confused.

The following task is building a video strategy, which involves a great deal of planning. Reputable video production companies, such as Hedgehogsvsfoxes.com, assist clients in every step of the video production journey. After listening to your ideas and ambitions, these experts will help you devise a solid strategy to achieve your goals within the planned deadline and budget.

Prior to the pre-production stage, you should be provided with a video production brief, which serves as a guide throughout the entire process. This brief should include your objectives, the target audience, the core message, the budget, and the timeline. The professionals you hire should assist you in creating an effective brief in the course of the planning phase.

Pre-production

Once the development phase is completed, the video production process moves to the pre-production stage. This phase is crucial for the success of the rest of the project, which is why it involves tons of decisions and preparations. The pre-production stage commences with creating the concept of the project.

Video makers spend lots of time brainstorming to come up with as many potential ideas as possible. The creative approach they decide to use should rely on the brief and be distinctive enough to differ from the competition. Afterward, the company you collaborate with should start working on the script, which is a foundation for a successful project. The script is supposed to keep the attention of viewers for as long as the clip lasts and send the required message.

Consequently, the script should be natural and easy to understand, as well as engaging and emotive. It must be concise and short but still manage to deliver the required information. Therefore, the script should be written by a professional scriptwriter who knows how to make it captivating. See this site for some handy tips on writing a killer script for your marketing video.

After the script is written, video production companies move on to creating a storyboard in order to visualize the shooting process. These specialists either use drawings or stock images to portray each shot in terms of lighting, framing, colouring, transitions, etc. Not all companies use storyboards, as some of them rely on detailed scripts.

The last step of the pre-production stage is planning and scheduling the shoot. In this phase, every single detail related to filming has to be taken into account. Professionals need to secure a location, either indoors or outdoors. After the right location is secure, they have to create a crew of specialists, such as sound technicians, lighting technicians, directors, camera operators, etc. Also, they have to choose the casting actors, which is a vital decision to make.

Moreover, the pre-production stage includes organizing the equipment, providing make-up and costumes, obtaining the required permissions, and creating a call sheet. The pre-production process is best handled by an experienced producer, as it involves multiple tasks that have to be completed on time in order to avoid obstacles during production.

Production

The production stage, as the name explains, is when your video is finally getting filmed. After a lengthy period of planning and making decisions, it’s high time for the footage to be shot. While the professionals do the shooting, the presence of clients isn’t required unless they need to appear in the clip.

In addition, the detailed script created in the pre-production stage ensures nothing is left to chance. The job of the director is to make sure all actors are relaxed in front of the camera while the script is attentively followed. They are also responsible for monitoring the framing, lighting, and other details while shooting the footage. As far as footage is concerned, there should be enough of it in order to facilitate the editing process.

Video production companies are very specific when it comes to the timeframe spent on filming. They always strive to complete all tasks on time, such as setting up, filming, and packing up the equipment once done. The filming environment is supposed to be safe for everyone, which is why companies take precautions for accidents not to occur on set. Additionally, video makers ensure the footage is uploaded to a hard drive immediately after filming it. Otherwise, there’s a risk of losing it.

Post-production

The post-production stage is no less important when compared to the previous phases of the video-making process. This stage involves editing of the filmed material like picture and sound editing, as well as adding visual effects, music, sound effects, graphics, etc. The editing process should be handled by an experienced and gifted editor, as he/she will naturally pick the best takes of the footage to be used in the final project version.

In order for an edit to be considered successful, it must be short, informative, and cut in a way it doesn’t confuse the audience. Editors have the responsibility to get across the core message of the script. They often include a call to action (CTA) so as to stimulate the viewers to take action.

It’s common for clients to ask for revisions and alterations while editing is in progress. Nevertheless, you are advised to discuss this aspect with the company you hire so as to avoid misunderstandings. Some video production companies don’t allow clients to make revisions while editing the content.

Moreover, some videos require the addition of graphics and other special effects to make clips more exciting to watch. For instance, green screen, graphs, and animated characters are only some of the special effects added to video content. Normally, each of the special effects is supposed to follow the script and blend in perfectly with the other content in the clip.

Visuals aren’t the only effects that have an influence on the quality of a video. Audio plays its part as well in the overall character of clips as well. Adding the right type of music is what induces the desired effect in the audience. Sound effects are often introduced to make clips more realistic. In the case of corporate videos, background music seems to put some spirit into the content.

The choice of background music should match the tone of the clip and the editing pace. Producers will also take care of the fees and licenses that should be bought in order to use particular music in the project. You will be exempted from paying fees and looking for the right type of license.

Ultimately, some clips require voiceovers, which should comply with the footage and music. Video production companies can assist you in the choice of a voiceover actor whose voice is expected to be pleasing and emotive. The way in which he/she reads the script should enhance the core message and be appealing to the viewers. These companies usually make a couple of voiceover takes to provide the editor with more freedom while selecting the perfect voiceover for the footage.

Final thoughts

Video content is absolutely crucial in the world of digital marketing.

The audience finds such clips interactive, absorbing, and highly informative!