Every video project is a real partnership between client and production company and there are numerous important elements to consider. Sometimes the intangibles is often as important because the tangible. All video companies are not created equal and your decision depends on what you need to accomplish. Here are some what to consider before you create a decision.
The Plan – When you contact production companies
Begin a clear goal. The more defined your objectives, the better the final product will be. Determine a budget range. Oftentimes, the budget will define the finished product. You will save a lot of time by knowing what you need to pay – even when it’s a variety – and sharing these records with the production company. Know your audience. Will this program be properly used to market a product? To educate customers? To launch a product? To boost your brand and image? To motivate and inspire employees? To entertain?
Establish quantifiable measurements for success. What are you wanting the audience to do, think or feel after they have seen the video? Research. Get on the Internet and learn around you are able to concerning the production companies in which maybe you are interested. Ask business colleagues. Plenty of business may come from word of mouth. What better method to narrow your choices that to ask friends and family who work at others? Check social media. Ask your contacts on LinkedIn for advice and their experiences with video production companies.
Identify internal expectations. What results will persuade your management that the project has been a success? Does your CEO be prepared to be on camera? Just how long if the finished product run? Will there be travel? Budgets can increase dramatically if a staff must shoot in multiple cities. Getting customers and experts on camera can strengthen the message and is usually worth the extra cost. What’re the most well-liked delivery options? Will this program stream online? Can it be broadcast on TV? Can it be presented at an event?
Limit the number of bids. Request bids from two or three production companies. Whenever you approach four companies and above you could reach a spot where it’s hard manage proposals and arrive at a qualified decision effectively. Is there strong opinions for a direction? Sometimes companies think they know what sort of approach they desire before they start. If that’s the case, they must be made recognized to the bidders. Who is the idea of contact?
The Meeting – The very first impression can tell you a lot
How’s the pitch? If the business can sell themselves and understands what it will take to supply key information, the better the opportunity they can do the exact same for you. Have they done their research? Could it be obvious that they understand what your company does or is this the very first time they’ve heard about you. It’s (almost) O.K. if you’re a startup but with the Internet, they need to possess some inkling about who you are. Can there be chemistry? You are going to be spending a lot of time with your people. You ought to at the least like them. Do you get the sense they like one another? You don’t need conflict before you even get started.
Do they listen? Do each goes on and on about themselves without digging into the objective of this program and the potential challenges. That’s a warning sign. Do they ask good questions? Intellectual curiosity is key to an excellent proposal and a successful script, shoot, edit and finished product. Look at reels. In the event that you haven’t seen their work online, ensure you see it once you meet and ask questions. In the event that you don’t see examples that report the degree of quality you anticipate, it’s most likely not likely to suddenly arrive in your project.
Take a tour. If they have an editing facility ask to see it. You don’t need to find out much about equipment but know enough to find out if the apparatus is relatively new. If the apparatus is old, there might be problems. Consider awards. But don’t make a decision predicated on awards. A corner of awards can indicate a company’s excellence or their competence at filling out award competition applications. Be consistent. If you are getting bids from several production companies, ensure all of them receive the exact same parameters and background and budget information.
Understand the staff. Do they have in-house writers, editors, videographers, directors and producers or use freelancers? Or both? What is their experience? Who owns the footage? In many agreements, the production company owns the raw footage and the client owns the finished product. Avoid surprises and learn ahead of time.
The Proposal – Do they get it?
Is the proposal presented in a professional manner? A well-produced proposal demonstrates an attention to detail which will be imperative to the production of your project. Is the procedure clear? A video production is a logistical challenge film production companies. Is the workflow well organized? Can there be a deliverables timeline that’s clear and straightforward? Is your role as client defined? Is the concept appropriate for your audience? Did they look closely at your input? Does your gut tell you this can work?
Is the creative treatment attuned to your corporate culture? Can you sell this idea to your management? If not, how could it be revised to make it work? Is the production company open to your creative input? This is a preview of your future working relationship. If they are rolling their eyes now they’re most likely not the team for you. Is just a person in the creative team present? Account managers serve a helpful purpose but sometimes you’ll need to talk right to the writer, producer or director to obtain key questions answered.
Is the budget clearly presented? Did they look closely at your financial allowance range? Is the payment schedule clear and tied to deliverables? Can there be a contingency budget with guidelines regarding how and when those funds will soon be spent? Exactly how many creative treatments? A good proposal will limit the number of creative treatments. This shows confidence in the proposed approach. A bid with four or more treatments informs you the creative team isn’t sure what you need or what will work (but it’s in there somewhere).
Your decision – The moment of truth
Check references. It may seem like it’s unnecessary, but do it anyway. Assume that the production company is giving you their happiest clients and most successful stories. You can still dig for useful information. Would they use the production company again? What were the challenges? How was the item received? Location. Location… etc. How important can it be that the production company be local? To some folks it matters. Trust your gut. Decision grids are great but sometimes you just know one company can do a much better job. Go with this feeling.