Every video project is just a real partnership between client and production company and there are numerous important elements to consider. Sometimes the intangibles is as important as the tangible. All video companies aren't created equal and your decision depends upon what you want to accomplish. Here are a few items to consider before you produce a decision.
The Plan - Before you contact production companies
Begin a clear goal. The more defined your objectives, the better the ultimate product will be. Determine a budget range. Oftentimes, the budget will define the finished product. You'll save plenty of time by knowing what you want to invest - even though it's a range - and sharing these records with the production company. Know your audience. Will the program be properly used to market a product? To educate customers? To launch a product? To enhance your brand and image? To motivate and inspire employees? To entertain?
Establish quantifiable measurements for success. What would you like the audience to complete, think or feel after they have seen the video? Research. Get on the Internet and find out as much as you are able to about the production companies by which maybe you are interested. Ask business colleagues. Plenty of business will come from word of mouth. What better solution to narrow your choices that to ask friends and family who just 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? The length of time should the finished product run? Will there be travel? Budgets can increase dramatically if a team must shoot in multiple cities. Getting customers and experts on camera can strengthen the message and is often worth the excess cost. What are preferred delivery options? Will the program stream online? Can it be broadcast on TV? Can it be presented at an event?
Limit the amount of bids. Request bids from 2 or 3 production companies. When you approach four companies and above you could reach a spot where it's hard manage proposals and arrive at a qualified decision effectively. Exist strong opinions for a direction? Sometimes companies think they know what type of approach they need before they start. If that's the case, they must be made proven to the bidders. Who is the purpose of contact?
The Meeting - The very first impression can let you know a great deal
How's the pitch? If the business can sell themselves and understands what it takes to provide key information, the better the opportunity they could do the exact same for you. Have they done their research? Could it be obvious which they understand what your company does or is this the first time they've been aware of you. It's (almost) O.K. if you're a startup but with the Internet, they ought to have some inkling about who you are. Is there chemistry? You are going to be spending plenty of time with one of these 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 they go on and on about themselves without digging into the purpose of the program and the potential challenges. That's a warning sign. Do they ask good questions? Intellectual curiosity is key to a good proposal and a successful script, shoot, edit and finished product. Look at reels. In the event that you haven't seen their work online, be sure you notice it when you meet and ask questions. In the event that you don't see examples that show the degree of quality you anticipate, it's most likely not planning to suddenly appear 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 learn if kit is relatively new. If kit is old, there may be problems. Consider awards. But don't decide centered on awards. A shelf of awards can indicate a company's excellence or their competence at filling out award competition applications. Be consistent. If you're getting bids from several production companies, make certain they all 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 most agreements, the production company owns the raw footage and the customer owns the finished product. Avoid surprises and find out ahead of time.
The Proposal - Do they obtain it?
May be the proposal presented in a specialist manner? A well-produced proposal demonstrates an awareness of detail which will be essential to the production of one's project. Is the process clear? A video production is just a logistical challenge ShadeTree Visuals. May be the workflow well-organized? Is there a deliverables timeline that's clear and clear to see? Can be your role as client defined? Is the concept appropriate for your audience? Did they look closely at your input? Does your gut let you know this may work?
May be the creative treatment attuned to your corporate culture? Could you sell this idea to your management? If not, how could it be revised to make it work? May be the production company available to your creative input? This is a preview of one's future working relationship. If they are rolling their eyes now they are most likely not the team for you. Is a person in the creative team present? Account managers serve a helpful purpose but sometimes you will need to talk directly to the writer, producer or director to obtain key questions answered.
May be the budget clearly presented? Did they look closely at your budget range? May be the payment schedule clear and tied to deliverables? Is there a contingency budget with guidelines regarding how and when those funds is going to be spent? Exactly how many creative treatments? An excellent proposal will limit the amount of creative treatments. This shows confidence in the proposed approach. A bid with four or maybe more treatments lets you know the creative team isn't sure what you want or what'll work (but it's inside somewhere).
The decision - The minute of truth
Check references. It may appear like it's unnecessary, but do it anyway. Think that the production company is giving you their happiest clients and most successful stories. You are able to still dig for useful information. Would they utilize the production company again? What were the challenges? How was the merchandise received? Location. Location... etc. How important could it be that the production company be local? To some people it matters. Trust your gut. Decision grids are great but sometimes you merely know one company can do an improved job. Go with that feeling.
