Learn About Our Media Production Process
We’ve been in the game of media production and advertising for quite some time. We’ve narrowed down our process to a science that makes working with us a breeze.
Let’s take a look at the process from the moment you call us or fill out a contact form to the completion of your video.
1. Meeting and Discovery
Initial Meeting and Consultation
It all starts with a phone call or an email.
Upon contacting us we will give you a free video consultation through a phone call or via email where we’ll answer any questions you may have and discuss your needs and goals.
The main questions and points of interest we have are as follows.
1. What is your main goal for the video? Most client’s are looking for videos to drive customer acquisition and increase sales, some are looking for monthly and annual production to improve bottom line. This may be in the form of training videos to cut the costs of training staff, or a recruiting video to assist with acquiring top talent.
2. Tell us about your business and your customer base. Video is a direct representation of your business, and we want to deliver a message and story unique to you. By knowing your target market we can produce your video to directly appeal to them.
3. Do you have a vision for your video? The answer is often no, many of our clients know the power of video and so they simply want to utilize it, but they have no idea what type of video they want or need. That’s fine, this is why we’re here! As a full-service production company we are often engaged to handle the entire production process including developing the concept and creative for your video.
4. What platforms will you be distributing the video on? If your video is for promotional purposes we want to know where the video will be placed. Is the video intended for your website, social media, TV, OTT, in some instances the answer is all of the above. Knowing the distribution channel before producing your video allows you to craft it in a manner that will achieve the best results.
5. What is your budget for the video? You may have a very firm idea of what you’d like to invest in your video, or you may have no idea what the appropriate budget for your video is, either is fine! We’ve created preset budgets if that’s the case. But before we can develop a project from a creative and technical standpoint, we need to be aware of any budgetary goals and/or restraints.
Remember, you don’t need to know the answer to every question before reaching out, this is just an introduction to learn more about one another and see how we can best serve your needs and goals.
Proposal
Now that we have developed a relationship, learned about your business and goals for the video we are ready to develop a proposal. This will serve to solidify what we’ve discussed and will include a contract. Upon signature we will bill for half the cost of the video, these funds will be used to produce your video. Once this occurs we take the reigns and begin pre-production on your video
2. Pre-Production
Budget
Now that we have a general idea of the type of video you want and the goals of that video, it’s time to budget. By developing a budget we know exactly how much creative freedom we have for developing your video.
Screenwriting
Screenwriting is the backbone of any good video, it all starts on a page. Whether we’re developing a narrative for a story-driven commercial or developing questions for an interview-style video, we pack in creativity while sticking to your budget.
Schedule
We plan shooting dates, schedule those days to maximize efficiency and ensure we’re getting the most out of each day.
Shot List and Story Board
Knowing what shots need to be captured ahead of time saves valuable time on set and gets the most out of your budget. Shot lists help us know what we want to capture as well as the best order to film each shot. It takes time to prepare certain shots, time is saved when that prep is done in an order that is time-efficient.
Where a shot list is essential, you can often get by without creating a storyboard. However, they can be very useful for more creative shoots that stray from the norm or require a specific visual outcome to succeed.
3. Production
Preparation
The day before your shoot we’re already at work preparing equipment, reviewing pre-production documents, and ensuring your shoot goes smoothly and according to plan.
Arrival on set
When we arrive on set we immediately begin setting up the camera, lights, and any necessary set items such as backdrops or set decorating. We ensure that the set is a safe working environment.
Filming actors or interviews
Once setup is completed we begin filming. That may be interviews or directing actors and scenes depending on the type of video. Our crews consist of specialists, each with a unique job designed to achieve the desired production results.
B-roll
We gather B-Roll, or insert shots. This may include aerial drone shots or action shots for the editing room.
4. Post-Production
Editing
Where stories are made. We meticulously review your footage for the best takes and deliver a final cut that best tells your story. Often our goal is to get your message across in as little time as possible. Business videos need to immediately show value to the consumer, their valuable time should never be wasted. Attention spans are short for the modern viewer, we cut straight to the point and deliver CTAs while viewers are excited.
Color Correction
First we correct footage to make everything appear realistic and up to industry standards. We film almost all productions in log, this is a color profile that let’s us have maximum control over the final image. Color correction often includes fixing imbalances in light, such as dark shadows, or bright spots. It also includes balancing colors. We always shoot for perfection when filming, but color correction gives us even more control over the final image.
Color Grading
Once your footage has been color corrected it’s time to make it pop. Color grading is the art of stylizing the tone and color in your commercial. Whether the goal is a realistic look or an ultra stylized cinematic look, the possibilities are endless.
Sound Editing, Mixing, and Mastering
We edit, mix, and master your sound. Sound editing and mixing include items such as removing background noises, timing music and dialogue, and balancing out dialogue and music levels. The act of sound mastering includes large changes to entire tracks. The best example of this is changing frequencies on music to allow dialogue to punch through the music. Audio is often the most overlooked part of commercial video production, your message needs to come across clear and audibly.
Special Effects
Whether you need a 3D logo, model animation, or simple 2D graphics with some flashy edits, we’ve got you covered.
Encoding
We encode your video, or export as it’s more commonly known to best fit the distribution platform of your video. For example, a video encoded for online will be encoded differently than a video for television. We make your video file as small as possible while still retaining its high fidelity and resolution.