Media Production

World-Class, Award-Winning Media That Drive Success and Meet Business Goals.

We produce videos that grow your business and improve your bottom line.

The videos we produce are done so for the purpose of growing businesses or meeting their specific goals or needs. Shades Studios has produced video for businesses, organizations, and federal and state institutions for over a decade. We deliver best-in-class video production with our experience driving results. Watch our video to learn more about how we grow your business with video.

Customers are on average 64% more likely to buy a product or service after watching a video. 

Video is the most effective form of explaining and promoting your product or service in the digital age.

 

Our Process

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.

 

Cost of Media

Understanding the cost of video

The short answer is that every video production is different, therefore every budget is different.

One of the first questions we ask when creating your video is what is your budget? This helps us provide a proposal that fits your budgetary needs. If you don’t have a budget that’s okay, we’re happy to provide a quote. Let’s take a look at common prices for media production and variables that influence the cost.

Variables That Influence Pricing

Amount of filming days

The more days we film, the longer we need our crews out in the field, and the more time, effort and resources we need to produce your commercial. This is one of the biggest factors of budgeting your video.

Size and experience of talent and crew

The larger the crew the more staff on set we need to pay. The experience of each crew member will also play a role in budgeting. If you’re looking to keep the budget lower, hiring a junior staff or an experienced one man crew may be the correct route. If you’re looking for optimal quality and have a larger budget, hiring a full crew with years of experience may be proper. The right choice will be made by discussing your budget and desired end-product.

Equipment

Most video production companies will charge for renting high-end equipment for filming commercials. We own our equipment allowing us to produce commercials without the charge of expensive rental fees.

Amount of post-production

The length of post-production has a great outcome on the cost of your video. Things such as 3D animated effects look beautiful and are eye catching but they can take time depending on the complexity of the animation. We consider post-production at the beginning of our projects to ensure your budget is appropriate for the desired end result.

Overall desired quality

We can spend weeks and sometimes months creating a perfect video for you. We could also spend just a couple days creating that same video for you. The desired end result ultimately comes from technical expertise, creativity and time. Maybe you don’t feel like you need a perfect commercial from a technical standpoint, what’s most important to you is getting your message across with a budget friendly commercial. Maybe you need a perfect sound mix, color correction, and the most amazing commercial ever seen. We service both ends of the spectrum and strive to meet your goals with the budget at hand.

Amount of media being produced

Long term contracts offer a lower cost per video. As a rule of thumb, the more media you purchase, the lower the cost will be.

 

Types of Media We Produce

Feature Films

We produce films that are nationally distributed on television, streaming platforms, and theaters. Take a look at the first 5 minutes of a feature film we produced which is currently airing on PBS.

Product Commercials

We produce product videos for the biggest brands in the world. You can even ship us your product and we’ll produce your commercial remotely.

3D and 2D Animated Ads

More people are on social media now than in the history of mankind. Capitalize of social media consumption with a social ad.

Testimonial Commercials

Testimonials and reviews build trust between your brand and your customer.

Long-Form Content

Though short-form video excels with paid advertising, long-form video is impactful with unpaid marketing efforts.

Cinematic Commercials

Often shot in a wide aspect ration similar to what films are often shot in. A wonderful approach for companies that are less geared to promote their video on social and looking for a creative video for their website.

Live Stream Video

Stream to every social media platform simultaneously with our Live Stream services.

Local & Regional TV Spots

We produce commercials for local and national broadcast television.

Company Profile Videos

Imagine Company Profile Videos as a virtual business card. Before you make any sale, you need to introduce yourself, build trust with your potential customer, and display value. The main purpose of the Company Profile is to do just that. We often create Company Profile videos for the homepage of our clients and make sure it’s the first video a new potential lead sees. Company Profiles create a connection between your brand and the viewer in a way images and text could never deliver. It’s the closest connection you can make before sitting down in a room with a lead.

Broadcast Spots

Reach a wide audience with a national broadcast spot.

Training Videos

Training videos can drastically decrease the cost of training staff. They remove the cost of travel and eliminate the time and planning of setting up classes. Rather than performing local training at one location, your employees can be trained nationally and/or internationally. Reduce customer calls inquiring about how to use a product.

Event Videos

Event Videos are a simple and effective way to expand your digital presence and showcase your company culture. Let customers gain access and insight into your company.

Branding Videos

Branding Videos give an overall look into the feel and vibe of your company. They can be used to gently remind consumers of your brand while displaying value and why they should choose to buy from you. Public relations often benefits from branding videos. They keep buyers cognizant of your brand and help mold the public’s view of your business.

Explainer Videos

Explainer videos are the perfect solution for products or services that may be confusing or necessary to explain to consumers. It’s impossible for a buyer to find value if they don’t understand the benefit of what you have to offer. Explainer videos are most commonly created in the form of animated videos. We create both 2D and 3D animated videos.

Ready to achieve your media goals?

What our clients have to say

  • “Shades Studios made the video for my salon both fashionable and trendy.”

    Amy Kaczowski - Owner of Salon Pure

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  • “Definitely an A+ product that stands above the rest. Highly recommended.”

    Alex Melen - CO-CEO & CFO of SmartSites

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  • "Sales for our printers increased significantly when we used videos produced by Shades Studios."

    Elizabeth Ryan - Marketing Associate of Kanematsu USA

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  • "They are magicians in the editing bay!"

    Raja Choudhury - Director of the PBS film “America’s First Guru”

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  • "Videos that Shades Studios produced for us have been vital to the success of marketing our business."

    Karen and George Fisher - Owners of Office Evolution Iselin

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  • “We received so many leads from the videos that we had to stop quoting.”

    Marcus Ruggiero - Owner of MGLR Consulting

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  • "Top quality strategy and production for growing a company. I highly recommend Shades Studios."

    Houman Ziai - Owner of BroT

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