VIDEO PRODUCTION PLANNING
Pre-Production & Planning
So, you’ve decided to commission a video to enhance your web site, add authority to your presentations, inform and motivate your team and/or adorn your Reception area. You’ve done your due diligence, asked people you trust for recommendations, checked out some web sites, show reels and testimonials, allocated time and a budget and are all ready to go.
The foundation of any good film is a successful pre-production stage, when you and the production company get to know each other and all the steps are put in place for a film that can have a real and lasting impact on, and in your business. The story starts here.
Research & Discovery
On land or sea, recces are essential
It’s Good to Talk
For a consumer audience we also need to know if there is any existing relevant research that might guide the way we approach the film – What are people looking for? How are your competitors addressing their needs? What does your product do that gives it that elusive edge?
Embrace Your New Consultant
Enter the Dragons (well, the crew anyway)
Time Management
We recently completed a corporate film for a client based in France, working in tandem with colleagues in California. Following an initial pitch via teleconference and an online Keynote presentation the whole job was approved and delivered via the Web with various storyboards, scripts and edit versions uploaded for review and approval anywhere in the world.
On Treatment
Storyboarding
Money Matters
Working out the budget
Script Development
Finalising the script
Preparing the Way
If we need a specific kind of location, for instance a house or apartment to shoot a home interiors film or a drama sequence we may need to use the services of a location finder who will already have a list of possible locations based on our brief. One commercial shoot we filmed recently included three different types of doorway, all of which we were able to film on one street with very amenable and friendly residents, thanks to our resourceful location finder. Result: a comfortable, efficient filming day that helped save time and money.
If the Face Fits
Sometimes a job calls for a known TV personality or actor. We have even written scripts with specific people in mind to help make the story more memorable (always ensuring they are available and within budget first). The production company will deal with agents over costs, the contract and any restrictions on what the famous face can or cannot say or do. If we are casting an unknown model or actor we would usually recommend using a casting director. She or he can then use their experience to put a suitable shortlist together from a casting brief prepared by the producer or director with the client’s input. The casting itself will happen typically over a day in a centrally located studio. As well as seeing at first hand what they can do casting is also a way to get to know the actors or models as people and to see if they have that innate personal confidence and chemistry that will translate from a crowded studio or location set into a genuinely affecting and believable performance.
Meet the cast
CONTACT US
If you’re planning to harness the power of video for your company, service or product we would love to talk. Of course we’re happy to travel – our work takes us all over the UK but we also have clients in mainland Europe and the USA.
They choose us because we know exactly what it takes to bring brands to life on film. And we’ve been doing it for more than 20 years.
You’re also very welcome to come to us. Our production company is in the heart of beautiful Chester – both Manchester and Liverpool are neighbours and London is just 2 hours by train. We’re passionate about where we are, as well as what we do, and we like to share that passion.