A guide to Video Production services
Video production is a multi-faceted discipline that includes a myriad of different types, styles and methods of delivery. It is well understood that professionally produced video is the best performing content on the internet and will benefit any company looking to grow their digital presence. The need and demand for video production services is very clear, but from the outside looking in, it is a tricky commitment to make when you do not fully understand what it entails and how to get the most out of each video. In this article we will be addressing commonly asked questions about video production services and breaking down key concepts to help you gain a thorough understanding of the subject.
Elements of a Video Production service
Lighting
Video production requires careful attention to lighting in order to create a quality, professional looking production. Lighting helps set the mood of the scene and emphasises key components of the video, while providing contrast between objects that appear onscreen. It also needs to be carefully considered from both a practical and aesthetic perspective to avoid any problems. With each project, it is important to consider the kind of light sources available, how light can be manipulated for different types of shots, and how it can most effectively support your vision for the finished product. It is also important to consider existing light sources as there are different types that produce different colours of light. Your editing team can only do that much when your shots are full of varying light sources.
Tips
• When filming outdoors, it is important to plan your shoot according to golden hour, where the outside light is at its softest. This occurs in the morning as the sun is coming up, and in the evening as it is going down.
• Your lighting is heavily influenced by the space you are filming in, so make sure you have enough space depending on the subject. We have filmed in factories where the spaces are confined and the subjects are dimly lit, which, with proper planning can easily be overcome to produce high-quality shots, but without prior discussion could result in lost opportunities.
Camera movement
Camera movement is an important part of video production as it helps to create a sense of dynamism, focus the viewer’s attention and add interest to a scene. In order to achieve this, camera movement should be used strategically and purposefully in order to emphasise certain elements or reinforce the desired mood. This can be done through a range of techniques such as panning, tilting and tracking shots. The choice of camera movements should always be considered in relation to the story being told and never used merely for its own sake. An experienced videographer will consider the video end product prior to filming to ensure their shots match the post-production goals.
Tips
• B-roll refers to additional shots that are used for transitions, setting scenes and additional visual context. Time lapses and drone video are great B-roll additions that also push the production value of the video.
• Proper planning prior to filming is important to ensure the videography team has the right equipment and crew. A large tripod seems like the right idea for a large-scale factory, but if the shots are very focused then that large tripod not only hinders the teams ability to travel between shots but might not fit in some of those confined spaces we were talking about.
Audio recording
Audio recording is essential for creating high-quality video projects as it contributes greatly to the overall sound and feel of the production. It is important to consider the specific audio needs for each project, including any dialogues or voiceovers, music and sound effects. Keep in mind that your choice of music sets the tempo of the video, which directly influences the style of filming and shot selection. Video production is essentially a professional marriage between visual and audio elements, which means both must be considered prior to filming or recording anything. Additionally, care should be taken to ensure that the audio quality is optimal both in terms of technical accuracy and creative interpretation.
Tips
• When working on the script with the client make sure your script works for voice recording. An easy way to check is to recite it out loud. Also abstain from too much jargon, lengthy sentences and pretentious language. The video narration should be clear and easy to follow. Keep in mind that there are other ways of demonstrating technical of complex topics, such as complementary graphics and animation.
• When recording interviews, allow the subject sufficient time to practice their script. It is one thing to be proficient on a topic but another to be proficient talking about it.
• If an individual is struggling with the voice recording, try breaking it up into smaller pieces and recording them one at a time. If this is your preferred method make sure to add cut-away shots from the interview to help keep the editing clean. This is because every cut between shorter sections might not line up with the previous shot, making it a little more awkward to stitch them together.
• If you plan on recording multiple voices in a scene we recommend recording them together in the sound booth, this allows the individuals to play off each others energy, which translates to a more genuine recording.
Editing
Editing is an important part of the video production process as it helps to shape the final product in both a creative and technical sense. Through editing, filmmakers can create a vivid story from raw footage by deciding where to place each scene, how long each shot should be, what transitions to use and how to combine audio and visuals for maximum impact. It is a process of trial and error, experimentation and decision-making that ultimately decides what the end result will look like. During the editing process, multiple edits of the video should be reviewed by the client, this process allows for progressive final tuning while the video is tailored to the clients expectations.
Tips
• Consider creating all your digital video assets prior to editing, this way there is sufficient time to review them which reduces potential bottlenecks during editing.
• When producing multiple videos, always create video templates. This will streamline production considerably and aid in client feedback. The video template also goes hand-in-hand with the storyboard, which bridges the gap between the producer and the client.
• When editing videos make sure to progress the editing with multiple video drafts. When presenting your drafts make sure to justify your video versioning. We have had clients that were unsure during the editing phase, and when we presented them with their first draft, they were under the impression it was the final video. Some post-production decisions require proper feedback prior to implementing, which makes this process absolutely critical.
• When reviewing a video draft, make sure all key team members are present. A ton of work goes into finalising the editing of a video, all of which may need to be undone if the final video does not meet a specific members criteria. Keep in mind that every team member has a role within the video production process. You do not want a situation where the head of marketing sees the final draft of the video only to spot misrepresentation of the company’s branding.
Publishing and distribution
Publishing a video is the final step in the production process and it’s important to consider what platform to publish on and how to properly market and promote the video. Different platforms have different requirements for publishing videos, such as supported file types, resolution, aspect ratio and length. Additionally, after a video has been published, marketers may want to employ various tactics such as email campaigns, social media posts and sponsored ads to help ensure the video reaches its target audience.
Video production services involve the planning, shooting and editing of a video. It typically includes pre-production tasks such as developing a concept, storyboarding and scripting, as well as post-production tasks such as color grading voice recording and sound design. The goal of video production is to create quality visuals with an engaging narrative that captures viewers’ attention. Video production services are used for many types of projects, such as creating promotional videos, documentary films or even television commercials.
The cost of video production can vary greatly depending on the scope and complexity of the project, as well as the expertise of the video production company. For a basic promotional video, prices can range from a just under R10 000 to R100 000. When considering any type of video production service, it’s important to factor in the quality of work you desire along with all associated costs such as equipment rentals, additional talent and editing fees. A tip for maximising a video production is to plan multiple edits from a main video. This method allows you take full advantage of the shoot days to produce multiple additional videos at a reduced cost of editing.
The three stages of video production typically involve pre-production, production and post-production. Pre-production is the first stage, which involves planning and preparing for the project such as concept development, storyboarding, script writing and shot list preparation. Production is the second stage and includes filming, lights and audio equipment. Post-production is the third stage, which entails editing the footage, adding music/sound effects, color grading, motion graphics, voice recording and other forms of visual and audio enhancements. Another important element to post production is client feedback and video finalisation which requires a strong project plan and a reliable collaborative effort between all parties.
The 5 main types of videos used in video production are promotional, educational, commercial, documentary and event videos. Promotional videos can be used to market a product or service and usually involve interviews with customers, staff or influencers. Educational videos can be used to teach viewers about a particular topic or subject, or to be consumed as eLearning through a learner management system. Commercials are designed to generate sales and typically feature high-quality visuals and catchy music, although these days most videos that are used for promotional purposes are not aired on TV anymore. Documentary films focus on real-life events and explore a certain topic in depth. Event videos capture live performances such as concerts and conferences.
Having read this article you should have a much better understanding of video production services and how best to leverage them for your company. The next step is to take the plunge by making contact with our team!
We are a leading video production company in Johannesburg and have one of the top learner management systems in South Africa. We specialise in Video Production, Photography, Graphic Design, eLearning Development, Web Design, Animation and Creative Consultation. | info@oliverkarstel.co.za | www.oliverkarstel.co.za | IG.com/oliverkarstel
