You Might Not Know This About Creating Corporate Video

If it’s your first time making a corporate video in partnership with a production company, here are three things you should know before you start shooting.

1. Leave enough time

Most people who are working with a professional crew for the first time underestimate how long production can take. A ten minute video might sound like a quick task. But when you start to break it down, the numbers add up.

If you’re shooting interviews, you’ll want to be realistic about how many you can shoot in a day. Before the subject arrives, you’ll need to scout locations (preferably on an earlier day), set up your equipment, and dress the backdrop. The reason that professional on-camera interviews look so much more polished than cell phone videos is, in large part, because of the lighting. Getting multiple lights set up and adjusted can take upwards of an hour. The interviewee will also need time for hair, makeup, and wardrobe, as well as a chance to speak with the director before the cameras start rolling.

These interviews are difficult to squeeze in between meetings—anticipate anywhere from one to four hours to accommodate hair and makeup, the interview, and some additional shots of the interviewee.. The crew won’t book more than 2-4 formal interviews in a day, to give each speaker time to share their story.

2. Understand how the production company works with their clients

Some video production companies show up, shoot, and hand the footage over to you before they leave. Editing is up to you. Others stick to a formula for every video they film. For example, they might always shoot a single interview and edit that into a 45-second “talking head” video.

At Tribe, we operate like an agency. We partner with our clients to fully understand the communication challenge your video is trying to solve. Then, we develop a full creative approach, shoot, and edit the video.

There’s no “right” way, but it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting. Ask about your production company’s process and make sure you’re aligned on the approach and the deliverables from the start.

3. Invite creative pushback

If you’ve chosen to work with a production company, you’re likely looking for a video expert to help guide you. Their video knowledge, combined with your brand knowledge can create magic. They’ll be able to advise you on how best to use video and steer you away from ideas that might be better suited for other mediums.

If you find your production company respectfully pushing back on an idea or a note, that’s a great sign. It means they care about the success of your project as much as you do. Have the conversation. Explain your reasoning, and let them explain theirs. You’ll be able to find the best path forward together.