Video Production Services Guide

Video production includes taking ideas and marketing goals through to completed video content that can be repurposed and shared across channels. Video is a key part of marketing strategies everywhere for engaging customers and guiding them through the buyer journey.

Navigating video and video marketing with success often demands expert knowledge in storytelling, audio and video editing, animation, and content marketing.

Promotional videos may seem trivial in the vast scope of digital marketing and social media, but high-quality video content is an omnichannel game-changer for companies that commit to it. 

Not only is videography more engaging for buyers than other forms of content, but leveraging different types of video is an excellent way to educate, influence, and connect with your target audience digitally.

This guide covers everything you need to know about hiring video services to expand your marketing capabilities.

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What are Video Production Services?

Typical objectives of video marketing strategies are building brand presence, engaging with audiences, and effectively communicating brand messaging. Videographers help their clients meet their goals using training videos, promotional corporate videos, tutorials, product explainer videos, TV commercials, or webinars to achieve goals set forth by clients.

These final products often require a wide variety of skills and components to complete: voiceover work, motion graphics, 3D animation, and other similar competencies may be required for any given project.

To deliver engaging content that exceeds project requirements and helps clients achieve their goals, video production teams must be able to craft compelling visual narratives.

Additionally, they need to be able to draw from a wealth of experience and utilize various production techniques in a manner that allows the content to best meet the client’s video needs.

To this end, there are several tasks that full-service video production firms will perform in a typical project life cycle. These tasks can be broken up by project phase:

3 Video Production Project Phases

Phase 1: Pre-Production

• Scriptwriting and storyboarding
• Location scouting and set design
• Casting and talent selection

• Employing proper filming techniques and equipment
• Directing and managing on-set activities
• Capturing high-quality audio

• Video editing and sequencing
• Adding visual effects and graphics
• Sound design and music integration

The project goals will dictate which specific services are rendered as part of these project tasks and phases.

Whether handling a video ad, social media video, or product video, a successful video production agency will work to portray the client’s brand messaging and connect with target audiences.

Video Production Services by Country

Video Production Services by City

4 Benefits of Video Production Services

When partnering with the right team, the benefits of video production services are nearly limitless. Top-tier video content not only boosts brand awareness among target demographics but can also help to build customer loyalty and a strong company culture.

Here are some of the most significant reasons to strive for award-winning content with a video production service provider:

1. Increased brand visibility. Regardless of industry, having your brand in front of a wider audience can help with everything from lead conversion and customer retention to talent acquisition. Curated video content helps put your business’ best foot forward throughout your marketing channels.
2. Enhanced audience engagement. Written marketing materials can only go so far. Working videos into your content calendar affords your organization eye-catching content that will stand out in a social media feed or on a webpage.
3. Influence on purchasing decisions. Videos allow for real-life product and service demonstrations in a way that text descriptions or photos do not. Exhibiting your company’s offerings via video can help sell a contemplative consumer on doing business with you.This can help viewers understand key components of a business’ products and services.
4. Building brand trust and credibility. The immersive nature of video assets makes them a uniquely effective platform for building a connection with a business’ audience.

What Services Do Video Production Agencies Offer?

Video production services span across a wide variety of skills and technologies that are implemented at different stages in the production process. Companies can choose to either hire a full-service company to take care of many of these services all at once or alternatively, hire agencies that specialize in each individual area to bolster existing video-related processes.

•  Animation Video Production
  
•  Casting
  
• Commercials
•  Corporate Videos
  
•  Directing
  
•  Documentary
  
•  Educational And Training Videos
  
•  Explainer Videos
  
•  Interviews & Testimonials
  
•  Live Events
  
•  Motion Graphics
  
•  Post-Production Video
  
•  Editing Services
  
•  Script Writing
  
•  Sound Effects
  
•  Storyboarding
  
•  Visual Effects
  
•  Voiceover
  

Animation Video Production

Animation videos are those with moving images created through means other than live action. There are various types of animation, all with different approaches to production.

When companies consider animation, they should try to envision the role 2D animation, 3D animation, and stop-motion could have in their work. To create animated visuals, agencies leverage a combination of design and technical software skills. Many businesses choose animation for brand storytelling, entertainment, and education videos.

Casting

The process of casting mostly involves holding auditions, selecting, and hiring actors for performance roles. The role involves much more than audition day, though. There are also actor negotiations, contracting, and the responsibility to make industry connections with top talent.

Casting agencies make sure that performances, in videos or otherwise, have a compelling, believable, and cohesive cast. Additionally, casting agents collaborate with filmmakers to bring scripts to life.

Commercials

Commercial video production produces short, persuasive videos to promote products, services, or brands. It requires a concise and impactful storytelling approach to capture the audience's attention quickly.

While traditionally, a commercial would be broadcast on TV, there are even more options as new tech is created. Especially given how consumers have flocked to streaming services, more companies are opting to place commercials as CTV ads. Further, commercials are also regularly shared on social media or in other digital marketing campaign content.

Corporate Videos

This types of video service is specific to the companies themselves. The term “corporate video” can be used as a catch-all for business communications using videos as their medium.

This may include internal material such as training videos or external content such as promotional videos. As a concept, corporate videos are brand-focused and should always strive to achieve an alignment with brand voice and characteristics — while remaining professional and helpful.

Directing

Directors oversee the broad, creative strokes of a video production project. While not all video projects will require hiring a director, someone will need to fill the role to make the shooting and editing cohesive with the brand vision.

Those specialized in directing keep brand image and vision at the heart of the production at all stages, which often entails guiding actors, making big artistic decisions, and communicating cross-functionally to ensure cohesion.

Their role is crucial in bringing together all the elements of a production, from script interpretation to camera work and editing.

Documentary

Documentary is a well-known style of video production that entails truth-seeking, factual exploration on a given topic. These videos show case real events and stories, not requiring actors. Documentaries boast investigative appeal and are a growing favorite among audiences.

This style of video service demands thorough research, compelling interviews, and real-life footage to capture an authentic perspective on an important topic. Consumers are looking to documentaries for information, to learn something. Businesses hoping to invest in documentary filming should keep this audience expectation at the heart of production by avoiding promotional language, content, and actors.

Educational and Training Videos

Educational and training videos are typically put together for internal audiences, but have their place in consumer-facing spaces as well. Their main goal is to bring viewers up to speed on a topic or process.

These videos use various instructional techniques, such as demonstrations, simulations, and expert interviews, to enhance learning. They are valuable tools in academic settings, corporate training, and online education.

Explainer Videos

Explainer videos popular among companies wishing to dip their toes into video content services. For one, these videos are meant to give more detail on a product or company to viewer, which is often desired among businesses looking to fortify their brand.

These videos are also versatile, which is attractive. They can be animated or live-action, often featuring a short runtime of 3 minutes or under. At their best, they clearly and quickly communicate complex information and use visuals to entice audiences to continue their buyer journeys with you. 

Interviews & Testimonials

Interview and testimonial videos are very common and popular in the B2C and B2B world. Both set out to gain viewer trust by showcasing real people telling their stories and opinions on a topic relevant to the brand.

These types of marketing videos are known for talking-heads-centric footage and for their ability to add a sense of human authenticity to a brand’s content library. 

Live Events Video

Video production services within the context of a live event typically requires real-time collection of shooting or broadcasting from agencies.

In order to capture the action live, production teams show up with multiple cameras, audio equipment, and even streaming technology to cultivate a seamless experience for remote and in-person audiences.

Companies often rely on live events videos to recap and promote conferences, concerts, sporting events, or performances. 

Motion Graphics

When companies hire professionals to handle motion graphics, they expect them to combine graphic design elements with animation to create moving content.

This technique is often used to convey complex information in a visually appealing way, making it popular for title sequences, infographics, and other visual enhancements in videos.

Post-Production Video

Post-production services encompass everything that happens to a video project after filming is complete. A full-service look at post-production activities includes:

• Video Editing
• Color Correction
• Sound Design
• Visual Effects

Post-production takes raw sound and footage and brings the final video through to the finish line. It’s common for production services agencies to do a few rounds of editing and revisions, working closely with the brand to achieve the original vision. 

Editing Services

Editing services are a crucial part of the post-production process, requiring specialists to manipulate, sequence, and cut raw video footage collected while shooting.

It’s a video editor’s responsibility to piece together a compelling narrative, using video production software to cut, arrange, and enhance clips, adding transitions, effects, and sound to achieve the desired flow and impact.

Script Writing

Scriptwriting is a pre-production activity that relies on writers with an understanding of a brand and its message to put together dialogue, narration, and stage directions for a video.

The script is what actors, producers, and directors will use to communicate with each other during the production and filming stages, so it’s important that a solid team is composed to lay the groundwork. Well-crafted scripts are the foundation for good storytelling and the only reliable way to bring a narrative to life on screen.

Sound Effects

Sound effects (SFX) services only address the audio part of your video production project. Professionals in this field are known for enhancing the quality and experience of sound in a video by adding music or other audio.

SFX may include any sound that drives home the intended message or feelings an audience should feel while watching. This may be footsteps, a door creaking, or explosion sounds. Integrating sound effects skillfully adds depth, realism, and emotional impact to the visual storytelling.

Storyboarding

Storyboarding occurs well before any filming or production actually happens. It’s a well-known pre-production process that helps video service providers plan what their final product will look and sound like.

In their research and planning, companies and their production partners will develop a storyboard, which is a sequence of illustrations that highlight the sequence of scenes in a video.

This roadmap keeps all parties on the same page when discussing the project in its early stages.

Visual Effects

Think of visual effects (VFX) as the inverse of SFX: visual effects services focus only on manipulating the visual elements of a video project in the post-production stage.

Editors and VFX specialists add, adjust, or otherwise impact graphics or footage to enhance the overall impression the film makes on viewers.

A few well-known methods of enhancing realism through VFX are CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) and green screens. These techniques allow editors to add components to a video that weren’t present in the raw footage. 

Voiceover

Voiceover is the recording of a voice that is not part of the on-screen action. It is often used for narration, character voices, or providing information. A well-executed voiceover can enhance storytelling, clarify information, and evoke specific emotions in the audience.

What is a Video Production Team?

There are plenty of competencies that roll up under the video production umbrella. Especially for larger projects, having a robust team of experts who understand the nuances of video production is necessary to ensure all project goals are met. 

Who Makes Up a Video Team?

• Producer: The supervisor of the video production project who guides the video from pre-production through post-production, handling budgets, timelines, hiring, and creative questions.
  
• Director: The creative leader of the video production project who ensures that the desired vision is executed properly through casting, location scouting, adjustments to shots or dialogue, and filming timeline management
  
• Director of Photography (DP): The cinematographer of the video production project who sets the visual tone of the video through equipment and crew hiring, shot-blocking, and camera/lighting management
  
• Digital Imaging Technician: The archivist of the video production project who ensures that physical storage media are available and properly configured for audio and video recording
  
•  Audio Technician: The audio lead of the video production project who records, monitors, and adjusts sounds and sound-recording tools on set
  
• Gaffer: The lighting lead of the video production project who works with the DP to ensure that all shots are lit as intended throughout the production phase
  
• Camera Operator: The executor of the video production project who operates the video recording equipment, working with the DP to ensure the footage fits the director’s vision
  
• Video Editor: The final reviewer of the video production project who takes the video and audio provided from the production phase and uses them to create the final video in post-production
  

What to Look for When Hiring Video Production Services

Whether you're considering assembling an in-house video production team or outsourcing to a professional video production service, selecting the right partner is crucial to the success of your video projects.

You'll find numerous video production professionals locally and globally, but singling out the one that’s ideal for your business can be a hefty undertaking.

For most businesses, your objectives and budget are the defining factors when scouting for a video production partner. Identifying what you aim to accomplish by hiring a video production partner can shape your video strategy and assist you in refining your search. Your video production budget is equally critical, helping to filter out certain providers that exceed your financial capabilities.

If budget, location, and industry expertise are at the top of your checklist of needs, you're not alone. You deserve a video production service that's efficient, persuasive, and energetic.

Criteria for Hiring Professional Video Production Services

• Budget alignment
  
• Location and accessibility
  
• Industry experience
  
• Use of preferred tools, technologies, and editing styles
  
• Ability to customize video production strategies
  
• Video portfolio review
  
• Key Performance Indicator (KPIs) alignment
  
• Reporting capabilities
  
• Strength of client references and testimonials
  

Don’t shy away from online resources to help you apply your criteria to real agencies. With B2B ratings resources like Clutch, companies can start searching for video production services providers without having to commit or start official conversations yet. In the research phases, this is essential. Reviews penned by actual clients provide an impression of important business qualities such as service offerings, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

10 Questions to Ask When Hiring Video Production Services

1. What is your pricing structure, and what services are included?
   
2. How do you communicate and collaborate with clients? 
   
3. What experience do you have in our industry? 
   
4. Can you provide examples of successful video projects you've worked on?
   
5. What kinds of videos does your team specialize in?
   
6. What video production professionals do you employ in-house? Do you have go-to vendors for the functions your team isn’t equipped to handle?
   
7. How do you approach developing a video production strategy? How would you tailor your approach to meet our needs?
   
8. What sort of progress updates can we expect during pre-production, production, and post-production?
   
9. How do you adapt to changing landscapes and trends when crafting videos?
   
10. Can you provide testimonials and connect us with client references? 
    

Knowing what to look for (and how to look for it) when seeking out a video production service provider is half the battle. Be thorough and communicate your ideas and desires clearly once you find potential partners to ensure you get the right fit.

How Video Production Services Can Support Your Business’s Primary Goals

Video production services allow your business to employ multimedia technology to engage your target audience with unique content that represents your brand well. Whether crafting a promo video, social media video, corporate video, or training video, the right partner will help your project run smoothly and leave you with video content you can use for years to come.

When hiring a video production service provider, be clear about your project goals as well as the specificities of your industry and target audience. Ensure your video production team considers your feedback when building the production schedule.

Clutch can help you find the right video production agency for your business, no matter how intricate or strenuous your video project is.

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