10 great tips for selecting a corporate video production company

Selecting the right video producer for your business’s next corporate or training video can be a daunting task. With so many out there to choose from where do you start?

To help businesses we have detailed ten important aspects to look for and consider when seeking quotes and accessing a production company’s ability to provide you with a successful video product.

1. View their completed work
View a variety of the company’s work keeping both high production quality and video purpose/strategy in mind. (See our article on Quality & Purpose)
When both of these aspects are being met, you should find yourself being pulled into the story with no distracting elements.

In short, if their work quality isn’t something you imagine being worthy of TV then the chances are anything they produce for your business will be lost on your audience.

2. Show Reels
Be aware that some companies show reels (video portfolios) may contain footage from projects that the business owner only played a minor role in. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about past projects.

3. Sound
Audio is an amazingly complex, art within itself, if your project requirements include sound recording, ask to see examples where sound is captured in the way it will be required in your project. This may include: Interviews, live event sound, actors dialogue with a boom mic, voice over etc.

4. Relevance to your project
Find or ask to view work samples of similar style and content, specific to what you are doing. Or at least examples that encompass the production skill traits that will be required for your project.

5. Are they actually a “Video Producer”
The term “Video” encompasses a variety of visual media, be aware that you may be getting a quote from someone who specialises in graphics & animation and has little experience with professional  location video acquisition. They may still shoot your project but you could end up with a less than average job.

6. Professional Background
Don’t be afraid to ask about their formal film and television training and specifics in any professional production experience . i.e. 20 years experience in a TV studio sound department probably isn’t going to result in a good marketing video for your company.

7. Australian Video Producers Association
Although video production is an unregulated industry in Australia, you can gain some security by  hiring an accredited member of the AVPA . This is a guarantee of quality workmanship and compliance
to a professional code of conduct.

8. Insurance
Check that your video production company has appropriate public liability insurance in place. For some companies this is standard practice when dealing with contractors but don’t hesitate to ask for a Certificate of Currency.

9. Who’s actually doing the work?
If you are booking a company due to an individuals credentials or ability. Check to see who in their team will actually be performing the work, they may even sub-contract to another company. Check you are happy with the experience of the people you will actually be working with.

10. When requesting a quote
Quotes can vary wildly from company to company as producers can interpret a video solution to a client’s brief differently. It is important though that you don’t assume that the work samples you viewed is the quality and style that will be used in your project. Ask the company to reference style specific examples in their quote or at least discuss with you the details of the shooting style they will use in your video.

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below