1. Does the producer have demo reel to show you his work?

Most reputable production houses will be able to show you examples of previous videos they have done along with any awards they have received. Ask to view the finished product and not just video sample clips. You want to know how it all came out and that it has professional quality.

2. Has the producer done videos for companies similar to yours?

Some producers may have expertise on one area but be unfamiliar with other areas. As an example you could wind up with a producer who can show you great snowboarding video samples but has never worked with actors and you want dramatized scenes in your video demonstrating your companies product.
A solid producer will often have a variety of different projects to show you.

3. Does the production company have up-to-date equipment?

Video production equipment is changing all the time. This does not mean that some older equipment cannot deliver what you want. You have to know in advance if your video is only going to be used at trade fairs as well as presentations in a clients office. The kind of quality needed for these presentations is different than that needed for broadcast television. I recommend that the production camera should deliver at least 700 lines of horizontal resolution(this simpl;y means clear, sharp images) and that micophones are industry standard.

4. Does the writer have corporate video writing skills.

Whether it’s theatrical feature films, made for TV movies or promotional videos, the script is everything. Make sure it works on paper before going ahead with any production work. Remember you are selling your product in your video and you want to motivate your clients to buy. A client telling you that he likes your video means nothing unless he is reaching for a pen to write you an order. The script should emotionally move your audience because it is only through emotion that we buy anything. Often a good promotional video script will restate the important points a second time near the end of the video. Remember to have yourself and the producer initial the finished script. This will prevent any misundertandings later about what was being covered during shooting.

5. Does the producer and or writer ask questions about your business?

A good producer will not simply ask what do you want in the video. Theye will want to get to know your operation. They will spend time at their expense getting a feel for things. They will make suggestions that will show off and enhance your product in the video. They should want you to be a long term client earning your confidence and delivering what they promise. This is a partnership arrangement where both you and the producer need to have a good working relationship. I have a stack of testimonial letters from previous clients that can instill confidence in any new clients working with me for the first time.

6. Thinking ahead for updates to your video!

It’s a good idea to plan ahead for possible changes to your video. For example your original script could have a modular approach featuring various aspects of your business. Later, as you add new equipment you could simply subtract the section with the old equipment in your video and add the newer machinery in its place. Make sure that your producer has mixed the music and effects in your video onto a separate track from any narration. This way you only need to bring in the narrator to change the wording for the new section and then re-mix the new commentary into the music and effects of this section. This is a lot cheaper than having to re-mix a whole new video.

7. Will the production disrupt your business?

As a business owner you cannot simply shut down your operation while the video is being done. You need to know that the producer can work around your business day to day needs. Your staff may like the idea of being in a video until they are interupted at their jobs and can’t complete there daily tasks the same way as usual. You producer needs to employ a lot of empathy for the staff. He needs to get his shots while demonstrating a caring attitude to your employees during the shoot. I can tell you from experience this is very important for a successful outcome.

8. How much should the video cost me?

This all depends on what is involved. For example a production with a lot of locations to shoot, that is of dramatic content involving actors will cost more than one with fewer locations and no actors involved. I have produced shows from $800 per finished minute to $2,500 per finished minute. Many locations can drive up the costs due to down time while moving equipment and crew. You simply loose a lot of production hours through this and therefore it takes more days to shoot and a larger budget needed for the crew.

9. Do I pay at the end, the beginning, or both?

Most producers will ask for a deposit up front. This could be anywhere from 10% to 30% certainly not more than 30%. The producer has preparation, meetings and writer costs to deal with before any shooting begins. I like to get a payment up front, a second payment upon completion of shooting (principal photography) and a third payment upon delivery.

10. How long does production usually take from start to finish?

It varies but I can tell you I have produced from start to finish in two weeks and also in two months. The two month show was a better production.

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