Hiring a video marketing agency is an investment that often sees fantastic returns. In fact, nearly 9 in every 10 marketers who use video report a positive ROI with the tactic, according to a Wyzowl study. But if you don’t have the means to create your own content, bringing in a professional production team may feel a little intimidating— especially if it’s your first time dipping your toes into the video marketing waters.

If you are looking to hire a video marketing agency but aren’t sure what to expect, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to break down the process and show you how easy getting stellar video content can be.

Video Marketing Pre-production: Setting Up for Success

There’s a lot that goes into making a video production happen before the camera rolls. Pre-production is a vital part of the production process and is key to setting the final product up for success. During this period, you and the production team will work together to:

Learn about goals and video objectives
Determine what type of video will work best for your business and marketing needs
Write a script
Schedule shooting days
Secure locations
Find talent like voice-over artists or actors, if needed

This is usually a very collaborative process, but the amount of client involvement can vary from project to project. This is one reason why it’s important to work with a production team that is flexible and can meet your company’s unique needs.

For example, for one video, a client may come to a video production team wanting to feature their employees with a specific location already in mind. A different video may require paid actors and unique locations, which the production team can secure.

Regardless of your level of involvement in pre-production, clear communication between you and the video production team is critical. Communicating your vision for the final product to your production team upfront will help ensure that your expectations are met or exceeded.

Lights, Camera, Action: What to Expect on a Film Set

What you see on a film set will largely depend on the size and scope of your project. Small projects can be efficiently shot by a two- to three-person team, while some productions may require dozens of crew members.

However, even with the smallest shoots, you can expect professional cameras and lighting setups that will give you stunning visuals. Audio equipment such as a lavalier and shotgun microphones will be used to get clear and crisp audio.

Before anyone yells “action”, though, the team will need time to set up the shot. This means:

Building any special camera riggings
Setting up and positioning lights, diffusers, or reflectors
Adjusting the camera settings to ensure the perfect picture
Checking audio levels to get great sound

If your video is an interview or testimonial, the producer will also take this time to talk interviewees through the process and get everyone comfortable in front of the camera.

Throughout the day, the crew will likely repeat the camera set-up process several times. Capturing shots with varying backgrounds, as well as B-roll, will help create a dynamic video that engages your audience.

People You’ll See on Set

Here are the people that you’ll commonly meet on the set of a video marketing production. On smaller sets, one person may take on several different roles. On large-budget productions, there may be one (or more) people for each position.

Producer

The producer is likely the same person that you’ve been in contact with during the pre-production process. They’re the ones that organize the project beforehand and ensure that everything goes smoothly during production.

Director

The director is the keeper of the overall vision and message of your video. They ensure that everything is in service to that.

Director of Photography

The director of photography is responsible for all things image. They work closely with the director and gaffer to ensure that what your audience sees is pleasing to the eye and will edit together seamlessly in post-production. On smaller sets, the director of photography may also be the camera operator. On larger productions, there may be several cameras running at once, each with a different camera operator working under the director of photography.

Gaffer

A gaffer helps bring the visuals to life by creating and controlling the lighting setup. Even when shooting outdoors, gaffers help control and shape the light to make subjects look great on camera.

Sound Recordist

On set, the sound recordist is in charge of anything sound related on set. They ensure that the dialogue is clearly heard without interference from background noises.

Other Crew Positions

On a large set, you may see even more crew positions. This includes roles like grips, who build and manage equipment on set, and production assistants that assist crew members who may need an extra hand.

Bringing It All Together: What to Expect in Post-production

Post-production is where everything comes together to make a cohesive final product. In this phase, the video marketing agency will:

Edit the video to tell a visually compelling story
Find existing music or work with a composer to make a track that complements your video’s mood and message
Work with audio engineers to ensure the highest quality sound
Add graphics, logos, or special effects
Perform a transcription so clients have captions available to make their videos accessible to all

Once you receive the first version of the video, you can provide feedback and collaborate with the editor and producer on any changes that need to be made. Typically, the number of revisions that a video production company will do is outlined in the contract.

Conclusion

Don’t let fear of the unknown hold your organization back from reaching its full potential. Working with a video marketing agency is the best way to ensure that your video content connects with your audience. On top of their specialized marketing savvy, a video production team will have all of the technical know-how to create impactful visuals to convey your message.

Looking for a video marketing agency in Austin, Texas? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Remote Team Films to learn how we can help you!

What to Expect After You Hire a Video Marketing Agency