A video production company provides comprehensive services, handling every aspect of the video creation process, from concept development to final delivery. Whether you’re producing a corporate presentation, a commercial, or a social media campaign, these professionals ensure that every visual and audio detail aligns with your goals.
With the help of our experts, we’ll explore the key services offered by video production companies, from pre-production to delivery, and how they differ from studios and videographers.
Table of Contents
What Does a Video Production Company Do?
Video production companies work in three major stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. They cover the following functions:
1. Research
Comprehensive research lays the foundation for a successful project by ensuring the final product aligns with the client’s goals, target audience, and brand identity.
1.1 Client Discovery
The research process begins with a thorough understanding of your project needs. At this stage, the video production company should discuss ideas and the video brief. In this regard, it is essential to understand the audience, context, and goal of the video that will be created.
The initial consultation gathers the following information:
- Project goals: Establish the primary purpose of the video (brand awareness, product launch, event promotion, employee training, etc.)
- Key messages: Outline the points to be conveyed (brand values, product benefits, etc.)
- Target audience: The demographics, interests, and behaviors of audiences to be captured.
- Brand identity: Your company’s existing visual and verbal messaging, tone, and style.
1.2 Market Research
A deep dive into market trends and the competitive landscape ensures the video stands out. For example, explainer videos consistently perform well in tech. Product demonstrations are crucial for marketing in the retail industry.
Examining videos produced by competitors can also provide insights into what works and what doesn’t. Consider what platforms they use and what type of videos their audiences engage with and share the most.
1.3 Audience Insights
Creating detailed audience personas helps shape the tone, content, and style of the final product. Do they prefer quick-cut edits or long-form educational videos? Do they engage with relatable, down-to-earth topics or prefer an authoritative tone to build brand trust?
Audience research also includes the best video platforms that the project will be posted on, such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or others. Knowing where they are most active will help determine the format, length, and style of the video.
1.4 Creative Concept
Concept development involves brainstorming potential ideas that align with your objectives. The creative team may investigate previous campaigns or other industries for inspiration. Visualizing the look and feel of the video can be done with the following:
- Visual references: Similar media to shape ideas about camera angles, lighting, and other stylistic choices.
- Mood boards: Images, colors, textures, and visual elements that convey the overall tone and atmosphere of the video.
- Cinematography styles: Different techniques inform how the video will be filmed (natural vs. studio lighting, handheld cameras, drone work, etc.)
1.5 Logistics
Research into logistics and technical aspects of a project ensures smooth project execution:
- Locations: Permits, travel arrangements, and site accessibility are crucial elements of the filming process.
- Equipment: Your project may require specific cameras, lighting rigs, sound equipment, and other filming technology.
- Manpower: Production teams contact agencies to find cast and crew members needed for the video.
1.6 Compliance
Compliance with legal and regulatory standards is an important part of the research process. Music licensing, stock footage, and image rights ensure the video doesn’t infringe on copyrights or intellectual property.
Research into local laws and regulations relevant to your filming locations is also needed to avoid legal issues during production.
2. Pre-Production
During pre-production, video production companies set the foundation for everything that happens during filming and post-production. It involves detailed planning and logistical organization to ensure a smooth process.
2.1 Scriptwriting
Creative directors and scriptwriters craft a clear narrative and story structure aligned with the client’s message. Whether it’s a short advertisement or a corporate training video, a structured format with a beginning, middle, and end will keep viewers’ attention.
A strong script is a basic requirement for engaging storytelling and a smooth filming and post-production process. It provides a detailed guide for dialogue, voiceovers, on-screen text, scene descriptions, locations, transitions, and special effects.
2.2 Storyboarding
Storyboards are scene-by-scene breakdowns of the entire project. They provide a visual representation of each shot, including camera angles, movements, and transitions. Details of specific shots minimize confusion on set and help ensure the production runs smoothly.
The production team presents storyboards to clients to determine the look and feel of the video before filming.
2.3 Casting
Actors, voice talent, and extras populate the videos, so they must be chosen carefully. Production teams work with casting agencies to find actors that match the brand’s image and the project brief. The voice talent is selected based on tone, accent, and delivery style that complement the video’s message. Auditions or screen tests are conducted to evaluate potential cast members.
2.4 Budgeting
Detailed financial planning ensures the project stays within your budget:
- Cost estimates: The production company adds up expenses like talent fees, equipment rentals, location permits, transportation, logistics, and post-production.
- Resources: Budgeting also involves detailed lists of all resources needed for all aspects of the production, including equipment, props, crew members, security, and special effects.
- Approval: The production budget is subject to the client’s approval.
2.5 Scheduling
The video production company creates a detailed timeline for every stage of the project, including deadlines for the script, location scouting, casting, filming, and editing. The shoot schedule outlines the specific days and times for filming, location access, talent availability, and crew members needed.
The schedule also includes pre-production meetings, technical rehearsals, and talent rehearsals. Buffer times are included to account for unexpected delays or challenges during filming.
3. Filming
Filming is the heart of the video production process, and it is when the team’s creative vision comes to life. A successful filming process requires collaboration, technical expertise, and attention to detail to ensure everything stays on schedule and runs smoothly.
The production crew consists of the director, producers, cinematographers, camera operators, grips, production assistants, makeup artists, and other technical experts, each responsible for the following aspects:
- Filming equipment: The choice of camera, lenses, tripods, dollies, and gimbals depends on the project’s budget, creative vision, and type of shots needed.
- Lighting: Subjects must be lit according to the mood and style of the video. Different lighting setups and color temperatures affect what the final product looks like.
- Sound recording: Boom mics are typically used for videos where sound equipment must not be visible. Sound technicians monitor audio throughout the shoot.
- Scene blocking: Directors and cinematographers plan the movements of actors and subjects within each scene. For complex shots involving camera movement or stunts, the crew rehearses the scene blocking to work out logistical issues.
Most scenes require multiple takes to ensure that the best performances and technical precision are captured. A mix of wide shots, close-ups, and medium shots requires different equipment setups and blocking, so they must be planned during pre-production.
Quick thinking and on-set problem-solving are needed to manage challenges that may arise during filming. Time management is crucial so production stays on schedule.
4. Post-Production
After filming, the post-production process is where raw footage captured during filming is transformed into the finished products.
4.1 File Organization
Proper organization, backup, and redundancy (local drives, external drives, and cloud storage) are crucial for an efficient editing process. Editors categorize footage based on scene numbers, shot types, and audio files so they can easily find and retrieve them during editing.
4.2 Editing
The editor works on a rough cut by arranging the shots in sequence according to the written script. Once the director and client approve the rough cut, timing, and transitions are refined, and the pacing is perfected. The story should flow naturally, and the key messages must be clearly conveyed.
Editors may trim seconds off certain shots or remove unnecessary scenes to ensure the video maintains a steady rhythm and keeps the audience’s attention.
4.3 Mixing Audio and Music Tracks
The video production team may work with an audio production company to enhance and perfect audio to complement the visuals.
- Dialogue: Actors’ lines are edited to remove background noise, improve clarity, and ensure consistency in volume.
- Music: Appropriate background music sets the tone of the video. Music must be timed to match key moments in the visuals.
- Sound design: Ambient noises, sound effects, and other additional audio elements may be needed to support the storytelling.
- Audio mixing: Balanced volume levels, equalization, and compression create a cohesive soundscape and crisp audio across different devices.
4.4 Color Correction and Grading
Consistent brightness and contrast help maintain visual continuity across different scenes. Color correction is especially important if scenes are filmed under different lighting conditions.
The post-production team also adjusts the hues, saturation, and contrast to set a certain tone and mood. For example, cool blue tones evoke a dramatic or futuristic vibe. Warm tones can be used for romance or nostalgia.
4.5. Creating Animations and Motion Graphics
Visual appeal is crucial if you’re aiming at viral video marketing. Experienced motion designers, as part of video production teams, integrate graphics and animations to enhance captured footage. These elements engage viewers and keep their attention.
Visual effects like computer-generated imagery (CGI) and background composites can take a simple video to another, more polished and professional level.
5. Delivery
Video production companies often organize video distribution per agreement with their clients. Distribution across the appropriate channels is agreed upon during the research phase of the production process. The team ensures that the video is optimized according to platform specifications (aspect ratio, resolution, file size, etc.)
Production companies can also promote the video and gather analytics in terms of views, likes, and shares.
How Is a Video Production Company Different From a Videographer?
Many people mistakenly assume that video production companies and videographers are identical, but they perform different jobs. Videographers work individually and focus on capturing live events like weddings, conventions, and other live events. Their role is to stay in the background, documenting what is happening during an important event.
In contrast, VPCs specialize in one or multiple aspects of the creative filming process. They are involved in everything from research and pre-production to distribution and are hands-on throughout the process. Team members work closely and efficiently to plan filming schedules, capture footage, and edit the final product.
Video Production Company vs. Studio
Companies specializing in video production create content according to their clients’ needs. They handle everything from concept development to post-production. Video production companies vary in size and expertise, but they always work with specific organizations.
A studio does all of this on a much larger scale. It is a corporate business configuration that oversees the production and distribution of films, TV shows, and other content. They develop original stories and produce high-quality films for audiences all over the world.
What does a film production company do? The main point of difference between a film production company and a video production company is that the former produces movies and TV shows. The latter creates shorter content on various subjects, often as part of a larger marketing strategy.
Video Production Company Takeaways
Video production companies and their broad range of services are indispensable for brands that need unique video content ideas. They handle every aspect of creating professional video content, from the initial concept to the final edit and delivery. Partnering with a VPC ensures high-quality, creative, and effective video content that will help you achieve your desired results.
Understanding all that a video production company does is necessary to utilize its services and choose an ideal service provider. The top video production companies will manage the entire project on your behalf and deliver a top-notch final product that can take your brand to another level.
