What is a video production company?

As a video production company, we see this question get asked a lot – what is a video production company? Creating engaging video content is more important than ever. This blog aims to break down the concept of video production, looking at its differences from film production and videography, diving into the production stages, and understanding the types of videos created. Join us on this journey to uncover the heart of video production.

Video Production vs. Film Production

Film Production:

Film production is about making big movies for theatres. It involves creating large, visually stunning experiences with a lot of money spent on sets and special effects. The goal is to tell a captivating story on the big screen, where people can get lost in the movie magic.

Video Production:

Video production is more flexible. It covers a wide range of content beyond just movies in theaters. It includes making online videos, corporate videos, and marketing videos and materials. Video production caters to different needs on platforms like social media, education, and business promotions.

Adaptability in the Digital World:

What makes video production stand out is its ability to work well in the digital world. Instead of just focusing on theatres, it brings the movie magic to computers, tablets, and smartphones. This adaptability lets video production reach people through different screens and industries.

Versatility in Making Content:

Video production is versatile in creating all sorts of content. It’s not limited to big blockbuster movies; it’s also behind short social media videos and educational content. Video production is the tool for making stories that connect with audiences across various platforms.

Video Production vs. Videography

Videography:

Videography is like capturing a moment on camera. It’s the process of recording raw video footage, much like taking pictures with a camera. Videographers focus on framing shots, adjusting camera settings, and capturing the visual essence of a scene. It’s about recording what’s happening in front of the lens without much alteration.

Video Production:

Video production is a more extensive process. It’s not just about recording; it’s about creating a complete video from start to finish. The video camera journey begins with planning—deciding what the video will be about, how it will be shot, and what the final product should look like. This phase involves scripting, outlining the story or message, and organizing all the elements needed for the shoot.

Then comes the shooting phase, where the planned footage is captured with a deliberate approach. This production phase involves setting up scenes, directing actors or participants, and ensuring the right lighting and angles.

After recording the raw footage, the process transitions into the editing phase during post-production. Here, the captured footage is refined, trimmed, and edited to create a polished final product. Editors add effects, music, and any necessary enhancements to make the finished video engaging and visually appealing.

Adapting the Footage:

The key difference is that videography focuses mainly on capturing the footage, freezing moments in time, while video production takes that raw footage and transforms it into a well-thought-out, refined video. Video production involves a more comprehensive approach capture video footage, from planning and shooting to the final editing touches, ensuring the video tells a complete and compelling story.

In essence, while videography is like taking individual snapshots, video production is like crafting a full album—bringing together those snapshots, arranging them in a deliberate order, and adding enhancements to create a seamless and captivating visual experience.

Video production vs. video editing

Video Production:

Video production is like cooking a delicious meal. It’s the entire process from planning the recipe (pre-production) to gathering ingredients and cooking (production) and finally presenting the finished dish (post-production). In video production, this means ideating the video, planning the shots, recording the footage, and then refining it into a polished final product.

Video Editing:

Now, think of video editing as the chef’s final touches to the dish. After all the ingredients have been gathered and the meal has been cooked (raw footage has been captured), the chef (video editor) steps in to arrange the elements on the plate, add seasoning (effects and enhancements), and ensure everything looks and tastes just right. Video editing software takes the raw footage from the video production process and refines it into a seamless and visually appealing final video.

The Editor’s Role:

The video editor carefully selects the best shots, arranges them in a logical sequence, trims unnecessary parts, and adds transitions or effects to enhance the overall viewing experience. It’s like putting the finishing touches on a painting, making sure every detail contributes to the final masterpiece.

Creating the Final Dish:

In this analogy, video production is the entire cooking process, from the planning stage to presenting, while video editing is the crucial plating stage. The chef (video editor) transforms the cooked elements (raw footage) into a beautifully presented dish (final video). This process involves a keen eye for detail, creativity, and skill to ensure the end result is not just a collection of ingredients but a delightful and cohesive visual experience.

In-House Video Production vs. Outsourcing

In-House Video Production:

In-house video production is like doing everything yourself. You control the entire process—from deciding what video to make (choosing the content) to actually making it (shooting the video) and presenting the final product. This gives you more hands-on control, but it also means you’re responsible for everything, like managing resources and equipment.

Outsourcing:

Outsourcing is like hiring experts to handle specific tasks. Instead of doing it all in-house, you bring in professionals (video production specialists) who know their craft. They take care of creating the video, and you get a finished product without having to handle all the details. This can be cost-effective because you don’t have to invest in equipment or train a team.

Control vs. Specialized Skills and Savings:

Choosing between in-house and outsourcing is a balance between having full control and benefiting from specialized skills and potential cost savings.

In-House:

In-house video production gives you complete control over the entire process. You decide what videos to make, oversee the production, and make sure everything aligns with your goals. But, it also means managing the resources and responsibilities that come with it.

Outsourcing:

Outsourcing brings in professionals who are experts in video production. You get a skilled team without having to handle the nitty-gritty details outsourcing video production. While you may have less control, you benefit from their expertise, and it can often be more cost-effective.

Decision-Making:

Ultimately, the decision depends on how much control you want and your budget. If you want hands-on control and have the resources to manage everything, in-house might be the way to go. If you’d rather bring in experts who can handle the job efficiently and potentially save costs, outsourcing could be the better choice for your video production needs.

Build a video strategy

Building a Video Strategy:

Creating a video without a strategy is like embarking on a journey without a map. A successful video begins with a solid strategy that lays the groundwork for a purposeful and effective visual narrative. Building a video strategy involves several key steps.

Setting Goals: Start by defining clear objectives to produce video. What do you want to achieve with the video? Whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving engagement, or promoting a specific product, having well-defined goals provides direction for the entire production process.

Knowing the Audience: Understanding your audience is crucial. Who are you creating the video for? What are their preferences, interests, and challenges? Tailoring your video to resonate with your target audience ensures that it captures their attention and effectively communicates your core message throughout.

Aligning with Marketing Goals: A video is not created in isolation; it should seamlessly integrate with your overall marketing strategy. Consider how the video contributes to your broader marketing goals. Whether it’s part of a campaign, product launch, or ongoing brand messaging, alignment ensures a cohesive and impactful marketing approach.

In essence, building a video strategy is about having a clear roadmap that guides the creation process, ensuring that every aspect of the video contributes meaningfully to the overarching goals.

Write a video production brief

Writing a Video Production Brief:

Once the strategy is in place, it’s time to communicate it effectively to the teams. This is where a well-written video production brief becomes invaluable.

Outlining Project Goals: The brief serves as a document that outlines the video project itself’s goals in detail. It clarifies the specific objectives the video aims to achieve, providing a comprehensive understanding for everyone involved in the production process.

Defining the Target Audience: Identifying the target audience is another crucial aspect of the brief. Clearly defining who the video is intended for helps the production team tailor the content to resonate with the intended viewers, ensuring that the messaging is relevant and impactful.

Providing Other Details: The brief is a space to include other essential details, such as key messages, tone, and style preferences. It acts as a comprehensive guide, offering insights into the client’s vision for the video and providing the production team with a clear understanding of expectations.

How Much Does Video Production Cost?

The cost of video production varies based on factors such as project size, complexity, equipment quality, and personnel expertise. Setting a budget early on is crucial for resource allocation. Factors like location, post-production complexity, and talent also contribute to expenses. It’s essential to define project goals, research industry standards, and allocate resources wisely. Consider the long-term value of the video investment. For more detailed insights and guidance on video production costs, check out our dedicated page.

Types of Video

There is a diverse range of video content and the demand for it is every growing. Product videos focus on showcasing the features and benefits of a particular item, offering a closer look to potential customers. TV commercials, on the other hand, are crafted for mass appeal, aiming to capture attention in a brief timeframe and leave a lasting impression. Website videos play a crucial role in enhancing online presence, providing engaging content that can range from company introductions to product demonstrations. Explainer videos show how to simplify complex concepts, breaking down intricate ideas into digestible, understandable information. Each type of video serves a distinct purpose, tailored to meet the communication goals of businesses and creators in different contexts.

Add Graphics, Animated Text, and Special Effects:

Beyond capturing compelling footage, the addition of graphics, animated text, and special effects elevates a video’s visual appeal and storytelling impact. Graphics and animations can emphasize key points, guide the viewer’s attention, or convey information in a dynamic way. Animated text adds a layer of interactivity, enhancing the viewer’s engagement by presenting information in a visually stimulating manner. Special effects bring an element of creativity and flair, whether it’s enhancing visuals with filters, creating captivating transitions, or incorporating visual elements that amplify the overall narrative.

These enhancements not only contribute to the aesthetics but also play a crucial role in holding the viewer’s interest, making the video more memorable and compelling. The strategic integration of graphics, animated text, and special effects is akin to adding the finishing touches to a masterpiece, ensuring that the visual storytelling leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

Conclusion

A video production company is a creative powerhouse that orchestrates the entire journey creating video content from ideation to execution, turning concepts into compelling visual narratives. Understanding the distinctions between video production, film production, and videography is fundamental for those seeking to harness the power of visual storytelling. Whether crafting product videos, TV commercials, or explainer videos, the collaborative efforts of a skilled video production team are integral to delivering content that captivates and resonates with audiences worldwide.