So you’re thinking about getting a corporate video made? Good choice. Seriously, it’s one of those investments that actually pays off… if you do it right.
Let me walk you through how this whole thing works. And I mean the real process, not the glossy version some agencies feed you.
## **First Things First: The Kick-Off Meeting**
This is where it all starts. You sit down with your video production team (hopefully they’re local, makes everything easier) and basically spill your guts about what you want.
What’s your goal? Who are you trying to reach? What’s your budget… really?
Don’t hold back here. The more honest you are, the better your video will be. Trust me on this one.
## **Discovery Phase (Or: Getting Inside Your Head)**
Okay so after that first meeting, the production team goes into detective mode. They’re trying to understand:
– **Your brand personality** (Are you fun? Serious? Somewhere in between?)
– **Your competition** (What are they doing? How can you do it better?)
– **Your audience** (And I mean really understand them, not just “people aged 25-45”)
This phase matters more than most people think. Skip it, and you end up with a generic video that looks like everyone else’s.
## **Pre-Production: Where the Magic Starts**
Now we’re getting somewhere. This is the fun part… well, fun if you’re into planning and organizing.
### **Script Writing**
First up, the script. And no, you can’t just “wing it” on camera day. A good script is like… it’s like the foundation of a house. Mess this up and everything else falls apart.
The writer needs to capture your voice. Not some corporate robot voice – YOUR voice.
### **Storyboarding**
Think of this as a comic book version of your video. Each shot, sketched out. Sounds tedious? Maybe. But it saves you from expensive surprises later.
### **Shot Lists & Planning**
Every single shot gets planned. Camera angles, lighting setups, who needs to be where and when. It’s like choreographing a dance, except everyone’s wearing business clothes.
## **Production Day: Lights, Camera, Action!**
The big day. This is what most people think video production is all about. And yeah, it’s exciting but…
Here’s what actually happens:
– **6:00 AM** – Crew shows up, starts setting up equipment
– **7:30 AM** – You arrive, probably nervous (that’s normal)
– **8:00 AM** – First takes begin
– **12:00 PM** – Lunch break (don’t skip this, hungry crews make bad videos)
– **1:00 PM** – More shooting
– **4:00 PM** – Wrap up, everyone’s exhausted but happy
Pro tip? Bring extra clothes. You’d be surprised how many CEOs spill coffee on themselves right before their big scene.
## **Post-Production: Where Stories Take Shape**
This is where your raw footage becomes an actual video. And it takes time. Like, more time than you think.
### **Editing**
The editor goes through hours of footage to find the best takes. They’re looking for:
– The perfect delivery of each line
– Natural moments that weren’t scripted
– Ways to tell your story that flow naturally
### **Color Grading**
Ever notice how movies have a certain “look”? That’s color grading. Your video needs this too. It’s subtle but it makes everything look… professional.
### **Sound Design**
Bad audio kills good videos faster than anything else. The sound engineer:
– Cleans up dialogue
– Adds music that fits your brand
– Creates atmosphere with subtle sound effects
### **Graphics and Animation**
If your video needs graphics, logos, text overlays… this is when they get added. Less is usually more here. Unless you’re making an explainer video, then graphics are your best friend.
## **The Review Process (Brace Yourself)**
Okay so… the first cut is ready. You watch it and… it’s not quite right. That’s normal! This is why we have revisions.
Most production companies include 2-3 rounds of revisions. Use them wisely:
– **First round**: Big picture changes
– **Second round**: Fine-tuning
– **Third round**: Final tweaks
Don’t nitpick on round one. And don’t ask for major changes on round three.
## **Distribution: Getting It Out There**
Your video’s done! Now what?
A good production company helps you figure out:
– Where to host it (YouTube? Vimeo? Your website?)
– How to optimize it for each platform
– Ways to promote it that actually work
Because here’s the thing… the best video in the world is useless if nobody sees it.
## **What This Really Costs**
Look, I’m gonna be straight with you. Good video production isn’t cheap. But bad video production is expensive.
You’re looking at anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands, depending on:
– Length of the video
– Number of shooting days
– Complexity of post-production
– Whether you need actors, special locations, etc.
Get quotes. Compare. But remember… you usually get what you pay for.
## **Final Thoughts**
Creating a corporate video is a process. A real process with lots of moving parts. But when it’s done right? When you work with people who actually care about telling your story?
It’s worth every penny and every hour you put into it.
Your video becomes more than marketing material. It becomes the way people understand who you are and why you matter.
And in today’s world? That’s everything.
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*Ready to start your video journey? Find a local team who gets it. Someone who’ll treat your project like it’s their own. Because at the end of the day, that’s what makes the difference between a video that works and one that just… exists.*
