Whipping up a corporate video is no simple feat. It’s a juggling act of scriptwriters, camera operators, actors, editors, producers – and a million other things that can go awry.
How do you get everyone marching to the same beat? How do you agree on a vision that doesn’t make stakeholders bolt? And for the love of all that’s holy, how do you stop your monotone CEO from voiceover-ing everyone into a coma?
Look, we could spend all day untangling those headache-inducing questions (maybe in another blog post). But for now, our mission is to share five video production tricks that’ll make your corporate video process as smooth as a freshly waxed dance floor.
Whether you’re outsourcing to pros or taking it in-house, this advice is gold. Let’s dive in.
1. Recce the location
“Recce” is video lingo for scoping out your filming spot ahead of time. And doing it right is a game-changer.
A proper recce lets you check acoustics, lighting, space, weather – the lot. A solid production team can pivot if thunderstorms strike, but why put out fires when you can prevent ’em?
Recces let you maximise control from the get-go. You need to know if the lighting is good, if there’s room for all the gear, or if you’ll clash with construction work. The more you know upfront, the more you control your video destiny.
2. Don’t skimp out
We all know budgets are tight. Compromises happen. But your corporate video isn’t where to cut corners on the essentials.
There’s this idea that audio techs, VFX whizzes and specialists are just nice-to-haves. Nope. If your vid needs a three-person crew, don’t send a solo shooter. Underspend on essentials and you’ll sell your audience short. Spend smart.
3. Know your “why”
This one’s tricky because it assumes your video has a purpose from the start. But c’mon, how often does genius inspiration really strike? Sometimes, videos happen for no commercial reason.
If that’s the case, do yourself a favor and resist commissioning that video until you have a concrete “why.” Find your truth, your reason for being – whatever avoids spending big bucks on an aimless time-suck. Pause and get your ducks in a row first.
4. Story is essential
This one goes hand-in-hand with defining your purpose. Because a video without a killer narrative is just…meh. Doesn’t matter if it’s an explainer, a brand animation or a testimonial video – you need an authentic story that entertains and makes sense from start to finish.
And that means keeping it real. Don’t use employees with acting chops like planks of wood. Don’t spread contradictory nonsense about your product or service. Have a clear beginning, middle, and end – and remember, your company isn’t the hero, just the guide helping customers win.
5. Don’t forget the most important part – distribution
You can make an Oscar-worthy masterpiece, but what good is it if nobody watches?
Before filming, get crystal clear on your target audience and tailor the content to their taste. Then pump it across all the platforms they hang out on – YouTube, your website, you name it. Shout about it on your socials, run paid ads, whatever it takes to get those views up.
Because even the most brilliant video is just gathering digital dust without a solid distribution plan.
Those are just a few pointers to keep you sane during video crunch time. But we’ve got a whole vault of corporate video expertise. If you need backup bringing your vision to life, give Sian Evans a call and we’ll make sure your next video breaks the internet (in a good way).
Written by Sian Evans, Head of Video at Definition.
Updated by Grace Dunsby, Producer, at Definition, on 11/07/2024.