Imagination Multimedia DBA Image, Inc.: Article

Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful information about production
and links to other related production websites

Q: Who will be working on my project?

A: Video production is a collaborative business requiring many specialists working together. One of our jobs as a production company is to put together the most qualified team of professionals that fit your particular requirements and budget. All the people selected for your project will have gone through thorough scrutiny to assure they are professionals in their particular area. You will have the opportunity to meet the production team members and assess them for yourself.

Q: What does a video cost?

A: This is difficult to answer due to the many variables in each project. Some of these variables are:

1. Length of the finished video
2. Number of shooting locations and actors required.
3. Will the video require the creation of animated graphics?
4. Will the video require a professional voiceover narrator?
5. Does the video require aerial photography?
6. Will still photography be included? How many stills?
7. Will the video be delivered on DVD and therefore require DVD authoring?
8. The list goes on …

Defining the script for the video answers many of these questions. Once the script is finalized, an accurate price can be quoted.

Q: If I hire a production company to write a script for me, am I required to use them to produce the video?

A: This depends on the production company you select and the terms of their contract. However, often you can have the script produced without the obligation of ever producing the video. Alternatively, you could select one company to produce the script and then have multiple companies bid on the production and postproduction of that script.

Q: What are the major milestones in a video production?

A: Both film and video production are usually broken down into 3 major milestones:

1. Preproduction – This is the MOST IMPORTANT step. This is where all the planning and layout occur and the script is produced. If a good job is done here, the later steps will go much more smoothly and the project will stay on time and within budget.

2. Production – This is where the videotaping occurs. Often, animation creation occurs during this phase also.

3. Post-Production – This is where all the raw footage is brought together and assembled into clips that tell the story. Music is added to set the mood. Voiceover is recorded. Titles and still photography is inserted. Finally, the entire project is polished and prepared for creating a master for duplication. Usually, the client is involved in providing feedback during this step to assure that the assembled program matches their vision.

Q: What qualities should I look for when selecting a video producer?

A: You will be working closely with the video producer during your project, so you want to make sure you have good rapport with him. Does he understand your requirements? Is he able to take your description and creatively translate that into a story and script? Does he understand the technical aspects of the production process? Is he friendly and eager to answer your questions? Would you feel comfortable putting your production into his hands? Does he have confidence in his own ability? Do you have confidence in him?

Q: What format is the best distribution format for the finished video?

A: The answer to this used to be simple: VHS tape. However, more and more video is being distributed in multiple formats. Businesses have their videos both on tape and often on their websites in the form of streaming media. DVD is becoming so popular that the days of VHS tape are numbered. For some videos an auto-play CD-ROM is the best choice. Is your audience likely to view your program while they are at their desk? Then computer CD-ROM may be an excellent choice. When using CD-ROM, it is best to include a player with the CD so that the viewer is not required to install any special software in order to play your program.

Q: What are the common production mistakes that should be avoided?

A: One common mistake is trying to do too much with a single video. The most successful videos stick to conveying one or 2 main points. If you try to tell your audience too much, they get confused. When they are done watching, they’re not sure what to do and what they are supposed to remember. If you lose sight of the goal of your video, the audience will lose sight also.

Another common mistake is insufficient planning in the pre-production phase. This usually results in a lot of changes during the production and post-production phases. Changes in pre-production are easy to do and cost very little. However changes during production and postproduction can be very costly because they often mean reproducing segments of the video. If you want to stay within budget, make sure the video is properly planned and specified.

Q: What do I need to know about Analog versus Digital formats?

A: A digital video camera records in the binary language used by your computer. Therefore, when it comes time to get the video into the computer for editing, it is already in the correct format. Today’s higher quality digital cameras produce better images than their analog counterparts costing much more. Analog camera’s are often still used, mainly because of the large investment the production company has made in them. However, as companies upgrade their equipment, they are slowly trading in their older analog equipment for digital replacements.