Introduction:

I have researched some popular trends for the fast-paced world of technology and how it relates to video production services in 2023. From streaming platforms to augmented reality experiences, the video, and video services production as a result, have expanded and diversified, providing consumers with an unprecedented range of options. This article delves into the key trends and developments that define video services in 2023.

Rise of Next-Gen Streaming Platforms

Streaming services seem to continue to dominate the entertainment landscape, with several next-generation platforms making their mark in 2023. These platforms leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance user experience. Personalized content recommendations, dynamic resolution adjustments, and advanced content discovery mechanisms are just a few features that set these platforms apart, offering viewers a more tailored and immersive streaming experience.

Diversification of Content:

One of the most notable trends in 2023 is the diversification of content across various genres and formats. Streaming platforms are no longer limited to movies and TV shows; they now offer a vast array of content, including documentaries, podcasts, live events, and user-generated content. This diversification caters to a wide range of audience preferences and ensures that there is something for everyone, reinforcing the idea that video services are becoming comprehensive entertainment platforms. Especially on rise are short content videos. This is where video production services for brands are so crucial. Consumer are expecting to see some sort of video content and therefore trust the brands that provide them with videos. I assume the demand for video production services will only grow in year of 2024.

Interactive and Social Features

Video services in 2023 are not just about passive consumption; they are becoming increasingly interactive and social. Viewers can now engage with content in real-time, participate in live polls, and even influence the narrative of certain shows or events through interactive features. Social viewing experiences, where users can watch content together and share reactions, are gaining popularity, transforming the solitary act of watching into a communal and social activity. Once again this is where video production services need to work together with marketing teams to create ore interactive experience for the consumer. Video can no longer be produced for the sake of entertaiment , they must engage and educate.

Content Accessibility and Inclusivity

Accessibility and inclusivity have become central themes in the evolution of video services. In 2023, platforms are prioritizing features like subtitles, multiple language options, and adaptive technologies to ensure that content is accessible to diverse audiences worldwide. In terms of video production services, platforms like Adobe Premiere have created transcribing tools that are more accurate and now can actually help editing via transcription. Additionally, there is a concerted effort to produce content that reflects the richness of global cultures, promoting inclusivity and representation in the entertainment industry. We need to produce vide content that represent people of all races and ethnicities and variety of political views and life styles.

Conclusion:

As we navigate the dynamic landscape of video services in 2023, it is evident that innovation and user-centric design are driving the industry forward. As content continues to diversify and become more interactive, video services are not just a form of entertainment; they are an immersive and communal experience that reflects the ever-evolving preferences and expectations of today’s audiences. The future holds exciting possibilities, and as technology continues to advance, the world of video services is poised to undergo even more transformative changes in the years to come.

Introduction

In today’s digital era, corporate video production has emerged as a powerful tool for businesses to communicate their message, engage with their target audience, and enhance their brand presence. With the rise of online video consumption, organizations across industries are leveraging the potential of corporate videos to captivate viewers, increase conversions, and drive business growth. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of corporate video production and provide valuable insights into creating compelling videos that leave a lasting impact.

Defining Corporate Video Production

Corporate video production refers to the process of creating audiovisual content that is specifically tailored to meet the marketing, promotional, or communication needs of a business or organization. These videos are designed to convey a specific message, promote products or services, showcase company culture, educate stakeholders, or provide valuable insights into industry trends.

Setting Clear Objectives

Before embarking on a corporate video production project, it is crucial to establish clear objectives. Identifying the purpose of the video, the target audience, and the desired outcome will shape the entire production process. Whether it’s creating brand awareness, generating leads, or training employees, a well-defined objective will guide the creative decisions and ensure the video aligns with the organization’s goals.

Crafting a Compelling Narrative

Storytelling lies at the heart of successful corporate video production. Engaging narratives have the power to connect with viewers emotionally and leave a lasting impression. Begin by outlining the key message you want to convey and structure it in a way that resonates with your audience. Incorporate real-life examples, testimonials, or case studies to add authenticity and build credibility. Remember, a compelling story is more likely to be shared and remembered.

Professional Video Production Team

Creating a high-quality corporate video requires the expertise of a professional production team. This team typically includes a producer, director, scriptwriter, cinematographer, editor, and sound engineer. Collaborate with experienced professionals who understand your vision and can bring it to life through their technical skills and creative abilities. Additionally, ensure the team is equipped with state-of-the-art video production equipment to deliver visually appealing results.

Pre-production Planning

Pre-production planning is a crucial phase that lays the foundation for a successful corporate video. During this stage, identify the location, talent, props, and equipment needed for the shoot. Develop a comprehensive script that outlines the key scenes, dialogue, and visual elements. Storyboarding and shot-listing can help visualize the final product and streamline the shooting process. Adequate preparation during pre-production contributes to a smoother and more efficient production phase.

Captivating Visuals and Audio

Visual and audio elements play a pivotal role in corporate video production. Invest in high-quality cameras, lighting equipment, and audio recording devices to ensure the video is visually appealing and sounds professional. Choose appropriate locations and set designs that complement the narrative. Pay attention to color schemes, composition, and camera angles to create a visually captivating experience. Moreover, consider incorporating background music, voiceovers, or sound effects to enhance the overall impact of the video.

Post-production Excellence

Post-production is where the raw footage is transformed into a polished corporate video. Skilled editors bring together the visuals, audio, and effects to create a seamless final product. This stage involves tasks such as video editing, color grading, sound mixing, adding graphics or animations, and incorporating any necessary text or subtitles. The goal is to deliver a cohesive video that aligns with the brand identity and captures the attention of the audience.

Corporate Video Production Distribution and Promotion

Producing an outstanding corporate video production is only half the battle. To maximize its impact, it is crucial to distribute and promote the video strategically. Leverage social media platforms. Many corporate video production teams have marketing specialists who work directly with the videographers. These individuals have the knowledge to place the video content so it achieves visibility across many social media platforms. However, the corporate video production team might be approached by a company that has marketing team already in place. For such projects, a videographer will focus on creating the video content only.

I have been a professional videographer for more than 6 years now. However, one of the most challenging tasks, even after the time spent in the industry, is charging for the video production services. I am not alone, this is something many other videographers struggle with. The main reason for this problem is that that every project differs in production complexity as well as final render requirements. There simply is no streamline formula that would help a videographer to price for their services.

Package Deals Offered by Videographers

Many attempts have been made in the video production service industry to create streamline forms of pricing. Most common pricing, adopted from portraits photographers, are packages. This was very common in the days of prints, where a portrait photographer would offer a package deal. For example, photogrpahers would offer packages with a set of prints in various sizes, and the session fee would be included in this rate. This model was adopted most often by wedding videographers. Often, a package deal was offered where the couple would receive a highlight video, and a longer video all for one price. In this context this form of pricing is effective. To be flexible, most videographers would add additional fees for larger weddings, additional video renders, or special requests like drone shots. However, a package does not work in corporate video production setting. The main reason for this dilemma is the highly modular needs by most corporate clients. Companies often require specific renders of the videos. Some corporate clients might need short videos for social media, some will need interviews, some will need high quality videos for large displays at conferences. In addition, each corporate video production is different. A videographer may be working with one dental clinic with one dentist and then work with another clinic that has several locations and dentists, or even client testimonials. Hence, in such context packages do not work and a videographer needs to figure a custom method of pricing for video production services.

Billing per Edited Minute for Video Production Services

Another popular method for billing for video production services in the past has been a fee per a minute of edited video. So If the video was 3 minutes long, and the rate per 1 minute edited video was $1000, the total rate for the video production serivce was billed for $3000. However, this method once again does not work for much of corporate video production. A videographer can spend 4-5 hours filming an event, and from the footage he/she may cut an engaging highlight video that may take him/her 3 hours to edit. On the other hand, a corporate client may want to film a speech that takes 10 minutes. With the set up and light edit the entire project may take say 1-2 hours to produce . It is not reasonable then to charge 10 times more for such work. In addition, if videographer bills per edited minute, he/she will be motivated to stretch the duration of videos unnecessarily. Moreover, today corporate video production requires shorter and shorter videos that have an ephemeral existence on most social media platforms.

Charging per hour for Video Production Services

One simple method for pricing video production services is simply billing according to an hourly rate. This is common for lawyers who are compensated by the amount of work they put into the project. As a videographer, I have implemented hourly rate mostly during the video post production. I take a look at a project and estimate how long it would take me to edit. After all, I would be using the same space, computer, and mostly same set of software applications. However, even here there are challenges. Some work requires more visual effects. This work not only is more time consuming but often requires research of useful techniques, not to mention the time to develop these post production skills over time. Therefore, I often charge extra fee for complex VFX, even if it does not take me much more time.

The hourly rate, however useful in post production realm, it really falls apart for pricing filming production, given that most projects differ in their complexities. I have shot some projects as a sole videographer, with limited gear, say shoulder rig and a gimbal. However, I have worked on production sets on which we had a good amount of gear, lighting, and as a result, a bigger crew. A videographer may own majority of his/her gear, and therefore no additional cost is incurred when gear requirements differ. However, the gear is expensive and therefore a videographer needs to consider its depreciation value as he/she is using for video production services.

Charging Equivalent Rental Rate

This method is often employed by larger video and film productions. In fact, very often production companies may not even own their gear, and in such instances all gear is rented and the cost included in the project budget. However, even when a videographer owns his/her gear, an effective method of pricing is to charge what it would cost if the gear were rented. This rental fee would be added to the fee one would charge for his/her time. One can think of this method as if the videographer is earning a fee and so is his/her the gear separately.

My Hybrid Approach to Pricing Video Production Services

As I have mentioned earlier, no one method will work well for every videographer. First, I think every videographer should have a minimum fee they are willing to film for. We the videographers often hear potential clients explain they only need very short video, less than a minute, it will only take few hours to produce. We all have heard this before and we end up doing much more work than agreed. Hence, I always say I have a minimum even if I come out and take one picture. A minimum always serves as a filter and eliminates leads that are not serious paying fee. If potential client is not willing to pay a fair rate, you can still be polite and suggest he/she use her phone camera or hire a student in training. Recently, I had a musician asking me to make a lyric video. I did not really know what a lyrics video was, but after she has shown me some example I told her that is something she can do on her own, I even spent few minutes giving her free tips. No videographer will gain anything by being rude.

If I was primerly an event/wedding videographer I would consider packages. However, I currently only shoot 2-3 wedding per year. Hence, I come up with custom rate for all my projects. First, I have a set fee that I charge for full day or half day production. If it is half hour production its half day. If video production is over 4 hours, its a full day rate. I then charge additional fee if I need assistants, or if I do need rent any gear. At this point, I own majority of gear I use but for this larger video production projects I can scale up with rental and crew.

The post production I do approach from an hourly rate. I can often predict how much each edit will take me. I then add additional fee for special graphics, essentially increasing my post production hourly rate. This type of practice is well accepted within the corporate world. Many professionals charge not based how long the service takes to provide but rather what is the value of a service. For example, a doctors performing procedures can charge several thousands and then spend hours at a lower rate checking on their patients, checking post procedure charts and so on. Same applies to the business of video production service. We also spend years fine tuning our craft, and so its ok to charge accordingly.

Lastly, it is always helpful to break down the total budget for the client. Some clients might be shocked to see a single rate of say $3k for a vide that might be in the end a 1-2 minute video render. However, if you break down for the client rate for full day production, fee for an assistant, rental gear, travel costs, post production edits, VFX, logos placements, and audio mixing, the $3k rate might appear tot he client as a bargain.