PRE-PRODUCTION
Before you approach a production company, make sure you have a clear idea of your key messages, who your audience is, and a rough length you’d like the film to run
It’s a good idea to write a short briefing of your key messages
Films are about moving pictures – so think about the locations you’d like to include. Aim for interesting locations that will give good visual stimulation and actuality (sounds)
Think about the interviewees. Normally “less is more” so don’t just include everyone you can think of! The interviewees need to be people who can talk naturally in front of a camera, and know how to bring a subject to life. Think about how people perform in meetings, or in front of the boss
Think about any company logos or branding that might be included in the film. Is it permissable to animate the logo? Some firms won’t allow their logo to be altered in any way, but using the logo or branding in the graphics and animation can be a great way to create a corporate theme within the film
Think about whether you’d like a presenter in your film, either in vision or as a voice-over. It’s often tempting to think of a famous face and demand that they present your film, but bear in mind that well-known TV faces are very expensive, and may not be right. A celebrity can distract from your messages, rather than supporting them, so this point needs careful thought
An effective way to deliver your messages is simply through the words of your interviewees and actuality, with no presenter or voice-over at all. This requires more effort and experience from the production company, but it may be worth exploring. However, it does depend on the subject matter and how the film will be viewed.
RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION
You will need to provide the production company with contact details for any interviewees and managers involved in expediting the filming. You will also need to explain to these people what will be required and to warn them that the production company will be in touch
It’s best to leave the production company to organise the detailed schedule of filming and to speak to those involved from your company in order to explain exactly what they’ll need from them
Films can be spoiled by being produced “by committee” so it’s important to have one or two people in your organisation who can produce the film – act as a conduit for ideas from the rest of their colleagues. They should have the responsibility to sign off scripts and edits.
If it’s possible, it’s often a good idea to nominate one of these representatives to accompany the film crew, showing them where to go and introducing them to the relevant people on the day of filming. They can also look out for hiccups, eg someone not wearing their correct PPE on site.
In this way they’re also part of the production process so no surprises will be forthcoming later on!
Don’t encourage interviewees to prepare any kind of script or imagine that they’re going to perform a “piece to camera”. Unless they’re David Dimbleby it just won’t work! They should think about what they need to say in bullet points. Then the production company will interview them in order to gain a fluid and natural response
POST-PRODUCTION
If you want music in your film then it will usually be chosen at this stage, once the director has assessed the pictures. The music has to fit the pictures, so it’s not a good idea to be too demanding about wanting a particular track. Bear in mind most popular music is very expensive to buy, so production companies will usually guide you towards “library music” which is widely used by television these days and won’t cost you a fortune
A good director or producer will now write the script to fit the pictures. They will have understood your key messages, the tone needed and will use their expertise to make this work along with the pictures which will illustrate the words. The client will be closely involved at this stage, checking the script and suggesting changes. But bear in mind that the best corporate films will have a tight script that fits the pictures, so don’t be tempted to write a company report! Keep your words to a minimum, and let the pictures do most of the talking
Once the script is agreed most production companies will ask you to “sign off” the words. It’s important that this is taken seriously, as later changes – after the pictures have been cut to fit the words - may be expensive
The pictures will now be edited and, if you have a voice-over, this will be incorporated into the film
You will be given an “off-line” version of the film, which is a draft that can still be changed. It’s important that all the key people in your organisation should see this draft version, and should understand that this is their last opportunity to request changes without incurring extra costs
At this stage a professional company will be happy to make any requested changes, both to the film and often to the voice-over. There may be a small charge for changes to the voice-over - especially if the presenter has to come into the studio again. However, there should be no charge for changes to the film unless they are major or require new filming. Only if you miss something at this stage, and have to request further changes, would it be reasonable for the production company to charge
Finally the online version of your film is produced, and provided in your requested format – dvd, video, or web-film
The Mistakes of DIY filming
“Anyone can make a film – it’s not rocket science!”
The visual media has become accessible to everyone, and nowadays it’s a common belief that “anyone can make a film” simply because they enjoy the movies they make on holiday or at home, and feel that experience can easily be stepped up into a corporate or presentation film. It’s a big mistake, and one that we come across time and again when clients ask us to re-make films that went wrong in inexperienced hands.
The old adage that “you get what you pay for” applies in the film production industry as much as in any other. Yet technology has made it possible for experienced, professional companies like ours to provide high quality films at very competitive prices....so why ask an amateur to do it?
An experienced company will work to your budget to research what you need, shoot quality, imaginative pictures, provide a script which matches the visuals and guarantee the overall sound and picture quality that you need. Your company’s image can be damaged by a poorly made film, whether it’s a promotional film, an internal communications film, conference film or a training film. So even when the budget is tight, we strongly advise that you should seek an experienced professional firm to do the work.
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