Although every project we undertake produces bespoke content for the brand we’re working with, our workflow follows the same tried-and-tested formula to ensure we maximize potential and maintain the quality look and feel of every shoot, regardless of budget or scope. In this blog, we will provide a breakdown of what you can expect when working with us, including what we need from you.

Your commercial video

When working with your business to create a commercial, we start with an initial kickoff meeting. During this meeting, we discuss the scope and deliverables of the project. Are you looking for a commercial to host on your website, a suite of YouTube adverts, or a commercial for TV? Is this material intended for social media promotion, or is it a TV commercial? This conversation sets the scale of the project and determines the final asset.

We will then discuss any initial ideas you may have for the project and, most importantly, the aims of the video. For example, you might want to showcase a new service or break into a new age segment. We take all this information and work on either a single idea from your team, our pitch suggestion, or a few ideas to present. We will also determine the budget for the pitch and present these options to you.

Next, we’ll have a meeting to discuss which idea you want to move forward with, sign off on the costs and creative direction, and lay out a schedule. At this point, we will also need a designated contact who will liaise with us throughout the project.

We then move on to the pre-production stage. This involves organizing the cast and crew, selecting the location, developing the script, finalizing dates, conducting camera tests, and, if possible, scouting locations. There will be sign-off points for you to approve, such as the cast, location, and key props.

Next comes the shoot. With our detailed planning, the shoot is always as straightforward and fun as possible. We know what we’re doing and how to do it before we even step foot on set. We always allow plenty of time for productions to accommodate creativity on set and in the moment. We also request representatives from your company to be on the shoot to ensure all footage aligns with brand guidelines and to capture those spontaneous moments.

With the shoot wrapped, it’s onto post-production. This process starts with the edit. We have agreed upon rounds of revisions, we add in any necessary graphics or VFX, and once locked, the final steps are sound mix, design, and colour grading. Once the final assets are delivered, we can offer advice on best practices to maximize the impact of the films, if needed.

Your corporate video

The workflow for corporate films is similar to that of commercials but on a smaller scale. Corporate films typically take place at your business premises and feature your employees or clients, so we follow an approach similar to a documentary. We start with an initial meeting to discuss the project. During this meeting, we talk about the aims and needs of the video project, agree on the deliverables, and discuss the look and feel of the project. We always ask for references to similar projects you like, as this provides a jumping-off point for us to determine the cost.

After gathering the necessary information, we provide a detailed cost breakdown and quote. If the costs are higher than expected, we can have another meeting to discuss the project scope and make necessary adjustments. Once the details are agreed upon, we move on to the pre-production stage.

In the pre-production phase, we aim to conduct a location scout if possible. If not, we request pictures and videos of your location to determine the best filming spots. We work with your team to refine any questions or scripts to ensure they suit the video concept. Finally, we agree on a filming date that aligns with your team’s schedule.

Production Our favorite part! We come to your place of work and film. We prioritise preparation so that by the time we click “record,” you know exactly what you are getting. This ensures our shoots are safe, creative spaces that allow time for ad-lib and tweaks in the moment. We love making sure even the most camera-shy individuals leave with a smile and look forward to our next visit. We always ask for a company representative with decision-making authority and project knowledge to be present on the shoot. This ensures any on-the-day changes align with the company’s objectives.

Post-production Once the shoot is complete, we move on to post-production. For corporate videos, we typically offer one major round of revisions and three small rounds. We start with a first-pass edit, which lays out the structure, includes rough motion graphics, and uses temporary audio. This isn’t the finished product but will be 70-90% complete, depending on the project’s complexity. We then request feedback on this first pass, keeping in mind that it’s not the fully finished product, ensuring we don’t use any allotted time going in the wrong direction.

If the project is on the right path, we add the finishing touches, such as cleaning the audio, finalizing motion graphics, and applying a colour grade. If a different direction is desired, this is the last opportunity to make major revisions before moving on to minor tweaks like titles and fonts.

Once the project is finished, we provide high-quality versions of all agreed-upon assets. We also offer best practices to maximize the content’s potential reach and return on investment.

Our approach

You can see from the two examples how our general process of working with a client to produce video content flows. We prioritise working closely with your team during the ideation and pre-production stages, focusing on the concept and scope, look and feel, scripting, and casting. We then move on to filming, followed by editing, incorporating rounds of feedback. Finally, we deliver the assets and provide best practice advice to ensure success with your new video content.

We always make sure to work with a designated team member to ensure that at every stage of the project, we reflect the brand’s tone and style. This is our battle-tested approach to making sure the video you get is exactly the video you wanted, addresses the pain points you identified, and is built from the ground up to ensure maximum potential engagement.

Interested in working with us to create your own professional online video content? Feel free to send us a message [here] or give us a call on 0161 327 3799.