What is the process working with a production company of your scale?

This page brings light to the process behind the scenes of your cinematic projects with a video production company like mike b designs. Although we can not speak for all in our field, we have taken the time to uncover various phases familiar to working with us, emphasising a scalable comprehension of each step:

Initial Consultation:

It is important to consider that working with a production company may not be any different from a friend recommending a builder or a music teacher. You may already have a good understanding of their style or personality and can be reassured from seeing their portfolio. After a conversation or email exchange, it is good practice if the production company can visit the place of the project you wish to showcase. We prefer immersing ourselves in the essence of your business or project from the outset.  Some examples:

For work in performing arts, dance, theatre, bands, this may be a rehearsal or production meeting.

For office-based clients this can be a normal working day at the office or an example of a presentation.

If you are meeting at place of work is difficult due to location or room availability, then a meeting place such as a collaborative working space, meeting room or even the comforting ambience of coffee shop can be a relaxed environment to focus.

Collaborative Briefing and Quoting:

Following the initial consultation, a collaborative brief is developed, and the production company provides a quote upon request. While not always formal, this is a standard practice for brands, businesses and celebratory moments. The quote will be a formalise representation of the conversation at the consultation stage, the company will make a calculation regarding value, time, materials, hires, expertise and deliverables to name a few.

Shared Online Folder - Pre-Production:

Upon accepting the quote, a shared online space materialises, serving as a medium for interactions. Here, the brief and logistical details find a home, along with a final repository for videos and digital content. This space is also great to preserve the gems of relevant information exchanged during the pre-production stage.

Pre-Production:

Option A:

For many clients, the journey proceeds to pre-production, a time often overlooked yet immensely valuable. While the client may not be directly constantly involved, the video production company will invest time in meticulous planning. Focus areas include, but not limited to:

Project flow, shoot list, and day logistics.

Breakdown of significant areas and people within a single shooting location.

Transport of equipment, lighting, and audio requirements for larger sites.

Process or flow of your business operation, intertwined with a relevant shot list per interview.

Text/information to be showcased in the video.

Preparation of interview questions, tailored to the project's needs.

A timetable/method statement for the filming day.

Risk assessments/health and safety considerations for relevant areas.

Option B - 'Run and Gun':

This is a more streamlined approach for smaller enterprises or events, where budgetary confinements may be a consideration. Trust in the production company's ability to capture the project's essence replaces a formalised pre-production schedule. Just to reiterrate, this fleeting yet critical phase, even if only a 30 minute to 1-2 hour meeting for smaller companies, underscores the importance of transparency. It is not a good feeling at the other end of the process if you have misunderstood the purpose.

Option C – “Just an Edit, Ta”:

For clients with existing footage, the video production company allocates time to preview footage before leaping into the editing process. An online video call often precedes editing, enhancing productivity and allows clients visualise, discuss, and clarify areas of the project on screen.

The Shoot:

Following pre-production, the day of the shoot unfolds seamlessly. The production company often endeavours to arrive as scheduled or even earlier for setup, capturing timebound moments, wedding videographers may choose to capture the morning dew or the sunrise over your venue… you get the idea. Moving into the main part of the shoot, for mike b designs this is a transparent process, unless schedule dictates otherwise, we like to keep client informed and present when shooting, a list of desired shots should be worked through methodically allowing space for creative expression in the moment. When working in the arts this can often mean the choreographer or director moving in the space, interacting, or leading a shoot directly. It is important to consider that when capturing art, the production company should respond to your vision you are trying to capture.

Editing:

After the shoot days, locations, events have been completed the production company will review the footage and begin work on the projects editing. This will involve watching the footage of the shoot days and organising files to assist and facilitate an efficient and often quicker editing process. The estimated lead time to first draft delivery for photos, video or designs should have been confirmed in the brief and in the preproduction phase of the project. There are several factors for the editing stage depending on the size of the project. Often a series of videos will be released in a timely fashion, which will mean the first video is perhaps released before the last is edited. This is particularly true of social media content. However, for projects that require a full package delivery of all assets before release the shared folder will also play host to live project feedback documents, this ensures all information is up to date, shared with relevant parties and not lost in email interactions. This was a notable area of significance when working with Abi Mortimer from Lîla Dance Company. (see the testimonial on our home page!) The estimated lead time to the first draft delivery, confirmed in the brief and preproduction phases, guides this creative process.

Review and Amendment Processes:

Production companies will discuss a number of revisions in the brief. In many scenarios revisions must be subsets of amendments that have been raised in the initial draft review. To clarify, imagine the following interaction. A dance school receives their draft of video, it’s 95% perfect but there is a few amendments:

• a staff member does not want to feature.

• an area of text is not relevant anymore.

• the form or technique of a dancer is not correct in that moment and does not highlight the best practice.

The production company will address these points raised and work towards an updated version. At the next revision stage, the comments will be expected to be about the improvements made and not outside of these. Any new amendments should have been raised in the first instance, and so may result in an additional editing fee (often an hourly rate). Some video companies are more forgiving than others, but many have been mucked around in the past.

Once all videos have been signed off this maybe where the project ends. Your companies marketing department will distribute the assets to the relevant places, and you will be sent an invoice for the work done.  For companies who work with 3rd party marketing agencies, production companies are used to liaising in this way, to ensure our joint client is looked after and your project is delivered in the correct formats and spaces for their distribution needs.  

When working with a production company, videographer, photographer, digital artist, graphic designer and many more creative companies, the most important element in any scenario is transparency and collaboration. This should always be a positive experience for everyone involved. The positive experience should leave lasting impressions, fostering friendships and long-standing business relations.