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If you are inviting a videographer to your office or to follow your crew in action, please consider these factors before recording begins. These are some basic steps to consider before shooting a short documentary for a corporate video client.

To Script or Not to Script?
How to develop a narrative structure for your video

Video producers are rarely subject matter experts in the topics that they cover. Therefore, videographers should collaborate with the subject matter experts during pre-production. In addition to their own research, this collaboration will develop the blueprint for a successful video production.

A true documentary video production will be fluid in terms how the narrative comes together.  The client should have the first and final approval on the script.  However, the “first draft” of the production on paper will likely take one of two major journeys.

It is true that producing an unscripted video will likely be slightly more expensive, as it would naturally require more labor costs for video editing. However, recording unscripted commentary on-camera can deliver the authentic vibe that audiences enjoy. There is also a small additional cost associated using a TelePrompter for scripted material. Therefore, it's a balancing act. Consider the pathways below.

1 – Client provides reference materials for video producers to develop the structure 

A skilled video producer can take complex text and bring it to life with moving images.  At All Business Videography, we often ask for reference materials from clients during pre-production so that we can brainstorm interview questions, develop a shot-sheet, and consider a voiceover script.  Reference materials can be a company webpage, press-release, print-out, power point, or other any other non-video medium.  Many times a client will give producers an idea “on paper” so that they can figure out how to make it visual.

Clients can also write their own script and have it loaded into a Teleprompter for the shoot.

2 – Client provides access to key leaders for on-camera interviews to lay the foundation 

Sometimes the best way to develop the narrative for a documentary is to just start by interviewing the key leaders.  The pre-production legwork and research should still be done.  Clients can collaborate with the video producer to develop an appropriate list of scripted interview questions.  Many times it’s the unscripted answers that give the documentary its most compelling elements.  Audiences crave authentic content.  Interviewing subject matter experts “in their element” deliver on these cravings.

How long is a script for a short documentary?

Generally speaking, 150 words will result in one minute of video or television programming.  This is an average for the spoken word.  Therefore, a 3 minute video should estimate 450 words total.  A company can decide that a majority of the attention should go towards company leaders.  For example, let’s say that two thirds of the script will consist of commentary from the CEO.  Another 150 words could come from a scripted voiceover artist.  This might include the intro, outro, and some scripted transitions between the CEO’s commentaries.

If you are scripting materials, please consider this formula. We also work with marketing directors, social media, and website agencies to strategize and where and how videos will be used.

What is the payment schedule for videography?

Before recordings begin, clients are asked for a 50% deposit on the project. When the first cut of the video edit is delivered for client approval, we send an invoice for the second half payment. The second half payment will be due before the video file is delivered.

What videographers need on the day of recording

Each video shoot is unique, but these elements are needed in most situations.

  • Access to power outlets
  • Guest Wifi access (especially if using a TelePrompter)
  • Quiet spacious rooms for recording interviews
  • Awareness from staff, contractors and employees that they might be recorded

Example: Even if key leaders are being featured primarily, support staff should be aware that a video shoot is happening on this day. They should be prepared to be recorded in action shots or interacting with key leaders.

What to wear during your company video shoot?

Generally speaking, interviewees and action footage subjects should dress as they normally would. Think about the dating profile metaphor. In most cases, we are producing a video to attract and inform your next client. You don't want to present one image to that potential client, only to show a completely different persona in person. Therefore, if you dress formal in normal interactions with clients, do that in your video. If you work for a crew that gets dirty, don't be ashamed of that appearance. Video cameras process solid patterns best. Therefore, please avoid busy patterns. Dress shirts with tiny designs repeated endlessly is a bad look on TV and video. In some cases, the camera literally can't process it.

What to expect after your company video is recorded?

Any video production company working with local businesses and organizations should have a timetable and explanation of deliverables. At All Business Videography, we deliver video edits for client approval within 2-3 weeks. We ask for feedback within 2 weeks to maintain that work cycle with everyone. Feedback delivered after one month is subject to new hourly video editing rates.

The client is hiring All Business Videography for the video production service itself. The final deliverable is the final cut of the approved edit. We deliver a video file on Dropbox. Clients are responsible to download that video file for safekeeping and also to upload the video for its own marketing and distribution. Clients enjoy unlimited universal license to use that video file for marketing in perpetuity.

Have more questions? Please e-mail allbusinessvideography@gmail.com to connect!