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    Producing a Live-action or Animated Video

    Video production can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. It has a high probability
    of
    failure if
    not done correctly. Conversely, when done right, video content is worth all
    the headaches.

    Today, videos have proven themselves the most engaging content format, over text or static
    images.
    Our goal
    is to produce content that attracts and interests the user into buying
    from our brand.

    Studies suggest that video banners are 27x more likely to be clicked than textual or
    static
    image
    banners. With the rising popularity and high conversion rate of videos, it is
    obvious why video
    content
    quickly replaces text and static images as the preferred content
    medium for marketing.

    Let’s find out how you can produce quality video content to bring your brand messages to life.
    With
    the help
    of a reliable live-action or animated
    video
    production
    service, you can boost your brand’s
    memorability and attract new customers to it.

    1- What Are the 3 Stages of Video Production?

    a professional video camera shooting a video

    Producing a video requires a process that
    consists of three main phases. The pre-production phase is
    considered the planning and
    strategic phase, where we plan out the entire project. The next step is
    the
    production
    phase, which sees the video being shot or animated, depending on its type.

    Finally, the post-production phase sees the video being edited into its final form. That
    includes
    integrating
    relevant audio, transitions, and other effects to amp up its visual
    appeal.

    Let’s have a look at the production process for videos and study each step in detail.

    2- Pre-Production – The First Phase of the Video Production Process

    Pre-production is the first phase of the process when creating a video. It consists of a series
    of
    steps that
    help you plan out the entire production process, from the need for the video
    through the video’s
    release.

    The main factors decided during this phase include:

    • The type of video you are going to produce
    • The content that is to be portrayed in the video
    • The video’s intended audience
    • The talents and resources required for the production process
    • The expected timeline for the project

    Essentially, the pre-production phase takes the most time when we decide to produce a video. But
    if
    done
    correctly, it ensures that the rest of the production process goes by smoothly and
    efficiently and
    results
    in a successful video.

    2.1- What are the Project Objectives?

    Specifying the objectives is the step that precedes everything else. You need to
    ask
    questions like,
    why does
    your brand need this video? What do you expect
    this video to achieve? Who are you targeting
    with the
    video?

    The purpose of this step is to define a goal for the video, using which you could
    determine
    whether
    the
    project is a success or a failure. To determine your
    video’s objectives, you can follow the
    SMART
    methodology.

    designer working

    • Specific
    • Measurable
    • Achievable
    • Relevant
    • Time-bound

    These five factors will allow you to create achievable goals that will determine if your
    video
    fulfills its
    purpose or not.

    2.2- Who is the audience for this video?

    No matter the type of content you plan to produce, knowing its intended audience is an
    absolute
    necessity.
    Similarly, a successful video knows who it is designed for exactly.

    It’s highly probable that when you decide to produce a video, you already know:

    • who the target audience is going to be,
    • and what kind of content would speak to them.

    If that is not the case, then the first step is to perform in-depth research on your
    target
    demographic.

    The information you require could contain

    • the age bracket,
    • their gender,
    • location,
    • likes and dislikes,
    • and the kind of content that connects with them.

    To get this information, you could conduct interviews or ask for customer feedback on different
    ideas
    through
    websites or social media channels.

    While you could get by and produce a passable video without most of this information, the quality
    and
    effectiveness of that content would not be worth it. Spending a little time and effort
    collecting
    this
    information will help you develop an outstanding video production plan to
    guide the entire
    production
    process.

    2.3- What message are you trying to portray with this video?

    Once we know who the video will target, the next step is to study that data, map it to your
    goals,
    and
    develop a message you want to portray.

    The ideal way to do that is to think from the consumer’s point of view. What would you want to
    do
    after
    watching the brand video?

    • Would you visit the brand’s site and buy a product?
    • Or would you be more inclined to subscribe to the brand’s newsletter or YouTube channel?

    Once you know what action you want your potential customer to perform, then you need to figure
    out
    what
    message will guide a customer to that action. The resultant message will be the
    message you would
    need in
    your video.

    2.4- Creating an effective video production strategy

    A good strategy is what defines whether a video project fails or succeeds. The
    video
    production
    strategy maps
    out the entire production process, ensuring
    that you stay within your budget and efficiently
    meet
    your
    deadlines.

    The hallmark of a well-designed strategy is that it can evolve by adapting to new
    scenarios
    or issues
    that
    might pop up. Essentially, it should be like a
    framework, meaning it defines the base
    parameters yet
    leaves
    you relatively
    free to express your creativity within those constraints.

    Such a production strategy will ensure that you:

    • Deliver the video on time
    • Stay within budget
    • Develop high-quality content that offers a high ROI

    couple of people discussing points on post-it’s stuck to whiteboard

    2.5- Developing a brief for the video production

    A video production brief summarizes the information you have collected to have all the data on
    hand
    to guide
    you through the production process. The information included in this brief
    defines the tasks and
    requirements for each member of the production team and helps them
    achieve their goals.

    The brief covers your:

    • Video production objectives
    • Target demographic
    • Video message
    • Production budget
    • Project deadline

    2.6- Defining your creative approach

    Once the brief is done, it’s time to get started on the creative aspect of the video.
    You
    need to
    decide the
    concept of the video by consulting the data in your
    brief. Once you know all the elements
    that could
    be used
    in your video, you
    need to plan how each aspect needs to be portrayed.

    Moreover, it would help if you decided
    which
    elements
    should be
    emphasized and which features should be toned down.

    camera on a tripod infront of whiteboard

    This task can be made easier by evaluating similar videos available online and listing out
    everything
    that
    stands out for you.

    The result of these two tasks combined will be your video’s creative approach.

    2.7- How to develop an appealing video script?

    Now that you have your creative approach and your video production strategy, the next step is
    to
    develop a
    script for your video. The ideal script will portray your intended message
    and comply with the
    creative
    approach you generated earlier.

    When writing a script, make sure that you keep the talent in mind. The tone of the dialogue should
    be
    suitable for the voiceover artists or presenters you have hired. In case you haven’t hired
    a
    resource yet,
    then style it according to your ideal artist.

    Additionally, the tone and the wording should be:

    • pleasing,
    • natural,
    • and easily understandable to your intended viewers.

    Be clear and concise, and avoid run-on sentences,

    2.8- Designing a storyboard for our video

    A storyboard will help you visualize the video and its production and highlight the
    sections
    that
    require
    animations or additional footage. The purpose of a
    storyboard is to help bring your ideas
    into
    cohesive and
    visible goals.

    Add as much detail as you can for each scene, like:

    • the placement of each character,
    • the lighting,
    • the mood of the video,
    • framing etcetera.

    storyboard for Star Wars x-wing vs at-at on hoth

    The complexity and detail of the storyboard depend on the type of video you are planning to produce. The primary goal
    is
    to
    have a proper visual layout of every scene of the video.

    2.9- Research the venue (where applicable)

    Suppose you are shooting a live-action video that requires a proper venue or site. In that case,
    the
    next
    step is to search and visit compatible locations.

    Depending on the location and your venue requirements, the right venue might require
    permission
    before you
    can start shooting your footage.

    2.10- List your required equipment and the talent

    If you are shooting a live-action video, some of the equipment you might need includes:

    • A video camera
    • A microphone setup
    • Lighting equipment

    Additionally, you might also require a power generator, a trailer for the team and
    computer
    equipment, and
    more, depending on your venue. All of the necessary equipment
    should be listed down in this step so
    that
    everything could be procured in a timely
    fashion.

    3- Production – The Next Phase of the Video Production Process

    Now comes the actual production part of the video process. With the help of the production
    strategy,
    you can
    figure out the estimated timeline for this phase and then plan and
    manage accordingly to deliver on
    time.

    Now comes the time when you assign a director to your project. Depending on the scope and size
    of
    your video,
    a professional might be hired to fill in as director. That
    is
    because a
    director’s job is highly demanding. They make sure that each talent gives
    their best during the
    production
    process.

    Moreover, the directors ensure that each script’s scene is done perfectly and finish
    everything
    required by
    the script and the storyboard.

    a professional videographer holding a camera with attachments

    3.1- Prepare the set (where applicable)

    a set for a shoot in old building with hanging lights

    You need to schedule sufficient times to
    optimize and prepare the venue or the set according to the needs of
    the video.

    Setting up the lights, props, cameras, and sound system, and other equipment takes a lot of time,
    depending
    on the venue. Creating unrealistic timelines to set up your video’s sets will result in
    issues during the
    production process. They will delay the project even more than if you had allotted
    the proper time in the
    first place.

    3.2- Direct your talents on the HOW of the video

    Another crucial step is informing and directing the talent on how to deliver their parts properly,
    according
    to the script’s directions. The style of delivery will affect the speed, style, and overall
    effect of the
    video. It might result in reducing the viewer appeal.

    It doesn’t matter if the talents are relatively newcomers or veterans. Managing the talent’s delivery as
    per
    the brief and script is entirely up to the director. He is the one who knows your goals and will
    manage the
    various talents to deliver them.

    3.3- Create the required animations (where applicable)

    Suppose the video being produced is animated, or a live-action video requires some animations to make it
    more
    interesting. In that case, the next step is to design the necessary energies.

    Animations can transform otherwise dull content into something dynamic and engaging. That makes it
    more
    attractive for the user to watch and relate to.

    3.4- Always shoot a B-roll video.

    videographer shooting a video

    In the case of a live-action video, make sure that you shoot
    additional footage related to the main reel.
    This extra footage or B-roll is defined as filler or stock
    video used to combine the video’s scene into a
    single entity.

    A B-roll may contain:

    • Shots of the venue from different angles
    • Pictures of the crew setting up
    • Anything that catches the eye after shooting the main video.

    4- Post-Production – The Last Phase of the Video Production Process

    Post-production is where you take all your shots and reels and combine them into a single, appealing
    video.
    The steps involve editing the required length, adding vocals or voiceovers, animations, or any
    other
    elements for the video.

    4.1- Import and edit your video project

    Import all your shots into the editing tool to start the post-production process. Once imported, snip each clip down to the
    essential
    parts, and create a rough and basic timeline.

    Next, using the script and the brief, start organizing the video clips according to scenes and shots. The
    new
    timeline created will be the final one, with properly ordered and cataloged clips.

    4.2- Record and add a voiceover to the video

    The next step is to have the voiceover talent record the required audio and add it to the video. Depending
    on
    the requirements or budget, you might hire a professional to record a voiceover or do it yourself.

    Ensure that the talent you use appeals to your target audience and that they can make your message come
    to
    the forefront subtly. Once they are done recording and you have edited it according to your needs,
    you can
    add it to the timeline to synchronize it with the footage.

    4.3- Integrate background music

    voiceover artist recording in an office

    If your video does not require a voiceover, you might
    decide to add a background track to enhance the appeal
    of your video. Good music enhances the effect of
    a video by influencing the mood of the viewer.

    Moreover, you might also use music to fill the gaps between the voiceovers as a form of audio
    transition.
    Additionally, you might also use different soundtracks for the other video parts to make
    them distinct or
    emphasize a video section.

    However, you need to make sure that the music you add does not take away from the video’s core message
    but
    rather enhances it.

    4.4- Integrate transitions, graphics, typography, or effects

    Now comes the step where you add any visual effects, transitions, or animation to your video. It will
    enhance
    the impact of the script and boost your video’s visual appeal.

    You might decide to add a few infographics or an animation depicting a process described in the video to
    help
    the viewers understand the information better. That makes your video dynamic and makes for a more
    immersive
    effect.

    4.5- Be mindful of the video’s color theme

    digital and physical color swatches side-by-side

    Be very careful about the color scheme for the
    video. Colors influence the viewers’ minds, and using a
    suitable color scheme can help you improve the
    impact of your video. Use bright and vibrant colors to amp up
    your core message, and embody a sense of
    energy and activity in your video.

    4.6- Render the finalized video

    Finally, the last step in the video production process is to render the video and encode it into the
    format
    of your choice. Suppose you want to post the video on popular platforms like YouTube, Facebook,
    or LinkedIn.
    In that case, mp4 is the format of choice.

    4.7- Promoting the Finished Video

    Once you’re done rendering the video, the next step is to promote it. You can distribute and promote
    your
    video through various online channels, including social media like Facebook and Twitter. Moreover,
    you can
    also upload the video to sites like Vimeo or YouTube, which can then be used on your website or
    shared
    through social media easily.

    Nowadays, content producers share the same video on multiple platforms. This ensures that they get
    the
    maximum reach possible for their video.

    5- Animated vs. Live-Action Video Production – How Does the Process Differ?

    For the most part, developing an animated video or a live-action video is the same, albeit with a
    few
    changes. Now you might wonder, what are those differences? And how much of an impact do they have
    on the
    video production process? Let’s have a look.

    • The pre-production phase would remain the same for both. However, there would be no need to visit
      a
      venue for the shoot when producing an animated video.
    • There would be no need to prepare a set for the shoot for the production phase or shoot a b-roll, as
      the
      animations for the video would be designed from scratch.
    • Post-production would remain the same for both animated or live-action videos.
    • For animated videos, the production and the post-production would be merged into a single phase. That
      is
      because designing animations from scratch and turning it into a video would combine the purposes
      of
      these two stages.

    Besides the significant differences mentioned above, a few minor ones further differentiate animation
    and
    live-action videos’ production processes. The differences add up even more when comparing the
    various kinds
    of animated videos, such as typography or motion graphics
    vs. animation

    6- Why is a Corporate Video Production Process Necessary?

    videographer shooting a music video

    6.1- Improves Dependability

    No matter what type of video you are producing, a good production process helps streamline the entire
    task.
    It makes it far simpler and more efficient. The process reduces unexpected video issues from
    ensuring that
    every crew member is accounted for to booking and procuring venues and additional
    equipment.

    6.2- Ensures Timely Deliveries

    As described above, producing a video takes time. A production process streamlines each task and ensures
    that
    each phase is finished on time. It reduces the chances of the timeline extended beyond the
    estimates and
    delaying the delivery of the final product.

    6.3- Accurate Cost Estimates

    As each step is planned out before production, an efficient corporate video production process ensures
    that
    everything which might affect the overall cost is addressed and procured. That reduces the chances
    of
    exceeding the assigned budget through increasing production rates.

    6.4- Requires Fewer Changes

    Defining each goal on the first day ensures that the video meets all the requirements. Doing so helps
    result
    in fewer revisions. The majority of the plans would already be addressed, and only minor details
    would need
    to be altered.

    7- Tips to Improve the Commercial Video Production Process

    Now that you know what is required to produce a video, you can confidently start making your first
    video
    project. As a newcomer, there might be a few issues that might hinder the success of your
    project. Below are
    a few tips we have compiled to help you navigate those problems and come out ahead.

    7.1- Organize all your data.

    Make sure that you have researched the project thoroughly before starting it. For instance, if you want
    to
    use your brand logo within your video, make sure that you have the logo file ready in the desired
    format and
    resolution.

    7.2- Aim for perfection, but respect your limits.

    Go for endless revisions to achieve what you perceive as perfection. Once you know that the video will
    work
    well for its task, it’s time to move on.

    7.3- Assign the task to the right professional.

    No one is an expert in every aspect of the video development process. Nor does everyone have the time or
    the
    resources to develop a good video. Hire the right experts or consultants to help you create the
    video
    project.

    7.4- Trust the experts.

    These professionals have been doing their work for a long time. Their experience is worth far more than
    any
    abstract information an amateur might have. When you hire a professional, trust their instincts.

    7.5- Do not let a bad experience get you down

    Video production is a highly technical set of tasks. Every expert started as a newcomer, and it is
    their
    failures that taught them the best way to produce a video.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The process is designed to help develop high-quality video content. It consists of
    three
    steps –
    pre-production, production, and post-production.

    You can be a production assistant, boom operator, cinematographer, videographer, or
    camera
    operator in video
    production.

    They must create video content for their clients, portray their journeys, company
    stories,
    internal
    announcements, promo videos, and much more.

    A video producer needs to have a good eye for detail. They need to have large amounts
    of
    patience, be a good storyteller, deliver on their deadlines and have strong
    communication
    skills.


    Conclusion

    Each video project is unique and therefore requires a somewhat different approach. However, a few
    elements
    and steps are familiar to them all, called the video production process. It’s your job as the
    primary
    stakeholder to ensure that proper procedure is followed throughout the process, whether you
    outsource the
    task or produce internally.

    That will ensure that your video will be finished on time and be of the highest quality.

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