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How to do an inexpensive
video?
Q. At my company we want to do a
video on how to service one of our products. We don't want
anything glamorous. This won't be a marketing piece.
A local
video production house told us they would only do a
"state-of-the-art" production (whatever that is) and
quoted us over $1200 a minute!
The price killed the project. Are
they kidding about that price?
A. That might be a very reasonable
price, depending on the services required.
The professional video
house may be planning special sound effects, a professional
narrator, and complex visual effects. They may intend to put in
flying, shimmering transitions, bouncing, spinning, flashing
titles, and throbbing space-age music.
If you assemble a team for
a creative tour-de-force, you pay the price! You can indeed save
money doing your non-marketing piece.
Plan ahead with a script or
outline that makes clarity and brevity the top priorities. Shoot
your own (or have someone shoot) broadcast-resolution tape with
Super-VHS, Hi-8, or digital. Use a tripod, extra lighting, and
someone who knows how to do good composition and focus.
Then pay
a video house to do a SIMPLE title and edit.
You can make a very
useful "how-to" video this way and save thousands of
dollars. (By the way, viewers get tired of all those flashing,
spinning special effects, even in the expensive marketing
pieces.)
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