6 Tips for Choosing the Best Video Production Company for You

A video production company can help breathe visual life into your business or organization. From shooting a commercial to creating a documentary, these pros will take your project from idea to final edit. But with so many options and services available, how do you choose the best video production company for you? A fast-growing industry filled with small businesses means that it is no longer as easy as finding the nearest production house and signing on the dotted line. As you begin researching video production companies, ask yourself which one of these factors is most important to you: price, turnaround time, final product quality, trustworthiness, availability of staff members, ease of communication, and more. Here are six tips for choosing the best video production company for you. 

Estimate your budget

That adage is true: you get what you pay for. It’s easy to see how a production house with a $5,000 rate will likely deliver a different final product than one with a $50,000 rate. But what about those in the middle? How do you know if a given production house is the best one for your project? Before you begin shopping around, you’ll want to have a ballpark budget in mind. It might be helpful to break it down into different categories, like equipment rental, number of crew members, travel expenses, etc. No production company will take you seriously if you don’t know what you can spend.

Ask for demo reels and showreels

You’ve narrowed down your list of potential production companies and have scheduled appointments with them. Now what? First things first: Ask each of them for a demo reel or showreel. A reel is a selection of edited clips that are representative of a company’s style. A showreel is like a reel, but with a focus on the company’s behind-the-scenes work. You’ll want to look for a few things in each reel: Are there examples of the types of videos you’d like to create? How are they edited? Is the music original or stock? You’ll also want to see how long they take to create. A one-day shoot and a month-long editing process aren’t ideal for someone with a one-week turnaround time.

Look for brand recognition

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve no doubt encountered the anxiety that comes with “going against the grain.” What if no one picks my video? What if no one likes my video? What if no one even sees my video? What if I’m too different from the competition? Therefore, it’s important to look for brand recognition. In a world where people are bombarded with advertisements and visual content, you want to stand out. Is the company behind the scenes or in front of the camera? Do they have a recognizable style? Are they loyal to a particular type of client? These factors all contribute to brand recognition. You don’t have to sign up with the most popular production company. But you don’t want to be the one who is too different, either.

Check out the company’s portfolio

You’ve seen the demo reels, and you’ve seen the showreels. Now is the time to dig a little deeper into a given production company’s portfolio. How long have they been in business? What types of projects have they worked on? What industries have their clients been in? What type of clients have they worked with? These are the questions you want to ask as you go through each project in the portfolio. Check out the crew’s credits, too. Are they industry professionals or are they new to the field? What types of clients does the company work with? If a production company’s portfolio includes work with clients in your industry, this is a good sign. But if every single project in their portfolio is for a different type of client, you’ll want to ask why.

Find out how the company operates

What kind of work culture do they have? What is the process they use to create your type of video? How long does it take them to deliver? Is it a one-man shop, or do they work with a team? How long has the company been in business? How many people work there? How were they founded? Are they a one-off shop, or do they have a team that’s been together for a while? These are all questions you should ask when you’re trying to get a feel for how a company operates. If a given company is a one-man show, you might have to wait months for your project to be finished. On the other hand, a large, established company might be too expensive for you.

Talk to current clients

You’ve confirmed that the production company is legitimate, you’ve gone through their portfolio and you’ve spoken with current clients. Now what? You’ve got a good feel for the company, but you don’t want to be impulsive. Instead, you want to fully consider the decision and make sure you’re making the right decision. There is probably nothing more powerful than hearing from a client who has worked with a given production company and knows how long their projects take and how much they cost. What is the client’s experience with the company like? How long have they worked with the company? Is the client happy with their work? Once you’ve asked these questions, you should have a good sense of whether or not the company is worth your time.

Conclusion

Choosing the best video production company for you can be a difficult decision. With so many factors to consider, it can also be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to start your search early and take your time. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to help you find the right one!

Sinema Films is a media production company that creates social media content for brands. Our videos have helped our clients build a community of followers and get shares, likes and clout. We are a full-service social media video production agency.