I've recently been asked a few strange questions about video production...

"Do I pay more if I want the video longer?"

"Will I need lots of cameras for my webvideo?"

"Will you compete with Joe Bloggs down the road who has a camera and could knock something together for me?"

The answer to all of these questions is... No!

Do it right, or don't do it!

Video production is paramount to any marketing strategy. But, like everything else you do to market your company, it needs to be done right or not done at all.Long gone are the days where people have the patience to read about your company. They want to hear and see about your company. So video is perfect. But there is no use replacing text that would take 10 minutes to read with a video that takes 10 minutes to watch.

How long is a piece of string?

Videos can be used on a variety of platforms. Websites, TV, exhibitions, DVD as part of a mail campaign... The list is endless and there's a general rule of thumb to making each and every type of promotional video effective. For instance, webvideos should be no more than 20-60 seconds long and TV advertisements are generally 5-30 seconds long. DVDs are usually longer as are exhibition videos that are played on a loop but need to be longer and more interactively engaging.

Plan, plan, plan, do, review...

We take our clients through our detailed fact find to establish precisely the best way of marketing their company/product/service through video. We provide feedback on any existing concepts/scripts/storyboards and/or produce new ones. The planning of any video is the part that takes the longest and makes the production more effective.

So to explain the questions...

It's for this reason that our videos will not cost more if they are longer. For many of our videos we insist they're not that long anyway, but for those that are needing to be longer we still spend the majority of our time on the planning and project management to ensure the message is effective and clear.

Some of the biggest blockbusters are filmed using only one camera at any one time. This means that your standard commercial video needn't take more than one camera - unless it's something specific like an event or flash mob (that can only be done and captured once) that will definitely need more than one camera.

As for our competing with Joe Bloggs with a camera down the road, well we haven't built our brand and reputation for high quality video and film production by competing with that fella! It's guaranteed that 'Joe Bloggs' isn't going to plan, project manage, produce and give as much attention to detail as we are. For that reason we will never compete against his prices as our services are not 'like for like'. Nor will we compete against templated online video processes that again don't offer a 'like for like' service or product.

The benefits of getting a high quality video to compliment your marketing are tremendous, why not give us a call for a chat about how we can help your business grow?

This blog was written by our Commercial Director, Chrissa, to get in touch with Chrissa This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

tips, hints and things to consider

So many people get so excited or nervous about having a film produced for their company that they dive straight into the shoot itself, without thinking about the project it’s contained within. After many years of fully producing and project managing large film shoots over a number of weeks as well as small shoots that take place over a few hours, we have developed a few tips for you to help you get a good job done when producing a video; without giving away too many of our secrets! Whether you choose Light Films or any other quality film production company it's worth bearing the following points in mind.

Preparation

This is key. Without it your film shoot will not go very smoothly, and neither will the edit. Spend the most of your time allocated to the project on preparation and learning lines.

Message and target audience

Develop a good understanding of who you are targeting with your video. What will make them interested? What will engage them?

Storyboarding and planning

If you don’t know exactly how your video will look, how do you expect it to look? Leave nothing to chance, leave nothing to imagination. If you can’t plan exactly how your video will look, your video production company will.

Script

Make it concise and precise. Forget long words that you feel will make you ‘look good’ as you’ll end up getting tongue twisted. Make it simple, easy and flowing.

Location

Ensure your location reflects the message you are trying to portray. Long gone are the plain studio shots as people don’t have the time to guess your identity; your audience wants to learn as much about you as possible in a short time.

Props

Will props make your video more personal and interesting? Remember, video is a visual aid, so utilise anything you can to help deliver a message.

Use of video

Where, how and when will it be used? How are you going to create awareness of it?  How often do you need video? Once every 5 years? Once a month?

It’s worth remembering that you are experts in what you do. We are experts in what we do too, and that's film and video. We are happy to take care of all film and video matters for you; as little or as much as you want or need. Contact us today to chat further about how we can help you reach wider audiences in a targeted and strategic matter by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 0845 304 8646.

corporate promotions

From time to time we have some fantastic promotions and incentives on our corporate videography services.  We notify our contacts by Email of these promotions and discounts, if you'd like to be added to our contact list let us know by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Contact us today to chat about your video ideas and requirements by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 0845 304 8646.

Disclaimer: All quoted prices are exclusive of VAT. Prices cover projects within a 25 mile radius of DE73 5SU, travel costs maybe applied for projects outside of this radius. Annual contracts are commenced with a set-up fee of £200 prior to monthly installments being made.  Entry into contract to access our services can only be made with payment of set-up fee and signed Terms & Conditions (by the client) being received by Light Films. Prices are subject to change at any time. Terms and Conditions apply to ALL promotions and incentives; these can be obtained from our consultants.

corporate prices

Your business is unique; so are your video requirements. Our film services are priced according to your needs and budget. We are delighted to offer the following packages, however if you have something that differs to our packages we are more than happy to tailor make a package to suit your needs.

Low Budget Corporate Videos

Plan your video with the guidance of our specialist video marketing team, get your film directed by our Universal Studios film director at a location of your choice.  Let our award winning filmmakers shoot and edit your 1-3 minute video and deliver it to you in a format of your choice.

Mid Budget Corporate Videos

Receive full assistance in the planning of your video from our specialist video marketing team.  Let us organise any actors or voiceover artists you may require, along with the props and locations for your video.  Our Universal Studios director will manage your film shoot with our crew of experts before you come to our studios and watch our team of editors put the magical touches to your video, and make it come to life.

High Budget Corporate Videos

You will hire our project managers to plan, develop and schedule your video; making full use of their film production skills and expertise whilst they take control of bringing your ideas to life.  We will organise all cast, crew, props and locations as well as anything else needed on set, such as refreshments. Get more access to our post-production team, who will allow you to watch them create your video from the footage taken at the shoot by our Universal Studios Director and his film crew.  Want a few more changes to the end result? Not a problem, you have at least five times more opportunity to change your video to make it perfect for your needs.

Monthly Videos from £300 per month

For the media-savvy who understand the need for video for SEO, communication and marketing purposes we have developed a fabulous monthly video package that allows you to produce 6-12 corporate films over the course of a year.    Each month we will plan your video with you before filming and editing with your supervision, to ensure it's delivered on time for your marketing needs.  Uses for these sorts of videos? Well, they include blogs, updates to legislations, promotions & offers - the list is endless!  You can display them in windows, foyers, receptions, websites, exhibition spaces... Again, the list is endless!

Media Packages

If you have a need for a range of videos in your business, it maybe worthwhile considering one of our media packages whereby you can mix and match our video services for an affordable monthly fee over the course of a year.  These packages are completely bespoke to your business or initiative, and prices range accordingly.

Events Annual Packages

Do you run a lot of events? Maybe you're an events management company? We have the perfect package to ensure all your hard work is captured and remembered on DVD whilst providing you with highlights that can be uploaded to the web for promotional use.  Gaining access to our project management team who will plan and inspire every video for you (the above price covers 6 standard event videos per year), your events will be filmed by our award winning film crew and you will also have the opportunity to sit with our editing team whilst your film is brought to life in our editing suite.

There is something for everyone in the packages listed above, but if you can not find what you're looking for please contact us as there is no videography project too big, nor too small, for us to manage.  We look forward to hearing from you.

For a consultation with one of our experts, or for a no-obligation quote contact us by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 0845 304 8646.

Disclaimer: All prices above are exclusive of VAT. Prices cover projects within a 25 mile radius of DE73 5SU, travel costs maybe applied for projects outside of this radius.  Entry into contract to access our services can only be made with payment of set-up fee and signed Terms & Conditions (by the client) being received by Light Films. Prices are subject to change at any time.