corporate video

xumb · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 04:08 PM

anybody ever did a professional looking corporate video before? it'd be great if u could supply me the details on how to make one or links to some samples. thanx!

Mike Thorpe · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 04:29 PM

That's a pretty broad question!!

Come on, give us more details as to what you want - what sort of business, what sort of video, what sort of budget, what sort of approach?

There is no "corporate video rulebook"

xumb · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 06:14 PM

ok, sorry for the short info. i was given a task to do a corporate video for a big construction company. sort of a company profile video showcasing their works, projects, mission, etc. etc. and i was told that the big boss wants this video to have a professional, smooth look to distribute to his potential international clients. i was thinking of not doing it in a typical, cliche sort of corporate video. any ideas or tips on that? oh yea, i need any infos regarding how to make the video as well. thanx!

bgarthp · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 11:03 PM

why not get a specialised company to do it?
if it needs to look professional, and it's for a big firm, then why not pay to have it done professionally?

I expect if the boss wants it to look like a corporate video, then a you'll want to emulate the typical style, rather than do something different.

Mike Thorpe · #5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 09:40 AM

Video production isn't really something that can be summed up in a few paragraphs. Most of us here have been doing it for years, and are still learning new things every day. I'm not trying to be awkward, but asking how to do "a video presentation" is too difficult to sum up. Basically, what you need is a decent camcorder, a video editing package and a powerful PC with loads and loads of RAM and hard drive space, then you need to start from scratch. But, unless you've had experience in anything like this before (or you're extremely lucky

) then it's going to take months of hard work to be able to do something that's going to be up to the standards of a normal corporate video.

xumb · #6 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 05:17 PM

bgarthp: because the company wouldnt want to pay 20K bucks for a standard look corporate video. and by standard i mean really basic i.e. simple editing, shitty audio, bad transitions, bad camerawork, etc. that a 10-year old would make. i'll upload some of the "20K bucks" samples i got later.

Mike Thorpe: i know the basics of video production. i'd say i'm and amateur as i've done some videos myself(will upload later too). but all i need now for the project is some samples, tips, etc. to make a real professional smooth looking corporate video that doesnt costs 20,000 bucks!

bgarthp · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 07:35 PM

fair enough, looks like there's a market for low-cost corporate videos, I'm sure that the cost of technology was prohibitive a few years ago when relevant companies became established, maybe a good area to get into.

tips (I'm sure someone with some experience will add to this):

Always use a tripod. shaky footage looks crap.

use a good microphone for speech/voice overs.

ideas:
could try and use some different angles, I can imagine cameras attached to cranes, being hoisted up the buildings/constructions, or on vehicles.

some time-lapse of a construction in progress would be good, and pretty easy to do,

get some satisfied clients reactions,

I suppose the emphasis is on budget and time-scale for a construction company, how about a time-lapse shot of a project with the costs and date/time ticking along at the bottom? and obviously a happy looking client at the end when it finishes on time below budget.

a bit over the top perhaps.

but definitely do-able for less than 20K.

Mike Thorpe · #8 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 07:38 PM

Most importantly - concentrate on what your company does. Try to keep each scene short and reasonably snappy - don't waffle, otherwise people will get bored.

Don't use special effects. And, if you really, really must make it "funny", make sure it's funny to everyone, and not just people in your company

Andy Lockwood · #9 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 07:59 PM

Um....

How about including some Crane shots?
They always add an extra dimension.
(or so I'm told!)
:lol:

xumb · #10 (**permalink**) 03-14-2005, 01:26 PM

yea, i like the "camera on crane" idea! bgarthp, time lapse is easy to do, but wouldnt i take a reeeally looong time to shoot the whole construction progress until its completion? and mike, why can't i use special effects?