--This article was a collaboration of local area producers. Mediaforce would like to thank them for their input. Ask up front if there will be any extra charges. Some common extra charges: taxes, tape costs, mileage, travel expenses and duplications. It’s important to understand that if you, as a client, make changes to the project that require additional work from the production company not originally agreed upon in the proposal, expect extra charges to apply. What will you need from me? You, or a representative from your company, will need to be an accessible contact person to help coordinate approvals, schedule shoots, and answer questions to help make the production process as smooth as possible. Questions Your Producer Should Ask You What do you like and dislike about other videos? What do you want to achieve with this video? Who is the target audience? What do you want the audience to do after watching the video? How will the tape be shown? How many shoot locations are there? Will we be shooting during business hours? If we are shooting during business hours, are there any logistical concerns? How long does the video need to be? Will a company executive need to be on camera? Do you need a professional on-camera talent or voice-over? Who will write the script? Will you need extra graphics or animations in the video? Are there any other materials that need to be included in the video, such as photographs? Some Final Points to Remember An important point to remember, especially if you are new at using video, is that communications is key to the success of your video. Your production company should be available at any time to answer any questions you may have. Your producer should be kept informed of the project’s status and what the next steps are. We are very accustomed to top quality programming. Today’s audiences expect broadcast quality video productions. If your video is anything less, your message and image will suffer greatly. Remember to ask questions, be sure you are asked a lot of questions, and go with your gut feeling. Chances are you will end up with a great product and have a fun time in the process.
......