4 KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK

What is your experience in our industry or with similar projects?
Ideal Answer: They should provide specific examples or case studies demonstrating their expertise in your industry or with similar video content. 
Pro Tip: Ask them how long it took them to deliver each project!

What is your timeline for completing a project like ours?
Ideal Answer: A well-defined timeline with milestones and a contingency plan for potential delays is essential. The full-service video production company should have several editors ready to fill in as needed.
Pro Tip:  Drop the deadline in the agreement for accountability & clarity!

How do you handle feedback and revisions during the post-production (editing) process?
Ideal Answer: A clear revision process and timeline, along with the use of tools like Frame.io, are crucial elements that should be included in their proposal.
Pro Tip: If they do not already use a platform to make revisions easy for their clients, run!
How would you handle issues that arise during the shoot?

Ideal Answer: Issues are inevitable. They should have backup equipment and be able to share examples of past projects where they successfully handled unexpected issues. The agency should have a number of crew members ready to fill in as needed.
Pro Tip: Ask how they could have improved past projects. If they don’t offer specific examples, they might lack the forward-thinking approach needed to address potential challenges in your project.

4 RED FLAGS AND WHY

Red Flag: Poor Communication or Lack of a Dedicated Point of Contact
Why: Effective communication is crucial for a smooth production process. If they’re hard to reach now, it could get worse once the project starts.
Pro Tip: Meet the point of contact via Zoom to “feel the vibe.”

Red Flag: Ignoring Mobile Optimization
Why: If the agency doesn’t mention mobile optimization, it’s a sign they may not be current with current video consumption trends. This oversight could lead to videos that don’t perform well on mobile devices, missing a huge segment of your target audience.
Pro Tip: Ensure they shoot with mobile guidelines visible on their camera screens and export each video optimized for the specific platform it will be used on.

Red Flag: Unclear or Non-Existent Revision Policy
This can cause frustration and additional costs if the final product falls short of your expectations and if the revision process isn’t clearly outlined for each stage, editing, color correction, sound design, and more.
Pro Tip: Run!

Red Flag: No Agreement to Sign
Why: Contracts should specifically outline expectations, costs, timelines, etc. Doing so keeps everyone on the same page, and there is no room for “you said this…” Agreements are great for clarity and accountability vs. an agency saying anything to get the sale.
Pro Tip: Read their agreement; run if they don’t have one!

4 Helpful Tips for a SUCCESSFUL Production

Tip: Be Prepared with Your Brand Assets and Messaging
Your role in providing the agency with all necessary brand guidelines, ethos, goals, purpose, logos, and key messages upfront is crucial. This will help avoid delays and ensure accurate messaging.

Tip: Stay Open to Creative Collaboration
While it’s essential to have a vision, be open to the agency’s creative input—they’re the experts in video production and might offer valuable insights.

Tip: Review Their Equipment and Technology
High-quality production often depends on the right tools. Ask about the cameras, software, and other equipment they use to ensure it meets your standards for quality.

Tip: Look for Flexibility & Adaptability
Adapting to changes or unexpected challenges is essential in any creative process. Choose an agency that’s flexible and willing to pivot if needed.

We hope this guide helped you! Don’t leave your success up to chance. Get a team that you can rely on to get the job done. If you have any questions or want a video production quote from us, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We are 44 Studios, a full-service video production company.