Video Fact Find

If you’re looking to commission a video, the big question is always... ‘How much will it cost?’.

Unfortunately there is no simple formula such as pounds per minute. It is more like having a new kitchen fitted, the price depends on size of the space, types of cupboards, appliances, finishes of the materials and the complexity of fitting. There is a similar variation when looking at the elements that make up a video.

This is our 'Video Fact Find'.

The more detail you can answer… the better understanding we'll have of your requirements and the better solution we can provide you with. This not only helps us understand your needs but clients have also told us that it helps them to clarify exactly what they require.

Why video?

This might sound like we are trying to do ourselves out of work but we want to be sure that video is the right medium for your project, so why have you chosen video?

Who are you making the video for?

Understanding who your audience is gives us the best insight to what the end product might look like. We want to put ourselves in their shoes and consider what is relevant and what will engage them. Providing a breakdown of your target audience can be very useful.

How will the video be used?

It’s important to know its primary use. This helps to shape the structure and the type of the video and helps us to focus on the ideal length. Videos work best when produced with a key message in mind.

What product or service are you promoting?

Knowing your business, product or service is vital, if we're going to do our job well. Give us the ‘elevator’ pitch and this should be enough to get us started. We are often on a sharp learning curve with a new business and this helps us to move along quicker.

If you were to give the video a title what would it be?

Titles often summarise objectives and content so this is a good indicator of whether we have interpreted your answers so far in the right way.

What do you want the audience to do and feel after watching?

Essentially, what's the ‘call to action'? We need to engage an audience and inspire them to react… after watching your video what do we want your audience to do?

What are the top three key messages you want to communicate to your audience, in order of importance?

If I held 10 juggling balls in my hands and threw them at you in one go, it’s unlikely you’ll catch them all. Your audience is no different. Be focused at what you 'throw' at them. By conveying these points one at a time, there is more chance they’ll get them all, and before you know it, they’ll be juggling! So, let us know the top three messages. Then let’s make it relevant to your audience, so go on to explain why these points are important to them. Why would they want to know them?

If the video is part of a campaign of communication describe the campaign and the other elements.

This can really make a difference to our creative and budget approach. It’s no good us suggesting an idea if it’s not financially sustainable if you wish to do more. If there are more, how many videos in the series? When would you like to roll them all out? Knowing this means we can be smarter with the ideas.

What types of imagery/shots/processes/scenery, springs to your mind (when you think of those key messages)?

You may have some ideas yourself, you may not; but knowing what is available to work with makes a huge different to what we can bring to your video creatively. It can have a big impact on budget too.

Do you have any initial thoughts to the creative style that you feel best suits the message?

Again, knowing what you may be thinking can help us to see where you’re looking to pitch your video. You may have a competitor video that you need to compete with. Knowing this can be a useful starting point for us. There are so many approaches, using different elements (live action, interviews, animation, drama and so on). 

If the video looks like it needs some interviews to help tell the story… who would they be?

How many people are key to talk to? Would they all cover the same points, or would they cover different aspects? Can they all be done on one day or are the interviewees spread over the UK? Answering these questions helps us to anticipate the time required and investigate the best place for them to be interviewed. This can all make a difference to a budget.

Location, location, location… where could the video be filmed?

Understanding the locations where filming could take place helps us understand what travelling will be involved and estimates for the number of days filming required. If your project involves a number of interviews you will get best value by arranging for them all to be filmed at fewer locations on the same day. (Why not send us a few photos and the sizes of the rooms/locations).

What are the timescales or deadlines?

Knowing this is vital. It can impact budget but more often the creative approach we can look to take.

What will your sign-off process be?

You may wonder what this has to do with budget but experience tells us the more people who are involved the more amendments that are required. The only advice we can give is that one or two people agree the style and creative elements are what you want and that any others involved only sign-off the messages and tone of the video. 

What are you looking to invest in this project?

There is no quick answer to how much will a video cost. Every one is different, although many follow similar patterns. Answering all the above helps us to answer that question, but we also need to have some understanding of what you realistically want to invest. 

Your answers will enable us to more fully understand your project, the audience and what you want to achieve. From this we can start to give you an idea of what is possible and show you some examples of projects with a similar style or objectives. I hope this helps, but if you wish to go one better, why not get in touch and let’s chat over a coffee.