You know your business should be making videos. It’s one of the most effective ways to communicate with your audience. And video is how most people prefer to consume content online. But the problem is that your team doesn’t have the skills or equipment to make videos. The solution? You need to outsource your video making. But should you hire a video production company or a videographer?
First, what’s the difference between a videographer and a video production team?
A videographer tends to focus on smaller productions. They are often a one-person team and handle filming or camera duties as well as editing. Sometimes, a videographer will partner with other independent video specialists, such as an editor or graphics artist.
A video production team works on video projects of all sizes. Instead of one generalist doing the bulk of the work, they have several specialists working together to create a video.
Roles Within a Video Production Company
Here are some of the roles you’ll find within a production company. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but rather shows some of the more common roles. In some cases, these people will be staff members of the company, while others will be freelancers or independent contractors brought on board for a specific project.
Client relations
This person will be the main point of contact between your company and the video team. They will coordinate the project and make sure everything goes smoothly.
Scriptwriting
Every video starts with an outline or a script to keep the production on track. In larger production companies, there will be people who only write scripts. In smaller companies, this pre-production role is taken care of by someone who steps into a different role in the production stage. The requirements of the scriptwriter depend largely on the type of video being made.
Camera operator
The camera operator has a deep knowledge of cameras and image-making. They may also be photographers. Their specialty is capturing the essence of your project on screen. In very large productions, they work under a director of photography. In smaller productions, they may function as both the director and filmer. In many cases, the person behind the camera could be considered a videographer.
Sound technician
The sound person focuses on capturing audio for the production. This includes placing and holding microphones, operating sound recording equipment, and capturing ambient sound. Capturing and monitoring sound is a dedicated position during the production stage. In large productions, there are several people in a sound department, while smaller productions tend to have one person capturing sound.
Video editor
Once the production roles are completed—the actual filming of the video—it’s time to put it all together in post-production. This is where the video editor steps in. In small productions, the editor fills a few post-production roles, including video editing, colorist, and sound editing. In large productions, these roles are filled by specialists. Editing is a complex task that requires a thorough knowledge of the software, storytelling methods, and editing techniques. It is also an essential role in getting the best possible video.
Graphics artist
Titles, opening sequences, text overlays, on-screen graphics, illustrations—these components are the details that really elevate a video. And they’re all handled by graphics artists. Illustration and animations are sometimes included in the role of a graphic artist, but really should be considered their own thing, due to the skill and time involved.
Hair and makeup artist
On camera, everyone wears makeup. It could be a full “face” or just a bit of powder to reduce glare. Having makeup and hairstylists on set during the production will ensure everyone looks as good as possible on screen.
Set design and decoration
This is a fluid role that can be as complex as building and designing full sets, or as subtle as arranging cushions on a couch. During production, the set designer’s role is to make sure everything looks just right. They are part decorator, part designer, with an eye for detail.
There are other duties involved in video production, such as location scouting, sourcing talent, and more, but these are the core roles.
A videographer is a multi-talented person who will often take on several of these roles throughout the production and will bring in other independent contractors or freelancers to help fill in their knowledge gaps during the production.
For very small budgets or small projects, a lone videographer may be the way to go. There is a vast range in skill and ability among people calling themselves videographers, from talented and experienced career professionals down to people who bought a camera last month and decided to turn their hobby into a side hustle. When looking for a videographer for your company, be sure you’re getting a professional videographer and not a beginner.
As far as cost goes, the old adage of “you get what you pay for” holds true with video production. Working with an experienced videographer or a video production team will be within a comparable range.
A video production company offers the peace of mind of being a collection of skilled professionals dedicated to creating the best possible videos for your company. They offer a full-service package and are a good choice when you need an end-to-end video production solution. BuzzMasters offers a range of video production services and packages for your corporate and business video needs. Contact us today to learn more.