Corporate video dilema

[<Veema>]

I'm stumped. I've got a side gig shooting, editing, and unfortunately I guess producing a corporate video for a printing corporation. They print magazines and want a informational video that they can shop to clients and show at new employee orientations. The part that stumps me is how to produce a piece that accomplishes what they want, and that I can also have fun with and be proud of. I don't fancy myself as a producer, I can do it in a pinch, but I don't think I'm good enough to take a subject this dull and turn it into something compelling. The clinet would be fine having a V.P. read a script and me just match pictures to it. I talked them out of that saying you'll put your audience to sleep, and am trying to pitch other ideas to them. If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them.

thanks,
Veema

p.s. I'm also trying to convince them the need to hire a writer. They don't get that having someone who knows how to write for T.V. is much different than regular writer.

[McColl]

Originally posted by &lt;Veema&gt;:
I don't think I'm good enough to take a subject this dull and turn it into something compelling.
I don't know who is. :D

Seriously, though, its a printing business. How thrilling can it be?

It sounds to me like there isn't a clear focus on where the video is going, or what the company's expectations are for it. Shopping to clients and orienting new employees are two very different things. Do they have a marketing department? HR? Those two areas will be your biggest help in producing this thing.

And don't worry... compelling to you and compelling to them are two totally different things. Corporate heads are often tickled just to see themselves in the video. In the world of corporate video, WORRY ABOUT THE CLIENT'S SATISFACTION. Your satisfaction, as they say, is in the paycheck.

Good luck.

[Wolfgang Achtner]

As you yourself wrote, it sounds like it would be worth your while to hire a professional writer. Maybe you also need a producer.

In any case, whether you go it alone or not, you'll need to help your client figure out what they really want, otherwise you'll be heading down the road towards a certain disaster.

In case you have some time before you have to start working on this project, I would like to point out a series of books that contain all you need to know to accomplish the job.

Make sure that you don't tackle more than you can handle on your own. It might be best for you to work with one or two other people in the beginning and learn from them.

I would advise you to remember that if you sell yourself as a professional, your clients will expect a professional job. One strike and you're out.

These books by Barry Hampe are excellent, in fact I consider the first one a must-read for anyone who might ever be interested in producing any sort of long-format story.

The titles are:
1) Barry Hampe, Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos by Barry Hampe.
2)Making Videos for Money by Barry Hampe.
3)Video Scriptwriting by Barry Hampe.

The first is the most important of the three; if you can only buy one, buy this one. Believe me, satisfaction is guaranteed!.

PS: I'm not Hampe's agent nor do I get a percentage of his sales. :)

[<Bill-1>]

It sounds like they want this video to be a dessert topping and a floor wax. Can't happen. Sounds like 2 different videos to me. Everybody tries this trick.

As far as writing if you have already quoted and they won't pay for it to be written let them write it. If not just add enough to cover the cost to hire a writer. If you get it professionally written you will be able to produce it no problem. Even adding to the script is easier if you already have a base.

If it's a really boring subject keep the video short. If they see it and it's too boring you will just end up re-editing and causing yourself more trouble. Been there too many times. Just keep in mind that people involved in printing will have a longer attention span discussing printing. Ever see your girlfriends eyes gloss over as you talk about the edit system at work with your buddies.

Keep in mind the money they have to spend. Ass, grass or gas nobody rides for free. If they can't afford a profeesional voice give them what they can afford.

[<Formercorpphotog>]

Hire someone at your station for $50 (or whatever) to write the script and some one else to narrate. Ask your client the following questions:

1. What do you expect from your audience when the video is over? Increased sales? More safety? General knowledge? This will help focus your script.

2. Who is the audience? Highly educated professionals? Grunt workers with a GED or less? Old people? Knowing your audience will also help you achieve your goal.

3. How long is the video? What format? When to be delivered? Music? Actors?

4. Find one person at the company for your contact and have them arrange everything you need well ahead of time- this will save you a headache.

This will get you started. For more info, you can write me at randy.hansen@winktv.com.

Good Luck!

[<Veema>]

Thanks for the advice guys. It's much appreciated. My price to them only includes production and post-production costs, thus I'm under no obligation to act as a producer or writer for the project. I just want to make sure they're happy with the product, and am hoping to impress on them the importance of getting someone on-board who can write to pictures and sound. What I'll probably do is let them come up with the first script, that way they can get all the technical stuff in there, and then pass it on to a pro. Do you think a max of $300 dollars for a rewrite of a 10-15 minute video is adequate?

thanks again,
Veema

[Terry E. Toller]

Try using different people from the company to tell the company story. One person from layout and design, another from the press line and another from shipping and receiving and so on...

Just everyday people telling their own stories and experiences... Maybe even have several people talking at a round table discussion, Direct Cinema style...

[<formercorpphotog>]

$300 for a re-write is adequate IF it takes you no more than 10 hours or so for the rewrite (means $30/hour) if it takes you 30 hours, the rate is now $10/hour.

I have had many, many clients who wanted a 30 minute epic on wearing steel toed boots when a 7 minute tape would more than do the job.

After making about 30 corporate videos, I did an informal study and found that my rate (true cost + a fair profit) averaged out to $500-$900 per FINISHED minute of video depending on complexity and requirements. Remember, this rate is the only way you have to pay for equipment, tapes, graphics, music, gas, wear and tear, phone bills, etc. EVERY penny must be figured into the cost or you are losing money. These people are business people and will pay a fair wage for a fair product.

Remember, you spend all day putting together a 1:30 package for news- think what 20 minutes will take.

Plus, I agree with the previous poster, it sounds as if the client is trying to get two videos for the price of one. Stick to one subject, then use most of the same raw video (plus some original new stuff) for the other video.

There is so much to consider when shooting a corporate video. Good luck!

-Randy

[Wolfgang Achtner]

Veema,

You wrote: "My price to the client only includes production and post-production costs, thus I'm under no obligation to act as a producer or writer for the project. I just want to make sure they're happy with the product, and am hoping to impress on them the importance of getting someone on-board who can write to pictures and sound. What I'll probably do is let them come up with the first script, that way they can get all the technical stuff in there, and then pass it on to a pro."

If you're not going to be writing and producing this video by yourself, you need to get a professional in there with you, right from the start.

There are a million-and-one ways to screw up this or any other project and if you prefer to not to discover them all, you need to start this project right, from the very beginning.

I strongly suggest you purchase Hampe's book (the one that I listed as number 1 in my previous posting) in order to have at least a vague idea as how to proceed.
Allow me to say that, from your postings, I have a feeling that you are not at all in control of this situation and you need to figure many things out very quickly -- or get adequate professional help -- or you're going to end up in trouble.

This is not a situation where you can get by asking a colleague which filter to use or some other question that can be answered simply; in this case you're dealing with a complex project that involves several variables and, as you proceed, you might find yourself, several times, in a situation where you need to make some quick decisions and you won't know which one to make or why.

Remember, just as with a news story, 90 per cent of your success will depend on the preparatory phase -- everything you do before you start shooting -- and that includes understanding exactly what the client wants. You need to find out if they want one or two videos, how long etc.

From what you've written in your previous postings it seems to me that your clients, and therefore you too, don't have a clue as to their actual requirements.

You need to help them find out exactly what they want or you will find yourself in serious trouble.
Before you start shooting you need to know exactly what product they want and how long it's supposed to run. Maybe even prepare some sort of story board. You can't go out and shoot something and then have the client change his/her mind when you've finished shooting because what you obtained wasn't what they were expecting, etc.

One of the first things you must do is make sure that there is one person at your clients office who is in charge or who has final say and that your not dealing with a group of people where more or less everyone gets to throw their two cents in.

Also, if you need a writer, they need to be onboard from the very start.
It's best to do things right from the beginning or you'll find that you've painted yourself into a corner and there is no way to get out, or even that it might be expensive to salvage the situation.

Several posters have made some very good suggestions regarding how to shoot and put your story together; try pitching these ideas to see if there might be one of them that could please your client.