PRE-SHOOT GUIDELINES...

To begin with, you need to decide if you want to write a script. In general, the most dynamic videos don’t use a script, but instead use a “question-and-answer” interview-style format. This tends to give a more spontaneous and active feel to the video. However, if your video is an informational/instructional video you may prefer to write a scripted voiceover.

How the “Question and Answer” style works is as follows:

Your videographer will ask you an interview question and then you answer. Then in the editing process the videographer’s voice is “edited out”. Since the videographer’s voice is not heard in the final video, you will need to speak in “complete sentences” and reflect the question in your answer. It’s actually much easier than it sounds!

Sample Interview questions…

• What is the name of your business?

• What is your name (and title). (And please spell both. The spelling part will be edited out of the final video!)

• What motivated you to start this business and how did you do it?

• How long have you been in business?

• Can you give us a brief description of your business.

• What makes your business unique from others in the field? “What really makes us unique is …”

• Why should a customer choose your business over your competitors? “What makes us stand out is…”

• What keeps your customers coming back? “When a customer walks into our business they can expect…”

• What is your business best known for and why?

• Do you serve a particular geographic region?

• What are you most proud about your business?

• Can you summarize your business with a brief anecdote or story?

Tips for a successful Business Web Video shoot

Here are a few tips to make a high-quality, successful and engaging video…

• Let the videographer know if there anything you would like emphasized or ignored in the finished video.

• What is the the key message(s) you want communicated in your video?

• Adding a business partner or employee with an outgoing/enthusiastic personality to the video can help to emphasize your key message(s).

• Remember to talk in complete sentences! It’s easy to forget that the videographers voice will be edited out. You will need to remember to speak in “complete sentences” and reflect the question in your answer.

• It’s best to schedule your shoot during regular business hours. This allows you to interact with your customers and makes the video look active and dynamic.

• A testimonial from a customer with an outgoing/enthusiastic personality is always effective in encouraging new customers.

• Should things become too noisy in the main business area, you may need to consider having a quiet location as a backup where the interviews or voice over can be recorded.

• Turn off any background music. Otherwise the video will be unusable due to “right of use” issues with ambient music.

• On the day of your scheduled shoot, we will arrive at the appointed time to shoot your video.

• The videographer will talk with you to identify the key messages you want to communicate and locations you would like emphasized. To aid with this process you may wish to fill out the Pre-Shoot Worksheet before the day of the shoot.

• IMPORTANT: Anyone appearing on the video will need to sign the necessary: Production Release Form.

• The videographer will then walk-through your business to find the best spots to conduct the interviews.

• The videographer will interview you or anyone you select to represent your company.

• The videographer will also interview any customers you select.

• The videographer will shoot different parts of your business (and interactions between you/employees and your customers) to match the audio captured during the interview process. This is known as the B-Roll.

• That’s all there is to it! Your videographer now has everything needed to create a dynamic and compelling video.