There are a few factors that go into budgeting a corporate communication video. At a high level, the usage of the video and the production quality are the main variables. To break it down, below are things that companies need to consider when planning for a company video.
Corporate communication videos is a broad term that covers everything from HR videos to product announcements. For the purposes of this post, the communication video includes:
- One or more talking heads
- Some form of b-roll content (live action, animation, stills, etc)
- Full post-production
DIY approach to corporate videos
At the minimum, the do-it-yourself approach includes a camera with audio capabilities and some basic editing software.
The camera can be a phone and editing can be done on any device or with AI. So essentially, the budget for this approach is almost nothing.
We do recommend making sure the audio is clean and there is good lighting. If you can’t afford a good LED light, then do it outside or near a big window using sunlight.
These videos are sufficient for small companies or simple social media posts.
Tier 1: Corporate Communication videos shot with DSLR/Mirrorless Cameras
Here’s what we consider to be Tier 1 corporate communication videos:
- Shot with DSLR/Mirrorless cameras (e.g. Canon c70, Sony FX3, BlackMagic Pocket, etc)
- A crew of two or three (Camera Operator/Director of Photography, Audio Engineer)
- Basic interview lighting and audio kits
The videos at this tier are sufficient for distribution on websites, social media and even television broadcasts.
They take less than a day to shoot and take about two weeks to edit.
Some factors that affect the budget are:
- Number of cameras (we usually use two cameras)
- Location (at the company’s office? Shot at a studio or a rented space?)
- Any additional equipment (e.g. teleprompters, extra audio/lighting, aerial videography, monitors)
- Motion graphics (is it simple lower-third graphics or do we need design and/or animate more than that?)
Here are a couple examples of videos shot with this camera.
Tier 2: Corporate Communication videos shot with Cinema Cameras
The differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2 are that Tier 2 corporate videos use:
- Cinema Cameras. Yes, these would be the same cameras used for movies and national commercials. Examples include RED and ARRI ALEXA cameras.
- A Larger Crew. These cameras require better lighting and preparation. You’ll need more people to set up lights and assist with the camera. An extra day is needed to prepare the camera. For this level of production, we also often add a make-up artist and a digital-imaging technician.
A video shot with the cinema camera has an elevated look, which is impactful when conveying the quality of your organization and the significance of your message.
Here are a couple examples of corporate videos shot with cinema cameras.
Regardless of how you shoot the video, the message needs to be delivered well. Before considering how to shoot it, plan on what the message will be and who will deliver it.
For guidance on budgeting and shooting corporate communication videos, contact us here at Picturelab. We are a full-service video production company based in California (San Francisco/Silicon Valley and Los Angeles/Irvine) with clients all over the world.