Behind every great video production is a great video producer. From setting budgets to overseeing the editing process, a video producer ensures that all of your creative needs are met for your video marketing goals. Whether you want a commercial or a promotional video, a video producer knows how to bring your vision to life.
A video producer manages all aspects of a video production, from scripting to set design. They collaborate with all departments, ensuring everyone knows their individual tasks and deadlines. In short, they are responsible for conceptualizing, creating and executing your video to make it as successful as possible.
But how do you find the best video producer for your marketing needs? Working with a video content agency will give you an insight into the whole video production process. They will also have a long list of video producers to hand. We have listed below some of the key attributes we look for in excellent video producers.
The Role
The aspects a video producer is responsible for are:
- Developing creative direction;
- Scriptwriting and storyboarding;
- Organizing logistics, such as scouting for filming locations, cast, and crew;
- Hiring the correct equipment for different shots;
- Setting and ensuring all deadlines are met;
- Devising call sheets and time schedules;
- Liaising with different departments.
The role of a video producer focuses heavily on the artistic elements, ensuring that the video’s message is clear throughout the final product. As a result, the video producer has to clarify the artistic direction to everyone involved. Therefore, the meaning of the video is never lost, and an effective message resonates with the target audience.
The Skills
A video producer needs a hugely varied technical skill-set, for both visuals and audio.
- Ability to use professional cameras, lens, lighting, and editing software, with particular focus on Final Cut Pro X, Adobe After Effects or Adobe Premiere;
- Familiarity with prosumer camcorders, various HD and SD formats, scriptwriting, storyboarding and photography
- Ability to use small format mixers, effects processors, audio recording technology for studio and field, and multi-track and waveform editing software
- Vast knowledge of filming, video editing, video motion, and graphics production;
- Experience in commercial advertising video production;
- Research skills to make sure the creative strategy incorporates the right artistic direction;
- Ability to tell stories with a creative and visual eye
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
This combination of skills ensures that the video producer knows how to create the perfect video for your marketing strategy. They focus on specific equipment usage, knowledge of both video and audio software, and maintaining a good rapport with the client.
The Video Prodcution Process
A highly organized video producer enables the video production to run smoothly throughout the pre-production, production, and post-production stages. We have listed in detail the specific responsibilities of a video producer for each part of the video production process.
Pre-Production – Scouting and Selecting
The pre-production stage is all about developing the creative strategy. This will define your marketing goals, and discussing the main message and focus you want to convey. If your video is a live-action production, the video producer will help with writing a script. On the other hand, an animation would require a storyboard, which the video producer will also devise. The video producer will also discuss the kind of shots you would like, so that your video includes all required footage, including b-roll.
Once the scope of the project has been reviewed, the video producer will know what kind of camera, sound and lighting equipment your video will need. They will also go over the best type of editing software once all of the footage has been recorded. The video producer will then scout locations, cast and crew, and plan the set design and wardrobe requirements.
A good video producer will spend a substantial amount of time organizing all of the necessary logistics to execute your video. This ensures that nothing is missing off the list and everything runs smoothly on production day.
You’re Hired!
A good video producer will know exactly where to look to hire all of the people involved in your video. Cast, crew, editors, videographers and stylists all have important roles, so a video producer needs to lead and manage all team members. Therefore, regardless of the scope of your project, you need someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to discuss and explain ideas to all departments. Designating tasks and setting deadlines are the main responsibilities of a video producer when it comes to managing employees. As a result, everyone will know what the expectations of the video are and how best to execute them.
Production – Shoot Day
Once the pre-production process is well and truly underway, the video producer will manage logistics, such as coordinating directions to set, time schedules, and call sheets. They will also arrange transportation requirements for cast and crew, organize equipment, and direct and coach actors on set. A video producer should also have their own camera to record any footage crucial to the video. They will act as a point of contact for all departments should there be any queries from any team member throughout the whole shoot.
Supervising the Spending
There are all kinds of costs involved in producing a video. Once a total budget has been set for the whole video, the video producer has to calculate the specific spendings for each aspect of the production. The video producer will track the hiring costs for cast, crew, props, equipment, and location and secure rights and licenses. To learn more about the expenses for producing video, check out our guide here.
Securing Rights and Licensing
Depending on the resources your video production needs, a video producer has to secure the rights and licensing to use other visual or audio material. If there is a specific motion graphic or sound from another source you need for your video, the video producer will have to ask for permission and obtain these materials legally.
Post-Production – Communication and Collaboration
Working closely with different teams goes beyond the actual shoot day. Other than communicating ideas with videographers and stylists, a video producer also has to collaborate with people in charge of promoting your video. The video producer will have to inform PR departments and social media editors about your video so they know exactly how and where to publicise your brand.
Final Thoughts
A video producer plays a vital role in the creation of your video. At every stage of your video production, the video producer has to align your marketing strategy with your budget, deadlines and resources. They will know exactly what art direction your video should take to achieve your marketing goals. Their responsibility is to make sure that the video production process runs as smoothly as possible, so having the right video producer is central to the success and effectiveness of your final video.
We can help you with finding the best people for your video. With over 2000 videos, both animated and live-action, we can sort all of the logistics associated with your testimonial video, meaning no hassle or stress on your part. Still interested? Give us a call to get our creative partnership started. Let’s make video work for you, not the other way around.
