Working with MGL Media – some FAQs
FAQ: How much will my video cost?
This will greatly depend on the type of film you need, which will influence the amount of time needed to film and edit your video. All of our costs are transparent, broken down in to daily rates so that you can upscale or downscale your project according to your budget and needs. We produce every size of production – from short single pieces to camera, right up to full corporate promotional films shot in multiple locations over several days or weeks.
FAQ: What kind of video do I need?
Firstly, what do you want to achieve? Think about your audience and what message you want them to take from your video. How is the video going to be used? As a presentation tool? On a loop in your reception? On your company website? Many companies want to make a ‘one-version-fits-all’ type of video, which fulfils all of the above purposes. However, making a video that is aimed at multiple audiences will diminish the impact of the main message. A better way is to structure your video with different sections that will appeal to your different audiences and then have a few versions that are tailored to each.
FAQ: What do we need to do before we can start filming?
Content is king, and it is advisable to have a plan of what that content should be. Your film will be more effective if you have involved us in the pre-production stage, allowing us to create a shooting script for your film. We will guide you through the process of honing your message and finding the best way to convey that information or image through video. At the very least, you will need to know who and what needs to be included in the film BEFORE filming begins.
FAQ: We want you to film interviews at our premises. What kind of room will you need?
Videos usually have a high percentage of interview content, with key speakers being interviewed to give a voice and a face to your company. It is crucial to have a pleasant space that is large enough to accommodate a camera crew, several lights, possibly a backdrop as well as your interviewees. Whilst the crew will add light and shadows to make the background interesting, if the room is a good space to begin with the results will be even better. You will also need to ensure there will be no unwanted interruptions during the day – unscheduled meetings, for example.
FAQ: Will the room need to be quiet?
YES! Sound is at least as important as picture. A professional microphone will make an excellent job of recording all the rich tones in your interviewee’s voices, and a good soundman will tweak and optimise the sound he is recording BUT the microphone has no brain. It can’t ignore background noise, the hum of the air-conditioning, the opening and closing of office doors. Make sure the room you select is as quiet as possible. Can the aircon be heard? If so can it be turned off?
Ensure your staff are aware that filming is taking place, and that they will need to be quiet, is vital to ensure the interviews are not interrupted. Interruptions can break an interviewees concentration and make them less relaxed. Not to mention reducing the amount of material that can be shot.
FAQ: Some of the staff are very nervous about being interviewed. What will happen when they are filmed?
Firstly, they need to relax – we have years of experience in putting people at ease. The idea of being filmed can be daunting to those new to it, so be mindful of your colleagues who may have not done anything like this before. Our job is to make them look and sound great – not to put them on edge or make their answers seem insincere or stilted. Many people think they will be sitting under hot lights and made to feel uncomfortable as possible – this is not the case. Our main interview lighting is based on LED technology and is what’s known as ‘cold lighting’. It will only take a few seconds to get used to being in the limelight and they will soon realise they are just having a chat which is also being filmed.
In the days prior to the shoot try not to let your team over prepare. They don’t need to memorise paragraphs of company speak – that’s what your website and brochure are there for. Have key messages in mind but remember the Producer will know what they are looking for and will tailor their questions to get the best results. You’re in good hands. Take your time and be yourself.
FAQ: Is there anything else we need to consider for when you come to film here?
Yes – there are a few things to bear in mind . . .
ACCESS – the crew will be equipped with several bags of equipment which may need moving from location to location. If possible, book a parking space near to the reception or interview room or find out the best place to unload and access your premises. It also helps if security is forewarned that the crew will be arriving at an agreed time, to avoid any unwanted delays to the shooting schedule
COMPANY IMAGE – Remember, you know your business more than the visiting film crew. The cameraman will be scouting the offices for great shots, angles, faces etc, so if there are any old company logos, cuddly toys stuck to monitors, broken office equipment or other undesirable items that you won’t want to see in the final video, now is the time to take them down or hide them in the stationary cupboard. Remember: Everything the viewer sees will speak volumes about your company.
HEALTH & SAFETY – It is unlikely that the crew will be aware of your company’s health and safety policy, which means they won’t realise that your chief engineer should have been wearing a hard hat on the factory floor or that a machine operator forgot to wear gloves. Make sure staff are adhering to all of your company’s regulations. The cameraman can crop things out of shot or simply not film undesired areas but air brushing things out later in the edit can be costly or ruin a really good take or section.
FAQ: Is it true that cameramen are fueled by tea.
YES! If you see the cameraman’s smile beginning to fade, please feel free to offer him a hot drink. It does wonders for his concentration and generally keeps his sarcasm levels to a minimum!
FAQ: What about the edit or post production part of the process?
Again, we will take care of everything for you without babbling jargon or geek-speak at you. We will produce an approval version of your film which is usually sent to you as a lower resolution file that you can download and watch in your office. This ensures the edit and approval process is quick and efficient without you having to devote lots of your precious time visiting the edit suite.
We have a 2 part blog post here, which will further demystify the post production process for you.
FAQ: When the video is finished, what format will it be in?
We can provide your film in virtually any format you require, but video for the web is rapidly becoming the format of choice. Many clients now use video sites such as Youtube or Vimeo to host their content, which can then be embedded seamlessly on your website. We can upload your films direct from the edit suite to ensure that they are full quality HD programmes available to your audience.
Alternatively you may need a DVD disc or multiple copies, and that’s fine too.
If your question wasn’t included in our FAQs, please drop us a line or give us a call on 0116 2616817 to find out how we can help you to produce video content that will put you way ahead of the competition.