PLAN YOUR VIDEO

Here is a short list of tips one should consider when planning a video presentation:  

1.  OBJECTIVES, AUDIENCE & DELIVERY.  Decide what you hope to accomplish with your video.  Do you want to introduce a product?  Train your staff?  Kick-off a meeting?  Next, define your audience.  Are they existing customers?  Visitors on a tour of your facilities?  New hires?  Sales team?  Finally, how will you deliver your video to them?  Mass mail a DVD?  Web video?  Trade show?  Private screening?  Once you’ve nailed down these important decisions, you can create an outline.

2.  OUTLINE.  Jot down all of the facts your presentation needs to communicate.  Arrange them in a logical order.  Think visually.  Everything on your list must be represented by a visual image or series of images.  This can include video footage, photographs, animation, graphics, titles, bullet points and a "talking head"...or two.

3.  THE SCRIPT.  Using your outline as a guide, write a concise script that tells your story.  Be brief but thorough.  Keep in mind, visuals may negate the need for lengthy passages.  While you're at it, compile a list of locations, events and other images that need to be professionally videotaped.  Consider who will need to be interviewed, where and when.   Collect photographs of events that can't be reproduced or staged.  Be sure to get the final script approved by management and legal.  Dean Digital Video can help you write the script.    

4.  PRODUCTION.  Who will narrate your presentation?  Will anyone appear "on camera"?  If so, where and when should this be shot?  Dean Digital Video can recommend and direct professional talent at a reasonable cost.  Make sure everything runs smoothly on the day of “the shoot.”  Invite Dean Digital Video to your site.  Tour all of the possible “locations”.  Discuss what needs to be straightened-up and/or rearranged to make “the set” look its best.

Once the director yells, "That's a wrap!" the post-production phase begins.  Dean Digital Video will take all of the materials and assemble a slick presentation.

CONCLUSION.  In this four-step process, we’ve tried to de-mystify video production.  Dean Digital Video has prepared a series of four emails that review these steps in more detail.  If you'd like a copy, shoot us an email. 

Need more help?  Review our video demonstrations.  These examples may give you ideas for your production. 

Perhaps you have special needs that weren’t covered here.  Call us.  We’ll be happy to discuss your challenges.  Dial 901-831-4556 and ask for Calvin.