Seven Surefire Ways to Keep Your Video Projects on Budget

WRITTEN BY Tim Lewis ON 01.20.24

While we strive to keep video productions simple, there are certain projects that are more challenging than others. By following these tips, you’re sure to keep your projects moving on time and on budget:

While we strive to keep video productions simple, there are certain projects that are more challenging than others. By following these tips, you’re sure to keep your projects moving on time and on budget:

1. Have a final script on the shoot, or at minimum a detailed, specific outline.
   A script should be reviewed and approved by all decision makers before the shoot. This minimizes the possibility that shots are missed and the need to re-shoot. Don’t forget to run the script by your compliance and legal teams because once production begins, changes to the script can be costly and cause delays.
2. Have an in-house expert on the shoot.
   As video producers, we don’t know all of the safety rules and proper procedures for your industry. An expert on-site can spot and prevent us from wasting time shooting improper or incorrect content.
3. Make sure the product or procedure works before the shoot.
   It’s a good idea to do a dry run before the video shoot to make sure the product works the way its intended. Scrambling to get it working while the video crew waits can be counter productive and costly.
4. Make sure there are no surprise construction projects the day of the shoot.
   This is especially important if audio is being captured. Ask the building manager if any construction, landscaping, or other noise-producing work is scheduled for the day of the video shoot.
5. Make sure everyone in the company knows about the video shoot.
   This is important if they will be part of the shoot, either talking on camera or as part of the cover footage. For those being interviewed, make sure they are dressed properly, have content prepared, do not have other meetings or commitments, etc. Those who are part of the cover footage should also be appropriately dressed and aware of what’s going on. Stopping the shoot to explain what we’re doing for each individual causes delays.
6. Make sure any illustrations or graphics are final and approved before sending to the editor.
   Brand standards, colors and fonts are great to have before editing and cuts down on revisions. It costs less to animate and edit once rather than two, three, or four times.
7. Have all decision makers — including the legal team — review the video before signing off.
   There are often disclaimers or other simple graphics that need to be added. It’s more efficient to do this when we’re working on the final edits rather than after the project is complete.

We always expect there will be revisions and changes in the video creation process, but following these tips can keep the project moving smoothly, on time and on budget.

If you found this article interesting, you may also like:

• 5 Tips For Your Next On-Camera Interview
• What Can Video Do For Your Buisness?
• 5 Steps to Creating an Effective and Entertaining Video [Infographic]