Non-profits know that the best way to get people involved in a cause is to appeal to them emotionally. Videos are a great way to do that. By allowing access into real life events, or situations, videos provide an intimate look into emotional stories that most viewers might otherwise never experience personally.
Carefully planned and beautifully made, effective videos grab a viewer's attention from the opening scene and hold it all the way till the end. When the lights go up, the desired result is a call to action that is heard and acted upon. Creating effective videos however, is not an easy process. It takes time, teamwork and proper planning. It also requires a production company that is sensitive, compassionate and experienced in video production for non-profits.
From the very beginning producing a video is a collaborative effort that requires special attention by everyone involved. First, and most importantly, defining what the finished video should accomplish is critical. Whether it is for fund-raising, public awareness or education, it is imperative that your production company really understands your needs. Once they do, they can suggest the most effective format for achieving these goals in a written proposal called a Treatment.
Also called a Project Outline, the Treatment suggests the approach to the video and why, how it will look and what scenes will need to be shot along with their locations. Keep in mind, this is where good communication impacts the final product. If there is any element of the Treatment you don't agree with now is the time to speak up. After all, your production company's primary goal is to produce a video you'll be happy with.
When the Treatment process is complete, final budgets will be presented and approved and then, the real work begins. There will be script approvals, production and travel schedules, pre-production research, interviews and more. When the big day does finally arrive, it is important that you, or someone authorized to make on the spot decisions, be present. Unexpected situations do occur and if immediate determinations can't be made, re-shooting may be required. This can be costly and difficult to reschedule.
Once the shoot is over, it is time to edit the raw footage. Both you, and the director, should be present at the edit to insure that the script is followed correctly. With advancements in technology, editing can be done in many ways. However, laying out a rough-cut of the entire video offline is recommended. This gives you a chance to review the overall direction and look of the video. It also gives you the ability to go back and make any changes you feel are warranted. Again, remember your input is important and you should feel comfortable communicating your likes and dislikes throughout the entire process. At the same time, you must also open minded enough to take suggestions from professionals who do this for a living.
Although, making a video can seem a little daunting and stressful it can be fun and very fulfilling. When the final product is done, you should walk away feeling the experience was a positive one. The key to producing an effective video is knowing exactly what you want, allowing yourself plenty of time to complete the project and selecting a production company that is experienced, passionate and committed to producing quality videos for non-profits.
Carefully planned and beautifully made, effective videos grab a viewer's attention from the opening scene and hold it all the way till the end. When the lights go up, the desired result is a call to action that is heard and acted upon. Creating effective videos however, is not an easy process. It takes time, teamwork and proper planning. It also requires a production company that is sensitive, compassionate and experienced in video production for non-profits.
From the very beginning producing a video is a collaborative effort that requires special attention by everyone involved. First, and most importantly, defining what the finished video should accomplish is critical. Whether it is for fund-raising, public awareness or education, it is imperative that your production company really understands your needs. Once they do, they can suggest the most effective format for achieving these goals in a written proposal called a Treatment.
Also called a Project Outline, the Treatment suggests the approach to the video and why, how it will look and what scenes will need to be shot along with their locations. Keep in mind, this is where good communication impacts the final product. If there is any element of the Treatment you don't agree with now is the time to speak up. After all, your production company's primary goal is to produce a video you'll be happy with.
When the Treatment process is complete, final budgets will be presented and approved and then, the real work begins. There will be script approvals, production and travel schedules, pre-production research, interviews and more. When the big day does finally arrive, it is important that you, or someone authorized to make on the spot decisions, be present. Unexpected situations do occur and if immediate determinations can't be made, re-shooting may be required. This can be costly and difficult to reschedule.
Once the shoot is over, it is time to edit the raw footage. Both you, and the director, should be present at the edit to insure that the script is followed correctly. With advancements in technology, editing can be done in many ways. However, laying out a rough-cut of the entire video offline is recommended. This gives you a chance to review the overall direction and look of the video. It also gives you the ability to go back and make any changes you feel are warranted. Again, remember your input is important and you should feel comfortable communicating your likes and dislikes throughout the entire process. At the same time, you must also open minded enough to take suggestions from professionals who do this for a living.
Although, making a video can seem a little daunting and stressful it can be fun and very fulfilling. When the final product is done, you should walk away feeling the experience was a positive one. The key to producing an effective video is knowing exactly what you want, allowing yourself plenty of time to complete the project and selecting a production company that is experienced, passionate and committed to producing quality videos for non-profits.
