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Video Production Business Plan

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Michael's Video Service

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Michael’s Video Service uses the latest technology to provide video production services. This means that the services provided achieve a level of quality previously reserved for only the most expensive video production companies. 

Michael’s Video Service is a new company and as such, we will need to meet market acceptance. To that end, the company is working to determine trends in the industry, the needs of the customer, and how best to address the needs of the customer.   

Our services are geared for several markets, including television stations, companies, high schools, and families. We will initially target high schools with whom we can establish strategic alliances that will enable us to establish long term relationships with them. In our first year of operation, we believe we can capture 15 to 25% of the market, which translates into $100,000 – $130,000 in sales.

We believe that we can earn $149,000 in our first year, rising to $175,000 and $191,000 in our second and third years, respectively. Our market strategy will be to advertise and capitalize on the services that our competitors do not offer.

There are several companies with whom we will be competing. We have a competitive advantage, however, because our equipment is more aligned with the video production industry trends requiring digital technology, as opposed to analog devices.  

The company is seeking a loan in the amount of $300,000 which will be used to purchase the equipment and start-up expenses. The company’s revenue projections for the first three years are $149,000, $175,000, and $191,000, respectively. Michael’s Video Service expects to achieve profitability early on. 

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Legal Business Description

Michael’s Video Service was founded in May 1996 by Mr. Michael Morrison. Michael’s Video Service is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with principal offices located in Denton, Ohio. 

2.1 Mission

Our mission is to become the leading freelance and video production company in state, utilizing the latest technology to shift market share from competitors to Michael’s Video Service. 

Michael’s Video Service is in business to cover events and special occasions on a freelance basis. What we will be providing is an alternative solution for video companies or out of town television stations. Instead of them sending a crew or taking time out of their busy schedules, they can hire us to do the filming for them. This gives them the opportunity to focus on their core competencies. 

We will attend any and every event that we will have to cover for our customer. Using our experience, we will find a strategic location from which we will film. Once the filming is complete, we will then deliver the tape to the customer.

Michael’s Video Service will contract video services to its target markets. Services are not only limited to the Denton, we are able to travel around the country. Our main goal is to contract our services to anyone who may need an event video taped.

3.1 Service Description

The operation begins with the customer contacting Michael’s Video Service with the intent of using our services. All the details of the event are gathered and all the relevant information pertaining the specific requirements, as well as the delivery of the tape. Thereafter, we attend the event and proceed to do the filming. Once the filming is completed, the next step is to deliver the tape to the customer.

3.2 Technology

Analog is the old technology and digital is the new. Analog communication systems involve the amplitude modulation of a radio signal. In other words, they transmit and receive information through a continuous flow of electromagnetic signals. An inherent weakness of the technology is that analog signals weaken over distances and require additional equipment to boost them as they travel.

Digital cameras are the future of television broadcasting as well as the future of consumer camcorders. The FCC has mandated that all television stations must transmit a digital signal to the homes of its viewers by 2002.

In keeping up with the trends in the industry, we plan to purchase the latest digital equipment on the market. We plan to use the following equipment:

• DLC Qualcomm 500
• Sanyo 2000 video equipment
• Sanyo 2000 wireless equipment

Strategy and Implementation Summary

We plan to initially market our products and services as an alternative solution for television networks and video companies.  These markets were selected because of their size, trends in technology, our experience with video production, our industry contacts, and an overall belief that they are most appropriate to initially target.

We aim to rapidly develop alliances with the major high schools to enable us to gain credibility as the best video production company. Our market strategy will be to advertise and capitalize on the products and services that our competitors do not have. 

4.1 Market Analysis Summary

We expect to compete as a freelance video production company in the broadcasting industry. Companies in the industry are involved in the creation and delivery of various types of programming to consumers. Much of that programming is recorded on film, tape, or disk, so that it can be seen or heard repeatedly by both new audiences and those that are familiar with it. Many of the events that are broadcast live are likely to be recorded, with some or all of such events to be rebroadcast at future times.

Within this national market, Michael’s Video Service will initially focus on supplying its services to the high school market market. We intend to be the only freelance video company in the city and state to offer our services to companies of any size. Our goal is to be on the freelance list for all the major television networks for news and sports coverage in the southeast region of the United States.

4.1.1 Market Segmentation

Our customer is defined as any individual or organization that has need for one of the services we provide. Our target customers are as follows.

4.1.2 Competition and Buying Patterns

Customers are expected to use our services based on traditional factors:

• Performance
• Flexibility

4.1.3 Distribution Strategy

4.1.4 Service Business Analysis

The major companies that compete in the market are:

• Synergy Productions
• Local Television Stations
• Video Production, Inc.
• Gene’s Video Productions
• Denton Video Service
• VIP Productions

All of our competitors specialize in one aspect of video production. We are a diversified company and we believe that there will be no down period for us. We are not seasonal based, our services are offered throughout the year. With our diversity, we will be able to attract the larger organizations that like to entrust one company to handle all of their affairs.

4.1.4.1 Possible Barriers to Entry

Michael’s Video Service will benefit from several significant barriers to entry which include:

• Strategic Alliances
• Experience in the field

4.1.5 Strategic Alliances

The company plans to form strategic alliances with clients who require a freelancer to cover various events for them. Michael’s Video Service will also develop strategic alliances with video production companies and work with them as a sub-contractor. 

4.1.6 Value Proposition

By using Michael’s Video Service to cover various events for them, companies will be able to save time. They can then use this time saved to focus on their core competencies and the things that they do best. We are in business to provide a service that is second to none. As such, we guarantee that our customers will receive first class service and a final product that is well worth the money invested. To that end, we guarantee a full refund in the event that a customer is not satisfied. At Michael’s Video Service, we take pride in our work and it is our aim to be the best at what we do. We will conduct our business in a professional manner from our methods and character to our standards and ethics.

4.2 Sales Forecast

The following table and chart show our planned sales.

4.2.1 Channels

Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Channels

In marketing our products and services, we will rely on a combination of the following channels:

• Direct approach
• Yellow pages
• Radio and television
• Word of mouth
• Trade shows

Alliances with video companies that have industry credibility, presence, and distribution are key to our strategy. In monitoring our services and market position, we will rely on feedback from customers with whom we have relationships. This will be done through direct sales. The message associated with our products and services is high quality for less money. Our promotional plan is diverse and will include a range of marketing communications.

4.2.2 Pricing Strategy

We plan to set our pricing based on market value. Our actual price will be based on whether our services are required on a daily or an hourly basis. It is anticipated that we will charge $300 per hour and $1,000 per day. For out of town travel, additional charges will be added for expenses.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

The company’s management philosophy will be based on responsibility and mutual respect. Michael Video Services will maintain an environment and structure that will encourage productivity and respect for customers and fellow employees. Additionally, the environment will encourage employees to have fun by allowing creative independence and providing challenges that are realistic and rewarding.

Michael’s Video Service’s management team is highly experienced and qualified. The management team is lead by Mr. Michael Morisson.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

We are requesting a loan of $300,000. The funds will be used to purchase video equipment and to cover initial operating expenses. 

Payback Strategy

Our repayment for this loan will come from cash in excess of profits, paid monthly. The increase in profits generated by business from television stations will provide funds to repay the loan in 10 years.

6.1 Important Assumptions

The table below highlights some assumptions that are key to the success of the company.

6.2 Break-even Analysis

For our Break-even Analysis, we assume running costs of approximately $9,000 per month, which includes gas, phone, and an estimation of other running costs. Variable costs mostly include video tapes. The chart and table below show our break-even point.

6.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The table below provides the projected income statements for Michael’s Video Service. The company is basing its revenue projections on anticipated sales of services, initially to the television networks and video companies, then to other markets such as high school events and weddings.

6.4 Financial Risks and Contingencies

The company recognizes that it is subject to both market and industry risks. We believe our risks are as follows, and we are addressing each as indicated. We face all the risks associated with being a start-up company. We feel that we can overcome these with our experience in the industry and by quickly establishing desired relationships. The economy in south Ohio is based on the oil and gas industry, which is very unstable. Having seen the oil bust in the 1980’s and its effects on the economy, we have diversified our efforts and will be going after markets that will not be affected by fluctuations in the oil and gas industry.

6.5 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table present the cash flow assumptions for the company.

6.6 Projected Balance Sheet

Projected balance sheets are provided below.

6.7 Business Ratios

The following table presents important business ratios from the motion picture production industry, as determined by the Standard Industry Classification (SIC) Index code 7812, Motion Picture and Video Production.

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Business Plan Template for Video Production

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Are you an entrepreneur or a video production company in the media and entertainment industry? If so, you know that having a solid business plan is crucial for success. With ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Video Production, you can outline your strategies, set objectives, and forecast your financial projections—all in one place!

This template is specifically designed to help you secure funding, attract investors, and guide the overall direction of your video production business. With ClickUp, you can:

• Plan and organize your marketing strategies, production processes, and distribution channels
• Track and manage your financials, including revenue streams, expenses, and profitability
• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure everyone is aligned towards your business goals

Don't let the complexities of the video production industry hold you back. Use ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Video Production to take your business to new heights. Get started today and make your vision a reality!

Business Plan Template for Video Production Benefits

A business plan template for video production can offer a range of benefits for entrepreneurs and video production companies in the media and entertainment industry. Some of these benefits include:

• Providing a clear roadmap for your video production business, outlining strategies and objectives
• Guiding decision-making and helping you stay focused on your goals
• Assisting in securing funding and attracting potential investors by showcasing your vision and financial projections
• Ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the market, competition, and target audience
• Facilitating effective project management and resource allocation for successful video production
• Helping you stay organized and accountable for the growth and success of your video production business.

Main Elements of Video Production Business Plan Template

When it comes to creating a comprehensive business plan for your video production company, ClickUp has you covered with its Business Plan Template for Video Production. Here are the key elements of this template:

• Custom Statuses: Keep track of your progress with statuses such as Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do, ensuring that every aspect of your business plan is accounted for and easily managed.
• Custom Fields: Utilize important custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to organize and categorize information within your business plan, making it easier to navigate and update as needed.
• Custom Views: Access five different views including Topics, Status, Timeline, Business Plan, and Getting Started Guide to gain different perspectives on your video production business plan, ensuring a clear understanding of objectives, timelines, and progress.
• Collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with your team on the business plan, assigning tasks, setting due dates, and monitoring progress using ClickUp's task management features.
• Documentation: Centralize all relevant documents, contracts, and financial projections within the template using ClickUp's Docs feature, ensuring that all essential information is easily accessible in one place.

With ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Video Production, you'll have the tools you need to create a well-structured and organized business plan that sets your video production company up for success.

How To Use Business Plan Template for Video Production

If you're in the video production industry and need to create a business plan, the Business Plan Template in ClickUp can help you get started. Follow these steps to effectively use the template:

1. Define your vision and goals

Start by determining your vision for your video production business. What do you want to achieve? What services do you want to offer? Set clear and measurable goals that align with your vision.

Use the Goals feature in ClickUp to create and track your business goals for your video production company.

2. Conduct market research

Before diving into your business plan, it's crucial to understand the market and your target audience. Research your competitors, industry trends, and customer preferences to gain insights that will guide your business decisions.

Use the Docs feature in ClickUp to compile your market research findings and create a comprehensive analysis.

3. Develop your marketing and sales strategy

A strong marketing and sales strategy is essential for the success of your video production business. Determine how you will reach and attract clients, and outline your pricing structure and sales tactics. Identify your unique selling proposition (USP) and highlight your competitive advantage.

Utilize the Board view in ClickUp to create a visual representation of your marketing and sales strategy, including different stages of client acquisition and conversion.

4. Outline your financial projections

Financial projections play a crucial role in your business plan, as they demonstrate the viability and profitability of your video production company. Estimate your revenue streams, production costs, overhead expenses, and expected profits. Consider factors such as equipment, personnel, and marketing costs.

Use the Table view in ClickUp to create a financial projection spreadsheet, including revenue forecasts, expense breakdowns, and cash flow analysis.

By following these steps and using the Business Plan Template in ClickUp, you can create a comprehensive and effective business plan for your video production company. Remember to regularly review and update your plan as your business evolves and new opportunities arise.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Video Production

Entrepreneurs or video production companies in the media and entertainment industry can use the Business Plan Template for Video Production in ClickUp to create a comprehensive plan that outlines their strategies, objectives, and financial projections.

To get started, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a successful video production business:

• Use the Topics View to brainstorm and organize different sections of your business plan
• The Status View will help you track the progress of each section, with statuses like Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do
• The Timeline View will give you a visual representation of your business plan's timeline and milestones
• The Business Plan View will provide a comprehensive overview of your entire plan, including strategies, objectives, and financial projections
• The Getting Started Guide View will serve as a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through the template and complete each section
• Utilize the custom fields Reference, Approved, and Section to add additional information and categorize your business plan
• Update statuses and custom fields as you work through each section to keep team members informed of progress
• Monitor and analyze your business plan to ensure it aligns with your goals and attracts investors.
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Production Company Business Plan

Videos capture or display emotions like no other medium is present. And if you are creative or want to take up projects related to film and video, then a production company business might be a good choice for you. Making videos is no longer restricted to films and TV.

Due to the increasing usage of OTT platforms and streaming platforms like YouTube video production is growing by leaps and bounds.

From learning something new to purely for entertainment purposes, people watch videos for everything. And if you want to get into this business, then all you need is a production company business plan and a good team of creatives.

Industry Overview

The video production industry stood at a whopping value of 2.09 billion dollars in 2021 in the USA and Canada. And is expected to grow at a rapid rate going forward as well.

The major reason for this rise is the increase in the consumption of video content. Video content is no longer just used for movies. It has a wide variety of usage from digital marketing, education, entertainment, and many more.

But as so much content is present on the web, it is essential to do something that helps you stand out. Hence, it is important to plan and strategize before getting started.

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Things to Consider Before Writing a Production Company Business Plan

Choose a niche.

Video production is used in many aspects from making films, TV, and web series, to direct advertisements, music video advertisements, and so on. Video production is also either done entirely by your company including to’ve processed, or you might be hired by other businesses or agencies to produce videos, but you aren’t a part of the creative process.

It is essential to choose a niche before getting started because different strategies work for different niches. Also, picking one niche before getting started helps you focus on the area and develop a thorough understanding and expertise in it.

Develop a creative process

All of us know that there’ll be days when you have important deadlines, but you won’t be able to think of anything new or good. On such days, you’ll need a process that helps you get decent ideas in an autopilot sort of way. A creative process can help you actively look for ideas instead of waiting for ideas to come to you.

Build a good team

Having a team that understands and supports your vision is essential in any creative profession. Your team should be an amalgamation of individuals with different and complementary perspectives. It helps you develop new and unique ideas as well as move forward with them creatively.

Organize your finances

It is necessary to do your research and find out what would be the financial requirements of starting your production company, how much you can manage on your own, how much funds you’ll need, and what are the sources for acquiring the same.

Chalking out Your Business Plan

If you are planning to start a new production company business, the first thing you will need is a production company business plan. Use our sample production company business plan created using Upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new production company business, spend as much time as you can reading through some samples of entertainment & media business plans .

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for. It will also show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample production company business plan for you to get a good idea about how a perfect production company business plan should look like and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Production Company Business Plan Outline

This is the standard production company business plan outline, which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Market Validation
• Short-Term (1 -3 Years)
• Long Term (3-5 years)
• Mission statement
• Unique Selling Proposition
• Black Screen Productions – 3-Year Financial Highlights
• Company Ownership/Legal Entity
• Interior Operating Facilities
• Hours of Operation
• Startup summary
• Media Production
• Media Distribution
• Market segmentation
• Market Trends
• Target market
• Competitive Advantage
• SWOT analysis
• Target Market Strategy
• Market Size
• Positioning Statement
• Online Marketing Channels
• Offline Marketing Channels
• Pricing strategy
• Organization chart
• Management Team
• Hiring plan
• BLACK SCREEN PRODUCTIONS
• Important Assumptions
• Break-even analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this Production Company business plan template into your business plan and modify the required information and download your production company business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

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Download a sample production company business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free production company business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your production company business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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How to Start a Production Company: A Complete 12-Step Guide

S tarting a production company can be incredibly daunting. There are so many business aspects that appear mundane and confusing to the typical creative starting a production company. But the truth is that laying down a proper foundation is essential for any new production company to grow and prosper. In this article, we outline twelve steps on how to start a production company in the modern age. Let’s dive in. 

How to start a production company 

1. research the market.

Getting started right away and shooting anything and everything possible might sound like a great idea when starting a production company. But before you shoot a single shot, it is important to do your market research. This is important for companies producing either independent films or commercial advertisements. 

When producing an independent film, research doesn't mean you must write a film according to what is popular. But rather understand and determine how the film you want to make can be positioned in the world of indie films, streaming, and top film festivals .

On the topic of the latter, researching film festivals can be the deciding factor that gets your film into film festivals. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right film festival. 

Starting a Production Company Through Film Festivals

If you are aiming to produce commercial work, research is just as, if not more important. Research the market in your specific area and determine how to position your company to fulfill the market needs of your area. 

Research also may involve reaching out and learning from others. Here are the founders of a small production company Dose of Society. They reached out to Gary Vaynerchuk, a well-known and successful entrepreneur, to ask him how to scale a small media company. 

How to start a production company  •  Meeting With Dose of Society

While the advice Gary Vaynerchuk gives them is valuable in and of itself, it is important for you to conduct your own research in your area. It is also important to research competing companies and take note of the services they are offering. Understanding what you’re up against will help you determine how to position and market your company.

Starting a film production company

2. determine your niche.

When starting a production company, you may find that a specific niche excites you the most. For indie film companies, this may be a certain genre such as horror or science-fiction. In commercial production, companies this may be a focus on weddings, restaurants, start-ups, or even gyms. 

Starting a film production company with niches

As the video states, it is important to follow your instincts when determining your niche rather than what others tell you is a great niche to pursue. When first learning how to start a production company, take a look at existing companies and understand what markets are saturated in your area. 

How to start a film production company with no money

3. name your company.

Naming a company can be incredibly fun, but often difficult. When naming your production company, definitely include your personality and have fun with it, but keep in mind a few guidelines. 

It is important to come up with a name that is memorable and easily searchable. It’s easy for company names to get lost in the minutiae of the internet. Utilizing a city name in your company name is a great way to help potential clients find your company more easily. Here is a great Ted talk that discusses how to come up with a great brand name.

How to name your production company  •  Brand Names

It is also important to make sure that your name is original and legally avoids copyright problems. Enter your possible company names into the National Business Register to check if your name is taken. 

How do you start a production company?

4. create a business plan.

One of the most important steps when creating a production company is creating a production company business plan . Without a business plan, starting a company may be easy, but growing it in a sustainable way will be incredibly difficult. 

Putting your business plan on paper will help you and your team gain a clear direction on the company with actionable steps. Here is some first hand advice on how to think about growing a production company.

How to start a production company and grow it

Perhaps most importantly, a business plan can be presented to potential investors, advisors, team members or clients to prove to them that there is a plan for the future of the company. When people are going to invest their money or time into a company, they will want to know that there is a plan behind the idea. 

5. Assemble a team and equipment

While it is always an option to start a company alone as a sole proprietor (we’ll get to that in the next section), working with friends is not only more fun, but it can increase your production value immensely. 

Being a one man or woman show can spread you thin and decrease the level of production on your projects. There will inevitably be projects that come up where you will need to find and hire a great film crew . A proper set will entail a few key positions. What positions are absolutely necessary? Here’s a video to give you a better idea. 

How Many Crew Members Do You Need?  •  Starting a film production company

This team will either be composed of freelancers, employees, or business partners. To determine which you will employ, refer to your business plan and finances to see what best suits your company.

Once you have your crew, using StudioBinder’s film crew list management software will help you stay organized and efficient when managing your crew.

In addition to a team, you will need equipment. When starting a production company, it is common to be on a very tight budget. Production lighting kits , mirrorless cameras , and camera lenses can get pricey. Here is a video that breaks down some essential equipment needs that won't completely break the bank.

How to Start a Production Company With Under $10,000: What Should You Buy?

Keeping your team and production organized is the difference between amauteuer productions and professional productions. Production softwares like StudioBinder’s production management software will help take your company to the next level. 

Related Posts

• A Complete Buying Guide to Camera Lenses →
• The Best Mirrorless Cameras for Filmmaking →
• Plan your productions with scheduling software →

Register a film production company

6. determine your type of company.

Types of businesses to register a film production company

To recap, here are your options as stated here by the U.S. Small Business Association where you can find more information:

1. Sole Proprietorship:

A sole proprietorship is easy to form and gives you complete control of your business. 

Sole proprietorships do not produce a separate business entity. This means your business assets and liabilities are not separate from your personal assets and liabilities. You can be held personally liable for the debts and obligations of the business. Still wondering what a sole proprietorship is? Check out the video below for more information.

What Is A Sole Proprietorship?  •  QuickBooks US

Sole proprietorships can be a good choice for low-risk businesses and owners who want to test their business idea before forming a more formal business.

2. Partnership:

Partnerships are the simplest structure for two or more people to own a business together. There are two common kinds of partnerships: limited partnerships (LP) and limited liability partnerships (LLP).

Limited partnerships have only one general partner with unlimited liability, and all other partners have limited liability.

Limited liability partnerships are similar to limited partnerships, but give limited liability to every owner.

Partnerships can be a good choice for businesses with multiple owners, professional groups (like attorneys), and groups who want to test their business idea before forming a more formal business.

3. LLC (Limited Liability Company)

An LLC lets you take advantage of the benefits of both the corporation and partnership business structures.

LLCs protect you from personal liability in most instances, your personal assets — like your vehicle, house, and savings accounts — won't be at risk in case your LLC faces bankruptcy or lawsuits. LLCs can also have a limited life in many states. 

These can be a good choice for medium- or higher-risk businesses, owners with significant personal assets they want to be protected, and owners who want to pay a lower tax rate than they would with a corporation.

LLC vs S-corp vs C-corp

4. c corp (corporation).

A corporation, sometimes called a C corp, is a legal entity that's separate from its owners. Corporations can make a profit, be taxed, and can be held legally liable.

Corporations offer the strongest protection to its owners from personal liability, but the cost to form a corporation is higher than other structures. Corporations also require more extensive record-keeping, operational processes, and reporting.

These can be a good choice for medium- or higher-risk businesses, businesses that need to raise money, and businesses that plan to "go public" or eventually be sold.

5. S Corp (Corporation)

An S corporation, sometimes called an S corp, is a special type of corporation that's designed to avoid the double taxation drawback of regular C corps. S corps allow profits, and some losses, to be passed through directly to owners' personal income without ever being subject to corporate tax rates.

S corps also have an independent life, just like C corps. If a shareholder leaves the company or sells his or her shares, the S corp can continue doing business relatively undisturbed.

These can be a good choice for a business that would otherwise be a C corp, but meet the criteria to file as an S corp.

How do I start a production company?

7. consult a lawyer or legal advisor.

Creating a production company legally can be complex. Consulting a legal advisor or lawyer will help ensure that you are taking the necessary steps in starting your company. Many people jump into starting a production company without laying the foundations. 

Here is a video with first hand experience explaining why this is such an important step for anyone starting a production company. 

5 Tips from Starting my own production company from scratch

There are many small business lawyers and entertainment lawyers who specialize in production services that can give great legal advice throughout the process. This step will help you avoid any costly problems in the future.

How to start your production company’s bookkeeping 

8. set up your bookkeeping.

Entertainment payroll, production insurance , and other expenses can get complicated and unorganized very fast. Consulting a CPA and setting up your bookkeeping right away will also help you avoid costly problems in the future as well as any legal ramifications for overlooked processes. This step will pay off when it's time to file your taxes, apply for a loan, or pay your employees.

How to start a production company website

9. establish an online presence.

Whether your production company produces independent films or commercial work, having an online presence is incredibly important. A website will enable you to showcase your work and allow clients or audiences to find you. 

In this day and age, it is a great idea to develop a social media presence as well. Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are all places where trailers, commercials, and other video work can live and be discovered by clients or potential Hollywood players. 

How to create a production company portfolio

10. produce proof of concept projects.

Once you create a website and online presence, you will need to produce work that lives there. This gallery of work will obviously grow as you take on more client work, but initially you may have to shoot some proof of concept ideas that will help clients get a better idea of what your production company is capable of creating. 

StudioBinder's web series,  Making It , followed the entire proof of concept process from the script to the first day of shooting. Here's the first episode on how it all began.

Making It Ep. 1  • Watch Entire Series

When shooting independent films, sometimes creating a short film as a proof of concept for a feature film is a great way to get eyes on your project and potentially funding. 

11. Build a client network

Once the foundations of your company have been established, the next most important step is getting new clients. This is where you will actually see a return on your investment. Here are some fundamental tips for finding new clients for your production company. 

How to start your production company client network

The keys to building a client network is networking and delivering consistent, high quality work. Your initial clients will be your best allies in getting new clients, so maintaining a good relationship is essential.  

How to start a production company plan

12. plan for the future.

Planning for the future of your production company can be difficult in an industry that shifts and changes so often. In this day and age, technology progresses and changes at the blink of an eye. Keeping your focus on how the market is changing, what’s trending in the industry, and what new tech is emerging will help you steer your company like a ship in the right direction. 

Starting a production company is no easy feat by any means, but if you are passionate, persistent, and willing to put in the work it is absolutely achievable. Hopefully these tips bring you one step closer to executing your plan of starting your own production company. Remember there are endless resources online that will help you get started. 

• The Best Video Lighting Kits for Filmmakers →
• How to Master Lighting with 3-Point Lighting →
• Redefined Production Calendar for Easier Shoots →

A guide to creating your business plan

A key part of starting a production company is creating a business plan. And creating a business plan for your new production company can be daunting. Luckily, we’ve covered the fundamentals of how to create a production company business plan in our next article and even included a free template to lay out your business plan. 

Up Next: Creating a business plan →

Thank you for a really useful article with great resources. There is a typo to catch though – it's Gary Vaynerchuk, not Vanderchuck. Thanks again.

Very inspiring I appreciate the knowledge looking forward to

inserting it into my career

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Note to everyone. For future reference, if you simply say "Gary V". most people will know who you are talking about.

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Video Production Company

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Video Production Company

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on April 27, 2022 Updated on June 5, 2024

Investment range

$4,550 - $10,100

Revenue potential

$52,000 - $312,000 p.a.

Time to build

1 – 3 months

Profit potential

$47,000 - $94,000 p.a.

Industry trend

The demand for video content for marketing, and the rise in mobile video watching is driving the global film and video services industry, which is expected to expand 35% by 2025, and nearly 75% by 2030. Now is the perfect time to get in on the trend and start a video production company. You could start with a home studio for a relatively low investment, and eventually, grow and move to a commercial space. Money is there to be made in the video production business, with prices of $800 to $1,000 for a video that lasts just a few minutes. 

But while video production is fun, it’s also a business, and you need to understand that aspect of it before you get started. Luckily, this step-by-step guide will teach you everything you need to know about launching a video production business. 

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a video production company has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you. 

• Flexibility – Run your business from home, set your own hours
• Creative Outlet – Let your creativity shine
• Good Money – Make $1,000 or more per project
• Crowded Market – Compete with established video production companies
• Training Needed – Skills are necessary to produce videos

Video production industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The global film and video production services market was worth $234.9 billion in 2020 after expanding 2.5% annually during the previous five years.(( https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5238077/film-and-video-global-market-report-2021-covid ))
• Growth forecast – The global film and video production industry is projected to grow 35% by 2025 and 75% by 2030.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/movie-video-production-united-states/ ))
• Number of businesses – In 2022, 4,912 movie and video production companies are operating in the US.
• Number of people employed – In 2022, the US movie and video production industry employs 34,633 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/movie-video-production-united-states/ ))

Trends and challenges

Trends in the video production industry include:

• Companies like Blu Blu Studios are leading the way in the animated video marketing and video storytelling segments, which are increasing in popularity.
• Shoppable videos, meaning videos that contain button prompts to buy products, are increasingly present on social media. 
• Corporate videos, such as case study videos and explainer videos, are becoming a larger segment of the video production market. 

Challenges in the video production industry include:

• The evolution of video technology makes it necessary for video production companies to periodically upgrade equipment.
• Customers are seeking quick turnaround times for video production, putting added pressure on video production companies.

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states – The most popular states for video production directors are New York, Minnesota, and California.(( https://www.zippia.com/director-video-production-jobs/best-states/ )) 
• Least popular states – The least popular states for video production directors are Hawaii, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. 

What kind of people work in video production?

• Gender – 18.6% of video production directors are female, while 81.4% are male.(( https://www.zippia.com/director-video-production-jobs/demographics/ ))
• Average level of education – The average video production director has a bachelor’s degree.
• Average age – The average video production director in the US is 40.1 years old.

How much does it cost to start a video production business?

Startup costs for a video production company range from $4,500 to $10,000. The largest expense is the necessary equipment. 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your video production business, including: 

• Highly portable camera
• External microphone
• Editing/production software
• Video editing hardware
• Transcription service
• High-Quality Memory Cards
• Capture Cards
• Dummy Battery

How much can you earn from a video production business?

Prices for video production vary based on the time and the extent of the editing of the video. The average price for a short video is about $1,000. Your profit margin when you’re working by yourself should be about 90%. 

In your first year or two, you could work from home and produce one video per week, bringing in $52,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $47,000 in profit, assuming that 90% margin. As your business gains traction, you could start doing longer videos at a price of $2,000 each, and you could produce three videos per week. At this stage, you’d rent a commercial space and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 30%. With annual revenue of $312,000, you’d make a handsome profit of $94,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a video production company. Your biggest challenges will be:

• The skills needed to provide quality video production
• Building a portfolio of work to use for marketing

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At Step by Step Business, we prioritize genuine experiences. In our Entrepreneur Spotlight Series , we converse with industry pioneers, offering readers a unique perspective.

We’ve sat down with the creative minds behind Fred & Eric Animation Studio to delve into their journey and evolution in the animation world. Dive into our interview for invaluable insights and lessons from the animation industry.

Step 2: Hone Your Idea

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a video production company, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research video production companies in your area to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a film production company or a digital marketing video production company. 

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as corporate video production or explainer video production.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Decide your video production niche and services

Your services will depend on the niche you decide to specialize in. You can offer video editing or the addition of motion graphics as well as video shooting.

How much should you charge for video production?

Prices for video production vary greatly. The average short video costs about $1,000. Higher-end video production companies charge more, from $1,000 to $5,000 per minute. You should aim for a profit margin of about 90% when you’re working by yourself. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market is likely to be business owners. You can connect with them on LinkedIn or find them on Google or Yelp and call them directly. You might also try to partner with digital marketing agencies to handle their video marketing production. 

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out a commercial space for a studio. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Video Production Company Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “video producing” or “video production”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Visionary Productions” over “Wedding Reels Videography”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Video Production Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: Summarize your video production company’s mission to create high-quality, engaging video content for clients ranging from businesses to independent artists.
• Business Overview: Describe your company’s focus on providing video production services, including corporate videos, commercials, music videos, and event coverage.
• Product and Services: Detail the range of video production services, such as concept development, filming, editing, and post-production.
• Market Analysis: Evaluate the demand for video content, identifying target clients like marketing agencies, corporations, or entertainment entities.
• Competitive Analysis: Compare your services with other video production companies, focusing on your unique strengths like advanced technology, creative expertise, or niche market focus.
• Sales and Marketing: Outline your strategy for attracting clients, using tactics like showcasing a portfolio, digital marketing, or networking within industry circles.
• Management Team: Highlight the qualifications and experience of your team, particularly in videography, film editing, and business management.
• Operations Plan: Describe the process of video production, from client consultation and storyboard creation to shooting and final delivery.
• Financial Plan: Provide an overview of financial aspects, including startup costs, pricing strategy, and projected revenue.
• Appendix: Include supplementary documents such as equipment lists, previous project examples, or detailed market research to support your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to video production companies. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your video production company will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a video production business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Business Licenses/Permits

Starting a video production business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your video production business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as Monday , Yamdu , and Pipeline , to manage your projects, budgeting, scheduling, and contracts. 

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google.

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Showcase a Compelling Demo Reel: Craft a standout demo reel that highlights the best of your work, emphasizing diverse styles and capabilities, to leave a lasting impression on potential clients.
• Utilize Social Media Creatively: Leverage platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to share behind-the-scenes content, client testimonials, and short clips, engaging your audience and creating buzz around your brand.
• Strategic Partnerships with Agencies: Collaborate with advertising agencies, event planners, and PR firms to become their go-to video production partner, expanding your reach and clientele through mutually beneficial relationships.
• Offer Educational Content: Develop informative content through blog posts, webinars, or YouTube tutorials that showcase your expertise, positioning your company as an authority in the industry and attracting potential clients seeking guidance.
• Run Targeted Social Media Ads: Invest in targeted advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, focusing on specific demographics, interests, and locations to reach potential clients who are more likely to be interested in your services.
• Attend Niche Events and Trade Shows: Participate in industry-specific events, trade shows, and conferences to connect directly with potential clients and establish a strong presence in your target market.
• Create Limited-Time Promotions: Generate excitement and urgency by offering limited-time promotions or discounts for your services, encouraging potential clients to take action and try out your video production expertise.
• Implement Client Referral Programs: Encourage satisfied clients to refer your services by implementing a referral program, offering incentives such as discounts or additional services for successful referrals.
• Optimize for Search Engines: Ensure your online presence is optimized for search engines by using relevant keywords, creating high-quality content, and obtaining backlinks to increase your visibility in search results.
• Invest in Professional Networking Events: Attend industry-specific networking events, film festivals, or local business gatherings to establish personal connections with potential clients and industry professionals, fostering trust and credibility for your company.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your video production company meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your video production business could be: 

• High-quality video production to meet your digital marketing needs
• Corporate video production to help you grow your business
• Professionally produced explainer videos to elevate your website

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a video production business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in video production for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in video production. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a video production business include:

• Video Directors – provide direction for videos
• Video Producers – edit and produce videos
• Camera People – film the videos
• General Manager – scheduling, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Video Production Company – Start Making Money!

More and more companies are using video marketing techniques, which is why the video production services market is set to grow nearly 75% by 2030. You may need to learn some skills first, but once you do, you could start your own video production company and get a share of that growing market. You just need a passion for what you do, a willingness to work hard, and you can build your business into something great. 

You’ve honed your business skills now, so it’s the perfect time to fire up the cameras and get your successful video production company off the ground!

• Video Production Business FAQs

Yes, a video production business can be very profitable. You just need to have excellent video production skills and a good marketing plan to reach potential customers.

You could get a degree in video production online from places like the New York Film Academy . Alternatively, you could take inexpensive online courses through Udemy .

Getting video production clients requires a combination of networking, building a strong portfolio, and effective marketing. Attend industry events, reach out to potential clients through social media and email, and build relationships with other professionals in the field. 

Marketing yourself as a video producer involves developing a strong brand identity, creating a professional website, and leveraging social media and other marketing channels to promote your services. Focus on showcasing your unique strengths and expertise, such as specialized niches, styles, or techniques.

These services can include pre-production services such as scriptwriting, storyboarding, and location scouting, post-production services such as editing, color correction, and sound design, and distribution services such as video optimization and SEO. Other additional services can include live streaming, virtual reality production, and drone videography.

To find and hire skilled videographers, editors, and other production staff, consider networking with industry professionals, posting job listings on relevant job boards, and attending job fairs or trade shows. Look for candidates with relevant experience and a strong portfolio, and conduct thorough interviews and assessments to ensure they have the necessary skills and fit with your company culture. 

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Video Production Company Name
• Create a Video Production Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Business Licenses/Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Video Production Company - Start Making Money!

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Production Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Production Company Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Production Company business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their production companies.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Production Company business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

ABQ Reels Video Production is a startup production company located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company is founded by Mark Johnson, an entertainment industry veteran who has over 25 years of experience working in video production. Now that Mark has experienced managing a production business, he is ready to start his own company, ABQ Reels Video Production. Mark is confident that his video production skills, combined with his understanding of business management, will enable him to run a profitable production company of his own. Mark is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of video production – sales and marketing, client relationship management, budgeting, financial reporting, and project management.

ABQ Reels Video Production will provide a full suite of production services for small scale video projects in the Albuquerque area. ABQ Reels Video will be the go-to production studio in Albuquerque for its tailored approach and client-first focus. The company will be the ultimate choice for customer service while ensuring the highest quality standards for production in the area.

Product Offering

The following are the services that ABQ Reels Video Production will provide:

• Content Development
• Sourcing & Hiring Film Crew
• Planning & Logistics
• Post-Production Services

Customer Focus

ABQ Reels Video Production will target businesses and individuals in Albuquerque that are looking for video production services for small-scale projects, commercials, and social media. No matter the customer, ABQ Reels Video Production will deliver the best communication, service, and customized production tailored to fit each project’s needs.

Management Team

ABQ Reels Video Production will be owned and operated by Mark Johnson. Mark is a graduate of New Mexico University with a degree in Film Production. He has over 25 years of experience working in video production, and over ten years as a production manager. Mark will be the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Production Manager. He will oversee the production process, production equipment, and production staff’s activities.

Mark has recruited a business management expert, Emily Martinez, to be the company’s Chief Operating Officer and help oversee the production business operations. Emily will handle the day-to-day operations, including budgeting, client relationships, and logistics.

Mark and Emily have recruited an experienced marketing director, Steve Smith, to become a member of the ABQ Reels Video Production management team. Steve is a graduate of the University of California with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Mark and Emily rely on Steve’s expertise to execute the company’s marketing plan and advertising strategies.

Success Factors

ABQ Reels Video Production will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Skilled team of production experts and project management professionals who will oversee each project from start to finish and ensure the customers’ needs are met.
• ABQ Reels Video Production is able to provide production services for a wide range of purposes using the latest production technology.
• The company is able to leverage the expertise of its leadership team to provide customers with the best possible production services from knowledgeable industry veterans.

Financial Highlights

ABQ Reels Video Production is seeking $800,000 in debt financing to launch its production business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the production facility and purchasing production equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Facility build-out: $340,000
• Production equipment, supplies, and materials: $280,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $160,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for ABQ Reels Video Production.

Company Overview

Who is abq reels video production.

ABQ Reels Video Production is a newly established production company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company will provide a full suite of production services for small scale video projects in the Albuquerque area. ABQ Reels will be the go-to production studio in Albuquerque for its tailored approach and client-first focus.

The company will be the ultimate choice for customer service while providing the highest quality standards for production in the area. ABQ Reels Video Production will be able to guarantee the highest quality standards for all of its productions thanks to the latest and most innovative production equipment and oversight from industry veterans. The company’s team of highly qualified professionals experienced in production and project management will oversee each project from start to finish.

ABQ Reels Video Production History

ABQ Reels Video Production is owned and operated by Mark Johnson, an entertainment industry veteran who has over 25 years of experience working in video production. Now that Mark has experienced managing a production business, he is ready to start his own company, ABQ Reels Video Production. Mark is confident that his video production skills, combined with his understanding of business management, will enable him to run a profitable production company of his own. Mark is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of video production – sales and marketing, client relationship management, budgeting, financial reporting, and project management.

Since incorporation, ABQ Reels Video Production has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered ABQ Reels Video Production, LLC to transact business in the state of New Mexico
• Has identified the ideal facility for lease to set up the business operations
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include former colleagues, employees, and production assistants to start putting a skilled core team together
• Began recruiting a staff of accountants, production assistants, and sales personnel to work at ABQ Reels Video Production

ABQ Reels Video Production Services

Industry analysis.

The production industry in the U.S. is a $26B market with approximately 6.3K businesses and over 46K employees nationwide. The outlook for the production market is positive with demand expected to remain steady over the next several years.

The production industry can be categorized by type of production. Some of the most common types of production companies are film production, TV production, commercial production, and post-production. Production companies perform a wide range of services including scripting, casting, hiring, planning, and logistics. Some production companies handle large-scale projects like major motion pictures, while others specialize in small-scale projects like commercials.

Some of the most significant demand drivers are the growing popularity of streaming content, consumer preferences for viewing on smartphones, and social media influence. All of these factors have contributed to increased demand for content, which leads to increased demand for production services.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

ABQ Reels Video Production will target businesses and individuals in Albuquerque that are looking for video production services for small-scale projects such as video for commercials and social media.

The precise demographics for Albuquerque, New Mexico are:

Customer Segmentation

ABQ Reels Video will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Small Businesses in Albuquerque in need of commercial production services
• Mid-Sized Businesses in Albuquerque in need of commercial production services
• Individuals and groups of people in Albuquerque who need video production services for small personal or professional projects

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

ABQ Reels Video Production will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

VIEWR 1st Video Production

VIEWR 1st Video Production is one of the largest commercial production companies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company provides a variety of production services including content development, logistics, and film crew recruitment. VIEWR 1st Video Production specializes in creating commercials for local businesses to use in their advertising campaigns. VIEWR 1st Video Production aims to deliver high quality production through the latest production equipment and experienced crew. VIEWR 1st Video Production’s team of production professionals are well-known in the area for their outstanding commercial work.

Albuquerque’s Best Productions

Albuquerque’s Best Productions is a small production company established in 2005 that caters to local businesses and residents in Albuquerque, New Mexico and surrounding areas. Albuquerque’s Best Productions provides pre-to-post-production services for projects of various sizes and purposes. The company also provides tours of the production facility to local residents, businesses, and schools for a nominal fee. The owners of Albuquerque’s Best Production are former production assistants of some of the biggest production companies in the nation so they understand the production process from start to finish.

SPESHAL EFFEX

SPESHAL EFFEX is a trusted Albuquerque, New Mexico-based production company that provides superior production services to clients in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas. Established in 2018, the company is able to provide a wide variety of production services using its state-of-the-art production equipment. SPESHAL EFFEX serves local business owners, students, and individuals on small-to-large scale video projects. The company prides itself on being the number one choice for innovative special effects used in all of its videos.

Competitive Advantage

ABQ Reels Video Production will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

ABQ Reels Video Production will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• The company is able to leverage the expertise of its leadership team to provide customers with the best possible production process from knowledgeable industry veterans and project management professionals.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for ABQ Reels Video Production is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

The company’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. He will ensure ABQ Reels Video Production maintains an active social media presence with regular updates and fun content to get customers excited about production.

Professional Associations and Networking

ABQ Reels Video Production will become a member of professional associations such as the American Production Company Association, Albuquerque Video Production Society, and the New Mexico Video Production Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the company’s vendor and client network.

Print Advertising

ABQ Reels Video Production will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The company will also send direct mailers to local businesses who are in the target market.

Website/SEO Marketing

ABQ Reels Video Production will utilize the in-house marketing director that designed the print ads to also design the company website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that ABQ Reels Video is able to provide. The website will also list information on the company’s events and client success stories.

The marketing director will also manage ABQ Reels Video’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “Albuquerque production company” or “video production near me”, ABQ Reels Video Production will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of ABQ Reels Video Production will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the company’s production services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for ABQ Reels Video Production.

Operation Functions:

• Mark Johnson will be the CEO and Production Manager of the company. He will oversee the production staff, production process, and the production equipment. Mark has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Emily Martinez – Chief Operating Officer who will manage the budgeting, vendor and customer relationships, and day-to-day logistics.
• John Miller – Accountant/Bookkeeper will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
• Steve Smith – Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and outreach.

Milestones:

ABQ Reels Video Production will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

12/1/2022 – Finalize lease on the facility

12/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the ABQ Reels Video Production management team

1/1/2023 – Begin build-out of the facility, purchase equipment, and set up for production

1/15/2023 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan

2/15/2032 – Finalize contracts for initial production assistants, sales personnel, and office staff

3/15/2023 – ABQ Reels Video Production officially opens for business and starts taking on projects

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for ABQ Reels Video Production are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the company’s production services. When it comes to pricing, the studio will monitor production costs, average prices charged by competitors, and market demand to ensure its prices will generate a healthy profit margin.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a production company. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Average number of minutes produced per month: 12,000
• Average fees per month: $36,000
• Overhead costs per year: $840,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Production Company Business Plan FAQs

What is a production company business plan.

A production company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your production company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your production company business plan using our Production Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Production Companies?

There are a number of different kinds of music companies , some examples include: Feature Film Production, Commercial Production, Post Production, and Niche Production Company.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Production Company Business Plan?

Production companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding. This is true for a business plan for a film production company  or a film production company business plan.

What are the Steps To Start a Production Company?

Starting a production company  can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Video Production Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed video production company business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your production company . This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your production company  is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Production Company   - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your production company  with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your production company , so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Production Company Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your production company , you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your production company . This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Video Production

How to Start a Video Production Company (The Complete Guide)

Discover the steps to starting your own video production business. Find tips on equipment, client relations, and more in our comprehensive guide.

Table of Contents

People who make films and videos often want to be in charge of the projects they do. They can do this by creating their own video production companies. This way, they can make the movies they like and have more flexible work hours. If you're good at telling stories and making films, you might be able to start your own video production company . In this article, we'll show you how to start one and what these businesses do.

What Does a Video Production Company Do?

A video production company makes all sorts of videos, like movies, documentaries, TV shows, and music videos. Some companies are really good at making just one type of video. They work on every part of making a video, from planning and shooting to editing. Video production companies might have their own team to create their own stuff, or people might hire them to make videos for them.

How to start a video production company

Registering your company.

I won't spend a lot of time on this, but setting up your company is a really important thing you have to do. The process of officially making a company is different in each country, so it would be impossible (and probably very boring for you) for me to explain how it works in every country. But you can find that information with just one search on Google.

What I can tell you, though, is that registering your company is a good first step for your business. It helps you manage the money, like income and expenses, for your company. It also comes with benefits for handling debt and, heaven forbid, if your company goes bankrupt. Plus, having your own company name makes it easier for you to stand out from other companies. And once you've got the name, don't forget to officially register it as a trademark!

Find Your Niche

Decide what kinds of videos you want your company to make. Think about the styles and types of videos you like, know well, and can make well. Some examples are videos for weddings or special events, ads, indie films, or horror movies. When you have a clear idea of the kind of videos you want to make, it helps you choose the right projects. It can also bring in more customers because people often look for companies that are experts in the type of video they need. Once you get really good in your chosen area and your company grows, you can think about making other types of videos too.

Also check : Best Platform to Connect with Potential Clients

Create a Business Plan

Having a clear business plan is really important for success. It gives your business a direction right from the start and helps you stay on course as you begin. What's even more important is that this document gives you something to show to potential investors, advisors, and even clients right from the beginning of your business.

• Competitor Analysis : Your business plan should include research about your main competitors, what they sell, and what they're good and not so good at. This helps you make your products and services special in a market with lots of competition.
• Target Audience : Your business plan should also have research about the people you want to reach with your business. What do they like? Do they prefer long videos or short ones? Answering these questions helps you advertise to your audience in the best way.
• Setting business goals : A good business plan lays out goals for your business that you can measure. You can see how well you're doing as your company grows.
• Fundings : Your business plan should have an idea of how much money you'll need and how you'll get it. You might use your own savings, borrow money, or get investors to help fund your business.

Set Up a Social Media Accounts and Business Website

Make a business website or get someone to make it for you so that people can discover your company on the internet. Make the website easy to understand but full of helpful information, like how to get in touch with you, a little about your background, and some examples of what you do. As your business gets bigger, you can also think about adding things like blog posts, a list of projects you've done before, and pages for your team members.

Also, make sure your company is present on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Social media can be like a showcase of your work, and it's a way to connect with possible customers and experts in your field. Make it easy for people to reach out to you through your company's social media accounts.

Build a Team

When you begin a video production company, you might be the only person working there. But it can be really helpful to know and work with freelance or contract videographers, editors, and producers. They can assist you in meeting your clients' requirements as your business grows. If you want to run a complete production company, you should be ready to hire people to handle different parts like planning, making the videos, editing, and getting them out to the audience. You might also want to bring in a certified public accountant to manage your finances and payroll. When it comes to creative folks like actors, writers, directors, camera experts, and the crew, you'll likely hire them for each project as needed.

Set Your Price

One of the trickiest things is figuring out how much to charge for your work. What's the right price for your clients? Well, I wish there was a simple answer I could give you.

A good way to decide on your price is to see what other businesses like yours are charging. Look at people who have similar experience and work in similar places, and that will give you a good idea of what to charge.

At the start, you might charge less than what companies expect to pay, and that's all part of gaining experience.

Simplify your prices to ease budgeting

When you're deciding on a price, it's important to be clear and keep your prices consistent. I don't mean you have to explain every detail of your prices to each client, but it's a good idea to put a set price for a whole project on your website, rather than charging by the hour.

While there might be some variations in prices, having a rough price for different packages you offer like "Facebook ad," "Brand Video," or "Wedding Video" makes it easier for people or companies to plan their budgets. It's a neat service to provide, and it could make more people want to hire you.

Offer monthly videos for companies

Here's another idea: you could offer a subscription service for companies. These days, it's becoming pretty normal for companies to make regular videos. Some companies need to share new videos every month or week.

To make it simpler for companies to hire you, you could create a subscription plan that includes, for example, 4 short Facebook ads for a fixed price.

Frequently Asked Questions - How to Start a Video Production Company

Do i need any prior experience to start a video production company.

While prior experience in filmmaking is beneficial, it's not mandatory. You can start by learning the basics and gaining practical knowledge as you go.

How do I create a business plan for my video production company?

Begin with a clear vision of your company's goals and services. Research your target audience and competition. Include financial projections and marketing strategies to outline your path to success.

What equipment do I need to start a video production company?

Basic equipment includes cameras, lighting, audio gear, and editing software. The specific gear you need will depend on the type of videos you plan to produce and your budget.

How should I price my video production services?

Pricing can vary based on factors like your experience, location, and the complexity of the project. Research competitors' rates and consider offering different packages to accommodate a range of clients.

What legal and financial considerations are important when starting a video production company?

You'll need to register your business, obtain necessary licenses, and consider liability insurance. Setting up a separate business bank account and keeping meticulous financial records is also crucial.

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Film and Video Production Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Media Sector

Are you about starting a film and video production company ? If YES, here is a complete sample film and video production business plan template & feasibility study you can use for FREE .

If you have ever come across a movie buff, chances are that you will notice the way at which they are able to analyze a movie for expertise or mediocrity. The truth is that these folks can tell when a movie has been well produced. This is one of the reasons why those who are at the helms of affair in the movie production business try their best to churn out quality stuff.

Starting a film and video production company is one of the best things that may happen to you. This is because of the promising nature of the trade. As a matter of fact millionaires are being made every time in the movie production world. Good news still remains that there are newbies every now and then.

A Sample Film and Video Production Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

We can hardly talk about the film and video production industry without mentioning big players in the industry such as 21 st Century Fox, Time Warner, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom Inc. et al. These are companies that truly define the trends in the industry.

Basically, film and video production industry is an industry that is responsible for producing and distributing motion pictures and videos. This industry does not include third-party providers such as distributors and disc manufacturers, as well as products, such as television shows and made-for-television movies, aimed specifically toward television et al.

Despite the fact that film and video production business can be expensive to run, the business is indeed a thriving business that has loads of players making huge profits from the industry. One thing is certain, if a film and video production company can successfully produce a major hit movie or musical video; it won’t be too long before video recording contracts come calling from all over the united states and beyond.

Players in the Film and Video Production industry struggled with mounting film production costs and of course the decline in theater/cinema attendance.

It is now common in recent times to find the average movie producers increasingly investing in high – end special effects hence they choose to shift their focus toward generating high ticket sales as against increasing the number of dramas and comedies, which usually generate comparatively lower revenue.

The industry is exploring now maximizing new distribution channels to continue to increase revenue generation so as to break even after spending huge sum of money to produce a movie.

Any entrepreneur who intends to start a film and video production company must be ready to pull enough cash to be able to acquire expensive film and video production gears, for location shooting equipment and professional movie editing software amongst many other expenses associated with movie production.

In other to cut cost especially when starting out, movie producers often rent shooting equipment for a fraction of its cost, which has helped limit the massive capital expenditures that would otherwise be necessary to produce major films.

For instance, in 2015 alone, for every dollar spent on labor, movie producers incur an estimated $0.22 in capital expenditures. In the last five years, capital intensity has remained fairly constant.

The Film and Video Production industry still depend on experts(highly skilled workers and artists) in all stages of the production process, and highly talented and hardworking employees are required for planning, shooting, editing and distributing films.

The Film and Video Production industry is indeed witnessing a steady growth over the years- especially in countries such as the United States, Nigeria, india and China et al. Though for some underdeveloped countries where piracy is still on rampage, the growth is a bit redundant.

Statistics has it that the Film and Video Production industry in the United States of America, is worth $34bn, with an estimated growth rate of 0.7 percent. There are about 6,527 registered and licensed film and video production companies in the United States and they are responsible for employing about 63,228 people.

One good thing about starting a film and video production business is that even if you decided to start it in the United States of America, your market would not be restricted to business opportunities in the U.S.; the world will be your target market.

Many thanks to the internet that has made the world a global village. All you need to do is to strategically position your film and video production brand on the internet and you will be amazed at the rate people will be calling you from all parts of the world.

2. Executive Summary

Film production is one art that requires a ton of skills. This is so that nothing short of the best is produced. Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is a one stop and standard film and video production company that is fully equipped with the latest technology in the film and video production industry.

Our film and video production studio will be located in the heart of Inglewood, Los Angeles – California, U.S and we are positioned to work for a wide range of client ranging from individual clients to corporate organizations, national clients to international clients and players in the Hollywood industry et al.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company will engage in all aspect of business services synonymous to standard organization operating in the film and video production industry.

Our business goal is to work towards becoming one of the leading film and video production brand in the whole of Los Angeles and in the nearest future compete with the leaders in the industry not only in the United States but also in the global stage.

We are not ignorant of the fact that building a standard and world class film and video production company from the scratch requires huge capital base- essentially for the purchase of world – class and latest film and video production equipment; which is why we have perfect plans for steady flow of cash from our business partners with interest in our line of business.

We can confidently say that we have a robust financial standing and we are ready to take on any challenge that we encounter in the industry.

We will ensure that all our employees are selected from a pool of talented and highly creative people with eyes for good movies in and around Los Angeles – California (with bias from Hollywood) and also from any part of the United States.

We will make sure that we take all the members of our workforce through the required trainings that will position them to meet the expectation of the company and to compete with other players in the United States and throughout the globe.

At Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company our client’s best interest will always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely and of course producing movies and videos that can compete with the best in the world. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is owned majorly by Macqueen Reeves and other partners. Macqueen Reeves is a certified and licensed film producer, he graduated from New York Film Academy and he has well over 15 years hand on experience in the film and video production industry working for leading film and video producing companies in Hollywood prior to starting his own film and video production company.

He will build the business alongside other experienced partners who have successfully carved a niche for themselves in the industry.

3. Our Products and Services

We do not want to leave any stone unturned when it comes to producing the best products and services. So, Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is going to offer a variety of services within the scope of the film and video production industry in the United States of America.

Our intention of starting our film and video production business in Inglewood – Los Angele is to make profits from the film and video industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and business goals. Our business offering are listed below;

• Action and adventure films
• Comedy films
• Drama films
• Thriller/suspense films
• Musical Videos
• Documentaries
• Other films (Commercials and Advertisement et al)
• Creating a timeline of production for film and video and ensuring that timelines are met
• Seeking financing for film and video productions
• Producing film and video programming
• Publicizing film and video productions
• Distributing film and video (if the company is also involved in all of the above)
• Film and Video Production Merchandize (Sale of Film and Video Production Equipment)
• Film and Video Production Consultancy and Advisory Services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to build a standard and world – class film and video production business that can favorably compete with leaders in the industry.
• Our mission is to build a world class and well equipped film and video production company that will produce standard movies that can be generally accepted in all parts of the world; we want to build a film and video production brand that can work for clients not only in the United States of America and Canada, but in all parts of the world.

Our Business Structure

The success of any business is to a larger extent dependent on the business structure of the organization and the people who occupy the available role. Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company will build a solid business structure that can support the growth of our film and video production business.

We will ensure that we hire competent hands to help us build the business of our dream. The fact that we want to become one of the leading film and video production brand in the industry in the whole of the United States of America makes it highly necessary for our organization to deliberately build a well – structured business from the onset.

We will work hard to ensure that we only attract people with the right mindset to help us achieve our business goals and objectives in record time. Below is the business structure that we will build Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company;

• Chief Executive Officer

Entertainment Lawyer/Legal Secretary

Studio Manager

Film Producer

Recording Engineer

Admin and HR Manager

Marketing and Sales Executive

Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Office:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for drawing up contracts and other legal documents for the company
• Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Produces information by transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, and transmitting text, data, and graphics; coordinating case preparation.
• Provides historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems; recording meeting discussions; maintaining transcripts; documenting and maintaining evidence.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Responsible for managing every activities that goes on in the studio
• Responsible for managing the company’s video editing department
• Handle any other responsibility as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer
• Responsible for developing concept and producing movies from start to finish
• Responsible for choosing the right locations to shoot a movie
• Works with the accountant and other stakeholders in the company to draw – up a budget for any movie project
• Responsible for handle any picture and sound related job for the company; helps achieve certain specific sounds or feelings to portray through that matches with the movie (especially for soundtracks).
• Responsible for handling all aspect of video shooting on locations
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of film shooting and studio equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Facilitates and coordinates strategic sessions.
• Works directly with clients in a non-advising capacity, such as answering questions, scheduling appointments and making sure all training concerns are properly taken care off
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.
• Once the movie is ready, then the marketing team will go out to market and promote the album
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies business opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of music projects.
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients, cinema operators and movie distributors
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Client Service Executive

• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In centre, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries
• Receives Visitors/clients on behalf of the organization
• Receives parcels/documents for the company
• Handles enquiries via e-mail and phone calls for the organization
• Distribute mails in the organization
• Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

6. SWOT Analysis

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company engaged the services of a core professional in the area of film and video production consulting and business structuring to assist the organization in building a standard and world – class film and video production company that can favorably compete with other leading film and video production brands in the United States of America.

Part of what the business consultant did was to work with the management of the company in conducting a comprehensive SWOT analysis for Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team and the latest film and video production equipment that we have. We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that can produce world class movies that can favorable compete with movies produced by leaders in the industry.

We are well positioned in the heart of Inglewood, Los Angeles and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our film and video production company for business.

As a new film and video production company based in Los Angeles – the headquarter of film production in the world, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and attract some well – established artist and bigger corporations and investors; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to pump into the promotion our business the way we would want to.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the film and video production industry is massive especially in a place like Los Angeles – California where we have Hollywood, and we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

We like other brands in the industry, have our own fair share of threats. Hence, technology and the internet which of course is a major tool for the advancement and gains achieved in the film and video production industry can also poses a threat to the industry.

The truth is that with the advancement of technology, it is now easier for individuals to produce home videos and musical videos without the help of professional film and video production companies. So also, just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn.

It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new film and video production company in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

Online video is one major trend in the film and video production industry. Recent statistics from Comscore show that on an average day in 2011, over 100 million Americans viewed online video content. This represents growth of 43 percent over the previous year.

Well over 43.5 billion videos were streamed in December 2011 alone; a 44 percent increase over the previous year. This growth shows no signs of dwindling, as people increase the absolute number of videos they watch, in addition to viewing longer form content on leading video sites such as Netflix and Hulu.

Entrepreneurs that are venturing into the film and video production industry are coming in with creativity and good business skills. The fact that it is highly competitive in the industry does not in a way stop some film and video production companies from declaring profits year in year out.

Another known trend in the film and video production industry is that most film and video production companies are trying as much as possible to recreate themselves on a regular basis and also to be on top of their game.

8. Our Target Market

When it comes to film and video production business, there are no exemptions to who you can market your services products to especially finished movies. Your movies can be market to adults, children, teenagers, corporate organization, government and everyone who can afford to purchase a movie et al.

Over and above, our target market as a film and video production company cuts across people of different class and people from all walks of life and corporate organizations. In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various corporate organizations and individual who we know will need our products and services.

We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that our film and video production company attracts the kind of artists and clients we would love to work with. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically market our services to;

• Advertising Agencies
• Corporate Organizations (Branding and Advertising Agencies et al)
• Teenagers, Adults and Children
• TV stations

Our Competitive Advantage

We are mindful of the fact that there are stiffer competition in the film and video production industry in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developer to handle our sales and marketing.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company might be a new entrant into the film and video production industry in the United States of America, but our competitive advantage lies in the power of our team and the latest film and video production equipment that we have.

We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that can produce world class movies that can favorable compete with movies produced by leaders in the industry.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups film and video production companies) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the film and video production industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract our target market.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company will generate income by offering the following services and products;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to movies and documentaries; they never dies and the demand for good movies and documentaries will continue to grow. This goes to show that any film and video production company that is known to always produce good movies will continue to attract talented artists, corporate organizations and clients and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Los Angeles California and beyond and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base beyond Los Angeles – California to other cities in the U.S. and even the global market.

We have been able to critically examine the film and video production market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Los Angeles – CA.

Below is the sales projection for Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company, it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to film and video production start – ups in the United States;

• First Year-: $1M
• Second Year-: $1.75M
• Third Year-: $2.5M

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the film and video production industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization.

We will also ensure that our excellent movies and videos speaks for us in the market place; we want to build a standard and well equipped film and video production company that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients/artists.

Our business goal is to build Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company business to become one of the leading choice in the whole of Los Angeles – California which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the U.S but in the world stage as well.

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to organizations and key stake holders in the film and video industry (movie distributors and cinema operators) in Los Angeles and other parts of the U.S.
• Advertise our business in relevant entertainment magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local film festivals, expos, seminars, and concerts et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still produce top notch videos or movies for them
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from our loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We are aware that there isn’t any business that despises new clients. This the reason why we have been able to work with brand and publicity specialist to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to take the film and video production industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our recording studio company. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company;

• Place adverts on both print and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant TV shows and radio programs
• Maximize our official website to promote our business
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Badoo, Google+ and other platforms (music online forums) to promote our business.
• Offer Pro Bono services as part of our community social responsibility
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Los Angeles – CA
• Brand all our official cars/buses and ensure that our trademark label is boldly printed in all our movies and videos (DVDs) et al

12. Our Pricing Strategy

At Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company we will keep our fees and prices of videos a little below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to start – ups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises who engage our services to help to produce movies or short videos especially for advert purposes.

• Payment Options

At Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

The cost of setting up film and video production business can be quite expensive especially if you are all out to start a standard film and video production company. Aside from the money required to purchase the latest film recording and production equipment, you would also need a huge cash base to be able to attract and pay well established film actors to act in your movies.

Essentially, this is the area we are looking towards spending our start – up capital on;

• The Total Fee for incorporating the Business in Los Angeles, California – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license – $2,500
• The Amount needed to acquire a suitable Office facility with enough space for standard movie production studio in a business district 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $200,000.
• The Cost for equipping the office (computers, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $2,000
• The cost for equipping the movie production studio with the required video gears – $150,000
• The Cost of Launching our official Website – $600
• Budget for paying at least 5 employees for 3 months and utility bills – $100,000
• Budget for paying actors and taking care of logistics in movie locations – $500,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
• Miscellaneous – $20,000

Going by the report from the research and feasibility studies, we will need about $1 million to set up a medium scale but standard film and video production company in the United States of America. Here are some of the key film and video production equipment and gear that we would need to set up our film and video production company;

• Standard Video Cameras
• Camera lights/Three-Point Lighting Kit
• Shotgun Mic with boom pole accessories
• Audio (XLR) Cables
• Wireless Microphone
• Lenses: Wide Angle, Clear “Protective” Lens, Polarizer, Zoom Lens, Macros, etc.
• Light Reflector
• DSLR Shoulder Mount Rig
• Video Editing Software and Video Editing Computer (MacBook Pro Laptop / Apple MacBook Pro Laptop)
• External Hard Drive
• Digital video workstation

Generating Funding/Startup Capital for Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is going to start as a partnership business that will be owned and managed by Macqueen Reeves and his business partners. They are the financial of the business, but may likely welcome other partners later, which is why they have decided to restrict the sourcing of his start – up capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $500,000 (Personal savings plus funds from business partners) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $500,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to ensure that every movie that we produce is a hit back to back and it appeals to the needs of the society we intend selling the movies

Moonlight™ Film and Video Production Company will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Renting of Office Facility: Completed
• Setting Up Of The Recording Studio: In Progress
• Intellectual Property Protection and Trademark: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed studio / musical gadgets, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry: In Progress

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Basic Video Production Business Plan

• Create projections on how you are planning on making profits, e.g. through video production and editing.
• You should also include a plan on how you will repay your existing debts.
• Identify the number of projects you anticipate to work on within a given period.
• Under projected financial statements -demonstrate, how the business is going to generate operating cash flow as well as profitability.

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Film Production Company Business Plan: The Complete Guide

The process of film production is a long and arduous one. It starts with the writing stage, where screenplays are written by a writer or multiple writers.

The screenplay typically has at least three acts that have to be edited for pacing and story development purposes. Once the script is finished, it’s time for pre-production!

There’s a lot of misconception about what film production really entails. This article will clear up some of the misconceptions and give you an idea of what it is like on set, as well as how to break into the industry.

FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY BUSINESS PLAN

What is a film production company business plan.

A film production company business plan is a document that can help you to get investors and loans from banks, but it’s also useful for you to see if your idea is viable. It helps you determine if it’s worth investing money, time, and effort.

Film production company business plans are documents that should be created before starting the business.

They will help you gain investors so you can start your film production company and make money out of your films.

A business plan should have all the necessary information about your film company , including the mission statement, executive summary, market analysis, funding request, financial projections, and management team.

Starting a film production company is an exciting venture that blends creative storytelling with the thrill of entrepreneurship.

Crafting a solid business plan is our roadmap to success, ensuring we navigate the complex landscape of the film industry with confidence.

We’ll jump into the essentials of a film production company business plan, from financial projections to marketing strategies.

Stick with us to learn how to lay the groundwork for a thriving production company that’s ready to take on Hollywood.

Executive Summary

When embarking on the exhilarating journey of starting a film production company, the executive summary stands as a pivotal introduction to the business plan.

It provides a snapshot of the company’s vision and objectives, ensuring that potential investors or partners grasp the core of what we’re building.

In our executive summary, we’ll outline the major points that distinguish our company, such as our unique storytelling capabilities and innovative distribution strategies.

We hone in on our competitive advantage – a blend of seasoned industry professionals and fresh talent that pushes the envelope of what’s possible in film.

We’ll also touch upon our foundational goals:

• Captivate a diverse audience with groundbreaking narratives,
• Create a slate of projects that showcase profitability and creative ingenuity,
• Establish a brand synonymous with quality entertainment.

Financial plans are succinctly summarized to demonstrate the strategic allocation of resources and the anticipated financial trajectory.

Here, investors will find confidence in our capability to manage budgets effectively and produce high-return projects.

Marketing strategies are briefly yet powerfully presented, showcasing how we plan to penetrate the market and gain substantial traction.

We outline our approach to leveraging social media , partnerships, and film festivals to amplify our presence and stake our claim in a crowded industry.

Each element of our executive summary is designed to pique interest and invite deeper exploration into our full business plan.

Through it, we lay the foundation for a dialogue with stakeholders that could translate into lasting support for our creative endeavours.

Company Overview

In the heart of our business plan lies the comprehensive Company Overview section, a detailed portrait of who we are and what we stand for.

As seasoned filmmakers at Filmmaking Lifestyle, we take pride in our ability to tell gripping stories through the lens of our cameras.

We offer a range of filmmaking services, but here’s a snapshot of our core offerings:

• Narrative Film Production – Our signature offering includes developing and producing feature films that resonate with audiences globally.
• Commercial Video Production – We craft compelling marketing videos that help brands tell their stories and engage with their target demographic.
• Innovative Content Creation – With the digital space evolving rapidly, we stay ahead of trends producing content that stands out in crowded platforms.

Our mission goes beyond the visual aesthetics; it’s about weaving narratives that leave a lasting impact.

Each project is an opportunity for us to push the envelope in creative storytelling.

At the core of our operation, we strive to achieve a convergence of artistic vision and commercial viability.

Anchored by a team of dedicated professionals, we bring diverse perspectives and skills to every production.

This synergy creates a fertile ground for innovative filmmaking.

Our work ethic revolves around a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to staying on top of the latest industry advancements.

Focused on scaling our film production capabilities, we’re actively exploring emerging technologies and distribution channels to enhance our impact in the industry.

We’re all about staying ahead of the curve, making sure our films are not just seen, but remembered and revered.

With a portfolio that spans various genres and styles, our flexibility allows us to tailor our approach to each unique project.

Collaboration is key – by joining forces with talented writers, directors, and producers, we amplify our ability to craft unforgettable cinematic experiences.

Investing in our growth, we’ve equipped ourselves with state-of-the-art equipment and editing suites, ensuring professionalism and efficiency in our production workflow.

Convergence of art and technology is critical in our approach and is reflected in every piece of content we produce.

eventually, our Company Overview is not just an introduction to who we are; it’s an open invitation to jump deeper into the possibilities and potent potential of partnering with Filmmaking Lifestyle.

We’re here to bring visions to life and curate a portfolio of work that speaks volumes of our passion for filmmaking.

Vision And Mission

Matt Crawford

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Iam having a movie by the name from the streets to the world

Best of luck, Kelvin!

Matt .. would you have template of the Biz Plan .. and are you Fine with sharing the same? – AMAAN

Here’s an idea for a template: https://toskaproductions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TEA-Business-Plan.pdf

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Production Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Production Company Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their production companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a production company business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a production company business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Production Company Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your production company as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Production Company

If you’re looking to start a production company or grow your existing production company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your production company to improve your chances of success. Your production company business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Production Companies

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a production company are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for production companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a production company.

If you want to start a production company or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your production company business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of production company you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a production company that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of production companies?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the production industry.
• Discuss the type of production company you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of production company you are operating.

For example, your production company might specialize in one of the following types of production companies:

• Feature Film Production Company : this type of production company handles all of the necessities that go with producing a major film – hiring on-screen and off-screen talent, writers, musicians, location scouts, a team for pre-production, post-production, legal, etc.
• Commercial Production Company: this type of production company can produce stock footage, short corporate videos, training videos, and creative projects such as music videos and short films
• Post Production Company: this type of production company handles video editing, special effects, color correction, sound mixing, and editing to eventually produce the final video.
• Niche Production Company: this type of production company focuses on one specific niche that it has perfected. They often combine the best of animation, commercial, and post-production companies.

In addition to explaining the type of production company you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of clients served, the number of films with positive reviews, reaching X number of clients served, etc.
• Your legal business structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the production industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the production industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your production company business plan:

• How big is the production industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your production company? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your production company business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, companies, filmmakers, studios.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of production company you operate. Clearly, small businesses would respond to different marketing promotions than filmmakers, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other production companies.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes social media platforms, web developers, apps and even college or university students. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of clients do they serve?
• What type of production company are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide concierge services or customized packages for your clients?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a production company business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type o f production company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide video editing, music editing, pre-production, or post-production services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of yo ur plan, yo u are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your production company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your production company located in New York or Los Angeles, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your production company marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Be part of filmmaker associations and networks
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your production company , including client communication and interaction, planning and producing production services, billing clients, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your production company to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your production company’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing production companies. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a production company or successfully running a small filmmaking company.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance s heet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you book 5 films or videos per day, and/or offer production packages ? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your production company, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a production company:

• Cost of equipment and production studio supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your studio location lease or a list of production services you plan to offer.  

Writing a business plan for your production company is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the production industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful production company.  

Production Company Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my production company business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your production company business plan.

How Do You Start a Production Company Business?

Starting a production company business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Production Company Business
• Create Your Production Company Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Production Company Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Production Company Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Production Company Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Production Company Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Production Company Business Equipment
• Develop Your Production Company Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Production Company Business
• Open for Business

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A Complete Guide to Business Video Production

Sometimes, it's challenging to explain exactly what your business does. No one wants to read long PDF’s and oftentimes these days communication can happen remotely. This means it’s essential to always lead with the best picture of your business you can. This is where business video production comes in.

We've all been there. An interested prospect asks for a pitch and immediately, you freeze. You've rehearsed this so many times. What's happening?

If only you have a simple, digestible asset to share with them.

Business video production is the process of making a polished, corporate video that showcases your company in the best possible way.

In this post, we'll cover the basic mechanics of video production for your business, so you'll have everything you need to know to begin creating quality video content.

The Role of Business Video Production in Your Marketing Strategy

It doesn't matter how big your company is. Every business entity ranging from small businesses to major corporations will benefit from having a great video library showcasing their company, team, products, and clients.

Video production is an important part of a company's marketing strategy. Its role can be two-fold:

• Demand Generation
• Brand Content

Business video content can be used in your content marketing strategy as a demand generation tool to engage potential clients and drive them to a landing page to convert.

The video content may educate them about your business or share a current customer's success story. Inspired by the content, the prospect may download a report or reach out to sign up for your services. With video incorporated into your demand generation strategy, you could generate 66% more qualified leads every year.

If optimized correctly where it is hosted on the web, this can create a flywheel effect, driving many interested prospects to convert over time. In addition, if the video is short and engaging, it can be widely shared on social media, driving even more conversions for the company. That's why video is such a powerful demand generation tool.

Companies can also produce business videos simply to showcase their company or its vision. These brand videos don't always exist to drive conversions. Instead, they can be used to inspire or engage viewers with a noteworthy message and an amazing edit that is aligned with your mission, vision, and overarching brand.

Why Should You Invest in Business Video Production?

Marketers have been placing more of a focus on video marketing for a variety of reasons. Video content is a valuable investment because it:

• Drives higher engagement than static images or text
• Can be easily shared on social media (e.g. - Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) and in emails
• Matches consumer preference in the type of content they are looking for

Most importantly, businesses can pack a powerful message into a video, making it a versatile medium that can be consumed by almost anyone. Video content is a multi-sensory experience that provides a little bit of everything: a glimpse at the company and people behind it along with catchy music or a voiceover matching concise, witty copy.

If you don't have at least one video for your organization, you're missing out on a powerful asset that your organization needs. You should plan accordingly and prepare ahead of time. Videos can have a bit of lead time associated with them, so you want to make sure you're not rushing through the process.

A low-quality video that doesn't achieve your objectives will do more harm to your brand than good. However, the right video content can take your business to the next level with your target audience.

But what type of video should you start with?

4 Popular Types of Business Videos Every Company Should Have

If you're just ramping up your own video production process , it can be overwhelming to know where to start. There are so many types of videos to create!

Start by considering your goals for the video. What are you trying to accomplish first?

Training Employees with Video

If you need to train your employees more effectively, consider investing in a training video. These types of videos are a safe company investment if your onboarding protocols rarely change.

With a training video in place, you can engage your employees on a deeper level, while reducing the amount of staff required for the onboarding process.

Showcasing Product Benefits with Video

If your product isn't incredibly straightforward, consider creating an explainer video. These types of videos showcase a specific product and walk the viewer through its use case.

Sometimes, a product guide or a help desk isn't enough for customers to understand the true value of your product. With an explainer video , you can highlight a product's core features and show your prospect the steps they need to take to fully use it. There's even popular explainer video software on the market, so you can get started creating your video today.

Letting Your Customer's Voices Shine Through Video

If you're trying to convert customers at the bottom of your funnel, consider making a testimonial video . Testimonials are an excellent form of social proof that put the spotlight on your existing customers who are finding success with your product.

This endorsement of your product will show other interested consumers how they can find value in your product as well. As your prospects see others in the same industry finding success with your product, they will be interested in how they can use it to drive success for their business, bank account, and bottom line.

Share Your Brand Through Video

If someone asks what your company is all about, what do you say? A brand video is a must-have asset that every company needs to consider creating. This can be shared with prospects or featured prominently on your website, one of the most valuable forms of real estate that you have.

Since this is such a critical video project for your company, you might consider contracting a full-service video production business to assist. This brand video can dramatically shape customers' and prospects' perception of your business, so you'll want to make sure you hit it out of the park when creating it.

See the brand video we created for Baker Casting, this was a fun one to produce!

Working with a Video Production Company

Since video editing and video production are such specialized skills, it's common for businesses to outsource their videography to filmmakers and post-production companies.

These video producers will help you from start to finish to bring your vision to life. Finding the right partner can be one of the best investments you'll ever make.

When selecting a video production company, consider:

• The company's current clients and portfolio
• How the video company grasps your vision and understands your business niche
• The scope of services offered and included in the engagement
• The company's response time and willingness to answer your questions

Partnering with the right video production company can be a monumental decision, but thankfully, it can be one that you make quickly. Levitate Media is ready to partner with you and level up your video marketing strategy every step of the way.

Mastering Business Video Production

With the right strategy and plan in place, you can master your business video production. As you begin creating more video content, you can reach and engage new prospects who may be interested in the products or services that you offer.

Four of the most common videos you should consider creating include an employee training video , explainer video, testimonial video, and a brand video.

Start mastering business video production with Levitate Media today! Reach out to hear more about the services we offer to take your corporate video strategy to the next level.

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Video Production 101: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners and Professionals

Discover how to effectively reach your target audience and have them complete your marketing funnel with these 30 creative and inspiring video ideas for your business.

As you brainstorm, make sure your video ideas align with your video’s purpose and target audience. If you work with a video production partner, they’ll be able to guide you through the best practices regarding alignment, but make sure to gut-check every idea by asking if it’s the right approach to speak to your audience and accomplish your intended purpose. 

If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to reference other videos you’ve watched and enjoyed recently or explore what else is being created in your industry. Just save this exploration until the end of the process so it doesn’t distract from your original ideas—and make sure to use any reference content as loose inspiration, not an exact roadmap.

Assessing Your Available Resources Now is the time to determine how much outside support you’ll need—or want—for your video. If you have a robust video production department, an expert videographer, or other video resources internally, you may be able to tackle the entire project in-house. If you need a bit of extra support, you can explore video production freelancers for the parts of the process where you lack expertise.  If you need more comprehensive support or just want an experienced team to guide you through the process, partnering with a third-party production company is a great idea. They’ll have all the staff and crew members needed to bring your vision to life, and they’ll be able to apply their expertise at every stage of the process to deliver the best results. Additionally, production companies will usually function like project managers for your production, so you can take a bit more of a back seat than you will if you lead the project internally.  If you’re not quite sure which option is best for you, check out this article for more information on the benefits of hiring a production company!  Developing a Timeline and Budget At this point, you’re reaching the end of the big-picture planning for your project! Most of the steps that follow are focused on getting set up for production day, so this is one of many milestones to celebrate.  Your budget and timeline are critical benchmarks to keep your production on track. If you skip this step or don’t give it much thought, you may end up with a project that takes much longer (or costs much more money) than you expected.  When it comes to the timeline, a general rule of thumb is 8-12 weeks for most projects. If you won’t be filming anything at all (which is typically the case for stock video projects or animation projects), you can likely cut several weeks off that timeline.  Blog

How to Schedule Your Next Video Production Timeline

The budget setting process is similar, but the “standard” range varies more widely between projects. The best way to understand the exact cost of your project is to talk to your production partner or to start breaking down specific costs if you’ll be managing the production internally. 

In general, a basic production that you manage yourself may cost anywhere from $500-$5000, while a complex commercial using a production company can cost $25,000+. If you’re on a tight budget, make sure to set expectations accordingly before you start your project.

Script Writing Structuring the Script If your video will have actor dialogue, voice-over (VO), or on-screen text, having a script to guide these elements is important. If you’ve never worked with a script before, you might be unfamiliar with how it’s broken down. Here’s what we recommend here at Lemonlight: For each scene, make sure to include a written description of what the set will look like and any other considerations from the environment and the scene’s context. Below that description, you’ll have space for four additional elements: actor dialogue on one line, voice-over on one line, on-screen text on one line, and any visual descriptions, camera or lighting cues, or actor movements on one line. By structuring the script this way, your crew, talent, and editors can all see exactly how a scene is intended to play out just by looking at the script.  Writing the Script Writing a great script is arguably the most important part of your video process. Almost all effective videos start with an engaging hook, then move into some kind of problem/solution format, and end with a CTA.  For voice-over and dialogue, you’ll also want to keep word count constraints in mind. Your specific constraint may vary a bit depending on how fast you move through the text in the video, but the general rule of thumb is two words per second. By that convention, you’d want to write 60 words or less for a 30-second script, 30 words or less for a 15-second script, and so on.  Implementing Revisions and Feedback As you prepare your script, don’t forget to allocate time for revisions and feedback! Depending on how many people are involved and how long they take to share their thoughts, this can add anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to the pre-production process.  For that reason, it’s best to try not to involve too many people in the editing process. The more opinions are involved, the more likely you’ll water down the power of your ideas just to appease everyone. Keep in mind that it’s also common to receive suggestions that don’t take into account the time constraint and word count limit. Set expectations early by explaining those constraints when you send the script for feedback.  Storyboarding The Importance of a Storyboard If you’re not familiar with a storyboard, you can think of it as a visual-heavy adaptation of your script. Your finished storyboard will look like a panel-by-panel drawing of your entire video, and it helps your set directors, videographers, and other crew members bring your vision to life as accurately as possible on set. Free Storyboard Template

We designed this template to make the process of assembling and sharing your next professional storyboard much easier.

Filming on a Budget? 7 Cheap Equipment Tips and Picks Just for You

Tips for Hiring Crew Members Hiring crew members is similar to hiring talent, but with a few key differences. When you’re hiring a videographer , it’s especially important that you like the look and feel of their past videos. Ask for their demo reel, and if you can see elements of your own vision in their past work, that’s a good sign. For all other crew members, you’ll want to request their role’s equivalent of a demo reel, portfolio, or personal recommendations from past colleagues. If someone is qualified and capable but a disaster to work with on set, that’s something you’ll want to know before you hire.  Location Scouting and Set Design Finding and Preparing Filming Locations Your shoot location will depend heavily on what type of video you’re shooting. If you’re shooting a product video, you’ll likely want to film in a production studio. If you’re filming a doc-style video, you may want to film at your business’s own location or office. If you’re filming a lifestyle commercial, the world is your oyster!  If you need an ultra-specific location to match your vision, you may want to work with a location scout to simplify the process. When you find a location that fits the bill, you’ll also want to make sure you have the rights and any necessary permits to film there. Tips for Designing Sets and Using Props The last phase of video prep will be designing your set. In addition to finding the right location, it’s important to make sure the specific backdrop for each shot matches your expectations. Consider the lighting, colors, which elements are in focus, and how the backdrop will change from shot to shot.  This is also the time to bring in any props for your set . Make sure to consult your script and storyboard to see if there are any objects that will need to be used for the video’s main plot, like a cell phone or a cup of water.  Then, consider what other props need to be brought in to make the set feel natural and complete. If you’re filming in an office setting, for example, you might bring in a lamp, a computer setup, a notepad, and a stapler.  The specifics are up to you, but it’s easy to forget that these small choices make a big difference in your final video!  Shooting Creating and Following a Call Sheet Your call sheet is what will guide you, your crew members, and your talent through production day . It includes detailed information about which scenes are being shot at what time, who needs to be present for each scene, when there are breaks in the schedule, and when the day is expected to wrap up. If you’re managing your own production, you’ll want to create your own call sheet to keep you on schedule throughout the day and help everyone understand what their role is at any given time. If you’re working with a production company, they’ll likely create the call sheet on your behalf and send you your copy to reference on set.  Setting Up Equipment When it comes to setting up your equipment, this is another area to lean on the expertise of your crew. If you have a director, videographer, camera operator, grip, gaffer, or other on-set crew members, they’re the only ones who should be managing their equipment. Most pieces of film equipment are expensive and somewhat temperamental, so it’s best to leave the setup to the experts. For DIY productions, try to take advantage of natural light , frame your subject to the best of your ability, and eliminate ambient noise like air conditioning, street traffic, or talking on set.  It’s okay to treat this part of the process like a bit of a trial and error situation—that’s how the pros do it, too! Just make sure to take a few test shots when you think you have everything the way you want it, and make sure the output is what you expected. If it’s not, make the necessary tweaks and repeat!  Best Practices for Capturing Footage As you capture footage, one important best practice is to make a note of any shots that differ from the call sheet. Whether you’re swapping out props, changing lighting, altering the dialogue from the script, or making any other little tweaks, write down the timestamp of the shot and what changed from the original intention.  When capturing footage, make sure to get b-roll, too! If you’ve prepared correctly, your b-roll shots will be documented on your call sheet along with the rest of the scenes, but make sure to capture those shots if you might need them in your final video. Post-Production We’ve made it to post-production ! This is the phase of the process when your final video really comes together. Your editors will work their magic, stringing together the narrative, possibly adding graphics, and generally making your content look as polished and professional as possible. Learn the specifics below!  Editing Assembling and Organizing Footage The first step in the post-production process is assembling and organizing the footage from your shoot day. If there were multiple cameras on set, each camera will have its own files, and your editors will spend some time separating the footage and getting their bearings for the general narrative. This is also where they’ll reference any notes you took on shoot day, like shots that changed from the storyboard reference info or clips that were ruined by bad audio or other disruptions. Once they have the best clips selected, they’ll string them together according to your storyboard and the final video will begin to take shape.  Blog

What Are the Best Video Editing Apps in 2024?

The outcome of this step is called the “rough cut,” and it’s often when your editors will share the content with you for review. If you approve the sequence of clips and the general flow of the video, it’ll move on to the next steps in the editing process. 

From understanding the power of video in today's digital landscape to uncovering the most effective distribution channels, we've got you covered with expert insights, tips, and strategies to make your video campaigns a resounding success.

Popular Types of Marketing Videos When choosing a video production company, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the different types of marketing videos available, even if you’re unsure which style is best suited for your brand. Understanding the different types of videos and how they perform at each stage of the marketing funnel can help you put your marketing dollars to the best use.  By knowing which types of videos work best for your target audience, you can create videos that are more effective at generating leads and driving conversions. Additionally, having a basic understanding of the different types of videos can help prevent production companies from charging you for services you don’t need.  Here are the five main types of marketing videos you should consider for your brand: Brand Video Client: Rentacrate A brand video, also called an “About Us” video, is a type of marketing video that focuses on telling the story of a brand, rather than promoting a specific product or service. Brand videos can be used to create an emotional connection with potential customers and build brand awareness. They are effective at showcasing the brand’s values, mission, and personality, and can help establish a unique brand identity. To create a successful brand video, it’s important to focus on storytelling and emotion, rather than creating a sales pitch. The video should have a clear narrative that connects with the viewer and communicates exactly what the brand is about.  Product Video Client: TOMS A product video is a type of marketing video that showcases a product or service in action, highlighting its features and benefits. Product videos can be used to introduce a new product or service, educate potential customers on how to use it, or persuade them to make a purchase. They are effective at capturing the viewer’s attention and providing a visual demonstration of the product or service. To create a successful product video, it’s important to focus on the product’s unique selling points and highlight how it solves a problem or addresses a need. The video should also be visually engaging, using high-quality footage and creative storytelling to keep the viewer locked in. Incorporating customer testimonials or endorsements can also help build credibility and trust with potential customers. Additionally, it is important to keep the video concise and to the point, conveying the key benefits of the product in a short amount of time. Testimonial Video Client: Wingstop Testimonial videos feature real customers sharing their experiences and opinions about a product or service. Testimonial videos can be highly effective at building trust and credibility with potential customers, as they provide authentic perspectives on the brand’s offerings. They are often used as a form of social proof, helping to demonstrate the value of a product or service through the words of satisfied customers. To create a successful testimonial video, it’s important to identify the right customers to feature, as well as to ask the right questions to elicit meaningful responses. The video should focus on telling a story through the customer’s experience, highlighting the specific benefits and outcomes that they have achieved as a result of using the product or service. Testimonials are a great way not only to increase sales, but also create brand advocates who will share their love of your brand across their networks. Explainer Video Client: Examroom.AI An explainer video is designed to explain a product, service, or idea in a clear and engaging way. They are often animated and use a combination of visuals, voiceover, and text to convey complex information in a simple and easy-to-understand format. Explainer videos are best used for introducing a new product or service, or for providing a deeper understanding of how an existing product or service works. Highly technical industries such as software companies typically find the most success with these types of marketing videos. Explainer videos should be structured in a way that guides the viewer through the information in a logical and intuitive way, helping them to fully understand the product or service being explained. Furthermore, they can be a valuable tool for building brand awareness and establishing thought leadership, as explainer videos can help to position a brand as an expert in their field and showcase their unique value proposition. Team Video Client: MusicFirst Team videos highlight the members of a company’s team, showcasing their skills, expertise, and personality. These videos are best used for recruitment and building brand awareness. By showing potential recruits and customers the people behind the company, team videos create a personal connection and can help to build trust and credibility. Team videos can also be used internally to boost morale and create a sense of community among team members. To be successful, team videos should focus on the people behind the company and their unique qualities, rather than simply promoting the company itself. Authenticity is key, and it’s important to let team members speak in their own words and showcase their individual personalities. High-quality production techniques such as professional lighting and sound, well-composed shots, and well-crafted scripts can elevate the video and create a polished finished product. However, it’s also important to balance the desire for a polished video with the need for authenticity and genuine human connection. Crowdfunding Video Client: NV Athletics Crowdfunding videos aim to raise funds for a project or business through online crowdfunding platforms. These videos are best used for new or innovative projects that may not have traditional funding sources, such as new product development or artistic endeavors. By showcasing the vision, passion, and potential impact of the project, crowdfunding videos can inspire backers to invest in the idea and help make it a reality. To be successful, crowdfunding videos should be visually striking and emotionally compelling. They should tell a story that connects with the viewer and communicates the value and impact of the project. Additionally, it’s important to clearly communicate the funding goals and deadlines, to encourage viewers to take action and contribute. Video Production Tips How to Choose a Video Production Partner Picking a video production partner to produce marketing videos can be a challenging task for companies. The main reason for this difficulty is the sheer number of options available in the market. With the rise of video marketing , many video production companies have entered the market, many of which offering the same services and promising the same results. Additionally, companies may not have a clear understanding of what type of video they need for their marketing strategy. They may know that they need a video, but they may not know if they need an explainer video, a brand video, a product video, etc.  This lack of clarity can make it challenging to find a production partner that understands their needs and can deliver a high-quality video that aligns with their marketing goals. As a result, companies need to do their due diligence, research the options available, and find a production partner that has a proven track record and can help them define their video marketing needs.  Here are a few best practices to guide your search: Research the Company’s Portfolio The first step in choosing a video production company is to research their portfolio. Look for videos they’ve created in the past and assess their quality. The company’s portfolio should showcase their expertise—and while a range of styles is nice to see, watch out for production companies that prioritize casting a wide net instead of perfecting a certain style.  With that said, check if they have experience creating videos in your industry or for your target audience. You can also read reviews or testimonials from their previous clients to get a better understanding of their capabilities. Review their Process The production process is another important factor to consider when choosing a video production company. You want to ensure that the company has a well-defined process that aligns with your goals and expectations. This includes their approach to concept development, scripting, storyboarding, filming, editing, and post-production. Additionally, the company should be transparent about their timelines and deliverables, so you know what to expect at each stage of the project. Check their Equipment and Resources The quality of your video will largely depend on the equipment and resources used by the production company. Ensure that they have access to the latest video production equipment, including cameras, lighting, sound equipment, and editing software. Check if they have in-house team or resources to secure the necessary writers, animators, and designers, to create engaging content that aligns with your brand messaging. Evaluate their Communication Skills Communication is a crucial aspect of any successful project. The video production company should have clear and prompt communication channels in place, preferably ones that allow you visual updates on where you video is in the process, such video conferencing. Many professional companies will also have their own proprietary intelligence platforms that streamline the video production process, making communication and management of your project much easier. Your production company should also be responsive to your queries and concerns throughout the production process. A reliable company will assign you a dedicated project manager who can answer any questions or concerns you have about the project. Look for a Company that Offers Customizable Packages Every company has different video production needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not work. The video production company you choose should be flexible and offer customizable packages that can cater to your unique needs. This includes options such as video length, filming locations, and post-production services. A company that can adapt to your needs will be more likely to deliver a video that meets your expectations. Assess their Pricing Pricing is an important factor to consider when choosing a video production company. While you want to get the best value for your money, it’s essential to avoid choosing a company solely based on their pricing. A company that offers rock-bottom prices may not be able to deliver the quality you’re looking for. Instead, focus on finding a company that offers competitive pricing that aligns with your budget and project goals. The Benefits of Choosing a Long-Term Video Production Partner Once a brand has found a video production partner that aligns with their goals and objectives, they can work together to create a consistent brand image across all their video content. Establishing a long-term relationship comes with many benefits, including: Cost-Savings Over Time By choosing a long-term video production partner, brands can save money in the long run. A production partner who understands the brand’s messaging and has worked with them before can produce videos more efficiently, leading to cost-savings. Additionally, it allows brands to negotiate better rates given the consistent workload, prompting the production company to offer more cost-savings over time. Deeper Understanding of the Brand’s Messaging Working with a video production partner over an extended period allows them to develop a deeper understanding of the brand’s messaging, tone, and style. This understanding can translate into consistent video quality and better alignment with the brand’s goals and objectives. A long-term partner can also make suggestions for new video ideas that align with the brand’s messaging and target audience. The Downfalls of Freelancers and DIY Video Production Hiring a professional video production company may not be the cheapest option, but the level of expertise and efficiency they offer can make it worth the investment in the long run. Working with freelancers or  going the DIY route and producing videos in-house can certainly be more cost-effective, but both options come with drawbacks that could end up creating more expenses and headaches down the line. Freelancers While working with freelancers can be cost-effective, they may not have access to the best video production equipment, resulting in a lower quality video. Additionally, freelancers may not have the bandwidth to work on large-scale projects or may not have the experience to handle complex video production projects. Brands may also have to spend more time finding and managing multiple freelancers, leading to additional costs and time investments. DIY Learning the necessary techniques and keeping production in-house is a way to save a buck or two, but it can quickly become expensive if the brand needs to purchase video production equipment or hire talent. Additionally, the quality of the video may not be up to par given novice understanding, leading to a negative impact on the brand’s image. DIY video production can be time-consuming as you’re still learning while also trying to execute, taking away resources from other important marketing activities. Lemonlight Studios Welcome to Lemonlight Studios, our state-of-the-art 10,000 square foot production haven designed to enhance your video production journey like never before with a wide range of sets and amenities. The studio is divided into four standing sets, including: Stage A: a creative blank canvas with moveable flats and seamless setups. Stage B: a premium living room set with modern, upscale appointments. Stage C: a standing bedroom set featuring a gender- and age-neutral color palette. Full House: a set that mimics an “anywhere America,” house with a touch of elevated interior flair. Along with the four standing sets, Lemonlight Studios also includes four supporting sets: Outdoor Patio Set Front Door Set Office Set The Wall: a versatile area that can be used for various needs. The studio also includes office space, wardrobe and hair/makeup areas, a client sitting area, Wi-Fi, and a full array of props on-site for each studio area. Choose Lemonlight That’s a wrap! As you can see, video production often involves a lot more than just shooting on an iPhone camera and posting on social media. An expert-quality production is a major project—but it’s a project that pays off exponentially long-term.  Use the tips above to walk yourself through the pre-production, production, and post-production processes, and when in doubt, lean on the expertise of video professionals in your network. We’re Here to Help If you want even more guidance, working with a video production company is the best way to ensure your video efforts are fruitful. Here at Lemonlight, we oversee the entire project from start to finish, including every single step we’ve covered here. We’ve also created over 16,000 videos for brands just like you. If you have a video project on the horizon, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life! Contact one of our expert producers below to get started. Schedule a Free Call On-Demand Video Production Services Elevate Your Brand with Lemonlight

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A Decade of Stories: Pioneering Video Production Across Industries

The journey of Lemonlight began with a vision that was both ambitious and deeply needed in the marketplace. From our humble beginnings in a small bedroom in 2014, our mission was clear: to revolutionize video production, making video content accessible for brands of all sizes. 

This vision was born out of a realization that while the demand for digital advertising solutions—particularly in video—was skyrocketing, small and medium-sized businesses were significantly underserved. The statistics were compelling, with predictions that 74% of all internet traffic would be video by 2017 , and evidence that video significantly boosted engagement rates in marketing communications. Yet, the costs and logistics of video production were prohibitive for most, averaging $300,000 for a 30-second commercial.

Our approach— offering transparent, predetermined video packages —was revolutionary at the time. It allowed clients to choose a price point they were comfortable with, breaking down the barriers that had kept high-quality video out of reach for so many. Over time, this approach evolved into robust content packages that worked for brands of all sizes. As video content became more important across all industries, brands rushed to figure out how to get more. 

Witnessing the success of our early clients, particularly the mom-and-pop shops that had previously thought high-quality video content was beyond their reach, was among the most rewarding experiences of our journey. Their stories of increased engagement, boosted sales, and enhanced brand recognition validated our belief in the power of accessible video content. These successes not only propelled our growth but the growth of our early clients as well.

Since then, Lemonlight has matured from a small startup to a leader in the video production industry. This journey over the last ten years has been marked by our commitment to innovation and quality , overcoming early challenges related to production costs and logistics. 

We realized that by streamlining the full production cycle, from pre-production to post-production, we could produce high-quality content more affordably, democratizing video production for all. 

As our reach expanded, enabling us to shoot anywhere in the country , our approach began to resonate with larger brands too. But unlike many companies that adjust their pricing based on the client’s profile, we maintained our integrity by offering consistent pricing structures. This meant that larger clients were not paying a premium for our services; instead, they were selecting more comprehensive packages that met their expansive needs. Today, we’re happy to work with some of the largest brands in the world, including Disney, Amazon, Walmart, Google, Lego, Netflix, and more. Our commitment to providing equal access to top-tier video production services, regardless of a client’s size or industry, sets us apart and remains a cornerstone of our appeal today.

It’s impossible to reflect on Lemonlight’s success over the past decade without highlighting the unparalleled role of our team’s creativity and expert dedication to storytelling. This human touch has not only built the foundation of our business but has fostered deep, lasting relationships with our clients and each other . Our team’s ability to bring stories to life, to encapsulate the essence of a brand within a few moments of video, has been instrumental in driving our success. This commitment to understanding each client’s unique narrative allows Lemonlight to consistently deliver content that resonates with audiences and elevates brands worldwide.

The next phase of Lemonlight will be to invest more heavily in technology to match our proven know-how in storytelling. We recently introduced the Lemonlight Platform, furthering our commitment to streamlining video production while enhancing quality and efficiency. This cutting-edge platform, integrated with AI, is designed not to replace our invaluable team but to amplify their capabilities . By automating the generation of pre-production documents in mere seconds, the platform allows our team—and our clients—to dedicate more time to the creative and human-centric aspects of storytelling that make our content so compelling. This technology has already revolutionized our workflow, speeding up the production process by over 40% and marking a significant leap forward for the industry.

Although still in its early stages, The Lemonlight Platform enables us to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in video production. We’re constantly exploring new technologies to ensure that our services mature and adapt to meet the highest standards of excellence and efficiency. This is particularly true when it comes to AI, where advancements are rapidly transforming the way video content is created and consumed. For example, text-to-video AI models like Sora will be a game changer for video creation, and we’re excited about how we can integrate similar models into our platform for seamless b-roll and additional visuals that enrich the depth and quality of our content without detracting from our expertise. 

So, as we reflect on the remarkable journey of the past decade, I invite our dedicated employees, valued clients, and future clients to join us in celebrating Lemonlight’s achievements. Your trust, hard work, and commitment have been the key to our success. Together, we have not only reached significant milestones but have also paved the way for a future filled with even greater opportunities. The future of video production is bright, and with the ongoing evolution of the Lemonlight Platform, we’re sure to remain at the forefront of this dynamic industry.

Whether you’re interested in exploring the capabilities of our platform, eager to start a new project, or simply wish to learn more about our services and how we can help bring your story to life, we invite you to reach out. Let’s create something extraordinary together. 

Here’s to the next ten years and beyond!

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Video Production Business Plan Sample

Published Sep.01, 2013

Updated Apr.24, 2024

By: Jakub Babkins

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Table of Content

Introduction

With the evolution of technology, the competition has been more acute than ever before in any field. The video production business has maintained an extremely outstanding growth for so many years. If you are starting a video production company, you should create a complete and detailed  video production business plan . Movie production world makes millionaires every now and then. If you are all set to take the next step, you need to plan a professional business planning .

Frequently asked questions of business video production

When drafting  video production studio business plan , you need to consider the following questions –

• What is your target market?
• Which technology is involved? What types of video equipment you are going to use?
• Do you have well-qualified videographers?
• What would be the cost of recording and processing equipment?
• How you are going to distribute your videos?
• What marketing channels you are going to use?
• How you are going to charge for your services?

Plan summary for the video production company

If you are thinking about the overall summary of your videography business plan, we recommend you to work from your priorities. An executive summary is your pitch as it explains why you want to start your video production business. You need to make it catchy so it can reflect what you want to execute in your business. It is wise to know your niche market and the type of output, which is expected.

Market analysis

When doing marketing analysis for your  video editing business plan , you need to analyze your niche, competitors, and capabilities of your business. It is a very vital segment in this business plan. If you are starting up, you need to consider your strengths and weaknesses. Instead of personal strengths and weaknesses, consider the bigger picture. Highlight how you can improve, what you can get the most of, and what may be the threat to your business growth.

The market analysis is having four major things involved such as-

• Your strengths in handling the business
• The weaknesses you are having
• The opportunities for your business
• The effects of thread on your business

Management video production

In this section of the  video production marketing strategy , you need to decide what information about the management and staff you want to add. How you are going to run your daily operations to solidify both your finances and marketing work? These are the known and important parts of the business plan. In addition, you can explain if you are going to fix the hours limit or you want to work with account managers to keep the history of your expenses.

Marketing plan

While creating the  video production company business plan pdf , you need to define your plan as to how you are going to promote your video production business. The materials of marketing you produce are the most important part of a successful video production business.

If you have your own website, that is a huge plus to display the marketing materials over there. In addition, promoting your business through network marketing is the best option for business and personal growth. For this, you need to have a good network where you can describe and show the videos.

Finance plan

To make an effective  sample business plan video production , you need to explain how you are going to predict your financial outcomes. You need to justify how projects and revenue come in. [important title=”Note”]Some businesses start with early bird process, where clients can expect the best services at the best prices. It is often a valid option to start out.[/important]

The financial plan for your video production business must have the following highlights-

• You projection towards the incoming fund through all the videos.
• Your target audience and the frequency of money based on the videos.
• The information of your repayment if you have any dues.
• How you are making the transaction or payments.

How to order writing business plan video production?

OGS Capital is your one-stop destination for  business plan template for   video   production company  and can help you find different investors, including banks, business for angel investors etc. Complete an online form and our experts will get back to you.

Download Video Production Business Plan Sample in PDF

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You are here: Influencer Marketing Hub » Social Media » Video Production Services: Everything You Need to Know About Creating Video Content

Video Production Services: Everything You Need to Know About Creating Video Content

Video has long been touted as the marketing medium of the future, but the future is here. If you’re not using video as part of your marketing strategy, you’re going to be left behind. If you’re worried about getting started, no need. Even if you can’t afford to hire an in-house video production team, there are several highly-skilled companies that offer the video production services you need.

In this article, we’re going to cover the video production process and video production services you should look for when looking for a company to handle your video marketing. It’s time to join the 60% of businesses that are already using video marketing and enjoying the ROI video marketing offers.

Video Production Services: Everything You Need to Know About Creating Video Content:

Video production services: the production process, video production services: common types of video content, video production services: seo.

Video is a powerful tool through which to communicate your story, moving your audience to feel, think, and behave in a certain way. When done well, video can be one of the strongest drivers of conversions no matter your type of business or industry.

What does it take to do video marketing well?

Regardless of whether you have an in-house team or hire a video production company to handle your video marketing, there are three categories of video production services you’ll either need to do yourself or make sure the company you hire offers:

Preproduction

Post production.

Preproduction is the video production service that includes creative and planning. This includes video production services like:

• Evaluating your video’s objective, target audience , method of delivery, and tone
• Formulating a budget
• Creative development and pitching
• Scriptwriting
• Storyboarding and outlining
• Shot lists (the scenes you want to include in your video)
• Location scouting (looking for places to record your video)
• Permitting (getting the necessary permits from your municipality)
• Equipment prep and rental (as needed)
• Hiring subcontractors (as needed)

Preproduction is the first part of video production. It happens behind the scenes but it’s probably the most important part of creating a video that accomplishes the goals you want it to. Without putting in the work on the frontend, you’ll never get to the end result you need. This is where you’ll create a solid foundation upon which to build your message. It involves two very different video production services: creative and logistics.

The creative side is about creating and refining the concept of your video, writing a script, storyboarding, and making sure that you fully understand not only the story you want to tell but what you want viewers to do with that story. Logistics, on the other hand, is all about the details involved in how you’ll turn your ideas into a finished and polished video.

The production part of video production is the actual video shoot. Here are a few of the video production services (and staffing considerations) that go into production:

• The Producer is involved in all phases of production from concept to completion. This includes coordination, supervision, and control of budget, talent, crafts, and more.
• The Director of Photography (Main Camera Operator) works with a Director to execute their vision for the script. They oversee the Camera and Lighting Departments and create the visuals that tell the story .
• The Assistant Camera Operator is responsible for marking a sync point between the video and audio with a clapper board (slating), making sure that the focus is set correctly, and changing batteries and recording media.
• The Field Audio Engineer mixes, reproduces, and manipulates sound and effects.
• The Gaffer is the head of the lighting department. They’re responsible for the design of the lighting plan.
• The Grip develops and builds the set for a movie, commercial, or television show. Grips work on the equipment that supports the cameras and lighting.
• Makeup Artists must know and understand makeup and the techniques used to apply it to the face and neck. Body Makeup Artists apply makeup to various areas of the body and can alter the actor’s appearance.
• The Drone Operator operates any drone cameras used for video production.
• The Production Assistant is responsible for communications between the various production departments and managing lockups.
• Specialty equipment might include high-def cameras, lighting, audio, and other equipment.

After your video has been filmed, post-production begins. This stage includes video production services like:

• File management
• Video editing
• Motion graphics or animation
• Recording voice-overs or voice acting
• Audio mastering
• Color grading
• Delivering files

Post product typically covers everything that happens after filming is complete.

There are hundreds of different video types or formats and there’s no guarantee that the video production company you hire offers the video production services you need for the video you want to create. Let’s take a closer look at the eight most common video production services you’ll find:

Event Video Services

Event videos range in time from 30 seconds to 3+ hours and can be a “recap” or event teaser video or a multi-camera production. This type of service is used for lectures, meetings, sports, weddings, performances, and other live events.

Commercial/Advertising Video Services

Commercials tend to be 30–90 seconds and can be scripted, docu-style, or animated. This type of service might include sponsored content, branded content, pre-roll , etc.

Promotional Documentary Video Services

These videos range from 1–30 minutes and use interview-driven storytelling. Promotional videos, infomercials, and travel videos typically fall into this category.

Corporate Video Services

Corporate videos include everything from long training videos to brand culture videos to promotional videos and are generally 1–60 minutes in length.

Real Estate Video Services

Real estate videos are typically under 5 minutes and use tons of filming techniques like drones, sliders, timelapse, and more to create a mouthwatering video experience.

Educational Video Services

Educational videos are things like explainer videos, PSAs, tutorials, and how-to videos. They can be quick, 30-second videos or longer videos for more in-depth topics.

Music Video Services

Music video services include exactly what you imagine (a musician lip-syncing to create a video for their music) but they can also be used by other clients when the video doesn’t need an audio story. Trailers and teaser videos may fall into this category.

Social Media Video Services

Social media videos tend to be 15–60 seconds and can include text, music, and narration. This type of video is used across social media platforms and does particularly well on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and most TikTok alternatives .

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Did you know that video can increase traffic from search engines by as much as 157%? Marketing video production services should align with SEO best practices to boost your video’s visibility in organic search results. Here are five video production services that are all about optimizing your video content for search.

1. Start With a Strong Video Marketing Strategy

Video is an important part of your business’s sales and marketing funnels as well as being a great SEO strategy . When you’re building your video strategy, you’ll want to focus on working video into the rest of your marketing strategy to create a cohesive marketing plan. But how do you create a strong video marketing strategy ? Here’s a five-step process that we like:

Step 1: Set Goals for Your Videos

Start by outlining what you want to accomplish with your videos. These goals should coincide with the different stages in your marketing funnel (awareness, consideration, and decision).

Step 2: Speak to Your Target Audience

Once you know what you hope to accomplish, you’ll want to get a specific audience in mind that you want to target with your video. At the end of this step, you should know who your product or service is for, what you want them to do after they view your video, and where you can find them.

Step 3: Find the Story You Want to Tell

Every video should tell a complete story including a main character (your target audience), a conflict (your target audience’s pain point), the search for a solution to the conflict (your product or service), and a resolution (how your product or service makes things better).

Step 4: Stick to Your Timeline

Create a timeline for every part of your video production as well as an overall timeline that encompasses all of the other timelines. Keep in mind that things happen. Changes to scripting or messaging, delays in getting review and feedback, and delays in implementing any changes can push your timeline all out of whack. Be realistic when creating your timeline and allow yourself extra time to help keep things on track.

Step 5: Stick to Your Budget

If you’re creating a high-quality video , the budget can quickly get out of hand—especially if you’re outsourcing your video production services. Whether or not you’re handling things in-house or not, though, you still need to set a budget.

When you start with a solid video marketing strategy , you’ll be in a much better position to create videos that rank well in search engine results.

2. Optimize Your Video Titles

Creating and optimizing video titles may be included in marketing video productions services but if not, you’ll want to make sure that your video titles are fully optimized to help with SEO . Titles should include keywords related to your video’s content and grab the attention of viewers. While clickbait titles had brief popularity, viewers quickly became weary of titles that were designed simply for clicks. As such, your titles should be directly related to your video content and designed to draw attention while delivering once viewers click.

3. Include Video Transcripts

Video transcripts are a must for SEO. If your marketing video production services don’t offer video transcripts, you should absolutely write your own. And, really write them. Don’t simply rely on the auto-generated transcripts. You’ve seen them on YouTube, right? They’re not great.

Why bother with video transcripts? For starters, they make your content accessible, bringing your video to a larger audience. In addition, they make your content scrapable by search bots, essentially serving as more indexable page content.

4. Optimize Your Website

Optimizing your website may not seem to have much to do with video production services but trust us, it’s important. Adding video to a webpage can increase your rank in search engines, increase conversions, and more. Take a look at your highest-performing pages (the ones that get you the most conversions) and, if there isn’t video there already, ask your video production services company to create targeted, related videos for those pages. Video production services and website optimization work well together to get your content seen by more people.

5. Promote Your Video

Your video SEO strategy will benefit greatly from promotion. Every time your video is viewed or a user engages with your video, that content gets a bit of a signal boost that Google and other search engines use to determine where to rank your content. This creates an echo chamber of sorts in which your video gets engagement, Google and other search engines reward you for that engagement by increasing the ranking for your content, more people see your content as a result, which leads to more engagement. And so the cycle continues.

Video Production: Worth the Work

Video production services can easily pay for themselves over and over again since you can use a single video in several different ways. You can use the same video on your website, in your email marketing, on social media , and just about anywhere else. Using your video in multiple places across your marketing efforts maximizes your investment in video production services and increases your ROI. Using the information and tips in this article, you have everything you need to create a ridiculously strong video marketing strategy, regardless of whether you bring your video production services in-house or outsource to an established video production company.

Your brand has a unique story to tell that sets you apart from your competition and builds powerful brand identity. Video is one of the best ways for your brand to share that story while also keeping visitors on your website longer, keeping their attention, and getting them to engage. High-quality video and a strong video marketing strategy can bring in new customers and keep existing customers coming back for more.

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Video Marketing Statistics 2024

Citation Policy: Please feel free to use these statistics in any commercial or non-commercial capacity. If you use the statistics we require a link to Wyzowl

Section 1: Video marketing usage

Reasons for not using video marketing….

🤑 20% of marketers who don’t use video say it’s too expensive. Copy stat text

🤔 15% of marketers who don’t use video don’t know where to start. Copy stat text

🤷 12% of marketers who don’t use video are unclear on the ROI of video marketing. Copy stat text

Our analysis…

Video marketing remains a staple in the digital landscape, used by over 90% of businesses.

However, time constraints still present a formidable barrier, as a third of non-video marketers cite lack of time as their primary obstacle.

Even though marketers almost unanimously believe in the importance of video, many still seem to have difficulties when it comes to execution.

Adoption looks set to expand, with almost 70% of current non-users planning to use video in 2024.

But can the extensive and continued growth of video marketing last forever? With adoption holding steady over 90% – and further marketers set to join the party in 2024 – video may well be near saturation point. Looking ahead, video marketers may need to look outside the box for new opportunities and ways to use this most compelling of marketing tools.

Section 2: Types of video created

This is followed by explainer videos (38%) , presentation videos (34%) social media videos (34%) , product demos (32%) , video ads (30%) , sales videos (30%) , teaser videos (30%) , customer service videos (28%) , videographics (25%) , employee onboarding (25%) , training (22%) , customer onboarding (22%) and app demos (22%) .

Section 3: The AI effect

This stat shows brands are really embracing artificial intelligence to speed up video production. There’s no doubt that AI can definitely pump out content faster. But brands must remember the importance of the human touch in crafting and telling compelling stories.

Section 4: Video marketing – The financials

🐷 The percentage of marketing budget allocated to video content varies wildly. Most marketers landed within the 21-30% range of their overall budget, but – as you can see – there was no real consensus. Grouping responses together, 6 out of 10 marketers reported spending between the 11-50% mark .

Section 5: ROI – What does success look like?

82% of video marketers say video has helped keep visitors on their website longer (aka dwell time). Copy stat text

Section 6: The customer view…

Section 7: video marketing channels, the 🎉 most widely used 🎉 video marketing platforms, the 👎 least widely used 👎 video marketing platforms, the 🤩 most effective 🤩 video marketing platforms.

YouTube remains the most successful video marketing platform for marketers, with 78% reporting it to be effective.

This is followed by Facebook video (71%) Instagram video (64%) webinars (61%) interactive video (60%) and Twitter/X video (60%).

The ☠️ LEAST EFFECTIVE ☠️ video marketing platforms

Virtual reality (49%), 360 video (51%) and TikTok (52%) are reported as the least effective platforms for video marketing.

TikTok is a particular surprise here, but perhaps this reflects an ongoing struggle for B2B brands to find the right audience – and voice – on this heavily B2C platform.

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OPEC+ extends deep oil production cuts into 2025

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• OPEC+ prolongs some cuts by one year
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Home » Product Reviews » The Best Stock Video Sites for Editors

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The Best Stock Video Sites for Editors

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons—plan options, library quality, and more—of ten major stock footage websites in a bit more detail.

Whether you’re a seasoned video editor or just starting out, the stock footage and photography landscape can be one of the most daunting aspects of the trade. Between navigating the millions and millions of assets offered, and understanding what type of license you need, this step in the creative process can be tricky.

But, lucky for you, we’re going to discuss what each of the biggest stock sites offer, what you can expect to find on the site, and how much you can prepare to budget for before starting your next project. Let’s dive in!

The Benefits of Using Stock

Stock footage can be your best friend. It could even end up saving your project, pushing you over the finish line at the last second. Stock can help you fill the gaps on your timeline when you just don’t have the time or resources to shoot the footage yourself. It’s not meant to serve as an entire project (though it certainly can, with passionate editing). Instead it supplies you with beautiful, topical, and purposeful footage that helps bridge the gap between the shots you’re already working with. 

In terms of incorporating stock clips into your workflow, almost every stock site allows you to download a “Preview” version of the clip with a watermark on top. Throwing this into your edit is a perfect way to quickly send the project off to your client before you have final approval of the clip.

This really gives the project a sense of completion and will help you see the big picture while editing. It’s just one more way stock can save you time and make the final result even better than you imagined. Given these reasons why stock can help editors, what criteria should we be look for on stock sites?

Criteria for What Makes a Stock Site Great

While it might sound simple enough for a site to just have a library of clips, the biggest ways a site can be beneficial for an editor lie in its structure and the content that makes up that structure. Categorization, intuitive search, relevant metadata, and easy-to-understand license terms are what make a company worth using. These various criteria help editors keep track of their vision, allowing them to search for what they need in an efficient way. 

Another important element is information about the clips the editor is potentially going to license. Most sites follow a pretty standard practice for including specific metadata like the codec, frame rate, camera used, file size, and overall dimensions that are available to download.

While some sites give more information than others, the general consensus is that video editors need to know the frame rate and size of the file they’re purchasing. We’ll get into the specifics of what this means as it relates to the different companies. So, let’s get started. 

Pond5 perfectly positioned to serve a wide variety of video creators including intro level filmmakers, marketers, Youtubers, freelance editors, and even veteran filmmakers. With various licensing options and subscription plans, Pond5 suits all scales of production.

Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of Pond5’s collection is that the majority of it was shot by industry professionals, rather than hobbyists. This means the composition, cinematography , and execution of the shots are nothing short of exceptional. An acute awareness of filmmaking basics like rule of thirds, judging the appropriate amount of head room, and an even lighting contrast ratio is put on full display, as a lot of the Pond5 contributors are experienced in the realm of cinematography and stock.

They also have partnerships with companies like Reuters, offering even more well shot and interesting footage to their collection. It is the largest stock video library in the world with over 35 million clips. Pond5 has over 6,000 credits on IMDB between the two different spellings of the brand’s name–so, it’s safe to say Pond5 is a pillar of the filmmaking community.

In terms of user experience, when searching through footage, the filter system is solid, offering users things such as different ranges of resolutions from SD to 5k+, a min/max price option and even additional filters containing options for 360/VR and RED footage .

Specificity is key if your client is asking for a specific camera or color science. This precision is also a welcomed delight for anyone who just genuinely loves or is used to working with RED footage, since the workflow can be significantly different than other camera brands. 

Pricing and options available are good, offering single item purchases and even a monthly subscription allowing users 10 downloads a month at a selection of HD & 4K videos as well as access to all music tracks, sound effects and image library.

It’s important to note with Pond5 that licensing is based on indemnification rather than usage (number of views.) This means that—based on the licensing tier—Pond5 will take liability if there is ever a copyright claim from your work. You don’t have this protection with other sites.

With Easy Cancellation and a monthly download rollover to up to 120 downloads, the monthly subscription on Pond5 is worth checking out if you want beautiful cinematic b-roll made with high quality productions in mind. Their customer service is very highly rated—one of the best in the industry.

Pond5 Facts

• Launched : March 2006
• Price: Multiple Options from Purchasing per item to a Monthly/Yearly subscription.
• Additional Offerings – Music, SFX, 3D Models, After Effects, PSD’s, Illustrations

Shutterstock 

It’s inevitable that at some point in every creative’s story, they’ve crossed paths with Shutterstock. Perhaps the most prolific site on this list, Shutterstock is most known for its huge stock of photographs used for all types of media. You’ve almost definitely seen the Shutterstock watermark at some point! In addition to footage and photography, Shutterstock also offers a selection of other things such as music and templates for all types of marketing avenues. 

The video section of the site is really well put together, offering trending keywords and categories as well as handpicked content from its staff and contributors. This level of curation will end up saving editors hours of time when looking for something topical or trending.

While using the search feature, you get a slew of filters to choose from to really make it easy to find what you need. Choose from resolution options, aspect ratio, frame rate, duration, and even the number of people within the clip itself. You can also select only editorial or non editorial clips. Editors can get very specific notes from their clients regarding the exact number of people in the shot, whether or not it should be in slow motion, and what region the footage should be located in. These specific filters will save you time spent scrolling through collections, plus you’ll be able to send these to clients for approval even faster. 

In regards to video content that is available, it’s huge. As of September 30th, 2022 Shutterstock’s library surpassed 27 million video clips—and of course the quality of video content is what you’d expect, the best of the best. Though it’s impressive with the sheer amount available, it doesn’t feel entirely aimed towards cinematographers or videographers who want something a bit more unique.

Instead, Shutterstock excels at being reliable with footage of almost anything and everything, having your back during post-production when you inevitably need an unexpected shot thrown into your timeline. Because of this, you’re almost guaranteed to see “Shutterstock” listed in the credits of most big-budget feature film and television productions. This global brand has cemented itself as a titan of stock for a reason. 

Shutterstock Facts

• Founded: 2003
• Price: Video Subscription Packages – From $29 per month or On-Demand package from $299 per year.

Pixabay, firstly, is a free option for finding additional video elements you might need. The clips on Pixabay are released under the Creative Commons CC0 license, which means that the creators have waived all rights to the works and have placed them in the public domain.

This means that you can use, modify, and distribute the images and videos without asking for permission or giving credit to the original creator. However, it is always good practice to double check the specific licensing terms of any asset you plan to use, as some assets on Pixabay may have different licensing terms.

The downside of that is indemnification. If someone brings a copyright claim to you on the video, you’re liable. This can happen because the person who uploaded the video to Pixabay might have not actually had ownership of that video. That can open you up to a lot of risk and why sometimes it makes more sense to go with a paid option, such as Pond5.

Quality and selection of video assets is okay. You’ve got a wide range of themes, categories, and keywords that will help you find the clip you need, and the site offers 4K videos as well. One interesting feature about the clips you might choose to download is that you can see how many downloads the clip has. This is great for informing editors how popular the clip is, so you can avoid including it if you’re wanting a more unique final product.

There’s also a “Published” date that informs when the clip was uploaded to Pixabay. Transparency is key with this free stock resource. In terms of image quality, there are a few really beautiful clips, but as a whole the library leans more on the generic side. This shouldn’t come as a surprise though, seeing as the clips are free. You get what you don’t pay for, I suppose, and there is a pretty good chance you won’t find the right clip to suit your creative need.

Overall Pixabay is a solid site if you just need something super basic and clean to add to a voiceover, music, or some fun b-roll that isn’t too serious. It’s filler stock at its easiest. 

Pixabay Facts

• Launched: November 24, 2010
• Price: Free
• Additional Offerings – Photos, Illustrations, Vectors, Music, Sound Effects and GIF’s

Storyblocks

You may have heard of Storyblocks from your favorite online content creator or filmmaker via a sponsored YouTube video . That’s because Storyblocks is intentionally aimed towards the online video content creator. Whether you’re working on your own channel or that of a client, this library is perfect for not only YouTube but any type of social media platform, be it TikTok, Instagram Reels, or LinkedIn. 

All this to say, Storyblocks is catered towards online usage. Whether you’re new to the video creation space or trying to be a YouTuber, the Storyblocks library is catered towards new video editors with simple, colorful, easy-to-work-with footage that can fit seamlessly into your edit.

Don’t expect to find super moody, cinematic, ungraded footage that requires extensive knowledge of color correction and grading. Overall, it’s a low-cost monthly subscription that welcomes any video editor just starting out, looking to make content for themselves or to kickstart their own career. 

The library has fewer clips than some of the others. That’s because Storyblocks “wholly owns” its content. Meaning, they pay the videographer/cinematographer a negotiated flat rate and buy the footage outright from them. This also transfers the ownership from the filmmaker to Storyblocks.

That brings us to pricing. It’s one of the cheapest packages available for full access to everything they offer at only £29.08 or $30 USD, which includes their whole video archive and the Maker Video Editor. Storyblocks is able to offer this price because of the “wholly owned” status of their stock videos .

Maker Video Editor is a full-on non-linear editing program that has Storyblocks’ entire library fully integrated, allowing editors to work with stock in a simple way. This is very important for online content creators.

As for the quality of the video footage available, you do need to search through a lot of standard, “stock-y”-looking clips before you find something that fits your aesthetic. Like most stock sites, to find the gold you have to search for it.

Within that standard subscription mentioned above, creators also have access to hundreds of After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Apple Motion templates to use for your next project. 

As for licensing, Storyblocks has uploaded a look at what licenses they offer and what each means for creators. 

So there’s two options; individual and business. These two choices differ in the amount of people who have access to the Storyblocks account and the amount of assets the account can download within a month.

Storyblocks Facts

• Launched: March 2006
• Additional Offerings – Built in Editor, AE Plugin, Images, Sounds, Music, Templates

Envato Elements

Another one I often see advertised within the creative realm of filmmakers and online content creators is Envato Elements. The site has a lot to offer besides stock video, including WordPress themes, website templates, presentation templates, and unique social media graphics to really boost your online presence.

Think of Envato Elements as a general hub for anybody needing any type of creative asset, or a marketing professional’s dream. A library, if you will. It’s aimed towards the freelancer who is not only versed in video but has their toes in many different types of projects with many different types of clients. 

For video content they offer not only a wide selection of some really clean stock footage, but really nice motion graphics as well. The stock footage can be quite hit and miss though. You could search up “farmer in field” and find some incredible, well-shot cinematic footage, but on a different search, for example, with “teacher speaking to students” you’ll find some really underwhelming stock footage that looks as if it were shot in the early 2010s with a DSLR. You really have to dig if you want the professional, current-looking footage that’s up to today’s standards. 

Envato’s biggest offering lies with video templates. These assets range from LUTs and title packs that are compatible with your editor of choice, from DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and even Apple Motion. There’s also a stacked library of sound effects that feature quality recordings delivered in mp3 or WAV formats. This is a nice addition for any filmmaker or freelancer who may need to add some extra elements into their work without paying extra.

Envato Elements offers a 7-day free trial which most of the other options on this list don’t currently offer. You can cancel the trial at any time, which is nice if you just want to try the service out. This is also a great way to test out if your clients approve of the clips and assets. Again, this only saves you time in the long run.

In terms of licensing, you get broad commercial rights, allowing editors to use the downloaded assets on work or personal projects.

A monthly subscription costs $16.50 per month. If you’re a full time freelancer, you have access to unlimited downloads, which is huge! Editors will download extra assets if it falls under their subscription, so they might retain those assets for future projects.

Envato Facts

• Launched : August 2016
• Price: $16.50 per month 
• Additional Offerings – Video Templates, Fonts, WordPress Themes, 3D Elements, and Graphic Assets.

Adobe Stock

Perhaps the biggest selling point for Adobe Stock lies in its ability to integrate within Adobe Premiere Pro. This feature called “Single App” allows users to access the assets from within the app they’re working on. So, if you’re already working within the Adobe Creative Cloud space, this integration makes the choice pretty easy. Adding stock clips from Adobe Stock’s library literally fits right into your timeline and workflow. They also have a feature called “Auto-tagging” that allows you to search images by their attributes.

Adobe Stock can be more expensive than some other stock media websites. The pricing plan is based on the number of assets you download each month. Users can purchase a monthly or annual plan, or they can pay as they go. It’s recommended to check the pricing and compare with other stock media websites and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

So for pricing, there’s the “individual” plan. On this plan a single asset can cost anywhere from $9.99 to $199.99 depending on the usage type, the resolution, and the license. For teams, Adobe Stock offers a monthly or annual subscription plan, with different options of assets. The cost for a monthly plan starts at $33.99 for 10 assets and the annual plan starts at $29.99 for 10 assets per month. The price can add up, especially considering the monthly cost of using the Adobe suite every month. 

The Adobe Stock licenses available are pretty normal. The default license you get when downloading assets is the “Standard” license. Here’s what you get with this license, straight from Adobe themselves: 

• Reproduce up to 500,000 copies of the asset in all media, including product packaging, printed marketing materials, digital documents, or software.
• Include the asset in email marketing, mobile advertising, or a broadcast or digital program if the expected number of viewers is fewer than 500,000.
• Post the asset to a website or social media site with no limitation on views.
• Include the asset in some types of products, such as inside a textbook, as long as the primary value of the product is not the asset itself, and the product is not reproduced more than 500,000 times.
• Share the unmodified asset with your employees and contractors who have contractually agreed to abide by the license terms.
• Transfer the license to your client or employer.

Adobe Stock Facts

• Launched: 2015
• Price: Around $79.99 per month
• Additional Offerings: Images, Templates, Sound Effects, and Vectors

A relatively newer stock site, Artgrid doesn’t have the massive collections like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, but what they lack in quantity is made up for with overall quality of their assets.

Artgrid includes what camera the clip was shot on, allowing editors to work within the same camera system if their project calls for the same sensor and color science across the board. Like most sites on this list, Artgrid follows the subscription model, allowing editors to download as many clips as they’d like under one monthly or yearly price.

Similar to what we discussed earlier with Storyblocks and YouTubers, Artgrid is similar in their approach to marketing for content creators and YouTube content as a whole. On top of all of this, the site’s overall user interface is welcoming to newer editors. It’s all pretty straightforward as navigating the categories, themes, and shot types are pretty accessible. 

In terms of pricing, Art Grid offers three plans: Pro, Creator, and Junior. With the Pro plan you get unlimited downloads of RAW / LOG clips, 4K -8K clips, ProRes, DNxHR, and graded footage. With the Creator plan is the same but with no RAW or LOG clips, and then with the Junior plan you just get access to HD clips, no 4K.

In regards to the license, upon downloading the assets, your client is covered by the license and can publish and use the finished project anywhere. They can also distribute it through all existing publishing platforms whether it be social media or television. 

ArtGrid Facts

• Launched: 2019
• Price: Around $29.99 per month
• Additional Offerings: Music and Sound Effects

iStock offers a wide variety of royalty-free images, videos, and audio files for use in various projects, such as marketing materials, websites, and presentations.

Fun fact, it was one of the first microstock photography agencies ever, and offered a large collection of stock photos, illustrations, and videos at a relatively low price at the time. It was bought by Getty Images in 2006 and then eventually merged with Getty Images, expanding its collection of images and videos.

The site allows users to purchase individual assets or to purchase a subscription for access to a larger collection of content. iStock also offers a feature called “Editorial,” which offers editorial content such as news, sport, entertainment, and archival images. One of the best features from the site is a service called “Custom Content” that allows users to request specific content from a network of professional photographers and videographers.

In terms of what you’re able to get with the various packages iStock offers, it can be a little confusing. They offer credit packages that can be used to purchase various types of content, such as photos, illustrations, videos, and audio files. The prices of credit packages change depending on the number of credits you purchase. They also offer subscriptions that give you access to a specific collection of content. These subscriptions are based on the number of downloads per month and can be customized to fit whatever project or workflow you need. You can also purchase single, individual clips for download.

In terms of licensing, iStock offers a few different types of licenses.

• Royalty-free license: This allows you to use the image or video in a wide range of projects without the need to pay additional royalties. However, this license is not exclusive, meaning that others can also use the same asset.
• Rights-managed license: The license is granted for a specific use and a specific period of time, and the asset cannot be used in any other way without purchasing a new license.
• Enhanced license: This provides additional usage rights, such as the ability to use the asset in merchandise or on a website.

iStock Facts

• Launched: 2000
• Price: $99 per month
• Additional Offerings: Photos, Vectors, and Illustrations

ProVideoFactory

Image via ProVideoFactory .

ProVideoFactory offers some of the best cinematic stock footage options on the web, though it doesn’t have the millions of clips other stock library catalogs have (only over 200,000 clips available as of right now). ProVideoFactory really emphasizes quality over quantity. It’s also important to note that the company was started by a filmmaker, so the quality control might be considered a little more intense than other sites.

This is good news for video editors! A majority of the library was shot on RED Cameras, so the footage is incredibly cinematic. Similar to Artgrid, Provideofactory details (sometimes) what camera was used to shoot the footage, which you can find in the tags the contributor added underneath the footage.  

They aim towards the experienced audience, the independent passionate filmmakers, and production studios who need high quality b-roll or stock footage to implement into something with a higher-end production value.

Even though they have over 200,000 available stock clips, the site is very basic compared to others on the list. It offers a minimal amount of filter options when searching for a chosen clip. Still, sometimes keeping it simple makes it easier to focus on the content that is available to you. While the footage is objectively better than most sites, the smaller amount of footage means the overall uniqueness of the clips is diminished. Be wary of clients recognizing footage they might have seen elsewhere. 

Offering up to 6K RAW resolution, the footage is just beautiful (though this isn’t within the subscription plan and is an additional $100 per clip). Having these options is always nice to present to clients, as you never know what they’re going to want or say yes to! Provideofactory offers a variety of stylized, staged, documentary-esque captured footage that feels organic no matter the subject. In terms of licensing, the types of license are almost identical to that of iStock’s listed above. 

Overall, pricing is pretty reasonable, $24.99 p/m with unlimited downloads, HD, 4k and 8K resolutions available, ProRes/H.264 formats, graded, and LOG footage as well. If you’re serious in your work and you want some of the best stock footage available on the web for your next short film, or if you’re working on building your editing portfolio, then ProVideoFactory is an excellent investment to check out.

ProVideoFactory Facts

• Launched: November 2015
• Price: $24.99 per month
• Additional Offerings – Video Templates & Audio Library

Finally there is FilmSupply, the highest standard for professional cinematic stock footage, used by global brands such as Nike, Tesla, Apple, and even for studios like Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros. 

The simple but beautifully laid-out site just oozes professionalism and class, showing visitors and users hand-selected video clips via it’s featured categories curated by the filmsupply team. There’s a huge emphasis on the filmmaker, rather than the specific category or subject of the footage.

But, before we go into the clips themselves, let’s just quickly talk about the user experience. More than anything, Filmsupply excels at its hyper-specificity with filters. No matter what you need in your shot, you’ll be able to narrow down your search as much as you need. This can prove to be the most useful aspect for video editors who are in a time crunch and need accurate and satisfying results. 

Let’s talk about the meat of the site, the video content. Filmsupply has some of the most creative, dreamy, and just stunning footage available when it comes to stock video footage. Each filmmaker who has submitted footage to filmsupply had a vision or plan from the start and has perfectly executed it. The majority of footage uploaded by contributors is from an actual film they created.

So for example, if a director or cinematographer shot a short film that was 50 cuts throughout the film, they would take each individual clip from the short (usually excluding the dialogue scenes) and upload it to FilmSupply. So this practice takes the cohesion of a project and makes it available for your own endeavor. It’s a great way to keep a consistent look and feel to your edit as the lighting, color grade, movement, and focal length is mostly going to be the same across the board. 

When it comes to pricing and options available, Filmsupply is not meant for beginners or low budgets. There are no subscription based services and everything is priced per clip. Starting at $219 per clip for web and digital usage such as social media, websites, or web ads, you can see why it can get expensive.

If you need more than a handful of clips, the quality and customer service offered really speaks volumes for that price. Again, you get what you pay for. In terms of footage specifications the downloads include 4k+, RAW / LOG and even 8mm /16mm / 35mm or VHS stock footage, there is a wide gamut of types of footage available. 

In terms of licensing, Filmsupply offers “Commercial” and “Editorial” clips. Commercial clips are cleared for almost any use. They have releases for locations and talent and when you download the clips, there are no clearance issues. However, Editorial clips can only be used for non-commercial, non-business related projects like news outlets or blogs. These types of clips are usually missing the required releases for commercial use.

Filmsupply Facts

• Price: From $109 per clip (Internal use) / $219 for Industrial or Web/Digital per clip
• Additional Offerings – Offering a White-Glove Service for Custom Consultations and more at a premium.

Ultimately, which of these sites is best for you as a video editor will depend on the specific needs of your project, such as the type of content you’re looking for, the size of your budget, and the level of customization you might need.

We recommend you check every site yourself, compare their collections and pricing plans, and choose the one that best suits your project. Also, it’s always a good practice to check the specific licensing terms of any image you plan to use—for your own protection.

All of these decisions are really up to you as the editor and creative to judge whatever feels right and fits within the constraints of your budget and project. 

Cover image via Lina Chekhovich .

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