Frequently Asked Questions about our Video Production/ Photography Services

Below are answers to some of the most common questions organisations ask when considering corporate video production, including costs, planning, filming and getting the best return from your investment. These are the main categories:

Planning Your Video
Filming Questions
Working With A Corporate Video Production Company
Getting More Value From Video

Planning your video

We have a plan to ensure your videos clearly explain your products and services in an engaging way. There’s three stages, pre-production (planning and scripts), production (filming) and post production (editing).

Step 1: Pre-Production

What’s the problem you’re trying to solve with videos? With a phone or Zoom call we’ll figure out together who and what to film, where and when. Or use this online form as a start.

The outcome from this phase is a plan of action, a script describing the vision and dialogue, a list of interview questions and shot list.

Step 2: Production

We will set a filming date, organise logistics, talent and locations. Often you will be better placed to organise some of these things.

Other assets we might need include recording voice over, animation or motion graphics, your logo, style guide, fonts and any past photos.

Step 3: Post Production

With all raw material in hand we build the videos.

We will send you a draft to review, via a website such as Vimeo, where you can leave comments on the video, and from where you can download a final video.

Video Output Formats

Most of the videos we make are destined for the internet and a high definition (HD) .mp4 format is more than sufficient. If you need a 4k, vertical or square aspect ratio be sure to let us know before filming.

This FAQ has more information on the timeframes for this process.

Yes. We can help as much or as little as you need.

Some clients prefer to prepare a first draft themselves, while others would rather we develop the script or interview questions for them. Usually, the best approach is a collaboration – you know your business and subject matter best, while we understand how to communicate ideas effectively in a video format.

When planning scripts and interview questions, we typically consider:

Who is the audience?
What problem are we trying to solve?
What is the key message?
What are the main benefits we should communicate?
How and where will the video be used?

For interview-based videos such as testimonials and case studies, we can also prepare interview questions and guide participants during filming so they feel comfortable and know what to say.

Many clients are initially concerned about scripting, but with a little planning the process is usually much easier than expected.

If you’d prefer, we can simply discuss your objectives and prepare a first draft for you. Simply use this form. We can give you a ring and write the script.

Check out the blog post about the merrits of looking straight at the camera, versus an ‘off camera’ interview style

Depending on the complexity and number of videos, most projects are completed in under a month, including planning, filming, editing. There may be a few days going back and forth on pre-production or scripting, filming may take half a day or a day. We’ll usually have a first draft video back to you within a week of filming. Subsequent rounds of changes will be made in a couple of days of your feedback.

If we’re making multiple videos we will write shot lists and batch like scenes/ locations together and film them at the same time to keep costs down.

The first step is deciding what the videos could realistically be worth to your business.

For example, if a video could help win one additional client, improve staff recruitment, reduce sales meetings, or help explain a complex service more effectively, it may justify a much larger investment than simply looking at the production cost alone. The budget should be considered in relation to the potential return and the difference the videos could make to your organisation.

There are also several ways to keep costs down.

Good planning and preparation before filming can significantly reduce production time. Helping with logistics such as organising locations, scheduling interview participants, obtaining permissions and ensuring key staff are available on the day can make the filming process much more efficient.

You may also be able to save money by:

Using your own staff rather than professional actors where appropriate.
Combining multiple videos into a single filming day.
Providing existing photos, graphics or footage that can be incorporated.
Having scripts, key messages and interview topics prepared in advance.
Consolidating feedback into one round of amendment requests rather than sending multiple small changes.

Often the most cost-effective approach is to think about creating several pieces of content from one project. For example, a single filming day may provide material for a website video, social media clips, customer testimonials and recruitment content.

If budget is a concern, simply let us know at the beginning of the project. We can usually suggest ways to simplify the production process and maximise the value you receive from the investment.

These tips can apply to all the services, (packages) we provide.

Usually we’ll arrange a brief phone or video call to learn more about your organisation and what you’re hoping to achieve.

We’ll discuss things such as:

The purpose of the videos.
Who the audience is.
How and where the videos will be used.
Potential ideas and approaches.
Timeframes and budget.

If it sounds like we’re a good fit, we’ll then prepare a proposal outlining recommended video concepts, the production approach and indicative costs.

From there, if you decide to proceed, we’ll move into planning the project. This may include scripting, interview questions, scheduling filming dates and organising locations and logistics.

There is absolutely no obligation. Sometimes a short conversation is enough to point people in the right direction, even if the project isn’t the right fit for us.

Our aim is simply to understand your requirements and help determine the best way video can assist your organisation.

If appropriate, we can often provide ballpark pricing during the initial discussion.

You’ll see price ranges for each of our most common services, listed here, on the relevant landing page.

A lot goes into producing an effective video. This includes planning, scripting, organising logistics and locations, filming, equipment, editing, graphics, music and revisions.

As a general guide, a basic video project typically starts from around $1,500 plus GST, although costs can vary considerably depending on the complexity of the project, the number of filming days required and the final deliverables. We can also provide filming or editing services separately on a half-day basis if that better suits your requirements.

When considering whether video production is worthwhile, it can be helpful to think about:

The additional revenue the videos may help generate through increased enquiries, sales or conversions.
The time and costs saved by having an experienced professional manage the production process.
The improved quality and effectiveness of videos produced by specialists who create this type of content every day.

For many organisations, a single new client, employee or project generated as a result of the videos can more than justify the investment.

We’re always happy to discuss your objectives and provide a no-obligation quote and recommendations on the most cost-effective approach.

There is no single ideal length for a corporate video. The right duration depends on the audience, the purpose of the video and where it will be viewed.

As a general guide:

Social media videos are often between 15 seconds and 2 minutes.
Website videos, such as Explainer Videos are commonly between 1 and 3 minutes.
Training, demonstration and conference videos can be considerably longer.

Rather than aiming for a specific length, we recommend making the video long enough to communicate the message effectively, while keeping it engaging and focused on the audience’s needs.

We can discuss this in the discovery stage. Some clients want it “done for you”, where as others like to do what they can and reduce costs.

Generally though, since we’re often filming your staff at your premises, it makes more sense for you to organise people and locations for the filming day, since you have the relationships and contacts.

So there’s the time you spend organising in pre-production, and the time staff are involved with filming.

If we’re filming an interview with, lets say a CEO or director, they only need to be present for the 20 minutes we’re doing the interview. They don’t need to hang around while we set up and down.

More on our video production process, here.

Where and how you distribute your videos can have a significant impact on how they should be planned and produced.

Some common places to use videos include:

Your website home page, service pages or About page.
Social media advertising on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.
Organic social media posts.
Reception screens and trade show displays.
YouTube, Vimeo or Wistia, including links used in emails and proposals.
Presentations at conferences and events.
Internal training and recruitment.
Cinema advertising or broadcast television.

Before making the videos, it is important to think about how they will reach your target audience and what will encourage people to watch.

Questions we may consider include:

What will capture attention in the opening few seconds?
What information is most important to the audience?
What are competitors doing, and how can we differentiate your videos?
Should the video tell a story, demonstrate a product, explain a complex idea or simply build trust?
Does the video need sound, captions or graphics to work effectively on different platforms?

Different platforms often require different approaches. For example, a video on your website may allow more time to explain a complex topic, whereas a social media advertisement may need to communicate its message within the first few seconds.

It’s also worth considering whether one filming day can produce multiple pieces of content. A longer video for your website may also provide shorter social media clips, recruitment videos or customer testimonial snippets.

At Clips That Sell, we work through these questions during the planning phase to ensure your videos are designed not only to look professional, but also to work effectively wherever they are distributed.

Some options include:

a knowlegeable sales person or subject expert
the CEO or a director, to give leadership authority
a professional actor. After all, they train to present well on camera, including learning lines. We have actors we work with regularly, or we can source from sites like Starnow.
Just have voice-over, text and footage, so no need for a presenter

If a staff member or leader does feature, we’ll work with them to give their best

Filming questions

Yes. We can help as much or as little as you need.

When planning scripts and interview questions, we typically consider:

Who is the audience?
What problem are we trying to solve?
What is the key message?
What are the main benefits we should communicate?
How and where will the video be used?

For interview-based videos such as testimonials and case studies, we can also prepare interview questions and guide participants during filming so they feel comfortable and know what to say.

Many clients are initially concerned about scripting, but with a little planning the process is usually much easier than expected.

If you’d prefer, we can simply discuss your objectives and prepare a first draft for you. Simply use this form. We can give you a ring and write the script.

Check out the blog post about the merrits of looking straight at the camera, versus an ‘off camera’ interview style

For some types of video, you may not need to appear in front of the camera at all. We sometimes use voice over or actors or other people involved in the business.

Second, you may only need to appear for a few seconds or say a very few words. With our coaching, short takes are easier.

Third, we know how to help you relax, enjoy and to be a little more animated and to give your best performance. We can use a teleprompter to save remembering lines, and we’ll coach you on how to still look natural. Some practice beforehand does help.

It true that most of us don’t like seeing or hearing ourselves in videos. Yet every day everyone around us sees and hears us. Video as a medium is here to stay and is probably worth getting used to if you’re in business.

Tips for presenting naturally on camera

We do need to be mindful of people’s privacy. It’s a natural curtessy that we have permission to display people. Here’s some options:

Put signs up at events and make an announcement at the start, giving folk an option to move to a spot where we know not to film.
Get signed consent forms, we can help provide these
Use staff, actors or friends to simulate customers or other participants
Even when using staff, we’ll often recommend getting a signed consent, in case they leave soon after filming.

It’s generally considered acceptable if you’re in a public place and there are other people around but not featuring.

If you’re in the healthcare sector, check out the example videos on this page.

Absolutely. In many cases, one day of filming can produce a range of content.

For example, a single filming day may provide:

A main video for your website.
Short social media videos.
Customer testimonial videos.
Recruitment content.
Photographs and behind-the-scenes material.

By planning ahead and capturing a variety of interviews and supporting footage, it is often possible to create content that can be used for months or even years.

Creating multiple videos from one shoot is one of the most cost-effective ways to maximise the value of your investment in video production.

Yes. While we are based in Melbourne, we regularly film throughout Australia.

We frequently work in Sydney and can also arrange filming in Brisbane, Perth and other locations through our network of trusted video professionals.

For larger projects, conferences and multi-location shoots, we can travel as required and coordinate filming across multiple sites.

Travel costs and logistics can be discussed during the planning phase, and in some cases it may be more cost-effective to use local crews under our direction.

Please get in touch if you have filming requirements outside Melbourne and we’d be happy to discuss the options.

Choosing the right location is about creating the right context for your video. Even for a short interview, what is in the background says something.

The most common choices are:

You’re workplace whether it is an office, shop, factory, warehouse or farm
Our home office green screen studio (the green screen allows alternative background
Hire or borrow another location, eg a studio, event space, co-working space, a park, or a nice home.

Ideally it’s somewhere quiet and without too much echo. Rooms with carpet and soft furnishings reduce echo.

For most videos, we also shoot ‘b’ roll or cover footage at the same location. This footage helps build the story and shows what you are talking about. Contact us to discuss location options.

The answer depends on the type of video and the size of your organisation, but generally only a small number of people need to be involved.

Typically, there will be one main contact person who coordinates the project and helps with approvals and logistics. Depending on the project, other people may also be involved, such as:

Subject matter experts who can provide technical information.
Staff members appearing on camera.
Marketing or communications staff who provide feedback and approvals.
Senior management if final approval is required.

We try to keep the process as straightforward and efficient as possible. We can assist with scripting, interview questions, filming schedules and logistics to minimise the amount of time required from your team.

For many projects, the majority of your involvement occurs during the planning or pre-production stage, with relatively little time required during filming and editing. More on our video production process, here.

Yes absolutely we have a teleprompter which can make presenting to camera easier.

It is still worth going over your script a few times and practicing. The downside of a teleprompter is it can make you look to stiff, serious or wooden. Hence it is not always the best option. Sometimes a list of dot points you talk to is better. Like anything, it depends on the situation and we can work through this during the discovery/ pre-production phase.

Here are some tips to present naturally on camera.

Working With a Corporate Video Production Company

If you engage Clips That Sell to make videos, livestream, take photos or just film or edit, these Terms and Conditions outline how we like to work. We’re usually happy to vary them if anything raises a concern for you, just ask.

Our aim is to make the video production process straightforward, enjoyable and as hassle-free as possible.

From the outset, we’ll spend time understanding what you are trying to achieve, who the audience is and how the videos will be used. We can help with ideas, scripting, interview questions and planning to ensure everyone feels prepared before filming begins.

During filming, we work efficiently and aim to create a relaxed atmosphere, particularly for people who may not be comfortable on camera. Most clients tell us afterwards that the filming process was much easier and more enjoyable than they expected.

Throughout the project, you can expect:

Clear communication and responsiveness.
Guidance and advice based on many years of marketing and video production experience.
Professional filming with high-quality equipment.
Flexibility and practical solutions if plans change.
Review opportunities before final delivery.
Fast turnaround times where required.

Because Clips That Sell is a small and lean business, you’ll deal directly with me (Keith) throughout the project rather than being passed between different staff members. This means decisions can be made quickly and communication is usually simpler.

Ultimately, our goal is not simply to produce attractive videos, but to create videos that help your organisation explain complex ideas, build trust and achieve meaningful business outcomes.

The best evidence is to view the videos and read the testimonials on the Case Studies page. We have planned, filmed and edited all these projects. Also find out more about us here.

For filming we mainly use Sony cinema line cameras like the A7siii, FX30 and Z190. We bring all necessary lighting, tripods, gimbal, drone and high quality sound recording equipment – lapel radio mics and shotgun mics. We can also create complex animations and animated graphics.

We have experience scripting, filming and editing a broad range of commercial and not-for-profit projects. Some examples include:

Project case study interviews for Hume City Council, similarly for Federation University programs
Editing for the payment platform, Stripe
Client testimonial videos for a kitchen / bathroom install business
Demonstration videos for Daytek – manufacturer of clotheslines
Investment attraction videos for Brimbank City Council and separately, Hume City Council
Videos for Western Water explaining how they deliver water, sewer and recycled water.
7 investment attraction videos for Wyndham City Council
Four township videos for Mitchell Shire Council to attract residents.
Eight product videos for Sitro Group, owners of the Gasmate brand among others
A series of eight short cooking shows for WeCook4U.
Short video blog style interviews to camera for Search Engine Optimisation company ROI
A number of advertising ‘explainer videos’ for a new company, Pickawall, which makes customised removable wall paper
A series of six documentary style interviews with leading environmental sustainability experts and permaculturalists
Filming speaking engagements to large audiences by professional public speakers (AP Marketing and Kovess International).
Filming testimonial videos for a pharmacy purchasing group under a tight filming schedule.
Many others such as recruitment videos, clips for local clubs, a solar power installer, a cerebral palsy service provider, metal art work, skylights, pizza ovens, furniture, Fitness coach.
We also often team up with other video production, photography and events companies across Australia.

We understand how best to communicate complex information about products and services. We have qualifications and experience in marketing, project management, film and documentary production.

Because we provide a personal, end-to-end video production service (scripting, filming and editing) PLUS strong marketing expertise and advice to get your videos seen by the right people. All at a more affordable price point

Being lean enables Clips That Sell to be fast and flexible. We can be filming on location quickly and have a clip edited that day, also saving you costs. Moreover, I (Keith) love making marketing videos and I try to make the experience fun. You’ll just be dealing with me, and I’ve made thousands of videos over the last decade plus.

Getting more value from your videos

The first step is deciding what the videos could realistically be worth to your business.

There are also several ways to keep costs down.

You may also be able to save money by:

Using your own staff rather than professional actors where appropriate.
Combining multiple videos into a single filming day.
Providing existing photos, graphics or footage that can be incorporated.
Having scripts, key messages and interview topics prepared in advance.
Consolidating feedback into one round of amendment requests rather than sending multiple small changes.

If budget is a concern, simply let us know at the beginning of the project. We can usually suggest ways to simplify the production process and maximise the value you receive from the investment.

These tips can apply to all the services, (packages) we provide.

The best return from video production usually comes from good planning rather than simply spending more money.

Before filming, it’s important to consider:

What business problem are we trying to solve?
Who is the target audience?
Where will the videos be distributed?
How will success be measured?

You can often increase the return on your investment by:

Creating multiple videos from one filming day.
Repurposing videos for social media, websites and presentations.
Producing content that can be used for several years.
Focusing on topics that answer common customer questions and build trust.

In many cases, a well-planned video that is seen by the right audience will deliver far greater value than a more expensive video with no clear purpose or distribution plan.

At Clips That Sell, we spend time in the planning phase understanding your objectives and recommending the most effective approach to help maximise the return on your investment. We understand you need to keep to a budget.

Where and how you distribute your videos can have a significant impact on how they should be planned and produced.

Some common places to use videos include:

Your website home page, service pages or About page.
Social media advertising on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.
Organic social media posts.
Reception screens and trade show displays.
YouTube, Vimeo or Wistia, including links used in emails and proposals.
Presentations at conferences and events.
Internal training and recruitment.
Cinema advertising or broadcast television.

Before making the videos, it is important to think about how they will reach your target audience and what will encourage people to watch.

Questions we may consider include:

What will capture attention in the opening few seconds?
What information is most important to the audience?
What are competitors doing, and how can we differentiate your videos?
Should the video tell a story, demonstrate a product, explain a complex idea or simply build trust?
Does the video need sound, captions or graphics to work effectively on different platforms?

Frequently asked questions