Business video podcast production

[EndGamePR]

As you can see from my signature, I produce podcasts for businesses and other entities like government agencies and nonprofits. I only do audio right now, but I'm noticing a definite interest in podcast-style (perhaps not by the strict definition of a series, but that style anyhow) videos to live on business websites. It appears from some of the client and potential client conversations that I've had, that people are looking for less than what you'd get from a production house, but more than a simple camcorder recording.

Do any of you know of businesses that do this? I'm at the first stages of investigating how to do this. I know a bit about video production (I did some nice birth videos for my kids) but I have a lot to learn.

[WyethDigital]

I've been dabbling with the like. I've done 21 videos for one company, and will be doing more in May. We're also in talks with another. I'll tell you right now that I won't be releasing my client list ;)

Pro web video is tough. On the one hand, your client is doing it because they've heard podcasts are cheap -- but a lot of the cost research is audio centric so they often come to the table thinking it's going to be less expensive than it really is. On the other hand, they expect better results than they generally want to pay for. A client wanted to use the "homey" feeling look that we have for our show to supplement his online catalog because he thought something too slick would turn people off. That's what we discussed, that's what we quoted for, and that's what he got. He was satisfied to a point, but now he wants the videos to be "slick" after all (intercut hi-res detail shots of his products, teleprompter, etc). Of course, that costs more, and now he's scaled back his plans.

Video is labor-intensive, and there's no getting around it. That's been my challenge in drumming up more of that business.

Eric

[EndGamePR]

I've been dabbling with the like. I've done 21 videos for one company, and will be doing more in May. We're also in talks with another. I'll tell you right now that I won't be releasing my client list ;)

Pro web video is tough. On the one hand, your client is doing it because they've heard podcasts are cheap -- but a lot of the cost research is audio centric so they often come to the table thinking it's going to be less expensive than it really is. On the other hand, they expect better results than they generally want to pay for. A client wanted to use the "homey" feeling look that we have for our show to supplement his online catalog because he thought something too slick would turn people off. That's what we discussed, that's what we quoted for, and that's what he got. He was satisfied to a point, but now he wants the videos to be "slick" after all (intercut hi-res detail shots of his products, teleprompter, etc). Of course, that costs more, and now he's scaled back his plans.

Video is labor-intensive, and there's no getting around it. That's been my challenge in drumming up more of that business.

Eric
That's awesome. Good for you.

The cost thing is what I've been thinking about all day. To be honest, I'm still working out my pricing structure for audio podcasts. One of my shows is for a client that I do a lot of things for ... so I just charge them the same hourly fee that I charge for everything else. For my other client show I worked out a flat fee with a separate setup fee at the front end. My suspicion is that to make it worth my while, I'd need to charge three or more times more for a vidcast. That would probably end up being more than expected.

I know a few TV photogs who have their own equipment and do video production on the side. It might be worth my while if I do this to have one or two guys to do the shooting, and I can do the interviews and whatever voiceover is needed. My camcorder probably just wouldn't be enough, and they're probably better at editing than I am.

[Filmmaker One]

I think you are on the right track by hiring video production people rather than doing it yourself. Play to your strengths, and bring in people to fill in the other skill sets. You will end up with better product all around.

You can also take the opportunity to observe their production techniques, skills, equipment choices and such. This will give you a good idea of what it takes, and help you decide if you really want to lear to do all that part after all.

You will probably find that you will need other people anyway. Unlike audio interviews, it is very difficult (but not impossible) to manage and shoot this type of gig to a professional level as a one-man band.

[evilproducer]

I would seriously talk to them about what they expect the videos to be. If they are going to place them directly on the web, with no intention of shopping out DVDs or broadcasting them, then the camera requirements may go down. It depends on what they want to pay for hosting and bandwidth. Who knows, maybe they want hi-def web videos? If they're thinking YouTube videos, then you may actually get away with using a consumer level video camera. If they want something that's going to be used across many different mediums, then I'd definately consider hiring those guys you mentioned.

Even using a consumer grade digital video camera you can get very proffesional results if you light your subject properly, use a tripod, have good audio and follow some basic camera rules. I.E. Don't zoom in and out, focus before you record, allow a decent leader so that you don't cut off your subject's words, use cut-aways and other camera angles judiciously, etc, etc.

To reiterate my first point! Make sure that you explain the options and the trade-offs so that they can't come back and complain that they thought they would be getting something more than what you thought you had agreed to.

[EndGamePR]

I would seriously talk to them about what they expect the videos to be. If they are going to place them directly on the web, with no intention of shopping out DVDs or broadcasting them, then the camera requirements may go down. It depends on what they want to pay for hosting and bandwidth. Who knows, maybe they want hi-def web videos? If they're thinking YouTube videos, then you may actually get away with using a consumer level video camera. If they want something that's going to be used across many different mediums, then I'd definately consider hiring those guys you mentioned.

Even using a consumer grade digital video camera you can get very proffesional results if you light your subject properly, use a tripod, have good audio and follow some basic camera rules. I.E. Don't zoom in and out, focus before you record, allow a decent leader so that you don't cut off your subject's words, use cut-aways and other camera angles judiciously, etc, etc.

To reiterate my first point! Make sure that you explain the options and the trade-offs so that they can't come back and complain that they thought they would be getting something more than what you thought you had agreed to.
Thanks for the tips. I actually sent them a simple proposal for what I *can* do with my consumer-grade camcorder. I have a background in not only radio but TV news, so I know what to do with cutaways, lighting, sound, etc. What I was trying to find out with the proposal is what level of video they were hoping for.

[EndGamePR]

On an unrelated note that I have to crow about to someone ... I just got a deal for 10 more episodes from one of my audio podcast clients. I'm STOKED!

[topak]

well, video production are made to mirror lives of many and to make profit at the same time. it's a passion for some, entertaining and addictive. it's also a way to express what can't be directly say. it is so boundless that it can pertain to everybody's story. May you find luck in your chosen field!




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http://www.penroseproductions.com/

[topak]

Corporate video production (http://www.penroseproductions.com) covers a wide range of purposes from corporate communication, training and education, videotaping conferences and conventions, and sales.