7 Types of Videos and Their Video Production Costs
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Marketing
7 Types of Videos and Their Video Production Costs
It’s just a web video … right? There’s a common misconception that web videos are cheaper to make than TV commercials. And it’s understandable; web videos used to be grainy, poorly edited things teenagers and other early adopters produced in their homes. But that’s just not true anymore. The quality of web video, particularly branded content, easily matches the quality of TV commercials today – and it has to, to keep up with the competition.
Now, saying online videos are cheaper is like saying you’ll save calories by eating in your living room instead of your kitchen; it doesn’t depend on where you eat, it depends on whether you’re scarfing down a salad or a cheeseburger. Likewise, the cost of video production doesn’t depend on where the video plays, but on what’s in the video. And the content of online videos runs the gamut.
Here’s a rundown that will give you a more accurate idea of what does and doesn’t cost more.
7 common video types and what they require
Keep in mind that even minimal production requirements include sophisticated equipment and an experienced team – but what really drives up costs are locations, talent (actors), animations and effects, which are common for the types of videos farther down the list.
Product Videos
- What they are: Simple videos showing multiple angles of a product, and possibly that product being used or worn. Save money by filming several of these at once.
- Uses: Online (product page of the brand website).
- Production requirements: Minimal.
Event Highlight Videos
- What they are: Sometimes called a “sizzle reel” – a montage of clips from an event, used to recap the event and promote the same event the following year.
- Uses: Online (brand website, social media), internal/presentations.
- Production requirements: Minimal.
Testimonial Videos
- What they are: Usually “talking head” interviews with “b-roll” cutaways that support what the person is saying. These are fairly simple, fixed-camera productions, and you can save money when you film multiple interviews in one day.
- Uses: TV, online (pre-roll, brand website, social media).
- Production requirements: Minimal.
Instructional Videos
- What they are: How-to videos, similar to product videos, but showing someone interacting with the product to explain how it works – for instance, how to find the right size of cowboy boot, or how to assemble a recipe.
- Uses: Online (brand website, social media).
- Production requirements: Minimal to medium.
Explainer Videos
- What they are: Videos that explain a process or a complex concept – for instance, how your product is made, or what your brand mission is. These are more involved than instructional videos because they often require multiple locations or extensive animation.
- Uses: Online (brand website, social media), internal/presentations.
- Production requirements: Medium.
Documentary/Reality Videos
- What they are: Videos capturing people’s authentic reactions to a staged situation. These can be extremely funny or powerful.
- Uses: TV, online (pre-roll, brand website, social media, etc.).
- Production requirements: Medium to extensive.
Narrative Videos
- What they are: Videos telling scripted stories with actors. More and more, these are evolving into miniature films that are highly engaging and shareable.
- Uses: TV, online (pre-roll, website, social media, etc.).
- Production requirements: Extensive.
Want learn more about your options? Check out Balcom’s film and video production service.
Tags: Film & Video Production