Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Your Next Video Production

By | Published September 29th, 2023 | in FILMMAKING, OUR CAPABILITIES, OUR WORK

Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Your Next Video Production

It’s no question we live in the age of video. Digital, broadcast, social media—hell, even some billboards have started using video (have you seen the Vegas Dome?). Video is a dynamic, captivating medium that dominates our lives. From established brands to wannabe creators to the suburban mom who accidentally films her face while attempting to capture her son blowing out his birthday candles. Sometimes a video can be a terrible waste of your time, and sometimes it’s incredible; the power of good storytelling is in your hands, and we can help. 

At Ambient Skies, video production is truly in our DNA. It’s how our business started, and it continues to be the foundation of our work year in and year out. We pride ourselves on delivering compelling stories through video, no matter the length or location—and we’re here to help you with everything you need to get your next video production off the ground without a hitch (pardon for the metaphor combo there). 

Today, video production has become more accessible than ever before (see above re: Suburban Mom), and it can mean so many different things. Below are the areas we tend to focus on with most of our clients, along with some helpful tips and tricks for your next Phoenix video production.

TV Commercials 

TV Commercial Production 

Television commercials have been around since the early 1940’s and have continued to become more and more dominant in the world of marketing and in pop culture. From uplifting and inspiring messages to big musical numbers to Super Bowl commercials that we still quote to this day (except maybe the “Wazzup!?” one), broadcast advertising has seen tremendous growth—most likely due to its tremendous success in telling a brand’s or product’s story. 

How Long is a TV Commercial? 

TV commercials, sometimes called “spots,” can range in length. The typical broadcast spot is thirty seconds (a :30), but in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, shorter lengths like :15s or even :07s are becoming more and more popular. On occasion, brands will release a :60 to tell a longer story, but those are usually only used during big TV moments like awards shows or huge sporting events. 

How much does a TV Commercial Production Cost? 

Over the last decade, brands have spent a whopping $$$ on TV commercial production. In Arizona, where Ambient Skies is based, brands spend about $$$ on average each year. But that doesn’t mean you need a ton of money to produce a top-tier video. The typical commercial can cost anywhere from $$$ to $$$. Whereas the not-so-typical Super Bowl commercial can run anywhere from $$$ to $$$. <Click here to see some of our favorite Super Bowl spots from 2023!> 

The important thing to keep in mind is that there are a few different variables that come into play when budgeting your TV commercial production. How many actors (or “talent) will it include? Are you looking for an animated spot or will you incorporate a lot of special effects or motion graphics? Do you want to lisence music or create an original track? The list goes on and on, but lucky for you, we’re here to help every step of the way. 

Phoenix Video Production Company

We L-O-V-E love producing commercials. Our in-house team of writers, art directors, and producers will work with your team to think through a few different options before landing on the perfect script and treatment. Then, our growing collective of local and national crew come together to bring it all to life, handling everything from storyboards to casting to location scouting and everything in between. No matter if it’s in a studio or on location(s), an ensemble cast or spokesperson, we’ve done it all. No, really. Check out some of the favorite commercials from our portfolio below, and <click here> to get in touch so we can start planning your next production.

Digital + Social Media 

Digital & Social Media Video Production 

As our world becomes more and more connected through digital mediums, having a strong presence on social media and other video-centric platforms is becoming one of the most important ways to reach audiences, new and old. But you can’t (nor shouldn’t) just slap together a video on your smartphone and post it to your company’s social media pages. At Ambient Skies, we take a strategic approach to all of our digital and social media productions that ensure you’re always getting top-tier, engaging content that tells your brand’s story in a meaningful way, specific to the channel and target audience. 

Digital Video 

As mentioned in the previous section, commercials have become shorter over time due to a demand for more digital-focused placement. Keeping this in mind, our team always approaches our video production campaigns with ideas for digital-specific videos. The key is knowing your audience—are you talking to a Gen-X mom who primarily watches Hulu and Cable TV, or are you talking to a younger audience who devours online content on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram Reels? There can always be overlap in digital video, but sometimes the best TV ads don’t fit well on digital platforms, and vice versa. 

Social Media Video Production 

Similar to digital video production, social media content marketing and social media video production is all about strategy. Who’s your audience? How old are they? What trends are they following, and what are the “big issues” for them? How do they speak to one another? 

And on top of all of that, what are your KPIs (key performance indicators)? Are you looking to grow your following, or are you looking to create the next “viral” video? Do you want to raise awareness of a new product, garner as many comments as possible, or lead people to your website? All of these elements combined create the strategy you need for your next social media campaign, and we’re here to help build it with you. 

One of the best parts about producing a social media video—whether it’s a standalone or a multi-video campaign—is that there is a much wider range of what you can produce, especially because of the U.G.C. or User Generated Content style. Social media audiences value videos that look like they were filmed on a smartphone but, conversely, also appreciate well-produced, high-quality videos as well. This gives you the opportunity to create a bevy of different pieces that fit within your designated budget. 

Phoenix Social Media Video Production

Social media and digital video production are key elements of any shoot we work on, and we collaborate with a wide range of brands to develop their own social media marketing campaigns. Whether it’s filming BTS (behind the scenes) content or writing social-specific scripts or cutdowns, the team at Ambient Skies is fluent at creating thumb-stopping social media posts and digital videos that help tell any story. Take a look at some of our favorites below. 

Branded Content 

Branded Content Video Production

Believe it or not, branded content has been around for quite some time. Back in the early days, brands were a lot more heavy-handed with letting people know they were producing content. Think of shows like The COLGATE Comedy Hour… we get it, Colgate. You produced this. 

Today, however, most brands are a lot more subtle with their branded content creation. Did you know Airbnb produced its own documentary about San Francisco’s Gay Men’s Chorus? On the flip side, you have brands like Red Bull who are masters at churning out a ton of branded content with their logo all over the damn thing, like the time they had that guy skydive from space. 

Ultimately, if you’re looking to create your own branded content, there are a few things to know. 

How to Produce Branded Content 

The most important thing to keep in mind when producing branded content is that you’re not here to sell anything—you’re here to tell the story of your brand. Now, that story could come to life in a variety of different ways, but ultimately, you want your branded content to capture and represent your brand’s ethos, as well as its tone and voice. 

Going back to our Red Bull example, when you think of the energy drink as a brand, you probably think of extreme sports or living life on the edge. Hence, all of their pieces of branded content focus on death-defying stunts or pushing the limits of human capabilities. 

Another major key to creating high-performing branded content is your audience. Are you producing something that’s made for a general audience or something that you know your target audience is interested in? If you answered the latter, you’re doing it right! 

The last thing to know when producing branded content? Having a killer production company as your partner. 

Your Phoenix Brand Content Production Company

One of our favorite projects to take on is branded content. For us, it’s the best of both worlds: storytelling and production. Our creative team works hand in hand with yours while our production team hits the ground running to bring your vision to life. Take a look at some of our favorite branded content pieces we’ve been lucky enough to work on: 

Lifestyle

Lifestyle Video Production

Similar to Branded Content Video Production, Lifestyle Video Production takes a storytelling approach to demonstrate a brand. But the main difference is that with Lifestyle Video Production, you can have a lot more fun showing off or selling a specific product. 

The key ingredient to Lifestyle Video Production is, well, style. Think of some of your favorite athleisure brands and the photos or videos they’ve put out. It usually involves a model or actor using their product in a way that looks like it’s a part of their everyday life… but in a much “cooler” way. That’s what the Lifestyle genre is all about. 

But producing a lifestyle video doesn’t have to be as hard as it sounds. 

How to Produce a Lifestyle Video 

As mentioned above, the main difference between Lifestyle video and any other type of video production is incorporating the product (or a whole line of products) into an elevated and everyday scenario. To accomplish this effectively, you’ll want to make sure you think through the following: 

  • Where is this product or service most used? Out in nature? In the consumer’s backyard? Keep in mind it could be used in multiple areas! 
  • Does the product or service appeal to a specific demographic, or can it be used by a range of people? Or is there a specific line or variation of the product made for specific subsets of people? Think of an aluminum water bottle. Most bottle brands have kid sizes and adult sizes. 
  • What is the daily routine of your consumer, and how does your product fit into it? Does your product have an all-day, everyday use? Or is it more of a weekends-only product? And what are the implications of this type of use? 

Those are just a few key thought starters to meditate on when developing your Lifestyle Video. Want to hear some more? Keep reading… 

Phoenix Lifestyle Video Production Company 

Over the last 20 years, the team at Ambient Skies has been producing tons of lifestyle-type videos for brands like Zillow, Tether Tools, and Cooper Vision. From filming inside a swimming pool with scuba divers to traveling across the country, our team has truly seen and done it all. If you want your next lifestyle video production to go off without a hitch, get in touch, and let’s bring it to life together. Take a look at some of our favorite Lifestyle Video productions we’ve led over the years:

Sales

Sales Video Production 

The great Simon Sinek once said that selling your business or product is a lot like dating: 

“If we try to ‘close the deal’ by bragging about our accomplishments and material possessions, we won’t get very far. But if we start by sharing what we believe and WHY we are who we are (or do what we do), we give people the opportunity to connect with us on a deeper, more human level. People don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.”

That’s where a strong Sales Video comes into play. It’s way more than just showing off your business or product features in a sexy, flashy way (although that does help). It’s about showcasing your value—why a consumer should “fall in love” to go back to our dating metaphor. 

Sales Video Production can be the key to unlocking a whole new world of consumers. And, much like a lot of the other types of video marketing we’ve detailed above, it comes down to a few main factors. 

How to Produce High-Quality Sales Videos

  • Know your audience: Who is that niche buyer you know who doesn’t just want to buy another product, but who will pay top dollar for your specific brand? Using that information, you’ll be able to decide on things like talent (on-screen and voice-over), location (do you film in a studio? A home? A baseball stadium?), music, and way more. 
  • Know your product: This should be obvious, but being able to understand and explain your product’s specific details truly is crucial. And again, it’s not just about how it works or where it was made—it’s the problem you’re solving.
    • Additionally, think through how your product can come to life using metaphors or other storytelling techniques. But before you can do that, you have to understand the ins, outs, and in-betweens. 
  • Know the “why”: Going back to Sinek’s quote above, a strong Sales Video is way more than just selling a product—it’s selling yourself (or your brand). Conveying the “why” of your brand is crucial to a successful Sales Video, and it can be done through stylistic choices (graphics, music, wardrobe, etc.) and storytelling techniques. 

We’ve done our fair share of Sales Video Production in Phoenix and around the country. Below are some of our favorites. Take a look! 

Educational

Educational Video Production

Now, you might be thinking, “Wow, they really saved the most boring topic for last.” But that’s where you’re wrong! Educational videos can be incredibly exciting—but only if you know how to do them well. And, luckily for you, we’ve been doing Educational Video Production for a long, long time and have a few tricks up our metaphorical sleeve. 

Educational videos usually come to life in three major ways. Explainers, Product Demos, and Safety/Training. Take a look. 

Explainer Videos

Explainer Video Production can help you turn the complicated into the crystal clear. Plus, it’s a great way to set yourself apart from the competition by becoming a “thought leader” in your category by engaging your audience and helping them understand your service, product, or industry better.  These videos can come to life in a number of ways: from animated explanations to live-action videos, the world is your oyster!

Product Demos Videos

Product Demo Video Production is a great way to show off every aspect of your product—whether it’s something hitting the shelves for the very first time, or an item that’s been around for a while but needs a fresh demonstration to show more modern use cases. Some of the best product demo videos showcase not just how to use said product, but the functionality and makings of the product. As we’ve mentioned a number of times in this blog post, that decision comes down to your audience and KPIs. 

Safety & Training Videos

Safety and Training Video Productions are great for both internal and external uses. Whether you’re showing some new hires how to use a piece of equipment or how your sales processes work, or you’re teaching a consumer about a new offering on your website, safety and training videos can help educate any audience in an engaging and entertaining way.

With either of these styles, one of the best ways to get started is by putting yourself in your audience’s shoes. What questions would you ask if you’ve never worked at this company or worked with this product before? Let these questions guide you in everything, from the script writing to the graphics and everything in between. It’s always best to start with more information than less, so don’t hold back! 

So, What Will Your Next Project Be? 

In the ever-evolving world of video production, the ability to captivate, educate, and inspire your audience has never been more difficult—or more important. At Ambient Skies, we understand that a successful video isn’t just about showcasing your product; it’s about conveying your brand’s essence, solving problems, and forging emotional connections through powerful storytelling.

Whether you’re looking to create a compelling TV commercial, an engaging digital or social media video, or a sales video that leaves a lasting impact, Ambient Skies is here to make it happen. We’ve brought countless brands’ visions to life, and we’re ready to do the same for you.

So, if you’re ready to unlock a world of new consumers and elevate your brand through the power of Sales Video Production, let’s connect. Click the button below to get in touch with us and embark on your next video production journey.

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About The Author:

John Schaus

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We can't wait to hear from you!

The easiest ways to get in touch with us are to request a meeting, give us a call, or shoot us an email.

[email protected]
(480) 420 4368

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