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General

• I'm not sure where to start with video production for my company. What can you recommend?
  • Give us a ring, I swear we're friendly. A five minute phone call will probably give you more information than hours of internet research. We will also be able to give you an idea of how much your project will cost and the complexities involved in producing it.
    
    However, if you're looking for some general production information, we have put together an eBook and written various articles on this subject (Have a look under the “resources” tab for these guides which will give you more specific assistance.)
    
    We're a team of creative and technical professionals, we can meet with you, come up with some great options to suit your ideas and budget. We look after the equipment, talent, and timelines, and produce a final product that effectively and powerfully communicates to your customers.
• What about price!?
  • It depends! Do want your video to do? It can be a straightforward, short inexpensive video. Or it could have a cost of thousands. There are many factors which affect cost.
     
    It is best if you give us a call or fill out our quote request form. We're a video production company where everything is custom, we will make some recommendations and you can get an idea of how to move forward.
     
    But to give you a general idea...
     
    The most basic package, which includes a camera operator, camera, tripod, storage system, lavaliers and maybe some basic lights, will run about 100 to 120/ hour.
     
    But if it's a bigger corporate project, the hourly rate is reduced to be more cost effective. Often we come in around the 50$ + HST for concept development, shooting, editing and other production tasks.
• Do different types of video come with unique costs?
  • Yes. A commercial requiring 10 actors, multiple cameras and a full production crew carries a very different range of equipment and personnel than the coverage of an event, such as a conference, or a wedding.
     
    We have an event coverage package and a full production kit similar to what's used on large Hollywood shoots. Video production can range from $500 to $10,000 per finished minute depending on production complexity and quality.
     
    Please contact us for more information.
• What's the first step to get started on our video?
  • The main first step is just to know where your video will be shown and what the 'ideal scenario' is. We like to work backwards from this ideal final product stage and develop a video that encompasses each one of the objectives. Each project is completely custom as we create your concept and bring it to life.
    
    Talk to us and we'll make some recommendations on how to get the best results with your project. Just make sure to have an idea in mind first!
• How many revisions am I allowed?
  • We plan to do a lot of listening in pre-production. During this in-depth communication, we work with you to analyse your vision and budget, and come up with a tight plan of action. This guides all subsequent steps along the way. We do make a point of requesting feedback at four different stages:
     
    1. The Treatment: detailed descriptions of the edit, script and overall concept.
     
    2. The Shoot: your attendance can mean valuable input to assure the shoot stays true to the company and the concept.
     
    3. The Rough Edit: This is presented in a pre-color correction, pre-audio mix format. This shows all of the recommended cuts, the story line, and the concept in its almost-completed format.
     
    4. Final cut: The final and refined cut, ready for your application.
     
    At any of these times, the client has the ability to work with us on the concept.
• How do I know what equipment my project requires?
  • We have put together some training material for people who are new to the film industry but want to learn more about the process of making a video. We find the more educated a person, the better client they are. Check out our resource blog!
     
    But if you want to talk with us, and not read, don’t worry! Contact us for a talk and we will help you get started. We don't hold back any “industry secrets” from you. We want you to make the best choice with this project.
• What is the average timeline for a production?
  • A full quality commercial, viral video, corporate video or other video that requires a full production period tends to take around 6 weeks. This is from the beginning of the pre-production process to the submission of the final edit. Sometimes more simple productions take less time, but rarely would they take more time unless there is extra complexity or effects involved.
     
    We can strategically put things together pretty quickly. Please contact us for a more accurate estimate.
• We need to produce a video of our company event. How soon before the event should we contact you?
  • It is recommended to contact and book us as soon as possible. Even a month in advance is a good idea. This way, we can guarantee time and make sure we are 100% prepared and ready to do the best job possible. If this is a last minute idea, contact us right away to see if we're available!
• Do you produce web videos, infomercials, multi-camera projections, live mixing, event coverage, interviews, animation and 3D graphics. Also, do you output to BluRay, DVD and Beta-Cam?
  • Yes, we sure do! We've made a point of knowing everything there is to know about video and pushing our limits to always provide higher quality videos with better service.
• We're a company that sells products but we also sell to other corporations. How can we best utilize a video for both applications?
  • This is a pretty common scenario; you basically need your video in multiple forms. You may want your video on the web, on a DVD and on TV. For this purpose, we offer to shoot enough footage for use in a long-form marketing video so that we can “repurpose” it for use in :30 second TV commercials.
     
    Whether your initial need is a marketing video, a trade show demonstration or a 30-minute promotional video, we can get enough content for your investment.
• With what kind of format do you usually shoot and edit?
  • We personally own a full production package including RED Epic and related gear, full lighting kit, transportation, Panasonic HVX kit, Canon 7D kit and everything inbetween.
     
    Depending on the budget and the length of the shoot, we make the best choice for the project: Red Epic, Panasonic HVX, Canon 7D, Phantom Flex or other cameras. We always future-proof your project by shooting everything in full HD 1080p. This means that you have the option to go with BluRay or on to the web at any time.
     
    We also use the most cutting edge and current software, cameras and equipment to make sure your production looks its best.
• What kind of format is broadcast? What format is right for my project?
  • We shoot most of our projects in 5k, which is a high quality format about 6x the resolution of HD. This allows us to extract 14 megapixel stills and have much more detail and quality. However, this may not be right for your project, if you're looking for event coverage, we would most likely shoot that in HD on the Canon 7D or Panasonic HVX. This helps with costs.
     
    Regarding broadcast, there was a set of specifications to assure that video was above a certain quality level. For example, most broadcasters only accept submissions in BetaSP. In order to look the best when blown up to a larger screen, theatrical releases are recommended to exceed 2k which is a step above HD (high-definition).
     
    However, shooting in HD has become the North American broadcast standard in 2010 and has therefore become the standard for any professional production.
     
    
• What if I want a copy or re-edit of my project in a few years time?
  • We have a system for backing up and organizing all material after the shoot. That means that all raw footage, the editing timeline, all project files, graphics and work are organized and backed up for a minimum of 5 years. We may charge a fee to bring the footage up and burn you a DVD, but you can guarantee that it will always be available.
• If I already have my video shot, can I just employ you to edit?
  • Yes, this is no problem. We've spent a lot of time being the best when it comes to editing because of the profound effect it can have on the final quality of the video.
• What kind of payment do you accept?
  • We accept most forms of payment including cash, company cheque, VISA, Mastercard and online transfer.
• If I have video in another format, are you able to convert that for me?
  • Yes, we are able to take whatever format you have and work with it. This includes PAL, NTSC and different framerates.
     
    We don't always recommend this because lower resolution and lower quality formats look poorer quality in the final piece. Each time a piece of media is compressed (DVD, VHS, JPG, MP3) it loses quality. We strongly recommend the highest quality format possible. This goes both for images and video.
• Do you travel?
  • Yes. When people want to create a product that needs a certain style or quality, we are often asked to travel. We've shot in areas of BC, the Northern states and Central America.
• Who owns the copyright of the video?
  • Once services have been paid in full, the ownership and copyright is transferred to you.
• Are you hiring?
  • We are always looking to work with highly talented and experienced people. Make sure to contact us with your resume.