branded video production

Branded Video Production

The Soul Of Your Company In Motion

Great brand videos take viewers on an experiential journey. The goal of a branded video production is to associate your product or service as the gateway for your customers to achieve a memorable emotional experience. It’s your brand promise through exceptional visual storytelling. Viewers are much more likely to remember feelings over facts, so a successful brand video is one that penetrates their senses to form a deeper connection and bond.

Brand Films Demo Reel — Richter Studios

What Is A Branded Video Production And Why Invest In Them?

A branded video production is more than your average corporate video production. Beyond simply stating “what” your organization does or “how” it goes about doing it, brand videos tend to focus on answering a deeper question — “why” are we doing it. Typically, branded video content:

  • Seeks to connect with your target audience on a deeper, more emotional level.
  • Creates a personal connection by incorporating custom filming that’s unique to your organization.
  • Avoids diving to deep into product or service details — they tend to focus on the broader story.

Many branded video productions focus heavily on scripted messaging — conveyed through voice narration, dialogue, or onscreen text.  Others seek to answer “why” by conveying an experience, a feeling, or emotion through compelling visuals and music.

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branded video production
branded video production

What Are Best Practices For A Branded Video Production?

Like any creative endeavor, rules are often bent and sometimes broken.  There are, however, some general principles to consider when planning your next brand video (brand film):

  • Know your target audience.
  • Define your key messaging, takeaways, or call-to-action.
  • Less is more. Avoid the temptation to say too much.
  • Be concise. A running time of 1-2 minutes is typical.
  • Simplicity over complexity. Focus on the key takeaways.
  • Be authentic. Stay true to your brand.

Branded video content is a great way to showcase your organization in a variety of ways — featured on your home page, shared during in-person meetings, or presented to larger audiences in a conference environment.

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Who can I speak to about a project?

If you have questions and would like to speak to us about a project, call us at (312) 861-9999 or send a message.

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What Is The Process For Creating A Branded Video Production?

Like any video production, you’ll follow a linear flow from Pre-Production, to Production, and through to Post-Production. For a branded video production, extra time and attention should be spent in the initial planning phase:

  • Define your target audience, key messaging, and tone.
  • Select a storytelling style that best suits your defined goals.
  • If a scripted storytelling style is chosen, drafting a strong script is essential.
  • If an experiential, music-driven style is chosen, identifying the right music is key.
  • Cast the right voice or onscreen talent.
  • Identify and secure the ideal filming location..
  • Plan your shots and develop storyboards when appropriate.

Taking added time and care during Pre-Production to address topics like these is the best way to ensure a successful outcome while avoiding wasted effort and unnecessary expense.

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branded video production
branded video production

How Can I Differentiate My Branded Video Production?

Begin by being true to your brand. Seek to tell your unique story. That alone will create differentiation. Also, your audience should have a cinematic experience when they view your brand video. To achieve this, you’ll need a cinematic approach to production:

  • Keep the message simple and focus on the emotion you want your audience to feel.
  • Cast professional talent and hire a professional production crew.
  • Film with cinema-grade cameras and lenses.
  • Go beyond a tripod to introduce camera motion.
  • Consider filming with multiple cameras and drones to add a whole new dimension.
  • Don’t skimp on gaffers. Lighting is critical to achieving a cinematic look.
  • Add animation where appropriate.
  • Invest time in Color Grading and Sound Design.

Take a deeper dive into these topics and more by exploring how Richter Studios can differentiate your branded video production by clicking the link below.

More About The Richter Difference

We value their attention to detail and ability to consistently exceed our expectations.

“The team at Richter Studios has consistently delivered high-end commercial cinematography showcasing our two brands of pontoon boats over the past four years. We value their attention to detail and ability to consistently exceed our expectations. Richter Studios always seems to have the latest and greatest equipment and fresh ideas that really help make our products stand out from the competition.”

Mark Wyrick | Brunswick Boat Group

FAQ’s About Branded Video Production

What’s a good starting point for a branded video production?

More than anything, focus on the emotional core reasons why your customers LOVE your product or service. When you have identified what those are, look for example videos that capture those emotions extremely well. While studying your competition is always important, be sure to look for inspiration outside of your industry as well. When you find examples that really hit the sweet spot, make detailed notes on why you feel it was a great brand video. It’s important to look beyond just the graphics, music or how something was filmed. While creative elements are certainly important, you have to break the video down to human motivation. What is really driving the connection? Getting to the psychology of why consumers love brands and the videos that feature them will challenge you to dive deeper on what kind of story and emotional connection could power your branded video production.

What are some important factors to success with a branded video production?

If you are going to create branded video content, then you need to go into the production with a laser focus that highlights why customers emotionally connect with your brand. Once you have nailed the all-important “why”, be sure to engage a scriptwriter which brings your brand story to life. If you don’t have great messaging which drives your core brand story, it won’t matter how good your talent, filming environment, or production approach is because you’re swinging at the wrong pitches. A great camera and creative team can’t save a bad brand story. Spend as much time as possible in pre-production ensuring your messaging and storyboards are golden. Once you have a powerful emotional blueprint in place, the production phase (e.g. filming) will be more of an academic exercise. The next most important factors are music and voice talent selection. These two considerations set the tone and energy behind your branded video production. If you want to separate yourself from the pack, consider premium music licensing sites over mainstream options. They will cost more but there’s also a big difference in quality, and much less of a chance that your music track will be oversaturated in other videos populating the web. For voice over content, be sure to receive at least 50 auditions so you can review and compare significant creative options.

How do I create a lasting emotional connection with my target audience?

When pursuing a deep emotional connection, follow the maxim of less is more. To be effective, you don’t want to confuse your audience. Aim high with your creative aspirations but keep the messaging and emotional scope narrow. If you are aiming for trust and respect as the core emotional takeaways, stay primarily in those lanes during the course of your brand video. It’s important to remember that viewers will always remember feelings over facts. Keep the amount of feelings you want viewers to experience to a reasonable amount and you will likely have a better chance to maximize their impact.

What types of video styles work best for a branded video production?

There is no magic video style when it comes to brand video success. As long as your video will ultimately speak to a very human experience, the specific video style isn’t as important. When a customer expresses the trust they have in your brand through personal experience, even a simple customer testimonial video can be a very powerful brand video. While true that brand videos are often associated with elevated productions featuring professional talent, dream-like environments and catchy music scores, the opposite can also be true if emotional connections are still made for viewers of your branded video production.

Is animation a good delivery format for a branded video production?

Any video format that emotionally moves customers to connect with your brand promise is a good delivery format. In the instance of an animated video production, more creative options are possible than through a live action production. There are no creative limits when it comes to animation, so taking your viewers on a unique visual journey of 2D and 3D visual treatments could be a very rewarding strategy. Just keep your focus on conveying the unique soul which drives your brand and consumer’s hearts will follow.

How can I achieve cinematic quality with my branded video production?

Great cinema always starts with a great story. The importance of pre-production cannot be overstated. Building on this, think of achieving cinematic quality as a layering experience. Cast professional talent, source a beautiful location for filming, bring in a set designer to enhance the look/feel of the space/environment you will be filming in. Also, the larger your crew size, the more creative options you’ll likely be able to consider. Then there are the considerations for the gear you will use to light and capture your production. The more advanced your lighting and filming gear, the greater likelihood that your production will be elevated in quality. Give special care to the sophistication of lighting design and the lenses you will utilize to capture your production (higher resolution is helpful but outstanding lighting design and cinema-grade lenses will take you much further). Also, if filming outside, be sure to consider the incredible creative impact of drone aerials.

What role does talent play in a branded video production?

As achieving emotional connections often requires genuine human connections, the talent you feature in your production plays a very significant role. They will be the most relatable elements featured in your video, so take great care selecting and featuring them. Even if the only talent decision you’ll make for your video is what voice over talent to feature, it can still make a world of difference. Consider utilizing professional talent when you are looking to showcase your brand in its most favorable light. There’s nothing wrong with featuring employees in a branded video production but, in many instances, professional talent can dramatically improve the quality of your production with a lot less heavy lifting.

How Our Craft Tells Your Story

Facts About Video Production By Richter Studios

The master craftsmen at Richter Studios have developed over 12,000 "films" over 24 years. Our portfolio has won over 75 international awards.

Companies which are a good fit to retain Richter Studios have a deep affinity for creative excellence. We seek to build lasting partnerships that inspire our creative team to develop powerful video and animation solutions for our clients. Our pricing structure reflects the craftsmanship which has been featured at the world's most celebrated red carpet events.

How Long Does It Take To Produce A Video?

It often depends on the style of the video production that you'd like to pursue. An instructional video, trade show video, or social media video can take as little as 4-6 weeks. Larger productions — like brand films or commercials — can take 8-12 weeks.

How Much Does It Cost To Produce A Video?

An animation-based explainer video can cost as little as $20K. Productions that require custom filming — like corporate videos or testimonial videos — typically begin around $35K. Larger productions — like brand films or commercials — which require multiple days of filming, aerial cinematography, or sophisticated animations often range between $50K to $250K. If you have an established budget, we can also work backwards to find the creative approach that's right for you. Repeat clients enjoy more flexible rates and priority scheduling.

What Do I Need To Do To Get Started With Richter Studios?

The easiest way to get started is to visit our contact page and fill out a brief form. You can also call us by phone at (312) 861-9999 or chat with our representatives directly from this page. Once we learn more about your project, we'll prepare a formal proposal outlining our approach with a line item cost.

Brand Films

Looking for some great brand film examples?

Each of these clients leveraged our brand film production services. No two productions are exactly the same but we encourage you to explore our portfolio to view examples of similar work or to find inspiration for your next video production.

Ready To Get Started With Your Production?

Looking to have an exploratory call about how to get started with your video, animation or photography project? We can step you through our creative process, pricing and more. Your journey to the red carpet begins with Richter Studios. Contact us now to learn more!

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