Credit: jari-hytonen
As a commercial video production company, we face a myriad of challenges that can make even the most seasoned filmmakers break out in a sweat.
From time constraints that make Usain Bolt look like a snail, to budget limitations that make a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant seem cheap, it’s all about finding creative ways to make magic happen.
Then there are the clients. Don’t get me wrong, we love them! But let’s just say that their ideas and requirements can sometimes make us question whether we’re making a commercial or running a circus.
Finding the perfect cast and crew is another challenge that requires a bit of luck, a lot of coffee, and a fair amount of begging. And let’s not forget about the technical challenges that come with creating a visual masterpiece. It’s like a Rubik’s cube that you have to solve blindfolded while juggling fire.
But hey, all of these challenges are what makes creating unforgettable commercials such an exhilarating experience. At the end of the day, it’s all about bringing a creative vision to life and making something that people will remember.
All in all, creating a top-notch TV commercial requires turning stunning ideas into beautiful content!
But that’s just the beginning. Here is a detailed breakdown of the steps involved:
Step one is generating an inspiring concept for your ad – something to capture the attention of viewers and make them take note. Once it’s clear what message should be conveyed, you can pen a script full of flair and wit before storyboarding each shot in vivid detail so when production starts rolling – nothing’s left up in the air! Typically for us, agencies reach out with a script already written by their copywriters. We don’t just copy-paste here! Our job is a creative challenge: taking the script written by an agency and transforming it into something that captivates viewers – plus, we have to stay faithful to their original vision. Talk about pressure…
Before a commercial can become cinematic magic, there’s plenty of behind-the-scenes work that needs to happen. From finding the perfect cast and locations, to forming an A team production squad, or seeking out scenic locations for just the right backdrop. Pre-production is like planning a party: you need to select the guests, choose their surroundings and then put together a crack team of experts to make sure it goes off without a hitch! Time is money, and in pre-production it’s no different! From scheduling to timing everything must be just right for a successful shoot.
When the pre-production process is done, roll cameras and let’s make magic! Actors in place? Check. Lights bright enough for a star show? Double check. Now it’s time to capture all those creative shots that will wow your audience with this commercial masterpiece! Remember what we said about herding cats? Herding cats is hard enough, but try getting these kitties to join forces and build an intricate pyramid while holding a glass of champaign. Then they must do it in perfect unison so that the camera can dolly-in just in time for one of them to wink at you! What could be cuter?! (Or harder?!)
After all the hard work of filming is over, it’s time for post-production magic to happen! This step requires expertly tweeking footage and adding some special effects pizzazz so that you get a mesmerizing final product – because let’s be honest, half the fun of ads are looking at them with awe.
This is where editors have a chance to really get creative, using different techniques such as color grading, music selection and sound design to make sure that the end result looks perfect. It’s like getting to be a magician – you take basic raw footage and transform it into something truly magical!
Getting client approval for a commercial can be nerve-wracking. You look over it countless times and make sure everything is just perfect, but in the end all that matters is their opinion. After showing the final product to the client, you let out a breath and wait for their reaction. Hopefully they think it’s funny, emotional, or informative, and not cringeworthy – usually laughter is a good sign! It’s never easy getting to this point, but hearing the sound of satisfaction is what we strive for when presenting creatively! By working closely with the client every step of the way, it usually doesn’t take long before both sides are bursting with joy as we finalize our masterpiece. Once they give their approval, we proudly pop the cork on some bubbly and cheer each other on as another commercial rolls out of our studio.
After our creative juices have produced a smashing commercial, it’s time to turn up the volume and make sure everyone hears about it! We don’t want this beauty hiding in some dark corner of cyberspace. The final step is to distribute the commercial. This can be done through TV networks, social media, or other advertising channels. Usually that’s where we drop off, as the agencies we work with, or the end client themselves, tend to take care of that aspect.
Ready to take your commercial game up a notch? Reach out and let’s get cooking on something that’ll blow everyone away! And don’t forget: thanks for learning all about it here first.
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