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| TEN TIPS ON HIRING THE RIGHT PRODUCTION TEAM(Published in MarcommWise Knowledge Bank) |
| By Jeffery Goddard, President, TVA (The Video Agency) |
Jeffery Goddard is CEO and Executive Producer at TVA Productions,
an award-winning TV/video production and duplication company just
around the corner from CBS Studios. TVA produces TV newsmagazines,
video news releases (VNRs), documentaries, TV Specials, 70 millimeter
WaterScreen attractions (world's largest), TV spots, corporate videos,
and direct mail video brochures--in every major language. Clients
include Universal Studios, Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, Turner
Entertainment, CityWalk, Lexus, Princess Cruises, LDS (Mormon) Church,
Canon, Daewoo, Sega, and Epson. |
| Here are Ten things I would look for in evaluating different production companies: |
|
| TIP: 1 |
Ask
the production company to show you specific examples of the last 3-5
productions they've done within the quoted budget. Then call those
clients to ascertain results of each show.
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|
| TIP: 2 |
| Determine
if the company understands your industry sufficiently to communicate
your message to your target audience. Will you have to spoon-feed an
inexperienced team on just the mere basics of your biz? Keep in mind
the wise adage "if you think we're expensive... wait 'till you hire an
amateur to do it!" |
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|
| TIP: 3 |
| Have
them guarantee in writing that you will get at least the production
values shown in the productions you liked best. If you like a
particular show, make sure they can provide the same creative team,
i.e. director, writer, cameraman, editor, etc. Ensure you'll get the
team that had the greatest impact on the creativity and production
values. Careful, many production houses will show you great stuff...
but then "bait and switch" you with some minor freelance crew having
few credentials. |
|
|
| TIP: 4 |
| Make
sure no cameras start to roll until you're perfectly happy with the
final shooting script, casting of on-camera talent, narrator, style of
music, graphic design, etc. And don't commit to a shoot date until the
script is approved. (You have enough stress in your life!). |
|
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| TIP: 5 |
| Make
sure the scripts and storyboards give you a clear and detailed sense of
how the production will be shot and edited (to avoid any unpleasant
surprises at the end.) Insist on seeing and approving an off-line edit
(rough cut) prior to the final on-line editing of the program. |
|
|
| TIP: 6 |
| Make
sure they agree to produce the program on a "FLAT FEE" basis and that
the contract has a "NOT TO EXCEED" clause, guaranteeing there will be
no hidden costs. |
|
|
| TIP: 7 |
| Ask
for references from their last five productions. Anyone can get a hit
now and then--but out of their last five productions, how many actually
achieved their client's goals? |
|
|
| TIP: 8 |
| How
well do they understand the latest, most sophisticated production
techniques? Do they eat, breathe and sleep the big picture (script to
screen...dubs to distribution)... or are they strictly a production
house who will leave you on your own to handle trafficking, dubs,
digital formats, distribution, media buying, fulfillment, utilization
strategies, etc. Don't be left holding the bag (show), stranded with
your own devices when it comes to ensuring a good ROI while maximizing
usage. |
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| TIP: 9 |
| Do
they know the most recent legislation (such as FCC, FTC, FDA and
copyright laws; royalties, etc.) or will their production make you
vulnerable to potential lawsuits or governmental fines, etc.? |
|
|
| TIP: 10 |
| Have
them guarantee in writing a completion date with penalties for
unreasonable delays that you didn't cause. The better production
companies are often very busy and understaffed. Make sure the contract
guarantees your project won't get bumped to the back burner because of
a larger project. |
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