Nowadays, it seems as though anyone with a cell phone and some spare time can make a movie. However, producing high-quality video content is not something that comes easy. Creating a meaningful movie requires careful planning, smooth execution, and plenty of patience. So, if you have any preconceived notions about producing grade-A video content with little effort—think again!
I think many people forget that videography is an art form. Certainly, you don’t think Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel after only a few days of painting. To the same effect, do you believe filmmaker James Cameron produced the hit film Avatar using dioramas and an iPhone X?
OK. Perhaps making personalized videos isn’t akin to creating masterpieces or making major motion pictures. Nonetheless, the process necessary to generate high-quality real estate video content is no joke. Consequently, video marketing falls under the umbrella of aggressive marketing.
Making pictures that perform
Now, before diving into the nitty-gritty of small-scale film production, it’s important to remember a few things. For starters, there are many more steps involved than those described below. So, you could consider this post to act as somewhat of a crash course in real estate video production. Also, it’s important to be creative when making your videos, so you catch the attention of your audience.
Let’s get down to business!
Pre-production
In the first place, pre-production is often an incredibly time-consuming step. In spite of everything, you can’t rush creativity. Additionally, this stage of production can be overwhelming because the effort put forth conceptualizing your vision goes without any immediate reward. That is to say, aside from a few sketches and some notes, you won't be pressing play until the final stages in the production process.
You can’t get discouraged. Producing video content is a process. Besides, post-production is where your video takes shape. But, more about that later…
When it comes to pre-production, you can expect to spend significant time brainstorming and envisioning your video's message. After you have a general idea of what you want your video to say, it’s time to put together a storyboard, a.k.a. a script.
Storyboarding is the single most important step when making a video. Not only is it where you develop your storyline, but it’s also where you introduce imagery. In effect, a storyboard is the lifeblood that fuels the creation of a film. Therefore, do some research, and discover the wide variety of elements involved in a quality storyboard.
Or, better yet, get in touch with an expert familiar with the video-making process. Real estate’s leading digital marketer, iMaxCRM, can always guide you in the ways of writing a script.
In addition to writing an excellent script and generating a spectacular storyboard, pre-production involves a slew of other preparatory measures. Correspondingly, the complexity of your video project depends on several factors. For instance, you may need to conduct a casting call, secure a wardrobe, or even collect stock footage. No matter what path you choose, be sure to set aside sufficient time for planning, so your film isn’t just “white noise.”
Production
Production is where you execute the carefully planned strategy developed throughout pre-production. Moreover, if you use live actors, this stage is where actors, doubles, and stand-ins play the most substantial role. Comparatively, production is also where all photography, filming, and staging occurs. In other words, lights…camera…action!
If you’re like many makeshift real estate video producers, you may choose to use stock footage. Although this option is viable in some circumstances, creating a video where you personally appear in the footage is always best. After all, the whole point of video marketing is connecting with your contacts on a more personal level. Accordingly, intimacy goes overlooked when your video consists of generic stock footage.
Nevertheless, if you choose to cut corners and go the stock footage route, be prepared to work within the walls of confined creativity. To put it differently, when dealing with stick clips and images, you have to work with what’s available. Of course, that’s only if you have a premium membership to acquire costly stock video footage in the first place.
What’s more, production consists of countless hours editing, organizing, and streamlining your video project for publication. In addition, you might have to seek out voice actors or even have to book time at a recording studio. As you can see, producing a video is no walk in the park.
Also, I recommend Adobe Premiere PRO CC if you decide to create a quality production. However, iMaxCRM comes equipped with all the tools necessary to put out a reasonable recording in no time flat. Your best bet is to contact a video production specialist when breaking into the limelight of real estate sales videos.
Post-production
Now that you’ve compiled your imagery into a semi-coherent story, post-production allows you to “tighten the screws.” That is to say, any editing, voiceovers, music dubbing, visual effects, sound effects, and color correction need to be done at this point. All things considered, this stage is probably the most time-consuming. Similarly, post-production can cause your patience to wear thin—especially if you’re not familiar with the technical aspects of videography.
At the end of the day
Video production consists of much more than the three broad categories touched on above. Regardless, it would be best if you never deviated from this standard, three-fold process. I’m merely saying that contained within each overarching stage of production are innumerable measures which must be taken.
Want to learn the Top 10 Ways to Nurture Your Clients with Video to Grow Your Business, join the conversation with iMaxCRM.
