10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Corporate Video Production Company

Hiring a video production company is a big decision, and it's not always an easy one to make. Every company you talk to is going to tell you they're the right fit, so before you sign on with anyone, it helps to have a few honest conversations first. Here are the questions I would personally recommend asking.

I would start by asking to see examples of work that's actually similar to what you have in mind, not just their best reel. Every production company has a different style, and a company that excels at cinematic brand films isn't necessarily the right fit for a training video or a series of customer testimonials. Along those same lines, ask who will actually be on set. Sometimes the person who sells you on a project isn't the same person who shows up to shoot it, and I think it's fair to know who your producer, camera operators, and audio team will be before production day.

Another thing worth asking about is how they approach pre-production. A good production doesn't start when the camera turns on. It starts with planning, scripting, and understanding what you're trying to accomplish, and if a company can't walk you through how they prepare before a shoot, that's usually a sign they're not thinking past the day of production. While you're at it, ask about their equipment too. You don't need to know every camera and lens on the market, but a company that can explain their choices, rather than just naming brands, usually understands your production a little better.

I'd also encourage you to ask specifically about audio. An audience will forgive a video that isn't perfectly lit far quicker than they'll forgive bad audio. Ask what kind of microphones they use, whether they bring backup audio sources, and how they handle live or unpredictable environments. If they don't have a clear answer, that's worth paying attention to.

On the logistics side, don't be afraid to ask about timeline and revisions. Every project is different, but a company should be able to give you a realistic idea of how long pre-production, filming, and editing will take. Be cautious of companies that either promise an unrealistically fast turnaround or can't give you a timeline at all. It's also worth asking upfront how many rounds of edits are built into your quote, and what happens if you need changes beyond that, since this is one of those details that's easy to overlook until you're in the middle of a project.

Something else I always recommend asking about is what happens if something goes wrong on the day of the shoot. Live events, executive schedules, and technical equipment don't always cooperate, and I would ask how they handle backup cameras, backup audio, and last minute changes. A company with real experience should have a clear answer here, because chances are, they've already dealt with it.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, pay attention to whether they understand your business, or just your industry. There's a difference between a company that's produced videos for businesses like yours and a company that takes the time to actually understand your specific goals. The right production company should be asking you just as many questions as you're asking them, and they should be thinking about what happens after the video is delivered too. Do they offer different edited versions for social media? Are they thinking about future projects, or just this one?

All in all, asking the right questions upfront can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration down the road. The right video production company should welcome these questions, not shy away from them. If you have a project in mind and want to talk through what would work best for your business, we here at Richie Media would be happy to answer any of these questions for you.