Most small business owners have never hired a video production company before. They know they want a video but aren't sure what the process looks like, what they'll need to do, or how long it takes.
Here's an honest walkthrough of the video production process from first conversation to final delivery — no jargon, no surprises.
Phase 1: Pre-Production (The Planning Stage)
This is where most of the real work happens — and where good video gets separated from forgettable video. Pre-production includes everything before a camera is picked up.
Discovery Meeting
We start by understanding your business, your goals, and your audience. Questions we'll ask:
- What's the purpose of this video? (Build trust? Explain a service? Generate leads?)
- Where will it live? (Website, social media, YouTube, ads?)
- Who's the target viewer?
- What do you want them to think, feel, or do after watching?
- What makes your business different?
- Do you have existing footage, photos, or assets to work with?
Scripting and Talking Points
Depending on the video type, we'll either write a full script or develop structured talking points. Most small business owners perform better with talking points than memorized scripts — they sound more natural and authentic on camera.
You'll review and approve any scripting before we schedule filming.
Shot List Development
We plan every scene in advance: who's on camera, where, doing what, in what order. This prevents wasted time on filming day and ensures we capture everything needed in editing.
Logistics
- Scheduling filming around your availability
- Location scouting (your office, job site, storefront, or outdoor locations)
- Identifying customers or team members to appear on camera
- Music selection (licensed tracks that match your brand tone)
Timeline: Pre-production typically takes 1–2 weeks.
Phase 2: Production (The Filming Day)
This is the part most people picture when they think "video production." For most small business videos, a single production day is all you need.
What to Expect on Filming Day
- Setup: We arrive 30–45 minutes early to set up lighting, audio, and camera positions. You don't need to do anything for this.
- Interviews or on-camera segments: For owner interviews or testimonials, we'll warm you up with casual conversation before rolling. We use conversational prompts, not cue cards. Most people are surprised by how natural it feels after the first few minutes.
- B-roll capture: While you or your team work normally, we capture footage of your work in action, your workspace, your team, and your service area. This is usually the majority of filming time.
- Coverage: We shoot far more footage than ends up in the final video. More options in editing = better final product.
Your Time Commitment
For most small business videos, we need 2–4 hours of your time. You don't need to be available the entire day — much of the b-roll filming happens without your active participation.
Timeline: Production is typically 1 day, sometimes 2 for larger projects.
Phase 3: Post-Production (The Edit)
This is where raw footage becomes a finished video. It takes longer than most people expect — and it's where the real craft lives.
The Editing Process
- Rough cut: We assemble the best footage into a draft edit — the right story structure, the best soundbites, the strongest b-roll. This goes to you for review.
- Feedback round: You give us notes. What to cut, what to add, what to adjust. Be specific — "the section about our warranty feels too long" is more useful than "it's a bit slow."
- Revision: We incorporate your feedback. Most projects need 1–2 revision rounds.
- Final polish: Color grading (making footage look cinematic and consistent), audio mixing, music, captions, lower thirds (text identifying speakers), and any motion graphics.
- Export: Final video delivered in multiple formats — web-optimized, social formats, and a master file.
What You'll Receive
- Primary edited video (full length)
- Short social cuts (15–60 seconds) from the same footage
- Horizontal and vertical versions
- Captions/subtitles file
- Raw footage (on request)
You own everything. Full usage rights, no licensing fees, no expiration.
Timeline: Post-production typically takes 1–2 weeks per round of revisions.
Total Timeline: What to Expect
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Pre-production (planning, scripting, scheduling) | 1–2 weeks |
| Production (filming) | 1–2 days |
| Post-production (editing, revisions, delivery) | 1–2 weeks |
| Total project duration | 3–5 weeks |
Rush projects are possible — contact us if you have a deadline.
Common First-Timer Questions
"What if I freeze up on camera?"
Nearly everyone feels this way before filming. We use conversation-style interviews that feel nothing like performing. You'll forget the camera is there faster than you think.
"What should I wear?"
Wear what you'd wear to a client meeting — professional but natural for your industry. Avoid busy patterns and bright whites. Solid colors read well on camera.
"What if I mess up what I'm saying?"
That's what editing is for. We'll film each section multiple times. Say something you don't like? Just pause, breathe, and say it again. We'll use the best take.
"Can we reshoot if we don't like how it came out?"
We review footage before wrapping the production day to make sure we have what we need. Major reshoots are rare because we plan thoroughly in pre-production.
Ready to Get Started?
We produce video for Kitsap County businesses — from concept through delivery. See our video production service →
Related reads: Brand Video Production Guide | Testimonial Video Guide
Buzz Cue — Poulsbo, WA. Video production and marketing for small businesses across Kitsap County. Talk to us →