Choosing a video contractor

June 19, 2007 9:30 PM

What's the procedure for choosing a videography company?

I've been tasked with choosing a videographer (or videography company) to go to the high arctic to record our company's installation there. The person/team then has to return to our city, and edit the footage into a number of different formats (infomercial, training videos, etc.). I put out a request for proposals and got some.

What is the normal procedure for choosing a video contractor like this? Is it a similar process to hiring an employee? What questions should I ask them? How should I proceed?

posted by graytona to work & money (6 comments total)

I've had to do this twice: look at their previous work to make sure they can do something similar to what you envision and talk to their references. Also look very closely at the budget to make sure you are not financing the purchase of all kinds of equipment and training. In my case, both times it came down to one or two people with a) experience and b) the necessary gear.

You are definitely going to need someone with artic/ polar experience, proper equipment, assistants who can handle the environment and insurance up to the task. They will probably have to pass health checks and be willing to do safety training. I wouldn't even consider anyone who didn't have all of those attributes (and they do exist). They can sub the editing if necessary.

If no-one fits the bill contact people who have commissioned work up there and do a targeted RFP to the companies they have used. Oil companies, Nat'l Geo, TV stations etc.
posted by fshgrl at 10:37 PM on June 19, 2007

Don't be swayed by what the "company" has done - stuff like this comes down to the actual people that are making it. Find out what the director, camera operator and editor have made before - other positions are probably not so important.
posted by meech at 11:10 PM on June 19, 2007

1. Look at reels from video companies.

2. Eliminate those who haven't done arctic documentaries / industrials.

3. Eliminate those who have only done TERRIBLE arctic documentaries / industrials.

4.Eliminate those who cannot meet your budget / schedule requirements.

5. Meet with the remainder of them, and go with the one who you feel most comfortable that they will be able to meet your needs.

Also look very closely at the budget to make sure you are not financing the purchase of all kinds of equipment and training

Unless their producer is totally incompetent, you will not be able to tell this from their budget.

In any event, it is of only secondary importance. What is of primary importance is:

1. They are demonstrably capable of doing what you require.

2. They are willing to do it within the temporal and financial constraints you provide.

If you don't know what those temporal and financial constraints are or should be, your first step should be to hire an in-house producer or consultant who can provide you with a budget and schedule with which you feel comfortable.

Where are you located? I may be able to suggest some people with whom you should strongly consider making contact.
posted by dersins at 11:20 PM on June 19, 2007

I think you should consider hiring just one person: a good producer. Let them build the team required to do the job properly.

This is a pretty specific brief requiring skills and equipment that 99% of the video companies out there are not going to have in house.

A good producer will distill your brief into clear requirements, a budget and a schedule - and bring a level of transparency that you'll be able to comprehend and confidently report back to your superiors with.

(I am a producer)
posted by strawberryviagra at 5:10 AM on June 20, 2007

I'm not suggesting hiring me, btw (I just had to declare my bias).
posted by strawberryviagra at 5:12 AM on June 20, 2007

Lots of great advice above. I am a recovering network news producer and can recommend some very good people for this job. Email me if you'd like names and numbers or want to discuss further.
posted by Kangaroo at 5:55 AM on June 20, 2007