It is now round 2 for the epic Race the Base Battle. Will the Enzo Ferrari beat the CF18 fighter jet this year after yet another modification and trip to Germany? Or will ZR Auto’s secret modified supercar take the win. It’s all on the line this Fall at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta!

Aside from the showdown, Race the Base is so much more than pinning jets with fast cars; it is a charity event with hopes of generating as much money as possible for local charities and the Soldier-On Fund. Drivers who register will have the opportunity to top speed their cars in a safe and controlled environment with over 4km of runway. Spectators will be able to witness some of the fastest, rarest and most expensive cars in the world.

The EXL Films production team will be on location in Cold Lake, Alberta to document the entire Race the Base event. We are currently dreaming up some crazy plans for how and where we will mount, place, and fly our high definition cameras to acheive the most epic and dramatic footage possible. Stay tuned for more videos and trailers!

There are so many corporate video companies in Vancouver and around BC for that matter from small operations to large firms, which means that there are a lot of options and choices for businesses to create an award winning video production, but how does a business decide which corporate video company to hire? Which corporate video company is the best option? The following tips will give you some suggestions and things to keep in mind when choosing a corporate video production company in Vancouver BC.

1. Quality of Work: The Quality of work is the very first consideration that any company or business should be fully aware of. Because there are so many different aesthetic styles of filmmaking, you want to pick the video production company that matches your style. Some Vancouver video company’s produce videos that are very direct, to the point, and simply, other corporate video companies produce videos that have more of a modern and cinematic video production approach. Both are fine, but you need to determine which style is good for you, your business and your audience.The rule of thumb is to always watch the portfolio of the corporate video companies your businesses you would like to consider hiring. Their portfolio will show you what they have done in the past and what they are capable of doing for you. When you are watching the portfolio look for the following elements:
   1. Scripting, Story, and Narrative: Does the video tell a story? does it flow and is it formatted well? Does the video keep you engaged and interested? A good script and narrative will keep the viewer interested in the corporate video presentation. This is important because this is what will push the call to action to your audience. Even if you don’t have a call to action because your video is a training video, a good narrative and structure will allow it’s viewers to retain more information and be more interested in watching the video presentation until the end.
   2. Camera work, lighting, and movement: Is the video visually interesting and appealing. Can you see everyone in the video. Do the shots flow well? Do they look good? Great camera work, just like every other element in the production process is important. If the shots are overly shaky, or just overly boring, this will affect the overall video quality. Remember that the all the camera footage shot will be used in the editing so it is important that they are recorded properly and professionally
   3. Editing, titling, and use of motion graphics: Editing is where everything comes together: The voice-over, the shots, music, interviews and story. Here is a tip to know if a video is edited well. If you are watching a video sample and you do not notice the editing because you are interested in the content of the video, it usually means that the video is edited well. Editing is a hidden art and it should not take away or distract you from the video.

      Another thing to look for while you are watching the videos samples is to see if they incorporate any titling or motion graphics? Motion graphics can be moving pictures and text to make a video more appealing than simply inserting a motionless title or graphic. If the samples do incorporate motion graphics, do they look professional, or do they look like they were produced in the 70′s? Cheesy and dated motion graphic designs can give a negative reputation to your company image if your goals are to produce a video that is more modern and 21st Century.

2. We touched on quality of work, so now let’s touch on the 2nd consideration which is price. Many companies are afraid to even begin thinking about hiring a corporate video company in Vancouver because they are worried it will cost them a fortune. This is not necessarily true. Nowadays you can get a very well produced video for a reasonable budget. There are many considerations that will affect the price however including:
   1. How many shoot days are required for the corporate video
   2. If actors are needed
   3. The length of the final video presentation
   4. If the film will have a professional narration voicing the script
   5. If larger production crews and staff are needed for larger setups
   6. If the video used a steadicam, camera crane or any other specialized equipment
   7. If the video shoot is out of the Vancouver area
   8. If the video will require complex motion graphics or 3D animations
   9. If the video is for television
   10. If duplications of DVD or Bluray are needed.

       Always compare the quality of work with the quote you receive and decide which Vancouver corporate video companies are most inline with your budget and goals. Remember, just because it is expensive does not always mean it is good, this is why the portfolio is SO important.

3. The Consultation: Depending on the size of the corporate video you would like to have produced it is important to have a meeting to lay out all of your goals, wants and needs for the video production presentation. It is also imperative that the corporate video company you are meeting gives you suggestions and advice based on your goals. We recommend always meeting the video producer person if you can and avoid doing this over the phone as the creative lights for the video can flash on for both you and the video producer during the initial video meeting. If you have an idea of what you would like produced but don’t know how to explain it, then show samples from similar videos or styles from online videos. While getting a quote over the phone may provide you with a ball park quote, meeting in person and going over all the details will provide you with a solid quote and a realistic budget.

Okay so remember what we learn’t here so far:

1. You should start by narrowing down a list of corporate video companies in Vancouver by first looking at the quality of work based on their portfolio
2. You should request a quote which will allow you to see if it is economical for you to meet with them. Like we said, this quote may only be a ballpark, but it will give you an idea if it is workable.
3. From the list of corporate video companies that fits both #1 and #2, you should setup a time to meet to determine if they are the right corporate video company to produce your next video.

We wish you luck in your next corporate video production.

If you have any questions or are considering having a corporate video produced, we would be happy to provide professional advice and direction based on your goals. Give us a call at 778-317-3443 to scedule a free no obligation consultation!

Or Feel free to Contact Us or Request a Quote for your project. It’s absolutely free and takes less than 2 minutes.

This Article was written by Errol Lazare who is a video producer at EXL Films. EXL Films is a video production company in Vancouver BC specializing in corporate videos, promotional videos, event videos, and videos for non-profit and government organizations.

What is the importance of having video on my website?
Should I consider producing a website video?
Is it worth investing in an online video?
How will a video on my website positively affect my business?
What are some website video statistics?

These are some of the many questions we hear from businesses all the time and in this article we intend to give you a bit more of a direction in terms of the importance of having a website video made and what it ultimately can do for your business.
We have all heard about the importance of using video for our business and on our website, but why is the use of video so important? Does video really have a benefit and a place within our business? The definite answer to this question is Yes. Businesses should really be utilizing the power of video on their websites to help establish themselves, drive sales and increase their bottom line.

Here are some of the top considerations for having a custom made video on your website:

1. A video allows you to introduce yourself, your products and/or services in a way that is interesting and appealing to your customers. In as little as 2 minutes or less you can create a powerful impression that will encourage a customer to inquire about your service and take action. It is now a fact that 9 out of 10 visitors to a website will watch a video if presented to them. A 90% click rate it a huge number and it is a number that all businesses should be serious about.
2. With an online video, it is all about trust: Why does referral business work so well? Because referrals come from a trusted source.  With a video, your customers can have an open view into the world of your company, how you operate, and get an introduction to the people that stand behind your businesses. A video gives your business personality and can build a relationship even before your customers meet you.
3. Online video creates a better website experience for your customers: Currently, 70% of all Internet users are watching online videos. People enjoy watching videos and most people would prefer to watch a video than to read a page of text. By having video on your website you are creating an environment that people can enjoy and are accustomed to.
4. In addition to hosting video on your website, your video can be uploaded to YouTube, facebook and other social media sites to get even more exposure.

Remember, your video is about you but more importantly it is all about your customers and their needs. By presenting your business in a short video production (2-3 minutes or less) you are engaging your customers, providing valuable information and at the same time you are building a relationship while leaving a lasting impression.

This article was written by Errol Lazare who is a video producer at EXL Films in Vancouver. Errol helps small businesses with their online marketing by planning, shooting, and editing their very own high quality video production. Errol likes helping businesses and seeing them succeed with their video marketing goals and would be more than happy to speak with you.

Call Errol today at 1-778-317-3443

for a free 15-minute evaluation!

During the evaluation (which will take approximately 15-minutes) Errol will look at your business and website and provide feedback, strategies and a brief plan for incorporating video into your website and marketing plan. This is a free service and you are under no obligation to buy from us. We are here to educate and help businesses succeed.

Still don’t want to call us but would like to learn more? Send us an email or request more information HERE

Looking to advertise your company to a wide audience who has all congregated in one location? No I’m not talking about advertising on Prime-Time National Television as every family in Canada congregates at the dinner sofa, I’m talking about advertising your company, products, or services at a live event that has the ability to display crisp video and well heard audio on either televisions or big screen jumbo-trons. The first benefit in taking this route to advertising is that it will not cost you your car and half of your house for one 15 or 30-second airtime spot. Adverting on Television, especially during prime-time can be very costly and sometimes you can pay quite a lot for only one shot. Advertising at an event that has the ability to display a catchy and interesting video-ad can really put your name out there to the audience, and spectators, and can usually be played serveral times throughout the event. The best thing about this method of advertising is that when nothing is happening for a few minutes and your ad plays on large screen televisions and booming speakers, you are likely to draw a lot of attention from restless eyes looking for more entertainment.

Are you looking for a videographer to cover your next event or a video production company to produce a series of promotional material for your business? Chances are that you have looked on the internet for video production companies and have been faced with large number of results from your area. While there are many great videographers and video production companies out there to choose from, there are also video companies that may not give you the type of finished product you will be satisfied with. You need to first do a screening process to ensure that your decision is indeed the right decision. The following guide will give you some tips and things to consider as you set out to find the right video company.

1. Quality of Work:
   Obviously this is the first thing you need to consider when looking at which video company you want hire. Quality of work is key and is the strongest reason to go with one company over another. But what determines if a video companies work has the quality you are looking for? Even if you are not an expert at video production it can be easy to determine if the quality of work measures up to your expectations. The first thing you need to do is check out the production company’s video samples, demo reels, or full videos on there website. If a video company says that they have lots of samples but they don’t have them uploaded or the samples are not available or whatever, don’t go with them. You don’t have time to wait for when they we become available. Reputable companies will be happy to provide you with their video samples, and you will want to see what they have done for their past clients? 

   When you watch the samples how do they make you feel? Does the message come across clearly? Do you understand what the video is about? Does it make you excited, happy, emotional? Video is a medium for delivering a message and if the message is not clear then why are you having a video produced?  The message is important and not only that, the video should look and sound good with an overall professional feel. Take note of the colors and resolution of the video: are they clear and crisp. How is the videotaping? Is it smooth or does it give you a headache and can you see what is being shot? What about the audio and the interviews? Do the people sound far away and muffled or do they sound like they are right in front of you and perfectly clear? Is the editing too quick that you cannot see anything, or is it slow and boring? Do you even notice the editing or are you so engaged in the film that you don’t remember if you liked the editing or not. A film is okay if you comment on the lighting, or editing, a film is truly great if you comment on the message of the film. These are all very important peices of advice. Another important thing to see is if a company has previous experience and video samples of the type of video you are looking to have produced. Say for example that you would like a video made for your business and let’s pretend at this moment that your business is to sell cars. It would be in your best interest to find a list video companies that have already produced car type videos with samples that are readily available. If they don’t have car videos or related car samples on their website, look for the next best video clip that could be related to cars: For example, look for video clips with fast and exciting editing, Speed, and Adrenaline, impacting text that pulls you in. You wouldn’t hire a wedding videography company if they do not have any wedding video samples, so use the same caution for your video type and make sure that the samples you see are relevant, and most of all, that you enjoy the style of work you see. Once you have found samples from a number of different video production companies, you can begin to compare what you like and what you don’t like. You can start to see trends of what some video companies are doing, what others are leaving out, and what some are doing very well. With this awareness you will have a better idea of who is suited for you. Be sure to put a star beside these video companies.

2. Cost & Pricing:
   Having a video produced is not cheap and can sometimes be quite expensive. Little ad-ons can begin to ad-up. The nature of the video production you want produced will determine how much you will actually have to spend. Usually videos for events such as gala dinners, banquets, parties, seminars, and keynotes etc. can be pretty affordable as a minimal amount of planning is usually required, and filming time may only be a matter of a few hours. Editing time can also be pretty quick. The cost of a video production can start to ad up when you decide to have a larger promotional video, TV commercial, or bigger documentary produced. The reason for this is that there is much more planning and pre-production involved. Along with that there are more shoots and videotaping dates, longer editing sessions along with more crew, cast etc. The best thing to do in order to find a video company that offers the best value is to excersie the three “C”s which are: Call, Compare and Consider. Once you have a list of production companies and an idea of what you want produced, it is time to meet with them or call them for a quote, compare their quality of work to the quality of other video production companies, and then compare their prices to the prices of other video production companies. Once you have found the video company that satifys your expectations and suits your budget, you are well on your way to the hiring process…Well almost. Let’s move to step three.
3. The Interview: So you have seen a wide range of video samples. Some videos are very good, and others are…well…you know what I mean… You have an idea of the price and what you can afford, and you also have an idea of who you potentially want to go with for a video company. The third thing you need to do is to have a chat with the producer of the videography company (or list of companies if you have more that one in mind…which you should!) You want to make sure that before you hire your video company that fully understand all the details. Also you want to make sure that you will actually get along with your videographer or video producer and that you can work together as a team. Here are some of the key things to consider when speaking with a video producer from a video production company:
   • What past work or experience from the video company is relevant to your project? Have they had experience producing your type of project?
   • Who will be videotaping your video? Will it be the person you are speaking with or somebody else? What is their experience?
   • What is the turn-around-time for the video? When can you expect it to be finished?
   • Do you get to see a rough copy before the video is finalized?
   • How much input can you provide?
   • What type of camera equipment to they videotape with? Is it High Definition (HD) or Standard Definition (SD)?
   • What is the actual cost for your project? Your initial phone conversation may have given you a ballpark quote and now you will need to obtain a more accurate quote by providing the video company or video producer with more indepth details about your project including, the date for shooting, the location, number of hours you will need videotaped, how many different edited videos will you need? Does the video need to be duplicated? Does it need to be uploaded on your website? Do you need a script written? What other info can you provide the production company with? Think about this and even make a list of your ideas and wishes before calling.
   • Is there a payment plan available and what are the terms? Do they need a deposit?
   • (Very Important) What is their cost per hour for extra videotaping or extra editing (sometimes if you end up having more shooting than what was orginally included in scope of your video project, it can end up costing you quite a bit than what was expected.
   • How long do they keep the video on there editing system until they delete it? Is there a way to make future changes and what are the costs involved?

   Above all else, use common sense when speaking or meeting with the video producer. Make sure to ask all your questions and don’t hold anything back. You should be educated enough about the details and understand the process, the cost, and what to expect. Before any money or services are exchanged, make sure to read over the video production contract or video agreement to see if you have any further questions. If there is something you just don’t understand or are concerned about, make sure to ask.

4. Testimonials and Feedback:
   You are already armed with 3 useful tips and tactics that should have you on your way and ready to go with the hiring process, but there is still another thing to consider, and that is feedback: How did the company perform for their past clients? A good thing to check when you are about to hire a video company to is see if they have any posted testimonials from their past clients. Usually these are available on the companies website. With these testimonials you can truly see what other businesses have said. Some production companies offer text only testimonials while other production companies offer both text testimonials, video testimonials, and even case studies which is a great combination for you to really see what other clients have said and how the production process went. Unlike a real job interview where a candidate will give references, it is not normal for a video production company to give references, #1 For confidentiality and #2 – Their clients probably do not want to be bothered by multiple annoynmous calls. While real references are good. Testimonials and case studies are the next best thing. 

   
   

   So there you have it: 4 great tips to consider when you are looking at hiring a video production company. These tips and steps remain completely the same whether you are looking to hire a wedding videographer for your engagement, or a video producer to create a series of promotional videos and commercials.

   Remember: There is so much that goes into making a video, film, or movie: A producer doesn’t just simply whip out his home video camera, point it at his dog, and then Kapoof: A powerful marketing video is created. Producing videos takes time, money, people and most of all: creativity and experience, and that is why it is important that you see for yourself the wide range of videos and quality that is available to you. You must find the balance between spending what you have budgeted and receiving a great end product. Do not be fooled by video and production companies that have a dramatic drop in price from your other shortlisted video companies. In the end, you always get what you pay for so you need be certain that you find the balance between cost and quality. It is always better to spend just a bit more than to skimp on quality in order to ensure that you receive an amazing video that you will be proud to distribute, advertise, or even just show to your family and friends, and cherish forever.

   This article was written by Errol X. Lazare who is the owner and video producer for EXL Films in Vancouver.
   If you are looking to have a video produced for yourself or your organizations be sure to contact us. We can answer all of your questions and suggest the right video type & package that is right for you.