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

The Burnaby Board of Trade WICWP Tour (Welcoming and Inclusive Communities and Workplaces Tour) is meant to connect newcomers who are professionals in their field with industry employers. The goal is to create an open dialogue and discussion about the challenges of finding a job in Canada as an immigrant, but most importantly how they can succeed in finding a job.

Some of the most common advice to newcomers was to learn about the hidden job market through networking. It was not only the newcomers who benefited from this project. Employers were also encouraged to think about hiring a diverse workforce and the benefits that come with that.

Our video production team at EXL Films produced 6 WICWP tour videos which were uploaded to the Burnaby Board of Trade’s blog to present their findings of each tour.

In this video, we visited 3 employers: BCIT, Vancity, and Digital Payment Technologies

As we are in a global economy, we need to think globally; and by employing people with different backgrounds who bring diverse skills, perspectives, and solutions, we are empowering and positively shaping the future of our society.

The WICWP Tour is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

We shot this event video in Surrey BC featuring the DeDutch Culinary Olympics. The DeDutch Culinary Olympics is an annual event that brings employees together from different DeDutch franchises across the lower-mainland to participate in an evening of fun, friendly competition, and prizes.

We covered the event and produced this video to summarize the entire evening. Near the end of the video we switched gears and ramped up the excitement to reality TV show style

In addition to all the footage shot we also projected the video feed onto a projector for everyone to see.

Are you satisfied with the video services we have provided? Has your video benefited you and your organization? If so, chances are you may know someone else who will benefit from our services as well. That is why we have established a client referral program that credits your account every time you refer us to someone who uses our services?

How does this work?

If you refer us to anyone who you think would find our services useful we will give you a 10% credit from the first job of any referral. As you refer more people who hire our services you will receive more and more EXL Credits which can be applied to any of your future videos produced by us.

So make sure to spread the word and let others know about the services we provide. It only means more EXL Credits for you and your company which translates to fantastic discounts!

Terms & Restrictions:

• The EXL Referral Program is only available to our current and past clients with accounts in good standing.
• Credit will only be applied to your account once the referred work has completed and fully invoiced.
• Your credit can only be applied to future work. It cannot be applied to projects that have already been started or work in progress.
• Credits can only be applied to referral’s outside your organization.
• EXL Films may modify or cancel the referral program at anytime and without notice at our sole discretion.

If you have any questions about our referral program or if you’d like to refer an individual, company or organization, be sure to Contact Us.

We recently wrapped a website promotional video for the Canadian Bull Run Rally which is a car rally open to luxury, sports, and exotic vehicles.
Our film team captured shots of 6 vehicles driving from Surrey BC through Vancouver and up to Cypress Mountain. The goal for this production was to establish the excitement and thrill of driving with a group of speed freaks through different Canadian landscapes. Because this video was produced to promote the first ever Canadian Bullrun Rally there was no archival footage to utilize. Our only option was to drive through different locations and capture everything from scratch. The great thing about Vancouver BC is it’s diversity in scenery which enabled us to create the illusion that the video was taken at different locations from past rallies.

Production wise we had two cinematographers shooting this promotional video. We had a chase vehicle which allowed our camera crew to capture many of the driving shots. We also placed our cinematographers in different vehicles to allow for interior driving shots. In addition we mounted portable cameras onto different vehicles to achieve shots that would otherwise not be possible.

In post-production we created impacting motion graphic text to run through the video and deliver key message points. To make the commercial even more powerful we also recorded a movie trailer style voice-over to narrate each motion graphic text as it slams into the screen.

The Canadian Bull Run will take place on July 23rd to July 30th 2011. If you are interested in attending all you need to do is register online at canadianbullrun.com
The rally is open to anyone who loves speed.

We are pleased to present this performance promotional video about Jazz singer and pianist Diane Lines. The goal for her video project was to create an impacting yet classy promotional video that established her performing different songs during different live shows.

We headed over to Empire Stadium to meet up with Terry Dunfield who plays midfield for the Vancouver Whitecaps. His joke was quick but definitely a good one. Even Terry was able to laugh at this own joke afterwards.

We shoot Joke of the Week with the revolutionary steadicam stabilizer and wide angle lenses to get that high budget cinematic look.

A weekly web series production, like Joke of the Week, is an asset to any company or organization because it allows you to connect with your customers and clients on a weekly basis. It also builds company-customer relationships.

By consistently updating weekly content, people who find your web series interesting will likely tune in next week to see more.

EXL Films recently videotaped at the BC Lions headquarters in Surrey BC for another Joke of the Week web series segment for Funny Farm Comedy. Joke of the week is a weekly video special that brings a new joke to your email inbox every week on Monday morning. The purpose is to let you laugh and lighten your mood as you get ready for the Monday morning gruel. Check out the Joke of this episode of Joke of the Week:

For this segment we interviewed Angus Reid who plays center position for the BC Lions. Enjoy this joke and remember, if you want a good laugh at the beginning of every week, subscribe to Joke of the Week at funnyfarmcomedy.ca

EXL Films shoots and edits exclusively in high definition to deliver the very best quality and production value each and every time. Our videographers are versed in all ranges of High Definition video equipment along with other specialized video production equipment such as camera crane, jib arm and steadicam stabilizer. Because we shoot and edit in high definition we also deliver in high definition. After your video project or video presentation is finished we provide you a high definition video master on HD Bluray Disc and a 1920×1080 progressive scan HD quicktime file. Should you require any additional high definition video files, we can accomodate you.

To learn more about our Vancouver videography services feel free to browse our production company’s website and be sure to check out our video production portfolio. If you have any questions about our services or would like to move forward with a video project, contact us, or simply fill out our request a quote from.