At Scoop, few things are more exhilarating than hitting play on a bright and shiny new video. But achieving that moment is no small achievement. After crafting so many bespoke commercial videos for our clients, our video production process has evolved into a finely tuned (yet highly adaptable) creative machine.
In this post, we’ll take you behind the scenes to clarify our discovery process—from the kick-off call to the initiation of scripting. Additionally, we’ll provide insight into why we follow this approach and why we believe it not only works for us at Scoop Films but also benefits our partners.
The Kick-Off
Each project kicks off with a project brief. We request new clients to answer specific questions that help us get the ball rolling—questions like “What’s the quick elevator pitch?” or “What are some common objections from your audience?” Although our brief template was initially designed for explainer video production, we tailor it for the specific type of video project at hand. This process provides us with the information needed to start conceptualizing, while our client partners gain clarity on crucial information beyond typical talking points.
Once the brief is complete, the team at Scoop Films delves deep into the details, and our producers arrange a kick-off call. This call serves as our opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the newest client, reintroduce ourselves to returning clients, and address any lingering questions. The goal is to leave the meeting with a comprehensive understanding of their business, their video goals, and the most effective way to achieve them.
Participating in a conference call and building a rapport is an essential part of the process. Understanding the people behind the business makes it easier to produce exceptional work collaboratively.
Video Production Brainstorm
We understand that the term “brainstorming” has become a bit of a cliché business buzzword, but we can’t deny its effectiveness in yielding fantastic results—along with a few tangents and fits of laughter. We hold brainstorming in such high regard that we’ve dedicated an entire room to it.
Before sitting down to hash out ideas, everyone is asked to bring thought-out concepts to the table. After sharing these ideas, we allow ourselves an hour of discussion. While it may seem short, this timeframe helps maintain focus, guided by our creative lead. In the world of video, the core idea should be clear and easy to understand. We don’t aim to solve every problem in the room, but we ensure we’re on a path that excites everyone. Once we collectively agree on the top three ideas, we proceed to work on the pitch deck.
For further insights into our brainstorming process, you can explore this blog article.
From brainstorming to project delivery. The process is the key to winning video production
Video Production Pitch
Following the brainstorming session, it’s time to craft the pitch. Most pitches at Scoop include three distinct ways to bring our client’s message to life through video. The deck-building process determines what we want to create and how we’ll go about it. For our clients, this is their chance to see how our video ideas will align with their business and, ultimately, solve their problems.
Each concept in the pitch receives a title and a brief introduction to set the stage for the idea. Expressing our concept in one sentence serves as a valuable gut check on the strength of the idea.
After the introduction, we delve into the What, the How, and the Why, presenting our thoughts as answers to our client’s most essential questions. This simplified format effectively communicates the value of the direction, tone, and visual style we’ve proposed. The client needs to understand, as much as we do, how and why an idea will work.
Sometimes, what seems like the best idea on paper doesn’t hold up. Before presenting anything, we conduct an internal review and perform a final stress test. We subject the concepts to increased scrutiny from the extended team, the video production budget, and the client’s goals. Creative business decisions like these require both rational and emotional appeal. Our pitches need to resonate with both sides for every concept. If everything checks out, we schedule another call or meeting to share our vision.
The Reasons
So, why do we follow this approach?
At Scoop, we prioritise efficiency. The process outlined happens over a few days, not weeks. Working efficiently helps us avoid the pitfalls of second-guessing, ensuring our favourite concepts receive full attention. If an idea isn’t coming together in time, we know it’s likely overcomplicated or underdeveloped.
Striving for efficiency and simplicity means every idea receives equal attention from start to finish. On the video production brainstorming board, every idea is as worthy as the next until we hone in on our favourites. In the pitch, we present everything equally, with no favouritism toward one idea over the others. Presenting concepts in the same way makes it easier for the client to identify what they love (or don’t) about a particular concept.
Moreover, we provide our clients with the foundation of a concept, allowing them to build on it in ways that enhance it. We’re not experts in their business (at least, not yet). Our process gives the real experts the space to push ideas further or pull them back to best suit their brand—whether it’s a branded video production or an explainer.
Efficient. Simple. Collaborative. From the brief to the beginning of video scripting, that’s how Scoop Films approaches video production discovery. Feel free to talk to us about your potential video project and experience it for yourself.