Table of contents
When a video production house sends its portfolio, the work usually looks better than the actual capability. The reasons are mundane: the reel may be a purchased template, a co-production, or a segment someone else shot. Learning to trace provenance and check delivery specs avoids more problems than comparing prices.
1. Three Things to Check in a Reel
Finished film or raw footage. A house that only shows finished cuts may not own the footage. Ask for a short ungraded clip or a screenshot of the project file; the answer is immediate.
Whether scenes are continuous. A single film showing three different factories and four product lines is probably stitched from several projects.
End credits. Co-produced, produced for, edit support — credit position reflects the real division of labour.
2. Delivery Specs
| Item | Should include | Common shortfall |
|---|---|---|
| Versions | One landscape, one vertical | Vertical billed separately |
| Resolution | 1080p minimum, 4K stated | Low bitrate file passed off |
| Subtitles | Burned-in plus a subtitle file | Burned-in only, text changes mean re-render |
| Project files | Edit project or layered files | Finished film only, no future edits |
| Footage | Raw clips archived by scene | Refused on licensing grounds |
Put the spec in the contract annex. Delivery disputes usually land on subtitles and raw footage, and agreeing up front saves a round of negotiation.
3. Negotiating Reuse
One shoot typically yields more than the main film: short clips, a trade-show loop, a recruiting piece. State the reuse scope in the contract — whether you may re-edit, whether you may use it in paid media, whether you may license it to distributors.
Reuse scope affects price. Unlimited reuse costs more but is cheaper than reshooting each time. This line is often left vague in quotes; ask directly.
4. A Three-Step Test
First, ask for a storyboard draft for your industry. A team with sector experience will propose scenes and terminology you recognise.
Second, request a complete process record from a comparable project: script, call sheet, continuity notes, final film. Complete process means stable delivery.
Third, start with a short version. A 30-second piece is a low-cost trial and reveals how they communicate.
5. Four Contract Clauses
Tie payment milestones to deliverables rather than dates. State revision rounds and the rate beyond them. Define liability for delay. Define copyright ownership, especially the licence scope for music and fonts.
One heuristic when choosing a video production house: the more detailed the quote, the more reliable it tends to be. A single total with no breakdown usually hides margin in the parts you cannot see.
6. FAQ
Can we ask to see raw footage? Yes. One ungraded clip is enough; you do not need the full shoot.
How long does production take? Three to four weeks from script approval to delivery for a standard project; add a week for multiple sites or aerial work.
Can we hire post-production only? Yes, but confirm they can ingest your codec and bitrate, or transcoding will cost quality.
Related reading
- See also: the four cost blocks in a corporate video quote
- See also: planning a shoot day schedule
GrowLab focuses on integrated content marketing, offering brand strategy, website development and full-funnel search marketing (SEO/GEO). Contact us for an assessment of your own promotion plan.
Need a professional growth plan?
Add our WeChat for a tailored strategy and annual quote.
Contact Us