Learn how to select the right partner for your next St. Louis video production or photo shoot.

How to Choose a St. Louis Production Company

Do you need to create a television commercial? Or perhaps you’re looking for a marketing or training video? Maybe you need lots of visual content, both photography and video, for your social media marketing. If you’re a St. Louis company, or have an upcoming need in the St. Louis area, these are key points to consider when choosing a production partner.

When to Hire a Production Company in St. Louis

If your production needs are in Missouri or Illinois, or within 250 miles of St. Louis, a St. Louis-based production company is centrally located. And even though iphones and affordable cameras proliferate, and the technical hurdles to making great videos and photos have never been lower, a professional production company has the experience and know-how to make the most of those tools. Expertise in areas of lighting and staging are incredibly useful, of course, but as every production professional knows, there are a million tips and tricks that go into a top-notch production — not the least of which being, helping people get comfortable and look great on camera.

Consider asking a prospective production partner the following:

• Do you have a studio in the St. Louis metro area? Is it conveniently located with easy access for crew and clientele? (A convenient, comfortable studio is invaluable.)
• What is your policy for postponements? (A legitimate company won’t penalize you for changing dates with at least 24 hours notice.)
• Do you have a variety of cameras, lighting and crew available for different productions with unique, specialized needs? (They should!)
• Is your producer experienced? (The best producers have many years of experience pulling together seemingly impossible productions.)
• Are you and your team fully insured? (No insurance? You’re not dealing with a professional, and the risk is just too high.)

How Much Does a Professional Video Production in St. Louis Cost?

There’s no industry standard for the cost of a professional production; after all, Hollywood movies cost millions of dollars. But an old adage was that a video would cost between $1,000 and $20,000 per finished minute. That’s not very helpful! The reality is, some video productions can be under $2,000, while larger, multi-day productions can easily run into tens of thousands. A good producer knows there’s no easy answer to this question, but they’ll walk you through the basic questions to answer in order to quickly determine a ball park estimate.

St. Louis Production Basics

Crew

All crew members should be experienced professionals in their various fields, from gaffers to audio techs, producers to still photographers. Try to avoid hiring one person to try to do it all. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Studio

If your production includes portraiture or video interviews, there’s no substitute for the reliable, repeatable, high-production-value look of a soundstage or studio. Ensure your prospective production partner has their own studio, or access to a St. Louis rental studio.

Scope

Not every production must be huge, but expect a professional producer, in St. Louis or elsewhere, to understand what crew and equipment are most essential to bring your vision to life. A script-writer and director are instrumental in many productions, but sometimes they aren’t necessary for success. The producer will know what items are essential and which can be trimmed to meet a specified budget.

All The Elements of a Successful Production

Should you hire a production company in St. Louis?

If you’re looking to upgrade the quality of your corporate branding video needs, or if you need a steady stream of content for social media marketing, and your business is based within 250 miles of St. Louis, Missouri, you should definitely hire a St. Louis production company to partner with on your next photo shoot or video production. There’s no substitute for the experience and expertise of a team of dedicated professionals.