7 Keys to Booking the Right Film Production Companies in Baltimore
Many Baltimore businesses are adding video production to their list of outsourced marketing initiatives this year. If this sounds like you, you’re probably wondering how to book the right production company for your business, just like many other business owners are. The key to booking the best film production companies in Baltimore is to carefully examine your options and to decide how each of them may (or may not) be best for your project based on experience, expertise, and expense.
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Below are some top keys to booking the right film production companies in Baltimore:
1. Check Local Resources
If you don’t already have a list of local Baltimore production companies that you’re considering, you’ve got to make that list first.
Check local resources like the Baltimore Film Commission for a list of production companies that are qualified and experienced.
You can also perform a simple Google search for a list of local film production companies in Baltimore, just keep in mind that as helpful as Google may be, it certainly should not be the deciding factor for you — you must do more research than just Google to find the best crew for your project needs.
2. Find Out How Other Businesses Get Their Films Produced
Know other area business owners in Baltimore? Ask them how they get their films produced for marketing and other needs. Local references are extremely helpful in deciding who to consider for a film project.
You might be surprised to find a local production crew that is trusted by another local business that you also trust. A double win for sure!
3. Check the Demo AND the Portfolio
Hiring film production companies in Baltimore absolutely cannot end with a quick check of the demo reel.
The demo is built to provide quick insight into the potential of a production crew, but it doesn’t do anything to establish understanding for what the crew is truly capable of in terms of completing a project.
We encourage you to also check the portfolio of each of the film production companies in Baltimore that you’re considering before you make any decisions.
If you can’t find a portfolio or a website, or other recent projects that have been produced by the company — turn around! This is a HUGE red flag!
4. Review Recent Projects
If they’re not listed on the website or somewhere else that is easy for your to find, ask!
While some of the larger film production companies in Baltimore may not update with all of their recent projects all of the time (because it’s time consuming to update a website), they should be able to provide you with a list of some of the most recent projects and where to find them if you ask.
This will give you the best insight as to what the company is capable of with their current team, right now!
5. Connect & Communicate
As you narrow down your list of the possible film production companies in Baltimore to work with, you should prepare to communicate with each of them.
An interview or other form of communication, in-person or face-to-face via Zoom or similar style conference is important.
This is your opportunity to determine whether you are truly comfortable working and communicating with each of the options on your list. It’s also an opportunity for you to determine if a company appears genuine.
6. Define Project Goals
While you should have an idea of how you want your project to go before you begin the hiring process, defining the exact goals and expectations as well as a timeline and budget is vital at this stage in the game.
You should be openly sharing details of your goals, expectations, timeline and budget with each of the potential film production companies in Baltimore on your list.
It’s important to choose a production company that can work within your timeline and fulfill your expectations within the allocated budget that you have to work with. Otherwise, they’re not a good fit for you.
7. Get Quotes from Several Providers
The final step to booking the right film production companies in Baltimore is to ask for quotes or estimates and to compare them. You’re looking for more than just the right price, though.
You should be carefully examining the project expectations or deliverables in the quote. You should be also considering the expertise of the vendor and their potential experience.
Keep in mind that you get what you pay for in film production. A low price can (and often will) be a low value project in the end. Pricing can range tens of thousands between one provider and the next.
When booking the right film production companies in Baltimore, consider the price in addition to the expected quality, expertise, experience, and past projects before making your final decision.