Pitch Video Production Tips from the Pros
Producing professional pitch videos requires substantial investment into the creative side of the process of pitch video production as well as the technological elements involved. As a professional production company with more than two decades in the industry, Beverly Boy Productions specializes in producing professional pitch videos. We’ve put together these pitch video production tips to assist you just in case you’re thinking about a DIY pitch video or you’re considering whether to create a pitch with the assistance of another crew.
Since a pitch can literally leave you feeling exposed to your audience, at their mercy to say whatever they really want about your idea, it can be overwhelming. In fact, it might seem like anything you say is at risk of being analyzed and potentially debunked! Don’t let this scare you though, pitch video production, although certainly not a game, doesn’t have to be so difficult! Follow these tips for success.
Start with a Unique Introduction
The first 8-10 seconds of your pitch are literally everything! A strong start can result in your audience sticking around to the end, but a poor start can leave you pitching to the clouds. It doesn’t matter how great your idea is or how amazing the rest of your video is, if the first few seconds are awful or don’t appeal to your audience and they leave, you’ve lost your opportunity to gain their support!
The best way to grab the attention of your audience is to pull out all your tools at the beginning. Pitch video production doesn’t have to be boring! In fact, your pitch video should immediately utilize visuals, catchy music, and a narrated introduction that captures the attention of viewers. Consider a strong opening sentence for best results!
Plan for 2-3 Minutes of Total Finished Footage
Even the best stories, are no good if they lose attention of the audience because they’re too long! If you’re thinking about a DIY pitch video production project, be sure you capture plenty of b-roll footage and have adequate support footage to create your 2-3 minute pitch video. It’s important to aim for the sweet spot of 2-3 minutes total finished footage as you don’t want to risk running too long. The average pitch video is well under 5 minutes, with 3 minutes really being about “ideal.”
Use a Multi-Camera Setup
Even if you’re planning a traditional pitch deck style video, you’ll want a multi-camera setup for your pitch video production. This way, you can utilize footage from various angles when delivering your pitch to keep the interest of your audience and maintain their engagement. Consider setting up your camera system from two angles if you can, that way one camera is visibly in the front of the speaker and another from the side-view. This will give you, or your editor, additional footage to work with in post-production.
Capture LOTS of Live-Action B-Roll
Just because you’re using an interview or presentation-style video pitch doesn’t mean that you can ONLY include that style of video! Capturing lots of live-action b-roll footage will give you, or your editor, more to work with in post-production. In fact, the success of your pitch video production depends largely on supportive footage such as b-roll which keeps your audience entertained, so you really should focus here!
Let Composition & Visuals Work for You
Any great filmmakers knows the value of composition! As a DIY filmmaker, or someone considering pitch video production for the first time with minimal to no film experience, you might not realize how important composition is and the value that it can provide. One of the great things about video is that it provides the opportunity to utilize mixed media including audio, video, and unique composition to tell a story. Let the visuals do the work for you!
Revise, Revise, Revise
Especially when it comes to the script, and to any pre-production planning that goes into the creation of your pitch video, revise thoroughly, and revise often. Don’t be afraid to have your co-workers, friends, family, or other industry members read your script before you move forward. Take into consideration any input that is provided, and revise!
When the footage is prepared, expect to spend a significant time editing and revising the final cut. It’s quite common for a video to go through several steps of revision before it’s prepared for distribution, even when a professional is working on it!
As you can see, pitch video production is a process that’s bound to require a lot of patience and practice for someone that’s entirely new to the art of filmmaking. If you’re considering a DIY pitch video, or you’re thinking about hiring a pitch video production crew to help you create a video pitch, it’s important for you to keep these tips in mind as you prepare.
Beverly Boy Productions specializes in pitch video production and provides professional filmmaking services worldwide. We’ll work closely with you and your team to craft a professional pitch video that grabs your audience’s attention and encourages them to take the desired action, supporting your pitch all the way! Give us a call to learn more about pitch video production services offered by our team that might be valuable to you!