Thomas Clifford /// Nonfiction MultiMedia Producer /// Corporate Communications

Ever try building a home without expert advice?

I can certainly say I haven't but I can imagine how difficult it would be.

I've been spending some time the past few weeks budgeting for a large number of different types of corporate videos. Throughout the budgeting process, I also get to play "teacher" and help clients figure out how to most effectively produce their video.

Just recently, a metaphor jumped out at me.

Imagine building a new home.

You have a clear vision how your new home will look. The plans are in place. All the details have been meticulously worked out. The blueprints are finally done. Now, imagine telling your builder how many days it will take to build your new home. Remember, you've never built a home before but you proceed, nonetheless, to indicate the amount of time your builder will build your home. Also keep in mind, you have no sense of what this new home will cost, since you've never traveled this path before.

The builder comes back and says it will cost "this much." To which you reply, that's not what I planned on.

So here's the question: Why do this to your corporate video story? Why tell a producer how many days it takes to produce a film? Why hold back on budget discussions? Why deliver a fully developed script to a producer with (most often) unreasonable parameters?

Try this little no-cost experiment.

Pick up the phone and call your producer.

Before the pitch. Before ideas become concrete. Before expectations are set.

Share the idea. The context. The backstory. The politics. The budget issues. The audience. The purpose for the film.

Then listen. And take notes. Then ask this question:

Is your vision in sync with your producer's vision?

You'd be surprised what the ROI on a phone call could be to your story. And to your bottom line.

---Tom

The Greatest Gift for Your Corporate Video