If you’re planning a new video project and considering working with a London video production company (Oh hey), you’re already making a good move. Whether it’s a commercial, corporate video, social media content, or even a short documentary, partnering with the right production company can make all the difference.

But before you jump in, it’s worth taking a step back and thinking things through. After all, pretty visuals is just the start...you want a team that gets your story, understands your business, and delivers a smooth video production process from start to finish.

But before you start sending emails and crossing your fingers, here’s your ultimate checklist to make sure you're not going in blind.

1. Know Your Why

Before reaching out to any video production companies, get clear on your goal. Are you aiming to raise brand awareness, explain a service, engage people on social media platforms, or attract new clients? Whether you're a startup, SME, or established corporate brand, knowing your “why” will shape the approach your video agency takes. This clarity helps guide the creative direction of your video content and sets the tone for the entire project.

2. Get Your Brief Together (No Need for a Novel)

No need for a full-blown script or shot list yet, but jotting down your project goals, audience, messaging, tone, and preferred social media channels will really help. Think about what kind of video production services you need. Do you want interviews, voiceovers, animation, or something more visual and story-led? You’ll also want to make sure your brief outlines the purpose of the video, whether it's for video marketing, brand building, or to educate potential customers.

3. Review Their Previous Projects

Take a look through their portfolio, this is where you'll get the juicy info. What types of clients do they usually work with? Do they lean towards documentary, brand films, or commercial content? Pay attention to the lighting, audio, editing, and how they bring each company's story to life. It’ll give you a feel for their creative style, their expertise, and how it might translate to your video marketing needs. From videos to animations, reviewing their past video productions will show you if they have the right skills and experience to meet your expectations.

4. Ask About Their Team & Experience

A good video production company is more than just a camera crew, they’re made up of skilled directors, producers, videographers, editors, animators, and more. Ask who you’ll be working with and what kind of experience they have in your industry. If your project needs a strong visual punch or precise scripting, you’ll want a team that knows their stuff. The more expertise they bring to the table, the better the results will be.

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5. Understand the Full Service Offering

Not every video production agency is the same. Some are all-in-one media agencies offering content strategy alongside production, while others specialise in specific types of content like corporate films or social-first campaigns. Know what services are included, from storyboarding and scripting to filming, editing, animation, and delivery. Consider if their creativity aligns with your vision for video content. For example, do they use top-of-the-line cameras for high-quality video productions? How do they incorporate branding elements, like logos or colour schemes, to make your brand stand out?

6. Clarify the Budget (and What You’re Getting)

Costs can vary widely depending on the services you need and the complexity of the video production. Make sure you know what’s included – pre-production planning, filming days, lighting, sound, voiceover, music, editing, animation – and how many revisions you’ll get. A transparent budget helps avoid any surprises later on. A good video production agency will be upfront about pricing, breaking down the cost for each part of the video production process and helping you allocate the budget wisely.

7. Plan the Logistics

Think about where and how your shoot will happen. Are you filming on location? Need to hire a studio? Will the director need to source talent, props, or get permits? Planning these things early will help the team deliver a smoother video production service and keep things on track. Also, consider your team – is there anyone in-house who can support with video production? If not, the agency will likely be responsible for managing all aspects, from the initial pitch to the final upload.

8. Set Realistic Timelines (Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day)

Whether it’s a big launch, campaign, or client pitch, make sure your chosen video agency can work within your timeframe. Quality productions need time – from concept to posting – so get clear on turnaround times and how long each stage of the production process typically takes. Keep in mind that things like lighting, editing, and sound design take time to perfect, and this can affect how quickly you can expect the final product.

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