Tag Archives: Interviews and testimonials

Your Guide to Hiring a Camera Crew for Customer Stories: Crafting Authentic Marketing with Video

1. Know the Purpose Behind the Story

Before hiring a crew, clarify what you’re trying to achieve:

Do you want to build brand trust?
Highlight product performance?
Showcase customer success and ROI?
Or create emotional brand alignment?

The answers will inform the tone, style, format, and even the crew composition.

2. Look for Experience in Interview-Based Production

A successful customer story depends on more than technical video skills. Your crew should be experienced in:

Conducting on-camera interviews
Creating a relaxed, conversational setting
Asking questions that draw out natural, enthusiastic responses

Experienced crews know how to guide interviewees—even nervous ones—so their answers feel authentic, not scripted.

3. Insist on High Production Value

Consumers and B2B buyers alike can spot a low-budget video from a mile away. A professional crew should offer:

Proper lighting setups to flatter subjects
High-quality audio capture (lavaliers, booms, and backup channels)
Multiple camera angles for dynamic editing
B-roll planning and execution to support the narrative visually

If your customer video looks amateurish, it could unintentionally reflect on your brand.

4. Ensure They Can Match Your Brand’s Voice and Style

Whether you need sleek and polished, documentary-style, or fast-paced social-friendly cuts, your crew must be flexible. Look for producers who:

Understand your brand guidelines
Are skilled in multiple editing styles
Can deliver different aspect ratios for cross-platform use (e.g., 16:9, 9:16, 1:1)

The end product should integrate seamlessly with your existing marketing assets.

5. Expect Strategic Post-Production

Editing makes or breaks a customer story. The right production company will:

Cut down long interviews into punchy, focused narratives
Add text overlays, callouts, music, and branded motion graphics
Use AI tools to enhance audio, transcribe content, and streamline repurposing across channels

Be sure the company you hire has both technical skills and storytelling instincts in post-production.

6. Plan for Scalability and Repurposing

Don’t just make one video. A great crew will help you shoot with purpose:

Capture testimonials from multiple customers in one day
Create multiple edits from one shoot (short clips, long-form, social snippets)
Design interview setups that can be reused for internal stories, recruiting, or case studies

Video content is an investment—maximize your shoot days by thinking ahead.

Why St Louis Corporate Video is the Right Partner for Your Customer Story Projects

At St Louis Corporate Video, we understand what it takes to produce authentic, high-impact customer stories. Since 1982, we’ve worked with companies, marketing agencies, and creative firms across the St. Louis area to bring brand narratives to life.

Our full-service capabilities include:

On-location and studio video production with the right crew, equipment, and lighting
Expert interview direction and production with professional sound and camera operators
Post-production services using the latest editing tools and AI-driven enhancements
Licensed drone pilots to add cinematic aerial visuals
Repurposing strategies to multiply your marketing reach from a single shoot
Private studio space equipped for interviews and small productions, including set design and prop integration

Whether you need one impactful testimonial or a full customer success video series, St Louis Corporate Video is equipped to make your production seamless, strategic, and successful—from first setup to final delivery.

Let us help you turn your customers into your most persuasive storytellers.

Contact St Louis Corporate Video today to start planning your next customer story shoot.

314-913-5626

stlouiscorporatevideo@gmail.com

What Are the Top 10 Questions Asked About Producing a Marketing Video?

1. What is the Purpose of the Marketing Video?

Before embarking on a video production project, it is crucial to define the video’s purpose. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, generate leads, train employees, or launch a new product? Clarifying the objective will guide the entire production process, from scripting to distribution.

2. Who is the Target Audience?

Understanding your target audience is vital for crafting a message that resonates. Identify their demographics, preferences, and pain points. This knowledge will inform the video’s content, tone, and style, ensuring it appeals to your intended viewers.

3. What is the Core Message?

A clear and concise core message is the backbone of an effective marketing video. It should align with your business goals and be tailored to your audience. Avoid trying to communicate too many ideas at once; instead, focus on a single, compelling message that leaves a lasting impression.

4. What Style of Video is Most Suitable?

Marketing videos come in various styles, including explainer videos, testimonials, product demos, and brand stories. The choice of style depends on your objectives and audience preferences. For instance, an explainer video might be ideal for a tech product, while a testimonial could work wonders for a service-oriented business.

5. How Long Should the Video Be?

Attention spans are short, especially online. A marketing video should be long enough to convey your message but short enough to maintain viewer interest. Typically, videos between 60 to 90 seconds are effective for most marketing purposes. However, the ideal length may vary based on the platform and content complexity.

6. What is the Budget?

Budget considerations influence various aspects of video production, including quality, complexity, and distribution. Be clear about your budget from the outset and allocate funds appropriately to key areas such as scripting, filming, editing, and marketing.

7. How Will the Video be Distributed?

Distribution strategy is crucial for ensuring your video reaches the right audience. Consider multiple channels such as social media, your website, email campaigns, and paid advertising. Tailor the video format and length to suit each platform’s requirements.

8. What Equipment and Technology are Needed?

High-quality production requires professional equipment and technology. This includes cameras, lighting, sound equipment, and editing software. Ensure your production team is well-equipped to handle the technical aspects, delivering a polished final product.

9. What is the Timeline for Production?

A realistic timeline helps manage expectations and keeps the project on track. Factor in all stages of production, from initial planning and scripting to filming and post-production. Allow extra time for revisions and approvals to avoid last-minute rushes.

10. How Will Success Be Measured?

Define metrics for evaluating the success of your marketing video. These could include views, engagement rates, lead generation, or sales conversions. Use analytics tools to track performance and gather insights for future projects.

Why Choose St Louis Corporate Video?

At St Louis Corporate Video, we are a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company equipped with the latest technology and a highly skilled creative crew. Our services include studio and location video and photography, editing, post-production, and licensed drone operations.

We specialize in customizing productions for diverse media requirements and repurposing your photography and video branding to maximize traction. Our extensive experience covers all file types, media styles, and accompanying software.

Our private studio is ideal for small productions and interview scenes, offering ample space to incorporate props and create a well-rounded set. We provide comprehensive production support, from custom interview setups to sound and camera operations, ensuring a seamless experience.

Whether you need to capture stunning aerial footage with our indoor-capable drones or require expert post-production services, St Louis Corporate Video is your trusted partner. We have successfully collaborated with numerous businesses, marketing firms, and agencies in the St. Louis area, delivering high-quality corporate photography and video solutions.

Let us help you make your next video production a success. Contact St Louis Corporate Video today to discuss your project and discover how we can bring your vision to life.

314-913-5626

stlouiscorporatevideo@gmail.com

Enhance Your CEO’s Presence: The Benefits of Teleprompters in Video Production

The Power of Effective Communication

In the corporate world, effective communication is key to conveying your message clearly and concisely. When it comes to video production, CEOs and other top-level executives often play a crucial role in delivering important messages, such as company updates, product launches, or shareholder meetings. However, delivering a flawless performance on camera can be a daunting task, even for the most experienced individuals.

One common challenge faced by executives during video shoots is remembering their lines and delivering them with confidence. This is where teleprompters come into play. A teleprompter is a device that displays the script or prompts in front of the camera lens, allowing the speaker to read the lines while maintaining eye contact with the audience. By using a teleprompter, CEOs can deliver their messages smoothly, maintain a natural flow, and appear more confident on camera.

The Benefits of Teleprompters in Video Production

1. Script Accuracy and Consistency

Teleprompters ensure that the CEO or speaker delivers the script accurately and consistently. The script can be pre-loaded into the teleprompter software, allowing for easy editing and revisions. This ensures that the message remains consistent across multiple takes and eliminates the need for retakes due to forgotten lines or improvised delivery. With a teleprompter, CEOs can focus on delivering their message effectively without the worry of missing important points.

2. Time Efficiency

Time is of the essence in any business, and teleprompters can significantly improve the efficiency of video production. By eliminating the need for extensive memorization or cue cards, teleprompters enable CEOs to deliver their messages more quickly and confidently. This time-saving advantage allows for more productive video shoots and allows executives to focus on other important tasks without sacrificing the quality of their performance.

3. Natural Eye Contact

Maintaining eye contact with the camera is crucial for establishing a connection with the audience. Without a teleprompter, executives may struggle to maintain eye contact while trying to remember their lines. This can result in a lack of engagement and authenticity in the video. Teleprompters solve this problem by placing the script directly in front of the camera lens, enabling the speaker to read the lines while maintaining natural eye contact. The result is a more engaging and compelling video that captures the attention of the audience.

4. Professionalism and Confidence

A teleprompter can significantly enhance the professionalism and confidence of CEOs and executives on camera. By eliminating the need for cue cards or glancing at notes, teleprompters allow for a seamless delivery that exudes confidence and expertise. CEOs can focus on their delivery, body language, and overall presence, knowing that the script is right in front of them. This confidence translates into a more impactful video that leaves a lasting impression on the viewers.

5. Versatility and Adaptability

Teleprompters are not limited to a specific type of video production. Whether it’s a corporate interview, product demonstration, or training video, teleprompters can be easily adapted to various video formats and settings. They can be used indoors or outdoors, in a studio or on location, ensuring that your CEO’s presence remains consistent across different platforms and channels.

Moreover, teleprompters allow for real-time adjustments and improvisation. If the CEO wants to emphasize a particular point or add a personal touch to the script, they can do so without breaking the flow of the video. This flexibility ensures that the message remains relevant and resonates with the target audience.

St Louis Corporate Video & Photography: Your Partner in Video Production

Now that you understand the benefits of teleprompters in video production, it’s time to explore how St Louis Corporate Video & Photography can assist you in achieving your branding and business marketing goals.

As a full-service commercial photography and video production company based in St. Louis, we specialize in creating high-quality videos that captivate and engage viewers. With our expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, we can help you enhance your CEO’s presence and deliver impactful messages through the use of teleprompters.

Our team of experienced videographers and photographers understands the unique requirements of corporate video production. We work closely with CEOs and executives to ensure that their vision and message are effectively communicated through teleprompter-assisted videos. Whether you need CEO communications, product launches, training videos, or promotional content, we have the skills and resources to deliver exceptional results.

At St Louis Corporate Video & Photography, we take pride in our professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to client satisfaction. Our videographers are skilled in operating teleprompters, ensuring a seamless and natural delivery from your CEO or speaker. We provide a comfortable and supportive environment, allowing your executives to feel at ease while delivering their messages with confidence.

With our video teleprompter services, we have successfully produced numerous CEO and upper management communications. Our clients have experienced the benefits of teleprompters firsthand, seeing improved script accuracy, time efficiency, and a heightened sense of professionalism in their videos.

If you’re ready to enhance your CEO’s presence and elevate your corporate videos, we invite you to reach out to St Louis Corporate Video & Photography. Let us be your trusted partner in achieving your branding and business marketing communication needs.

To learn more about our services and how we can assist you, call us at 314-913-5626 or email us at stlouiscorporatevideo@gmail.com Take the first step towards exceptional video production and make your CEO’s presence shine with St Louis Corporate Video & Photography.

Remember, as experienced photographers and video producers, St Louis Corporate Video & Photography has produced many CEO and upper management communications with our video teleprompter services. Contact us today to discover the power of teleprompters in enhancing your CEO’s presence and delivering impactful videos for your business.