Avoiding problems on a video project

Perhaps the most important part of a successful, trouble-free production is good lines of communication. For this to work, both us and you (producer and client) need to have one agreed, named contact for all editorial input and production approval and sign-off. This is normally written into the contract. Player Communications will try and keep this person and any other advisers and facilitators involved along the way as informed as possible. This way there should be no unpleasant surprises or logistical confusion.

To a major extent, the final film should look like the script which will have been based solidly on the treatment which was grounded on the brief. So get that brief right and everything should follow smoothly. This means knowing precisely who your audience is, establishing exactly what the objectives of the video are and a sound idea of how the video will be used. The only surprises thereafter should be the extra colour which comes from magical moments in the creative process when text on the page becomes images and sounds on the screen.

In our experience, if there is trouble on a project it usually stems either from an ill-prepared initial brief or if, during the production, somebody new and possible senior to the agreed client contact takes a sudden and late interest in the project and wants to take it in a different direction. This should be managed quickly and carefully to avoid stalling the project.