If your business is planning a corporate video, whether it’s an overview, a training video, a recruitment piece, or a high-impact brand introduction, understanding the production process is the single smartest thing you can do before filming begins.
The corporate video production process isn’t confusing once it’s broken into clear stages. In fact, mastering it helps you:
- set a realistic budget
- understand timelines
- know what to expect at every step
- prepare your team
- get a better final result
- avoid costly revisions or delays
This guide walks you through the exact process Unreal Media follows for Brisbane and SEQ clients, based on producing hundreds of corporate videos across industries like construction, gyms, education, healthcare, financial services, and tech.
If you’re curious about pricing specifically, you can check out a detailed breakdown in our Brisbane video cost guide.
You can also explore how we approach projects on our corporate video production services page.
Now let’s make the entire process simple.
What Is the Corporate Video Production Process?
The corporate video production process is the structured, step-by-step workflow used to plan, film, and edit a professional video for a business.
It’s not just about pointing a camera at someone and hitting record, it’s a carefully engineered process designed to tell a clear story, achieve a business objective, and produce a polished, on-brand final asset that reflects your company professionally.
While every production company has its own internal style, the process almost always follows the same three overarching phases:
- Pre-Production – strategy, planning, scripting, scheduling, location planning, talent prep
- Production – filming, lighting, audio, directing talent, capturing interviews and B-roll
- Post-Production – editing, colour grading, graphics, sound mixing, revisions, final delivery
Even if you’ve never worked with a video production company before, understanding these stages ensures you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare your team. It also gives you a clear sense of the time, budget, and collaboration required to produce a corporate video that actually works.
Why this definition matters (and why most businesses misunderstand it)
Many first-time clients assume that the filming day is the majority of the project, when in reality, filming is often the smallest part. The real work happens in the planning (pre-production) and refinement (post-production) stages.
For example:
- The message is created in pre-production.
- The clarity and confidence of your team on camera is shaped by interview prep.
- The quality of your final video is determined in editing, colour grading, and sound design.
A strong corporate video is never an accident, it’s the result of a repeatable, reliable process.
What makes the corporate video production process unique compared to general videography?
Corporate video production prioritises:
- business outcomes
- brand alignment
- clear messaging
- professionalism
- multi-platform usage (website, LinkedIn, YouTube, paid ads)
- consistency across multiple videos in a series
Unlike weddings or event videography, corporate videos require:
- story planning
- interview structuring
- detailed brand standards
- shot lists and schedules
- often multiple locations
- safety, compliance, or privacy considerations (e.g., medical or construction content)
A simple analogy
Think of the corporate video production process like building a house:
- Pre-production is the blueprint
- Production is the construction
- Post-production is the interior design and finishing touches
Without the blueprint, the build falls apart.
Without skilled builders, the house looks rough.
Without finishing touches, it doesn’t feel premium.
When all three phases are done properly, your business ends up with a video that is not just visually impressive, it’s strategically aligned, on-brand, and built to support your growth.
The 3 Major Stages of Corporate Video Production
Even though every project is different, every corporate video follows the same three foundational stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. These stages aren’t just industry jargon, they’re the framework that ensures your video is strategic, organised, and executed at a consistently high level.
Understanding these stages gives you two major advantages:
- You always know where the project is up to
- You know exactly what’s needed from your team and when
A lot of stress and confusion disappears once you understand what happens in each stage.
Let’s break them down properly.
Every professional corporate video follows the same three core stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. These stages simply outline the overall flow of the project, the deeper strategy and execution comes later.
Stage 1: Pre-Production
This is the planning stage where the creative direction, messaging, schedule, and logistics are mapped out. It sets the foundation so filming runs smoothly and everyone knows exactly what will happen on the day.
Stage 2: Production
This is the filming stage, interviews, B-roll, lighting, audio, and on-site directing. It’s where the plan is executed and all raw footage is captured.
Stage 3: Post-Production
This is where everything comes together through editing, sound design, colour grading, graphics, and revisions. It transforms raw footage into a polished, on-brand corporate video.
These stages are the big-picture view. In the sections below, we’ll break down exactly what happens inside each phase so you understand the process from start to finish, and what to expect at every step.
Why Understanding These Stages Matters (More Than People Think)
Once you understand the three stages, you can:
- plan your internal team more effectively
- collaborate with your production company more efficiently
- reduce delays and unnecessary revisions
- make better creative decisions
- set realistic expectations for timelines and budget
- feel confident throughout the entire project
Most importantly, you avoid the number-one mistake business owners make: assuming filming is the project.
Filming is the middle, it is supported by pre-production and strengthened in post-production.
When each stage is handled properly, the result is a corporate video that looks, sounds, and feels premium, and actually supports your business goals.
Phase 1 – Pre-Production (The Stage That Decides 70% of the Final Result)
Pre-production is the planning and strategy phase of a corporate video, and it’s the single most important part of the entire process. Most people think the magic happens behind the camera, but in reality, the magic happens before the camera is ever turned on.
In our experience producing hundreds of corporate videos across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, and regional QLD, the success of a project is almost always determined by how well pre-production is handled. This stage builds the foundation: the story, the messaging, the logistics, the team preparation, and the roadmap for every shot that will appear in your final video.
Below is a detailed breakdown of what actually happens during pre-production, why it matters, and how it sets your video up for long-term success.
Defining the Business Objective (Not Just the “Video Goal”)
A common mistake businesses make is starting with “we need a video” instead of “we need a video that achieves XYZ.”
The true starting point is the business objective, which shapes every creative and strategic decision that follows.
Common corporate video objectives include:
- attract new leads
- improve recruitment and employer branding
- build trust with prospects
- simplify complex services
- showcase projects or capabilities
- train new staff
- improve brand perception
- support a new campaign launch
Each objective requires a different story structure, filming approach, and editing style.
Example:
A recruitment video focuses on culture, values, and the experience of working with the team.
A client testimonial focuses on results, transformation, and credibility.
A corporate overview balances brand story + services + proof.
The production company’s job is to uncover the real business outcome so the video becomes a revenue-generating asset, not a “nice to have.”
Understanding the Target Audience
Corporate videos resonate most when the audience is clearly defined.
Even subtle changes in audience type shift the entire creative direction.
For example:
- A trade-based audience prefers clear, visual demonstrations and real-world proof.
- A corporate professional audience prefers clarity, structure, and clean visuals.
- A gym audience responds to energetic pacing and lifestyle visuals.
- A government or education audience needs more formal, policy-aligned messaging.
Bad videos happen when the content tries to speak to everyone.
Great videos connect with a specific viewer.
This is where we map out:
- who the video is speaking to
- what they care about
- what they’re skeptical of
- what emotions or logic they respond to
- what objections they already have
This audience alignment dramatically improves the effectiveness of the final video.
Message Development & Story Strategy
Once the audience and business objective are clear, the next step is developing a message that ties everything together.
Video plays a critical role in how modern customers make decisions, something McKinsey highlights in their research on the evolving customer decision journey, where clear, well-produced content helps guide prospects through awareness, consideration, and conversion with far less friction.
This often includes:
Messaging Framework
A simple breakdown of:
- the core idea
- the emotional angle (trust, relief, confidence, excitement)
- the logical angle (features, benefits, results, process)
- the key sentences or ideas that must be delivered
The Story Arc
Corporate videos often follow predictable story patterns:
- Problem → Solution → Outcome
- Before → During → After
- Who We Are → What We Do → Why It Matters
- Challenge → Process → Impact
The story arc ensures the video has a beginning, middle, and ending with clear momentum, not a random mix of clips.
Scripting or Interview Structuring
Depending on the style of video, pre-production will involve either:
A full script
(for narration-driven or presenter-led videos)
An interview outline
(for talking-head corporate videos)
Interview frameworks often include:
- key talking points
- structured questions
- emotional prompts
- specific proof points
- objection-handling questions
- brand-aligned phrasing
- do’s and don’ts for internal speakers
When done properly, your team sounds clear, confident, and concise, not rehearsed or robotic.
Visual Planning: Shot Lists, B-Roll Sequences & Creative Direction
This is where the team plans how the story will look on screen.
In this stage, we determine:
- required B-roll scenes (e.g., team working, client interactions, office shots)
- hero scenes (signature visuals that define the brand)
- supporting visuals (close-ups, hands, products, tools, processes)
- transitions and movement styles (static, sliders, gimbal, drone)
- lighting style (soft cinematic, clean corporate, moody, vibrant)
- colour palette (aligned to brand identity)
- wardrobe guidelines for on-camera staff
This pre-planning creates consistency and visual polish across the entire video.
Location Planning & Logistics
Most Brisbane corporate videos involve filming across multiple environments:
- boardrooms
- offices
- workshops
- warehouses
- job sites
- customer locations
- outdoor areas
- rooftops
- factories
Each location comes with challenges:
Common issues:
- echo from glass or concrete
- poor lighting
- environmental noise
- tight spaces
- foot traffic behind talent
- unsafe or cluttered backgrounds
During pre-production, we scout locations (physically or virtually) to identify:
- the best filming spots
- sound issues
- lighting solutions
- possible disruptions
- backup locations
- weather contingencies for outdoor shots
Brisbane-specific considerations include:
- bright midday sun that can blow out outdoor shots
- afternoon storms during summer
- CBD noise levels and construction zones
- local council rules for public filming in South Bank, Roma Street Parklands, City Botanic Gardens, etc.
Professional planning avoids surprises and ensures the shoot runs smoothly and efficiently.
Talent Preparation (Coaching Your Team)
Ninety percent of corporate videos feature internal staff instead of actors.
Most are not used to being on camera.
Pre-production includes:
- what to wear
- how to speak naturally
- posture and body language
- how to avoid “corporate jargon”
- how to warm up before filming
- confidence tips
- where to look and how to deliver lines
- interview rehearsal if needed
We also give your team a simple briefing sheet to reduce nerves and ensure a smooth shoot day.
Scheduling & Production Planning
This is where we build the complete roadmap for filming day.
This includes:
- timing for each interview
- which team members are needed and when
- B-roll sequences and when they’ll be captured
- travel time between locations
- setup/packdown windows
- drone windows (depending on time of day/weather)
- buffer time for unexpected delays
A tight schedule ensures the crew stays efficient and your team isn’t pulled away from work unnecessarily.
Pre-Production Deliverables
A well-prepared production company will provide:
- project brief
- script/outline
- full shot list
- production schedule
- call sheet sent to staff
- location plan
- list of required props/brand assets
- wardrobe guidelines
- instructions for interviewees
This gives everyone clarity and reduces errors later.
Why Pre-Production Matters More Than Anything
Pre-production is the difference between:
A video that looks good…
and
a video that actually works.
Without proper pre-production, you risk:
- unclear messaging
- poor on-camera performance
- boring visuals
- delays on filming day
- higher editing costs
- endless revision loops
- a final video that feels disjointed
When pre-production is executed correctly, the filming day is smooth, your team feels confident, and the final video feels premium, cohesive, and aligned with your brand.
Phase 2 – Production (Filming Day / Bringing the Plan to Life)
After all the planning, scripting, scheduling, and logistics are locked in during pre-production, filming day is where everything finally comes to life. This is the part most people imagine when they think about “video production,” but in reality, production is the execution of the decisions already made.
A smooth, professional filming day never happens by chance, it’s the direct result of strong planning, clear communication, and a structured workflow. Here’s what actually happens during production, and exactly what you can expect on the day your corporate video is filmed.
Crew Arrival, Setup, and Environment Control
Filming doesn’t start the moment the crew walks into the building. In a professional shoot, the first 45–90 minutes are spent transforming your environment into a controlled filming space.
This includes:
- unloading equipment
- selecting the strongest interview location
- arranging lighting for flattering, consistent visuals
- adjusting or blocking out overhead office lighting
- setting up softbox or key lights
- placing audio gear (lav mics, boom mics, backup audio)
- testing microphones for clarity
- building the camera setup (tripod, lens, exposure, colour temperature)
- checking white balance
- preparing backup gear
This setup stage ensures that once your staff sit in front of the camera, the environment is quiet, controlled, flattering, and distraction-free.
Why setup matters
Poor lighting, echoey rooms, fluorescent bulbs, or bad composition can destroy a video before it even starts. Great production companies solve all of these problems before you appear on camera.
Crew Roles & What Each Person Does
Even smaller corporate shoots typically involve multiple specialists. Each role has a specific responsibility, and removing any one of them usually lowers production quality.
Common roles you’ll see on set include:
- Director/Producer
Guides messaging, interview flow, talent coaching, pacing, and creative decisions.
- Camera Operator / DOP
Handles framing, focus, movement, exposure, and all visuals.
- Audio Technician
Ensures crisp, clean sound free of background noise and echoes.
- Lighting Assistant
Shapes lighting to match corporate brand tone (clean, minimal, premium, or cinematic).
- Gimbal Operator
Captures movement shots for dynamic, polished B-roll.
- Drone Operator (certified)
Handles aerial cinematography for construction, outdoor, or property locations.
On bigger productions, you may also have:
- Makeup artist
- Production assistant
- Script supervisor
- Behind-the-scenes content creator
Each role exists to speed up the process, maintain visual consistency, and reduce the number of revisions later.
Interview Filming (The Heart of Most Corporate Videos)
Interviews are one of the most important elements of corporate video production, whether your goal is recruitment, staff training, brand messaging, testimonials, or a general company overview.
The interview process is structured carefully:
- Talent coaching – helping the speaker relax, control nerves, and speak naturally
- Seating/standing position adjustment
- Lighting adjustments for skin tone and shadow control
- Audio placement (lav mic or boom)
- Framing and composition
- Warm-up questions
- Guided conversation, not a script read
- Multiple takes for safety
Why professional interviews look so natural
A strong director knows how to:
- get clear, concise answers
- prompt emotion where needed
- avoid corporate jargon
- guide storytelling
- use silence properly
- structure answers for editing flow
A good interview feels like a conversation, not a speech.
B-Roll Filming (The Visual Storytelling Layer)
If interviews are the heart of a corporate video, B-roll is the muscle, it’s what builds movement, energy, narrative depth, and brand personality.
Types of B-roll captured include:
- your team working
- customer interactions
- office activity
- warehouse or workshop shots
- team collaboration
- demonstrations
- product usage
- hands-on tasks
- exterior shots of your building
- drone passes (if relevant)
- lifestyle shots for fitness or property brands
Why B-roll matters
Without it, your video becomes “talking heads only,” which feels flat and unengaging.
With strong B-roll, your story becomes dynamic, emotionally engaging, and visually rich.
Professional B-roll uses:
- gimbal shots for smooth movement
- slider shots for cinematic motion
- close-ups for detail
- wide shots for context
- slow motion for premium visual tone
Most businesses underestimate how much B-roll is needed. A 2–3 minute video may require 60–120 different B-roll shots to look polished.
Multi-Location Filming (Common for Brisbane Corporate Videos)
Many corporate videos require filming across different sites:
- main office
- warehouse
- job site
- client’s location
- outdoor areas
- presentation rooms
- buildings or shopfronts
The production team coordinates:
- travel timing
- packing and unpacking gear
- location lighting
- staff availability at each site
- noise and environmental factors
- drone schedule (if used)
Brisbane-specific realities include:
- unpredictable storms in summer
- strong midday sun between 10am–2pm
- heavy CBD traffic and parking limitations
- permit considerations for places like Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank, Roma Street, etc.
Professional crews navigate these details so the day stays on schedule.
Directing Non-Actors (Your Team)
Most people on camera are not trained presenters, they’re real employees, leaders, or clients.
A professional director knows how to get the best out of them.
This includes:
- managing nerves
- adjusting posture
- improving clarity and confidence
- breaking long answers into short, clean snippets
- coaching hand placement
- ensuring natural tone
- avoiding “reading voice”
- simplifying over-explained answers
The goal is to make your team look confident, natural, and trustworthy.
Maintaining Creative Consistency Throughout the Shoot
This is one of the big differences between a high-end production and a cheap videographer.
During filming, the crew constantly checks:
- framing
- colour temperature
- light direction
- audio clarity
- background details (clutter, people walking past)
- shot continuity
- brand-appropriate composition
- visual variety (close, mid, wide shots)
- avoiding repetitive angles
These tiny details compound into a video that feels premium and cohesive.
Reviewing Footage Throughout the Day
Good crews don’t wait until editing to discover mistakes.
Throughout the shoot, they:
- replay takes to ensure clarity
- review shots for lighting issues
- check audio with headphones
- confirm interview answers hit the right messaging
- verify B-roll diversity
- adjust pacing based on schedule
This reduces revision time in post-production and ensures no extra filming days are needed.
Wrapping Up: Data Offload & Final Checks
Before leaving the site, the team does:
- a full equipment pack-down
- redundant data backup (primary + secondary drives)
- quick review to ensure everything is captured
- final check-ins with your team
- confirmation of next steps
Your editor will begin ingesting footage shortly after.
What You Can Expect as a Client on Filming Day
Here’s how it feels from your side:
- clear schedule
- your team is guided step-by-step
- no confusion about where to be or what to say
- relaxed, supportive, coaching-led environment
- minimal disruption to your daily operations
- efficient transitions between scenes
- confidence that everything is running smoothly
Corporate filming days should feel organised, calm, and predictable, not chaotic.
Why Production Is Efficient Only When Pre-Production Is Strong
Production is the execution stage, but it only works well when everything was:
- pre-planned
- pre-scheduled
- pre-scripted
- pre-approved
- pre-scouted
Without proper pre-production, filming becomes:
- rushed
- disorganised
- repetitive
- visually inconsistent
- expensive due to extended time
- stressful for your team
With strong preparation, production becomes the easiest part of the entire process.
Phase 3 – Post-Production (Where Your Corporate Video Actually Comes to Life)
Post-production is the phase where everything filmed on production day transforms into a polished, branded, emotionally engaging corporate video. If filming is the skeleton, post-production is the muscle, skin, and personality of your content.
For most businesses, this is the stage that feels the most mysterious. You hand over footage… and then somehow, a finished, professional video appears. But behind the scenes, post-production is an extremely precise, multi-layered process that shapes almost every aspect of the viewer’s experience.
In our experience producing hundreds of corporate videos across Brisbane and wider SEQ, post-production consistently accounts for 60–70% of the total work. The decisions made here determine:
- pacing
- clarity
- storytelling
- emotion
- brand representation
- polish and professionalism
- viewer retention
- how “premium” your video actually feels
Let’s break down exactly what happens in this final stage.
Ingesting & Organising Footage (The Hidden First Step)
Before any editing can begin, all footage from filming day must be:
- backed up
- categorised
- labelled
- reorganised into folders
- synced (audio + video)
- sorted by camera, location, and scene
Raw footage often includes:
- multiple camera angles
- separate audio files
- retakes
- B-roll sequences
- drone clips
- off-camera moments
- colour variations
This organisational step prevents confusion, ensures no files are lost, and speeds up every part of the editing process. A sloppy start here can cost hours later.
Building the Rough Cut (The First Version of Your Video)
The rough cut is the foundational edit, a very early version of your video that establishes:
- the general flow
- the structure of the story
- the best interview clips
- the order of scenes
- pacing and transitions
- the overall “feel” of the video
During this stage, the editor:
- listens to every interview answer
- chooses the strongest, cleanest takes
- cuts out filler words, ums, pauses
- assembles key messaging in a clear narrative
- marks placeholders for B-roll
- chooses initial music options
- identifies emotional beats
- trims or extends scenes to maintain flow
The rough cut isn’t pretty, it’s a skeletal version of the video.
But it’s where the entire creative direction is shaped.
Refining the Story (Pacing, Emotion & Narrative Clarity)
Once the rough cut has the right structure, the editor begins refining the story.
This includes:
- smoothing transitions
- adjusting pacing to avoid dragging
- re-ordering segments for more impact
- reinforcing the strongest messages
- trimming answers to avoid repetition
- ensuring the video respects the viewer’s attention span
Good editors understand viewer psychology:
- when to increase energy
- when to slow down
- when to include a visual reset
- how to maintain clarity
- how to build emotional engagement
This is one of the most creative parts of corporate video production, and it’s where experienced editors add immeasurable value.
Music Selection (Setting Tone & Emotional Direction)
Music is a bigger deal than most businesses realise.
The wrong song can make the most beautiful footage feel:
- generic
- flat
- overly dramatic
- corporate cliché
- mismatched
During post-production, editors choose music that:
- fits the brand
- matches the energy
- follows the emotional arc
- enhances pacing
- doesn’t overpower dialogue
- feels professional, premium, and contemporary
For high-end corporate videos, Unreal Media licenses premium tracks, not stock music from the bargain bin. That’s a huge quality differentiator.
B-Roll Integration (Making the Video Visually Engaging)
Once the story structure is set, B-roll is layered in to:
- add visual interest
- break up talking-head shots
- reinforce key points
- show real environments and people
- make the video feel dynamic
- prevent viewer fatigue
A good B-roll edit includes:
- wide shots for context
- mid shots for natural movement
- close-ups for detail and texture
- gimbal movement for premium feel
- drone shots for scale
- slow motion for emotional emphasis
Strong B-roll is what separates average corporate videos from cinematic ones.
Motion Graphics & Titles (Brand Consistency & Clarity)
Corporate videos often include:
- lower-third name titles
- job titles
- animated text
- logo animations
- graphic overlays
- statistics or proof points
- animated transitions
- branded shapes or accents
These elements build brand recognition and make information easier to digest.
Good motion graphics elevate professionalism.
Bad graphics cheapen the entire video.
Colour Correction & Colour Grading (The Cinematic Polish)
Raw footage from high-end cameras is intentionally flat to preserve dynamic range.
Colour work has two parts:
1. Colour correction
Fixing issues such as:
- brightness
- contrast
- white balance
- exposure
- skin tone accuracy
2. Colour grading
Adding style, emotional tone, and brand consistency:
- warm and welcoming
- clean and corporate
- bold and high-contrast
- soft and cinematic
- natural, documentary-style
Colour grading is one of the biggest factors that make a corporate video feel premium.
Sound Design & Audio Mixing (Professional, Clear, Polished)
Audio is often more important than video.
Bad audio instantly makes a video feel cheap.
In post-production, audio engineers:
- remove background hum
- eliminate reverb or echo
- clean up inconsistent interview volume
- balance dialogue against music
- add sound effects where appropriate
- master the final audio to broadcast standard
This is especially important in Brisbane offices, which often have:
- glass walls
- hard surfaces
- open layouts
- air-conditioning noise
Professional mixing solves these issues.
Creating Multiple Versions (Deliverables for All Platforms)
Corporate clients typically need more than one video.
Post-production includes packaging different edits for:
- website hero section
- LinkedIn posts
- Instagram Reels
- Meta Ads
- YouTube Ads
- email marketing
- trade shows
- internal presentations
- sales decks
Common deliverables include:
- Full hero video (landscape, 16:9)
- Short cutdowns (20–45 seconds)
- Vertical versions (9:16)
- Square crop versions (1:1)
- Captioned versions
- Thumbnail images
- Compressed web-optimised files
This ensures your investment has maximum lifespan and utility.
Revisions (Typically 2–3 Rounds)
Every quality production company includes structured revisions.
This may include:
- adjusting shot selection
- changing pacing
- modifying graphics
- adjusting music volume
- swapping interview segments
- adding or removing B-roll
- enhancing colour
- tweaking transitions
Why structured revisions matter
Without clear revision boundaries, projects can drag out indefinitely.
With a structured process, edits are smooth and predictable.
Final Delivery & Archiving
Once approved, your video is exported and delivered in multiple formats.
The team then:
- backs up all final files
- stores project files for future modifications
- tags footage for easy retrieval
- archives music licenses
- prepares versions for ad platforms
This ensures your content remains usable for years.
Why Post-Production Is the Most Underrated (But Most Important) Stage
Businesses often assume filming day is the main event.
In reality:
- Pre-production is strategy
- Production is execution
- Post-production is storytelling
Post-production determines:
- how your brand feels
- whether your message is clear
- how professional the video looks
- how long people watch
- whether the video drives conversions
- the emotional impact on viewers
No amount of expensive camera gear can save a poorly edited video.
A well-edited video crafted by a skilled team, however, can elevate your brand far beyond the raw footage.
How Long Does the Corporate Video Process Take? (Complete Timeline Guide)
One of the most common questions businesses ask is: “How long does the corporate video production process take from start to finish?”
The truth is that timelines vary depending on the complexity of the project, but they always follow predictable patterns. Whether your video is a simple testimonial or a multi-location corporate overview, the entire process is broken into clear phases with realistic timeframes.
Below is a detailed breakdown of typical timelines based on hundreds of Brisbane and SEQ projects. These ranges assume standard approval times and good communication between your team and the production company.
Typical Corporate Video Production Timelines
| Type of Video | Pre-Production | Filming | Editing | Total Timeline | Who It’s Best For |
|---|
| Simple Testimonial | 2–3 days | 0.5 day | 3–5 days | ~1 week | Professional services, tradies, gyms, healthcare |
| Corporate Overview Video | 4–7 days | 1 full day | 7–10 days | ~2–3 weeks | SMEs, recruitment, brand messaging |
| Multi-Location Corporate Video | 7–10 days | 2–3 days | 14–18 days | 3–5 weeks | Construction, property, logistics, multi-site teams |
| High-End Corporate Film / Brand-Led Video | 10–14 days | 2–4 days | 14–21 days | 4–6 weeks | Larger companies, campaigns, national brands |
| Ongoing Monthly Content | Rolling plan | 0.5–1 day/month | Weekly batch editing | Monthly cycles | Social content, updates, training |
These timelines are not arbitrary, they reflect the time required to maintain quality, accuracy, and branding consistency.
What Actually Determines the Timeline?
Every production is different, but there are five major timeline factors that impact how long your project takes.
Number of Locations
One office location = fast turnaround.
Multiple sites = more planning, travel coordination, and time needed for setup/packdown.
Brisbane-specific delays can also include:
- CBD traffic
- South Bank / Howard Smith Wharves foot traffic
- unpredictable weather during summer
- permit windows for popular filming locations
Number of People Involved
If the video features:
- your leadership team
- staff members
- customers
- field workers
- talent from other departments
The timeline increases because you’re coordinating multiple calendars.
Project Complexity
A simple talking-head interview can be edited quickly.
But if your video includes:
- motion graphics
- animated overlays
- drone footage
- complex transitions
- story-driven interviews
- product demonstrations
- advanced colour grading
…editing hours increase accordingly.
Your Internal Approval Speed
Some businesses approve footage quickly.
Others need:
- sign-off from multiple managers
- compliance review (especially medical, finance, or legal)
- brand team approval
- script revisions
- content review from head office
This can double or triple the timeline.
Number of Deliverables
Many projects don’t just need one video, they need:
- a hero video
- website version
- LinkedIn version
- 30-second cutdown
- Instagram Reel
- YouTube-optimised version
- training version
- captioned versions
Each extra deliverable adds editing time.
A Realistic Timeline Breakdown (With Example Flow)
Here’s a general example of how a corporate video timeline flows in practice:
Day 1–5: Pre-Production
- strategy call
- defining objectives
- scripting or interview outline
- shot list
- scheduling your team
- location confirmation
- logistics planning
- prepping talent
- internal brand approval
- call sheet sent out
Day 6–12: Production
- 1–2 days of filming
- on-location interviews
- office B-roll
- external environment shots
- drone footage (if relevant)
- multiple takes for safety
Day 13–20: Post-Production
- ingesting all footage
- organising and labelling files
- rough cut assembly
- story shaping
- B-roll integration
- music selection
- colour correction
- colour grading
- graphics
- sound mixing
Day 20–24: Revisions & Final Delivery
- revision round 1
- revision round 2 (if included)
- exporting variations
- quality checks
- file delivery in multiple formats
- archiving
Example Timelines Based on Real Unreal Media Projects
Here are three examples pulled from the patterns of actual Brisbane SEQ projects.
Example 1: Professional Services – Testimonial Video
Timeline: 7–9 days
- 2 days prep
- 0.5 day filming
- 3–4 day edit
- 2 days revisions + final export
These are the fastest projects because they’re straightforward, controlled, and require minimal visual complexity.
Example 2: Corporate Overview – Office + Warehouse
Timeline: 14–21 days
- 5 days prep
- 1 day filming
- 7–10 days editing
- 2–3 rounds of revisions
Perfect for:
- recruitment
- company overviews
- capability videos
Example 3: Multi-Location + Drone + Multi-Staff Interviews
Timeline: 25–35 days
- 10 days prep
- 2–3 days filming
- 14–18 days editing
- revisions + deliverables
Typical clients include:
- construction companies
- developers
- national brands
- property projects
- health organisations
These are larger, more complex corporate projects requiring a heavier content load.
How to Speed Up Your Timeline (Without Sacrificing Quality)
If you’re working toward a tight deadline, launch date, hiring push, product rollout, event, or campaign, here are things that dramatically speed up production:
1. Approve the script/interview outline quickly
Fast approvals = fast pre-production.
2. Nominate ONE internal point of contact
Avoid the bottleneck of multiple decision-makers.
3. Lock in your locations early
Especially crucial if filming involves:
- field sites
- retail stores
- construction zones
- gyms
- medical facilities
- CBD public areas
4. Pre-select staff who will appear on camera
And brief them early.
5. Limit major revisions
Aim for consistency in messaging and story.
With these optimisations, even a large project can be completed in 2–3 weeks.
How Unreal Media Manages Fast Turnarounds (When You Need Speed)
If your business has a hard deadline, we can:
- front-load pre-production
- schedule same-week shoots
- run parallel editing workflows
- deliver social cutdowns first (for urgent campaigns)
- assign additional editors
- optimise for speed without sacrificing quality
We’ve delivered:
- event recaps in 48 hours
- recruitment campaigns in under 10 days
- multi-location corporate videos in 14 days
Fast turnaround is possible, it just requires clear communication and early planning.
TL;DR – Corporate Video Timelines
Simple videos:
= 1 week
Corporate overviews:
= 2–3 weeks
Multi-location or high-end videos:
= 3–6 weeks
Monthly content packages:
= Rolling monthly cycles
The more locations, people, and deliverables involved, the longer the total timeline, but a structured process ensures everything flows smoothly.
Corporate Video Production for Different Industries (What Changes & Why It Matters)
One of the biggest advantages of working with an experienced production team is understanding that the process is never one-size-fits-all.
While the three core stages of production stay the same, the execution, requirements, and challenges vary heavily depending on the industry.
A corporate video for a construction company looks nothing like a corporate video for a law firm, gym, medical practice, or SaaS business. Each comes with its own:
- compliance requirements
- safety considerations
- visual style
- story structure
- pacing
- environment challenges
- audience expectations
Here’s a breakdown of how the corporate video production process shifts across industries Unreal Media regularly works with.
Each industry has unique requirements.
We’ll outline the core variations:
Construction, Trades & Industrial Businesses
Construction, electrical, plumbing, fabrication, civil, and trade-based projects involve completely different technical considerations compared to an office-based shoot.
Key factors that change the process:
- On-site safety protocols (PPE, inductions, spotters)
- Noisy machinery requiring audio strategies
- Harsh lighting conditions outdoors
- Dust, movement, and unpredictability
- Large-scale environments needing drones and wide lenses
- Filming before or after work hours to avoid disruption
Common deliverables:
- Capability videos
- Project showcases
- Before/after transformations
- Recruitment videos
- Client testimonials
Why this matters:
These videos rely heavily on dynamic B-roll, sweeping drone sequences, and showcasing scale. Pre-production must account for weather, access, safety rules, and scheduling around on-site activity.
Professional Services (Finance, Law, Real Estate, SaaS, Consulting)
These videos prioritise clarity, confidence, professionalism, and high trust.
Key factors:
- Office environments that can create echo or harsh lighting
- Staff who may be nervous on camera
- Sensitive messaging (law, finance, insurance)
- Script accuracy and compliance checks
- Clean, premium, minimal visual style
Common deliverables:
- Corporate overview
- Recruitment
- Staff interviews
- Client stories
- Process explainers
- Brand trust videos
Why this matters:
The focus is not action, it’s communication. Interviews need to be clear, concise, confident, and on-brand. Lighting and sound must be flawless.
Healthcare, Medical Practices & Allied Health
Healthcare is one of the most delicate categories in video production.
Key factors:
- Privacy laws (no identifiable patients without consent)
- Avoiding medical claims or non-compliant messaging
- Sensitive storytelling (e.g., patient journeys)
- Clean, sterile visual style
- Tight schedules and minimal disruption to operations
Common deliverables:
- Patient story videos
- Service overviews
- Staff introductions
- Educational content
Why this matters:
The production company must strike the balance between emotional impact and professional responsibility. Planning must account for staff availability and privacy protocols.
Property Developers, Real Estate & Architecture
These videos rely on visuals more than words.
Key factors:
- Drone requirements
- Architectural details
- Lifestyle storytelling
- Early morning or sunset filming for best light
- Multiple locations (display homes, sales suites, land, surroundings)
Common deliverables:
- Project launches
- Display home walkthroughs
- Aerial overviews
- Lifestyle branding videos
Why this matters:
Property videos are visual-first. Lighting, composition, and movement matter more than dialogue. Shots must feel premium and aspirational.
Education & Training Organisations
These require strong planning, permissions, and structure.
Key factors:
- Student and staff privacy
- Filming during non-disruptive hours
- Multiple campus locations
- Strict brand guidelines
- Inclusivity requirements
Common deliverables:
- School/university overview videos
- Course explainers
- Culture and values videos
- Staff interviews
Why this matters:
Education videos must feel warm, safe, inclusive, and well-structured. The messaging must be extremely clear and parent-friendly.
Technology, Startups & SaaS
Tech companies often require shorter, faster-paced, story-driven videos.
Key factors:
- Screens and software capture
- Animation overlays
- Clean, minimalist lighting
- Modern, high-energy tone
- Precise messaging to avoid confusion
Common deliverables:
- Product explainers
- Culture videos
- Recruitment videos
- Demo videos
- Launch content
Why this matters:
Tech audiences value clarity and aesthetics. These videos rely heavily on premium graphics, clean transitions, and tight pacing.
Why Industry-Specific Planning Matters
Understanding industry variation allows:
- better visual planning
- better messaging frameworks
- more predictable timelines
- smoother filming days
- less disruption to operations
- compliance with industry standards
- better audience engagement
- higher trust and credibility
It also ensures your corporate video doesn’t feel “generic”, it feels tailored, relevant, and aligned with your brand’s real world.
Common Mistakes Businesses Make in the Production Process
Even with the best equipment and the most talented crew, a corporate video can still fall flat if the process isn’t followed correctly. After producing hundreds of corporate videos across Brisbane and SEQ, we’ve seen the same mistakes repeated across almost every industry, and they’re almost always avoidable with proper planning.
Below are the most common mistakes businesses make during pre-production, production, and post-production, and how to avoid them so your video turns out polished, on-message, and effective.
Skipping or Rushing the Pre-Production Stage
This is the #1 mistake, and it can sabotage the entire project.
You cannot “wing” a corporate video.
Rushing pre-production leads to:
- unclear messaging
- awkward or unprepared on-camera talent
- inefficient filming
- avoidable delays
- disjointed stories
- poor pacing during editing
- endless revision loops
A well-structured pre-production phase saves you days of pain later.
How to avoid it:
- Approve scripts/interview outlines early
- Stick to a clear message
- Lock in your filming locations in advance
- Brief your team before filming day
- Use a call sheet and production schedule
A good production company guides you through all of this.
Trying to Say Too Much in One Video
Another major issue: trying to cram every service, every product, and every team member into one video.
This results in:
- confusing messaging
- poor pacing
- lack of emotional resonance
- videos that try to appeal to everyone and end up appealing to no one
How to avoid it:
Choose ONE core message per video.
Examples:
- Recruitment = culture + values
- Customer story = transformation + results
- Capability video = credibility + experience
Your corporate video should feel focused, not overloaded.
Putting Nervous or Unprepared Staff on Camera Without Guidance
Not everyone enjoys being filmed, and that’s okay.
But many businesses:
- don’t prepare staff
- choose the wrong people to represent the message
- expect staff to “just talk normally”
- let nerves ruin the delivery
- use long, unstructured answers
The result is footage that’s hard to work with and feels unprofessional.
How to avoid it:
- Give staff a simple briefing sheet 48 hours before filming
- Let staff know the talking points (not a script)
- Choose confident, articulate team members
- Allow the director to coach talent on the day
A skilled director can turn a nervous staff member into a confident speaker, but preparation helps enormously.
Choosing Poor Filming Locations
Businesses often underestimate how much the environment impacts video quality.
Common issues:
- echoey meeting rooms
- harsh downlights
- cluttered backgrounds
- loud offices with phone calls or conversations
- reflective glass walls
- low ceilings that restrict lighting
- busy workspaces with constant interruptions
These issues make filmmaking 10x harder.
How to avoid it:
Let the production team scout your space early and suggest:
- which rooms to use
- which to avoid
- what furniture to move
- how to control lighting
- how to minimise noise
- where the cleanest backgrounds are
Small adjustments can dramatically improve visual quality.
Not Giving Enough Time for B-Roll
Many businesses assume B-roll is “quick to film.”
It isn’t.
Strong B-roll requires:
- multiple angles
- planned movement
- equipment setups
- lighting adjustments
- natural moments from your staff
- staging certain shots (e.g., collaboration scenes)
Rushing this stage produces boring visuals, which kills engagement.
How to avoid it:
Plan specific B-roll scenes in advance.
For example:
- team huddle
- customer interactions
- equipment demonstrations
- walking shots
- office collaboration
- hands-on tasks
- process in action
B-roll is what makes your video cinematic.
Bringing Too Many People Into the Approval Process
This is a common timeline killer.
Videos can stall for weeks when:
- everyone wants to give feedback
- opinions contradict each other
- revisions bounce between departments
- messaging gets diluted trying to please everyone
- multiple rounds of “small changes” drag out the timeline
How to avoid it:
Nominate a single internal decision-maker.
If approval must involve multiple people, consolidate feedback BEFORE sending it back to the production team.
One round of clear notes = fast turnaround.
Five rounds of unstructured notes = chaos.
Expecting a Final Video in the First Draft
First drafts, by definition, are for:
- structure
- pacing
- storytelling review
- tone alignment
- client direction
They are not the final version.
Some businesses panic when:
- the music isn’t perfect
- colours don’t match final grade
- graphics aren’t polished
- pacing hasn’t been tightened yet
That’s normal.
How to avoid it:
Understand the proper sequence:
- Rough cut
- Fine cut
- Final cut
- Colour + sound
- Delivery formats
You evaluate story first, style later.
Not Planning for Multiple Deliverables
A massive mistake is only planning for the hero video.
Most businesses later realise they also need:
- vertical versions for Reels
- LinkedIn versions
- shorter cutdowns for ads
- captioned versions
- repurposed social snippets
But if this isn’t planned in pre-production, you end up:
- needing additional editing
- missing key shots
- stretching the budget
- lacking enough footage
How to avoid it:
Plan deliverables upfront.
A single shoot can generate:
- 1 hero video
- 2–5 cutdowns
- 3–10 Reels
- thumbnails
- banner loops
- website embeds
Maximising output = maximising ROI.
Micromanaging the Creative Process
The biggest momentum killer is when businesses try to:
- direct on set
- override the cinematographer
- choose camera angles
- force unflattering lighting
- micro-edit the rough cut
- overthink every detail
Micromanaging removes creative flow and slows down the project.
How to avoid it:
Set the vision, trust the creative process.
A great production team wants to make you look good.
Treating the Video as a One-Off Instead of an Asset
A corporate video isn’t a brochure.
It’s a business asset.
When treated as a one-off project, businesses:
- forget to repurpose
- don’t embed it on key pages
- don’t use it in ads
- don’t integrate it into proposals
- don’t create short versions
- let the content “die” after launch
How to avoid it:
Maximise your investment:
- website
- LinkedIn
- Instagram
- YouTube
- Meta Ads
- Google Ads
- email sequences
- sales decks
- internal training
- recruitment
A single video can work for your business for years.
Real Project Examples: What the Corporate Video Production Process Looks Like in the Real World
To make the corporate video production process tangible, here are two real examples from Unreal Media’s recent work, each showcasing how planning, on-set execution, and post-production come together in different industries with their own unique challenges.
Example 1: Dr Shabnam – OCRF Ambassador Film (Bond University)
Advocacy · Medical · Documentary-style Corporate Storytelling
When OCRF (Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation) reached out about filming Dr Shabnam’s ambassador award piece, we knew from the first call that this wasn’t a standard corporate video, it was a deeply meaningful story with emotional weight and national relevance.
Dr Shabnam is a practicing doctor, a researcher, an ovarian cancer survivor, and an advocate for early detection. She was being recognised in partnership with Bond University, and the goal was to capture:
- her personal journey
- her advocacy mission
- the significance of the award
- the human impact of ovarian cancer research
The challenge with these kinds of videos is balancing medical professionalism, sensitive storytelling, and a cinematic feel, without overwhelming the viewer.
How We Approached Pre-Production
Because this was an emotionally-led film, pre-production focused heavily on:
- crafting interview prompts that encourage authentic storytelling, not scripted answers
- understanding which parts of her journey were appropriate to share publicly
- planning B-roll that reflects both her medical career and personal story
- coordinating access with Bond University for filming locations
- ensuring the video aligned with OCRF messaging and mission
We also had to work around strict privacy and compliance requirements, especially on campus and around medical professionals.
Production Day at Bond University
We filmed:
- a seated interview with Dr Shabnam
- walking shots through Bond University
- advocacy and speaking B-roll
- documentary-style clips showing her environment and work
Because of the subject matter, tone mattered more than anything.
Soft lighting, clean audio, controlled pacing, everything was designed to feel warm, respectful, and hopeful.
Post-Production & Emotional Narrative
In post, the story came to life through:
- gentle pacing
- soft colour grading
- supportive but understated music
- selective use of B-roll to reinforce key moments
- refined messaging to keep the story forward-moving
The final film was used by OCRF, Bond University, and Dr Shabnam’s advocacy channels, and it stands as one of the clearest examples of how corporate video can move beyond “corporate” and enter true storytelling.
Example 2: CM Electrical – Massive Fans Product Feature
Trade · Industrial · Capability Video
On the opposite end of the spectrum, our work with CM Electrical showcases a completely different style of corporate video: commercial, product-driven, and highly practical.
CM Electrical wanted to highlight their partnership installing Massive Fans across SEQ, a direct competitor to Big Ass Fans, focusing on:
- cost savings
- efficiency
- performance
- real client environments
- commercial-scale benefits
Unlike the Dr Shabnam project, which was narrative-led, this project was capability-led with a strong emphasis on visuals and technical clarity.
Pre-Production for Industrial Clients
Trade and construction videos require far more logistical planning:
- safety inductions
- PPE requirements
- filming while businesses remain operational
- capturing installation processes
- coordinating with warehouse owners
- ensuring access to elevated equipment and machinery
We worked closely with the CM Electrical team to map out:
- installation highlights
- before/after comparisons
- airflow demonstrations
- customer benefit angles
- key talking points for the on-camera owner
This gave us a clear shot list before arriving on-site.
Production Day Across SEQ
The filming involved:
- drones for large industrial spaces
- gimbal movement to show the scale of the fans
- wide, medium, and close-up shots of installations
- interviews with business owners
- practical demonstrations of the fans in action
Trade and industrial videos need strong B-roll to keep them visually engaging, especially when explaining a technical product.
Post-Production: Making Technical Content Engaging
To keep the video digestible and compelling, the edit included:
- clean branding
- motion graphics to highlight airflow and efficiency
- text overlays for key claims
- punchy pacing
- a strong mix of wides, close-ups, and motion footage
The final video helped CM Electrical:
- showcase capability
- differentiate from Big Ass Fans
- secure more industrial installations across SEQ
- build authority in the commercial fit-out and electrical space
This is a perfect example of how corporate video shifts dramatically by industry, from emotional storytelling to high-energy commercial production.
Why These Two Examples Matter (and Why We Included Them)
They represent two ends of the corporate video spectrum:
| Project Type | Core Focus | Production Style |
|---|
| Dr Shabnam (OCRF) | Heart-led, advocacy, emotional storytelling | Cinematic, interview-led, soft lighting, controlled pacing |
| CM Electrical (Massive Fans) | Capability, proof, commercial performance | Fast, dynamic, motion-driven, drone-heavy, technical clarity |
Conclusion: A Clear, Professional Process Delivers Better Corporate Videos
The corporate video production process isn’t just about filming, it’s about strategy, structure, and clarity. When done properly, it ensures your message is communicated confidently, your brand looks professional, and the final video actually supports your business goals.
Whether your project involves advocacy storytelling like Dr Shabnam’s OCRF film or commercial capability content like CM Electrical’s Massive Fans project, the process remains the backbone of a successful outcome. The details shift by industry, but the principles stay the same: strong planning, efficient production, and thoughtful post-production.
For Brisbane businesses, the most successful videos share three traits:
- they’re built on a clear message
- they’re produced with intention, not guesswork
- they’re created with a team who understands the local market and your industry
Corporate videos are an investment, but when the process is done properly, they become long-term business assets used across your website, social channels, ads, recruitment, sales decks, and internal communications.
If you’re planning a corporate video and want a simple, professional process that removes the stress and delivers something you’re proud to share, our team can help walk you through each step.
Your message deserves to be communicated clearly, and that starts with a process designed to bring out the best in your brand.
FAQs
How long does the corporate video production process usually take?
Most Brisbane corporate video projects take anywhere from two to six weeks from the first planning call to final delivery, depending on how complex the message is and how many locations or stakeholders are involved.
A simple interview-led piece can move quickly, especially when the client is ready with approvals. More involved productions, for example those requiring multi-day shoots, access coordination, motion graphics, or high-level storytelling, naturally need more time.
What matters most is having a smooth pre-production phase; when that’s done properly, the rest of the process is significantly faster and far less stressful for everyone involved.
What should Brisbane businesses prepare before filming begins?
You don’t need a script or a polished idea, that’s part of the creative process, but it does help to have clarity on your objective, who appears on camera, and any internal approvals you might need.
Many companies underestimate how valuable it is to brief the people who will be speaking on camera. Even a simple one-page overview of the talking points can dramatically improve delivery on the day.
If locations require special access, security clearance, PPE, or controlled environments (common in construction, medical, and industrial settings), flagging those early allows the production team to plan properly.
Can we film the entire video in our office, or do we need multiple locations?
Plenty of corporate videos are filmed entirely in a single location, especially for professional services, law firms, SaaS companies, and healthcare practices. What matters isn’t the number of locations but whether each space supports the story visually.
Some Brisbane offices look fantastic on camera, while others have harsh downlights, reflective surfaces, or background noise that needs to be managed. If your office isn’t ideal visually, you still don’t need to worry, creative framing, subtle rearranging, and proper lighting can make a space look premium even when it’s not naturally “cinematic.”
Do we need to memorise lines or read from a script?
Absolutely not. In fact, most corporate videos perform worse when the speaker tries to memorise lines or read word-for-word from a script. The goal is clarity, confidence, and natural delivery.
A skilled director will guide you with structured prompts so your message feels genuine and conversational. Most of the time, we record the answer in a relaxed interview style and shape it into a polished narrative during editing. You’ll always sound more believable when you’re not trying to recite something perfectly.
How much input will we have during the editing process?
You’ll have full visibility without being overwhelmed. After the filming day, the first thing you receive is a rough cut, this is where you check the overall narrative, tone, interview selections, and structure.
Once that’s approved, the fine cut adds polish through graphics, colour grading, sound mixing, and pacing adjustments. By the final cut, we’re focusing purely on refinements rather than restructuring. You’ll typically have two to three revision rounds, which is more than enough when pre-production is solid.
Can a single shoot day create content for social media as well?
Yes, and this is where the best ROI comes from. Most Brisbane businesses now repurpose a corporate video into multiple shorter pieces: vertical Reels, ad versions, behind-the-scenes snippets, and simple 5–15 second cutdowns. The key is planning this during pre-production.
When we know you’ll want social assets, we intentionally film additional movement shots, tighter close-ups, transitions, and action sequences that make your social content more engaging. A single day of production can easily produce months of short-form assets if filmed with intention.
What if people on my team are nervous or don’t like being on camera?
This is incredibly common, even CEOs and experienced professionals get camera-shy.
The good news is that video production is designed to make people feel comfortable.
The director handles pacing, pauses, breathing space, and conversational prompting. No one has to perform or deliver long paragraphs. The best corporate videos come from relaxed, natural moments captured with good lighting and patient guidance. People almost always walk away surprised at how comfortable they ended up feeling.
Do we own the raw footage and final video files?
Once the project is complete and paid for, the final videos are yours to use anywhere, website, LinkedIn, Meta Ads, YouTube, internal training, or paid campaigns. Raw footage works differently; most production companies store it for a set period (often 6–12 months) because it’s very large and expensive to keep indefinitely.
If you want your raw footage delivered or archived long-term, just let the team know so it can be arranged ahead of time. For final assets, you’ll receive all the formats you need: horizontal, vertical (if planned), and platform-ready versions.
What makes a corporate video effective rather than just “nice looking”?
A slick-looking video isn’t enough. The difference between a video that “looks good” and a video that performs comes down to messaging clarity, pacing, sequencing, and purpose.
An effective corporate video speaks to a single audience, highlights a clear transformation or capability, and supports a tangible business goal, whether that’s trust-building, recruitment, or lead generation. Production quality matters, but strategic messaging is what actually drives action.
