Videographer Toronto

Videography (in Toronto) is an important art form – across all levels of society. At some point in time – everyone (you included) will need videography work done. Videography (in Toronto) is that important, it permeates business and personal life. The power of video in ones personal life and the business world can not be stated enough. Videos are very powerful communicative tools. We use videos to tell personal stories – and we use them to spread our vision and ideas (hopefully for a better world) to the world. You can try and tell people about your idea, your vision, your company, your wedding day, your story or anything else with your words and through speaking with them. And, this might be powerful and effective if you are a good orator, but, it can also be complicated (and ineffective) if you have a hard time expressing yourself.

This is where videos and excellent videography comes in handy at any point in life. Whenever you need to showcase anything – or tell people something (and words just are not enough or you can not find the right words to explain it), you can use powerful videos to get across to them. To do exactly that – you need expert videography work (in Toronto) and an elite Toronto videographer.

In technical (and somewhat layman’s) terms, videography (in Toronto) is the visual documentation of an event, moment, person – or thing. But, we believe that true professional videography work in Toronto goes deeper than just pointing a camera at something and getting raw footage. It requires technical skill and the ability to tell visual stories. That is why you can not just take it upon yourself to do videography work (in Toronto). You can not just pick up your smartphone or a nice camera to get the job done for cheap. Although this can be effective for daily content and videos for personal social media accounts – it is not professional or effective for brand building purposes or proper documentation purposes.

If you are trying to build a great brand (personal or business), you need top level videography (in Toronto). And, if you are trying to capture and document an event or special moment in your life, you definitely need a professional Toronto videographer. A professional Toronto videographer is the only person (and professional) that can effectively capture beautiful moments (that you need) – from beautiful angles.

Call us today if you need to put together an awesome video. The videography for your project has to be immaculate and you have to capture perfect (or near perfect) pieces of raw footage – we will help you do that. For professional videography in Toronto, do not hesitate to get in touch.

Elementally, a Toronto videographer is the creative magician on your set (or at the location of your shoot – or event) that is there to capture all of the awesome footage you need for your project. It is up to your Toronto videographer to be in the perfect positions to capture pieces of awesome footage – and it is up to them to use their creativity and expertise to realize your visions for your project. Asides these core obligations, a top videographer in Toronto will do everything in his (or her) power to ensure your project runs smoothly and the process of capturing footage is as easy on you (as the video project director) as possible. This includes a whole host of activities, tasks and elements – such as making on camera personalities and personnel (actors, models, extras, mothers, babies, family members, cousins, employees, co-workers, bosses, and pretty much anyone else that may be required to be on camera for the shoot) as comfortable as possible during the shoot, asking the right questions to ensure no misunderstandings, being on top of the project schedule, educating you (as the project director) on any videography constraints that your project has and doing everything possible to make sure your dreams for your video come to a nice and beautiful reality.

The cost of videography work in Toronto is dependent on a combinations of three things; the type of videography work you need, the level of expertise of the Toronto videographer you need (or choose) to hire to execute the type of work you want (or need) and how long you will need the videographer. Some extra costs may accrue if you choose to use their editing services or other services they offer.

Short disclaimer: Just like any other service, videography work (in Toronto) is something you do not want to cheap out on. You will always get what you pay for. So, you have to be prepared to invest in a professional videographer (in Toronto). Here is what to expect and the breakdown of the cost of videography work and a videographer in Toronto:

In Toronto, a basic shoot session (by an average videographer) is going to require a video camera, lighting kit, multiple mics (potentially), lenses, tripod, and some other technical equipment (but it will not usually require more complex equipment than this, to be honest). And the usual time investment for a videography project is four to six hours (half-day) or eight to twelve hours (full-day). That is why an average Toronto videographer is going to charge a half-day rate of about $500 to $1000 (plus HST off course, don’t forget the taxman – CRA), or a full-day rate anywhere from $1000 to $1750 (plus HST) if you need them for the full day. This may seem like a lot for their services, but, you have to remember that they are charging for their learned (and acquired) skills, labour, and equipment. So, this is quite fair if you think about everything inclusively.

Regardless of the type of videography work you need in Toronto, an expert videographer with highly sought after skills and proven ability – is going to charge significantly more than the average rates provided above. An elite (top-level) videographer in Toronto is going to be picky with the types of clients they work with. And, they are going to be picky with the types of projects they take on. They need to filter out serious clients that value their work and know the direct arithmetical value they provide – from clients that necessarily do not care or know this value. They have a reputation to uphold. To ensure they deliver their best work and devote ample time to your project – and bring their A-GAME on the day of the shoot – they will charge more. It is the rule of the game. As a general rule of thumb, top videographers in Toronto charge $250+ per hour for their services. A top end does not exist so we can not tabulate direct day-rate and half-day rate averages. Just know that if you need an expert Toronto videographer, you will need to pay them adequately for the value and level of work they will undoubtedly provide you. Do not risk the success of your project and/or video by going with a cheap Toronto videographer. That is the best advice we will (and can) give you.

Editing services and other (pre or post) production services can cost anywhere from $25-$250 per hour – once again depending on the level of the Toronto videographer. And again, we will advice you not to cheap out because the end result of you video (how beautiful it is and the cinematic quality of it) is going to be dependent on the level of Toronto videographer (or videographers – if it is a large project) working on it (and the compensation they receive for their service or services).

Videography work in Toronto comes in various forms – and cuts across many industries. You can use videography as a tool for persuasion in any industry (healthcare, gaming, education, media, social, finance, food, hospitality, agriculture, public sector, information, tech, private sector, arts and entertainment, construction, transportation, mining, real estate, professional, retail, etc), the startup world, your personal life, corporate arena – and just about any area of life.

Here are some types of videography work you may need or use:

Event Videography In Toronto

Event videography is perhaps the most popular form of videography in Toronto. At any point in time, there are lots of people (like you) that want to document the memories and fun from their (or an event they are putting on) event at some level. This makes event videography in Toronto extremely unique in the challenges it presents and the value it provides. It involves balancing the chaos of the event with the awesome memories being created. However, when done right event videography in Toronto will capture all the awesome moments that you experienced – or did not experience – and gives you the opportunity and privilege to enjoy them again whenever you want. Isn’t that amazing.

If you want to capture any event in Toronto, give us a call today. We can help you document a concert, wedding, birthday, graduation, corporate event, night out, club event, school event, and pretty much any event you want – with awesome videography work in Toronto. You will not find a better videographer elsewhere. Call today!

Corporate Videography In Toronto

Corporations and businesses need videography (in Toronto) work for various reasons. The primary reason why a business (and a business owner or proprietor like you) needs videography work is for a corporate event. Businesses (like humans) celebrate awesome milestones and events that need to be recorded properly for future enjoyment and reminiscing. In order to get awesome footage to create beautiful (breathtaking and clear) videos of events like a grand opening, major industry expo, support effort, charity event, or corporate event of major significance – you need the help of a top Toronto videographer. Call us today for help with corporate videography in Toronto. We offer all the videography and video production services you need (and will ever need) for putting out awesome video content.

Drone Videography In Toronto

Drone videography in Toronto is quite modern, but, it entails capturing breathtaking pieces of aerial footage that will leave anyone speechless. If you want to take your videos to the next level, you need drone videography in Toronto. Hands down. The effect it creates and the impact it has on viewers of the final video product is nothing short of amazing. We know this as a top videography company in Toronto

Videography (in Toronto) has evolved a great deal over the past 10 years. This is excellent news for indie marketers and business owners alike. Notwithstanding, video production standards have also increased enormously, requiring video editors to put extra effort into delivering original material that can attract a considerable amount of people and move them to become brand ambassadors in the future.

Nowadays, virtually everyone is able to produce video content (and of decent quality nonetheless). People of all ages and backgrounds: from toddlers to adults, from peasants to engineers, can benefit from the features offered by modern everyday devices in terms of recording and editing videos. Moreover, due to the advancements in personal camera technology, professional equipment comes at very affordable costs, as their prices have been on a downslope trend over the past decade.

With all that said, there are still some skills you may need to hone to make a professional marketing video like a pro, without having to rely on a hired hand. We’ll be outlining the necessary steps to produce engaging videos with which both marketers and business owners can generate brand awareness and market reach:

1. PRE-PRODUCTION

You could try your luck and improvise your way out of your next video project. However, it’s not guaranteed that it’ll work like a charm every single time, so it’s always better to plan ahead, even if it takes a portion of your time.

You should first craft a storyboard, which will provide you with the framework you need to trim the hedges and set out your production goals in a more discernable way. With a storyboard, you will be able to visualize the shots before they’re made. That way, you also avoid missing footage during editing. Think of it as a screenplay, but for a marketing video instead of a film or video game.

Contrary to what you may think, you won’t even need to draw anything fancy. You can use stick figures or still photographs to help you. What’s important is to have a visual map to guide you throughout the production.

2. CASTING

If you plan on using actors or simply interview customers for a testimonial video, prepare them thoroughly. In both cases, they should be able to deliver credible performances. With regards to testimonials, keep in mind that they’re not actors for the most part, so it’s crucial to make sure that they don’t suffer from severe stage fright. Sometimes, it’s better to relinquish the opportunity of casting your best customer and opt for one that may provide a more natural act and a smoother interview.

If you rely on paid actors, you don’t need to aim too high. You may be able to find great candidates on LinkedIn or Fiverr. If you have the resources to hire a high-profile actor, then go ahead! Nonetheless, if you are short on resources, a freelance actor should be able to help you reach your production goals. The same goes for voice actors.

3. PREPARE YOUR STAFF

After you’ve chosen your cast and delineated all the plot points, make sure that the people involved have clear guidelines on how the performance should go and what expectations you have of them before proceeding with the shots. This will prevent hiccups and mistakes while shooting. For this purpose, you should refrain from having them memorize long scripts, especially in the case of non-actors, for that may increase anxiety and hinder performance. Give a little breathing room for improvisation and freedom, while acknowledging their limitations in this regard.

4. PLAN YOUR B-ROLL FOOTAGE

B-roll footage comprises all the material that is not essential to the plot, but helps enhance the viewer’s experience and keeps them engaged and immersed. Usually, they’re used to fill “dead air” or blanks, as well as to cover any mistakes present in the A-roll. This B-roll can be fed by custom shots or by means of an online footage provider.

There are various platforms that provide royalty-free stock footage. Relying on these third-party options is useful for when you need aerial shots, or whenever you want to include footage of exotic sceneries. Examples of stock footage providers include Artgrid.io, Envato Elements, and Storyblock. Some free alternatives include Beachfront B-Roll, and Pexels, although there may be some specific licensing restrictions for some of their content.

However, you can also record small clips of your office, your workplace, or of real customers using your product or service (with their consent, of course!) You call the shots!

5. PRODUCTION

Now we get to the “meat” of the matter. We’ll be talking about composition, lighting, and acoustic techniques to get the best shots possible. Pay special attention, as any bug or unwanted glitch in this regard can make or break your video project and your marketing campaign as a whole!

Before we proceed, a word of advice: shoot scenes more than once. The time spent redoing a scene is an investment aimed to prevent irreparable damages to your production in the future. Even the best hunter misses once in a while. Even when you think you had everything perfectly arranged and sorted out during filming, it’s not unusual to find small mistakes or bloopers during the cut, that were largely undetected at the moment of shooting.

5.1. Composition

Every time we speak of composition in videography, we refer to the way the elements appear on screen with relation to each other and in the context of the whole frame. The way a shot is composed will depend primarily on what the director intends to be its main focal point. This is especially important in video marketing, since we’ll want to direct our target audience’s attention to a particular selling point, so we need to get rid of any unwanted elements that can divert from this objective.

RULES OF THIRDS

There is a technique to keep in mind when shooting, commonly called the “Rule of Thirds”, first jotted down by English painter John Thomas Smith by the end of the 18th century. It’s a composition standard devised to place the subject of focus between two-thirds of the frame, right in the middle of the imaginary divisive line, causing the observer to place his/her attention towards it.

To illustrate this further, take the shot and divide it into 9 sectors by drawing two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, equidistant from each other. The lines will intersect into 4 anchor points, likened to a bullseye. The main subject of focus within the shot should encompass 2 of the 4 anchor points so that the viewer’s eye naturally gravitates toward it. Many modern cameras provide this grid overlay feature, which you can embed onto the viewfinder to facilitate camera work and to correctly place the elements within the frame into the correct slots

This technique has proven to work for a very long time in photography and film. It’s not necessary to be used at all times, though. It’s only useful in situations when you have many objects in the frame that may potentially draw the audience’s attention.

5.2. Lighting

Poor lighting conditions are a videographer’s worst nightmare. No amount of gamma, brightness, hue, or contrast adjustments can totally fix lighting issues present during recording (although they can probably mask them a bit.) It’s for this reason that it’s crucial to get the shot done correctly and on the spot, so as to not have to deal with post-production headaches.

First, it’s important to pay attention to the light source. Natural daylight has a temperature of over 5600º Kelvin, while fluorescent light is colder, with a difference of around 1000º. This is essential to understand since evenly lit sets help avoid unwanted shadows that ruin the aesthetical properties of objects within the shot. When you combine lights from two different sources and, consequently, with two different temperatures, you are effectively setting up a shot with uneven lighting, distorting the appearance of objects within the frame.

If you’re shooting indoors, you have two options:

1. You could shoot at certain points during the day when more sunlight penetrates through the windows.
2. Shoot as far away from the windows as possible. This will prevent undesired contrast effects that will be a pain to fix during post. If possible, shut down the blinds and rely solely on artificial light during indoor filming.

SPOTLIGHTING

You should avoid exposing your subject to a direct spotlight or harsh light beam, as it will produce disturbing shadow effects, ugly-looking reflections, and brightness/contrast issues. Using diffusers or reflectors will help minimize these unpleasant outcomes without having to treat them in post-production. If you don’t have a professional lighting rig, then you’ll have to find ways to avoid directly overexposing the subject’s face.

WHITE BALANCING

Going back to the light temperature subject, we should check our camera’s color calibration settings as well, since this goes in tandem with the outer lighting. With “white balancing”, you instruct your camera to recognize “true white” by means of software and, in turn, it proceeds to render the colors accordingly. An incorrect white balance will produce incorrect colors and the resulting shot will have a color cast, shifting towards a specific hue.

5.3. Acoustics

In audiovisual productions, audio comes before visual, perhaps for a good reason! We need to pay just as much consideration to the audio as to the visual component of professional video production. The first thing you may have to concentrate on is the diegetic sounds, as in, those that are sourced on-screen or that were recorded during filming and have not yet been edited out. Check out if there is anything in the surrounding that may drown out the main dialogue or sound input. If possible, soundproof the set. For outdoor recordings, ambient sounds will definitely be unavoidable, but try to arrange it so that they don’t overcome the main sounds.

If you’re shooting indoors, it’s important to check the sound rendering and acoustic conditions of the set. Avoid shooting in empty rooms or halls as much as possible. Every object in an indoor space absorbs sounds, and proves useful for reducing unintended echo or reverb. Reducing echo post-production or “drying out” the sound takes much more effort than adding echo or reverb effects later on. At times it’s not entirely possible to reduce it without significant compromises in sound quality.

6. POST-PRODUCTION

Now we come to one of the most dreaded stages of the process: the editing!

Well, it’s not really that bad, but it can be a real pain to sort through all the files, organize them, make the necessary cuts and splits, add all the non-diegetic sounds (those that were not captured during filming), add transitions, cue the B-roll footage, and so on and so forth. In the end, it’ll actually turn out to be one of the most satisfying parts of the whole process, and it can go very smoothly if you followed all the necessary preventive measures to a tee during production. Likewise, these videos are not supposed to be feature-length films, so they should not take more than one or two days to put together.

In this section, we’ll be uncovering some useful tips to make the perfect cut.

6.1. Video Editing Software

Depending on the scope of the project, you might want to try out some freeware options like iMovie (for Mac). There are also fairly inexpensive but very basic alternatives such as Animotica, which offers decent features for low-budget projects in exchange for a measly one-time fee of $15.99. However, if you crave a more feature-packed video editing software, then you can try Adobe Premiere Pro (which charges a hefty monthly or yearly fee) can Final Cut Pro.

6.2. Making the Cut

It’s vital to follow a strict method when assembling and editing the cut. Doing this will save you lots of trouble in the future. Below are some observations to keep in mind:

• Try to import the files in an orderly manner, because it can get messy when you try to sort out the footage sequencing down the road.
• Trim the clips during the action and not before it starts. That way, you’ll avoid disrupting the flow of a scene.
• Don’t overuse transitions or effects, unless the overall theme of the video calls for flashy sci-fi VFX.
• Try to use music that fits the value proposition, product, or service you’re advertising (this is a bit tricky to figure out at times, admittedly.)
• In line with the previous point, read carefully the licensing terms and conditions of the background music you’re going to embed into the final product. You don’t want to be involved in onerous copyright infringement lawsuits.
• Always try to export your final cut in a format that delivers the best quality possible and that is compatible with most platforms, such as mp4.
• Finally, always save the project. It’s very easy to lose a day’s worth of hard work when we skip this important and overlooked advice.