Working With A New Client • DEVELOPMENT PHASE: WHAT AM I MAKING? PART I
by Levi Smock, Head of Production
When I start working on a new project for a client it’s always a rush. I get filled with energy and excitement. My mind brims with all of the possibilities, but before I let myself run wild I have to narrow the focus. To do that the first step is to ask questions to get to the heart of the desired goal.
Really knowing how to partner with a client is one of the most underrated skills that a filmmaker can possess. It’s not enough to project your ideas for content onto the client. Nor is it enough to simply execute their ideas without a firm understanding of why they are contracting us. When you truly partner with a client it creates a relationship where there is a seamless transition of ideas. Understanding the scope and purpose of the project allows all parties to focus their creative power to produce the best version of the project within the context of the resources available.
What are the client’s goals for the project?
This is the first and most important question I’m going to ask. Until I fully understand the why behind the what, I’m in the dark about what shape the project should take. Is the project meant to inform? To launch a product? To entertain? To create discussion around a certain subject? The goals of the client will directly influence the method our project’s storytelling will utilize.
Who is the target audience? What is the distribution platform?
Once I have a project's goals in line, I need to know who the audience is and where they are going to watch it. The audience and platform will inform any number of choices that will be made throughout the project. Initially, it will help contextualize the content and give me a lens from which to focus the creative, but it can also drive the length of the project, the camera and lighting choices, post production workflows, delivery methods. Any number of creative and logistical decisions. Understanding the audience and platform is the most important step in how I can help my client reach their goals.
Is there a target budget?
Every project has limitations and it’s good to know what resources are available as early in the process as possible. All of the creative brainstorming in the world is just running in circles until I understand what sandbox I’m playing in. Knowing the budget range helps me to explore the possibilities of the project while grounding the creative process. By understanding the resources, I am freed to examine the tools that I will have at my disposal and can discern how to put them to their most imaginative uses.
How does the client like to work?
Every client is different and every client has their own processes and workflows. When we set out to partner with our clients, I want them to know that we treat every project as a passion project. Part of what makes us passionate about creating films is the teamwork aspect. I have to ascertain how involved the client wants to be. Will they be an active part of the development process? Will they be on set? Involved in the editing? Do they prefer to give notes at predetermined stages? Tailoring our workflows to the client’s needs and expectations saves missteps later, and ensures that we create the type of partnership that our clients will want to revisit again and again.
NEXT UP:
Creating The Creative Brief and Treatment
Development Phase - What am I making? Part II
About Motivo Media
Motivo Media is a Seattle-based video production and marketing agency specializing in storytelling for non-profits and growing businesses. With expertise in digital marketing and audience engagement, we create compelling content that connect with audiences and amplifies your mission.
Get in touch by emailing us at hello@motivo.me