What to Expect When Working with a Video Producer

If you’ve never hired a video producer before, the process might feel complicated and daunting. Where do I start? Who should I hire? Maybe you’re launching a brand campaign, telling your nonprofit’s story, or creating a commercial to reach new customers—and you want it to look great, feel authentic, and actually work. But what’s the first step? 

At Joel Caporale Media, we believe working with a video producer should feel collaborative, creative, and surprisingly easy. Our goal is to make the entire process collaborative, but also simple. We want to work together and lead through the whole process, making it easy for your vision to come to life. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what you can expect when you partner with a professional video producer.

1. A Discovery Phase That Puts Your Story First

Before the cameras roll, we start with a conversation. What’s your goal? Who’s your audience? What do you want them to feel, think, or do after watching your video? Where will your video live? 

This stage is about understanding your brand, your message, and the results you want. We might talk about tone, visual style, and delivery platforms (Instagram, website homepage, fundraising event, etc.).

Pro Tip: A great video producer will ask thoughtful questions. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers—this is a team effort!

2. Pre-Production Planning (The Secret Sauce)

Once we’ve nailed down the vision, we move into the video pre-production process. This includes:

• Scripting and storyboarding

• Casting (if needed)

• Scouting locations

• Scheduling shoot days

  
  

Planning is where the work happens. It's also where experience matters most—at Joel Caporale Media, we streamline logistics so shoot days run like clockwork.

3. The Production Day 

Whether we’re filming a documentary-style nonprofit story or a fast-paced commercial, the production day is when the vision becomes real. As your video producer, I’m overseeing everything:

• Lighting, sound, and camera setup

• Directing interviews or on-screen talent

• Capturing b-roll that brings your story to life

Our goal? To keep the vibe fun and low-stress, while still delivering high-quality footage. During production we might use a plethora of different staff. 

We have: 

• Gaffers- Professionals who can light a scene to make your video look like a movie

• DP (Director of Photography)- someone who will direct the camera to make sure everything looks perfect. 

• Producer- someone to take the responsibility to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

  
  

4. What if I Don’t Need a Production Day? 

Sometimes, a client is looking for an animation, or has already produced the video themselves from a distance. It’s not uncommon for a client to shoot a video in another state and deliver the footage to their marketing firm in another. 

Since this happens on a regular basis, we at Joel Caporale Media have a dedicated system for ingesting and processing footage for you, getting it ready for the edit.

4. Editing That Elevates the Final Product

Once filming wraps, we head into post-production—where your footage gets transformed into a polished, professional video. This is where we:

• Edit the visuals and audio

• Add music, graphics, and color grading

• Deliver multiple drafts for your feedback

With Joel Caporale Media, you’ll always know what to expect during revisions. Our clients get multiple rounds of edits built into their package, so you never feel rushed or left in the dark. 

5. A Video That Feels Like You

At the end of the process, you won’t just get a video—you’ll get a story that connects. Whether we’re showcasing your brand, highlighting your cause, or helping your school stand out, the final product should feel true to who you are and what you stand for. Because that’s what video is all about: capturing emotion, building trust, and inspiring action.

Ready to Bring Your Story to Life?

If you’re looking for a video producer in the Midwest who takes the time to understand your mission and deliver stunning results—let’s talk. At Joel Caporale Media, we create videos that are personal, powerful, and professionally crafted from start to finish.

If you're ready to start on a project, reach out to us!