What are the different types of video production?

Video production is a broad term that covers everything from Hollywood blockbusters to local news broadcasts. Whether you're interested in pursuing cinematography as a profession or hiring a production team, it's helpful to know the types of video production. So, let's take a closer look.

Film

Film has the power to move us. As a cinematographer, I view films differently than your average watcher. It's a gift... and it's a curse.

Recently, I was blown away by The Creator. Even though the cinematographers used the FX-3, which is a consumer-grade camera, they created a masterpiece because of their knowledge of lighting, composition, and understanding that the storyline should drive the movie. Probably, more than you realize, the way a movie was filmed played a significant role in how you felt watching it.

Within film, there are full-length, short, and documentary films. Let's examine all three.

• Full-Length Features: involve large-scale productions, extensive pre-production, and months, even years, of dedicated work. Yes, you read that correctly--they can take YEARS to make! Avatar: The Way of the Water took 13 years, while Schindler's List took 30!

• Short Films: Short films are like short stories to writers wishing to publish a novel someday--they are valuable stepping stones. In a short film, aspiring filmmakers can experiment, hone their skills, and create a more manageable production schedule.

• Documentary Films: These films explore real-life stories and subjects, often requiring extensive research, interviews, and archival footage.

  
  

  At Myers Media, documentaries get our creative juices flowing and give us glimpses into other people's perspectives. We're looking forward to the release of a documentary about space created by Eagle Obsession. We had the privilege of being part of some of the California and Arizona shoots, including an interview with astronaut Barbara Bain ("Space 1999") and Space X pilot Dr Dian Proctor.

  
  
  
  

  Behind the scenes with Eagle Obsession

  
  
  
  

Television

Television comes in all different mediums these days, including these:

• Episodic Television: This is available in a wide range of formats, from sitcoms and dramas to reality shows and news programs.

  • 30-Minute Sitcoms: Typically shot in studio settings, these sitcoms rely on quick-witted dialogue and recurring characters. Famous examples are Seinfeld and The Office.

  • 60-Minute Dramas: With a drama, you can build a complex storyline, diverse locations, and in-depth character development. Breaking Bad, Law & Order, and House are all examples.

  • Game Shows: High-energy productions with a focus on entertainment and audience participation. When I was a kid, we watched a lot of the Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. Something about rooting for strangers always stuck out to me.

  • Talk Shows: Rely on host charisma and celebrity guests for engaging conversation.

  • Reality TV: Captures real-life situations, often involving competition, drama, and personal journeys. An interest in reality tv peaked in the early 2000's with the introduction of shows such as Survivor and The Bachelor/ette.

• Live Events: From sports broadcasts and concerts to award shows and political debates, live events require meticulous planning, coordination, and a large, experienced crew. At Myers Media, we cover many live events, such as this charity event we participated in for Subaru.

  
  
  
  

  We worked with Subaru on a series of live events.

  
  
  
  

Commercials & Advertising

At Myers Media, we specialize in the art of attention-grabbing, well-produced shots that capture your target audience's attention and maximize your marketing budget. There's a lot of noise out there--that's why we film commercials to stand out.

• Traditional Commercials: Short, impactful ads designed to promote products or services. They may feature celebrities, catchy jingles, and persuasive narratives.

Here's an example of a commercial Myers Media helped film for Waymo featuring WNBA star Diana Taurasi.

We shot this commercial for Waymo.

• Brand Films: Storytelling-driven commercials focused on building emotional connections with audiences and showcasing your brand's values and lifestyle.

We have a long-standing relationship with the Phoenix Open. Here's a video example of a brand film we made for them.

A brand film for the Phoenix Open.

• Product Demonstrations: Focus on showcasing the features and benefits of a specific product.

  
  

  We worked with eBay to create a product demonstration of their golf clubs that you can view here:

  
  

Corporate & Educational Videos

Corporate videos are an important backbone of a company's marketing strategy. At Myers Media, we've had the privilege to work with many wonderful companies to help them fulfill their vision.

• Company Profile Videos: These videos introduce a company, its mission, and its values to potential clients and investors.

• Training Videos: Educate employees on company policies, procedures, and technical skills.

• Testimonial Videos: Showcase customer satisfaction and build trust.

• Explainer Videos: Clearly and concisely communicate complex concepts or products.

At Myers Media, we are involved in many corporate projects to help brands introduce their mission, train employees, showcase products, and more.

News & Journalism

• Electronic News Gathering (ENG): Fast-paced news coverage that uses portable cameras and editing equipment to deliver timely news reports.

Finding Your Niche:

While this overview provides a general framework, it's important to remember that video production is constantly evolving, making it such an exciting field to work in.

Contact Us

If you'd like to discuss one of the cinematography types we offer at Myers Media (commercials, brand films, documentaries, corporate, and commercial photography), we're happy to discuss that further with you. While we are proud to be a highly reputable video production company in Phoenix and the surrounding areas, we also travel.

Contact us by phone at 623-694-5997 or fill out our online questionnaire.