Your Video Plan: What to Think About
December 15, 2020
If you’ve ever worked on a video project then you know it’s not for the faint of heart. While LIVE video is a lot more intimidating than pre-recorded content, both still require a dedication to details and both rely on technology to work properly. The best way to mitigate the challenges that come with producing video content is to PLAN, and plan well. Whether you’re working with a production company or creating something on your own, it’s good to keep in mind these tips in today’s video.
If you fail to prepare when creating videos then you’d better be prepared to fail
Well, that statement may be very cheesy and something that we all know. Proper planning leads to better results when you’re in the moment working on a
project. It’s very easy to disregard this sentiment when creating video content. There are myriad factors that can impact the final results: from lighting and sound challenges to
scripting and on-camera performance – which is why when we work with clients we ask a ton of questions.
Important details to keep in mind
Here’s a quick list of some of the most important details to remember for your next video project.
Know your objectives
It sounds simple but this is the most overlooked thing we find when working with clients who want to create videos. You need to have a very clear sense of what the purpose of the video content is, as that will dictate all of the other decisions you make in regards to content format and distribution of the video. So, ask yourself “why am I making this video?” and “who is the most important person to be watching this content?” Marketing experts may refer to this process as “creating a persona,” in which you imagine a single person – a “Bob” or “Anne” – who is the ideal yet realistic single audience member to represent your target audience.
Have the best representative appear on camera
It’s not always the most knowledgeable person about a given topic that should deliver the information. HOW you present it is just as important as WHAT information you present. So, think about who makes the most sense to appear in the video and weigh that out with who would be the best representative of the brand. You want to come across as engaging as possible to the
viewer.
Consider animation or other visuals to add to your content
You may even decide that animation is better than having someone appear on camera gives you more time than you might expect. I can’t tell you the number of times clients assume that something will take as long to film as it does in real life interviews can take 30 to 60 minutes to capture two minutes of quality content and shots of a product or team action shots can sometimes take hours to get a few minutes of high-quality visuals.
These were just three tips of many. There are multiple other points to keep in mind. For example, think about the time of day you’re filming and the light conditions in the room. Blinds are a helpful tool to control light. Listen to the space you’ll be filming in and recognize that it’s likely not dead silent, so see what you can do to control that noise. And prepare for technology to fail. It’s more likely to happen than not! Have backup batteries and as much as other backup gear as you can get.
Video is a medium that is only growing in popularity and it’s a very useful tool to get across information in a dynamic way – but in order to put your best foot forward with video, ensure you start planning long ahead of the shoot day. If you ever need some helpful advice for your video project you know where to find us.
Ready to take a hand at making your own video content? Check out our extensive online course
to become your own DIY video making expert.
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Self-recorded video is becoming one of the most effective ways for Toronto-based companies to communicate internally, train teams, and build a strong, authentic brand presence—without relying on full-scale production for every piece of content. But most teams hit the same challenges: What should we say? How do we make it look professional? How do we keep it consistent across teams? This guide breaks down a simple, repeatable self-recorded video process designed specifically for businesses in Toronto looking to scale their communication. In fast-moving industries like finance, healthcare, and tech across Toronto, video has become essential for: Internal communication across hybrid teams Employee training and onboarding Leadership messaging Company-wide updates Self-recorded video allows organizations to: Move faster without production bottlenecks Create more authentic, human content Reduce ongoing production costs Build a scalable internal content system The key is having the right structure and support in place. Step 1: Start With Clarity, Not Guesswork Before hitting record, successful teams align on strategy first. What Toronto Businesses Should Focus On: Define your objective Are you creating training content? Internal updates? Executive communication? Choose the right format Talking head, screen recording, or guided presentation? Work within your team’s capabilities Whether you're a downtown corporate office or a growing startup, your process should fit your resources. Structure your messaging clearly Simple, direct communication performs better than overproduced scripts. Get expert guidance when needed Strategic support early on prevents wasted time later. Clarity upfront saves time, budget, and internal friction. Step 2: Capture Content Your Team Feels Confident Creating Once the plan is clear, recording becomes easy and repeatable. Most Toronto teams are already equipped to film using: Smartphones Laptops or webcams Basic lighting setups What Makes the Biggest Impact: On-camera confidence Professionals aren’t always natural on video but some training can dramatically improve delivery. Simple technical setup Clean audio, proper framing, and lighting matter more than expensive gear. Test recordings A quick trial run avoids common mistakes. Flexible workflows Recording should fit into your team’s schedule, especially in busy corporate environments. The system ensures consistency and quality. Step 3: Turn Raw Footage Into Branded, Ready-to-Use Content This is where your videos become valuable business assets. Post-Production That Elevates Your Content: Edit for clarity and engagement Remove filler, tighten messaging, improve pacing. Repurpose content Turn one recording into multiple internal or external assets. Add branding Graphics, captions, and visual consistency reinforce your company identity. Deliver ready-to-use videos Content that can be immediately shared across teams or platforms. For Toronto organizations, this step is key to maintaining a professional standard at scale. Make Your Video Content Work Across Your Organization Creating content is only part of the equation—distribution drives impact. Teams often integrate self-recorded videos into: Internal communication platforms Learning and development systems HR onboarding processes Marketing and employer branding With the right system, your content doesn’t just get created—it gets used consistently across the business. Build a Scalable Video System (Not Just One-Off Content) The most effective companies in Toronto don’t treat video as a one-time project. They build a repeatable workflow that allows them to: Produce content consistently Maintain quality without slowing down Scale communication across departments Self-recorded video becomes a long-term business tool. Looking for Self-Recorded Video Support in Toronto? If your team is exploring how to implement self-recorded video effectively, having the right structure can make all the difference. From planning and on-camera training to editing and delivery, a clear process ensures your videos are not just created, but actually drive results. Contact us for more info https://www.arcandcrown.com/contact
Discover how Toronto businesses can use corporate video to improve internal communication, engage audiences, and strengthen their brand with Arc & Crown Media.
Learn how corporate videos enhance communication, simplify complex messages, and strengthen brand identity—crafted by Toronto’s video specialists.
"Volunteer advocates are at the heart of Diabetes Canada’s efforts to bring about positive change. They represent the voice of the 11.7 million Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes and speak for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Advocates help raise awareness of diabetes and the daily burden of living with the disease. They participate in Diabetes Canada advocacy campaigns and events across the country, and they help influence public policy by building relationships with elected officials in their ridings and promoting Diabetes Canada’s policy recommendations through their personal and professional networks. To support and grow this vital community, Diabetes Canada launched a new advocacy training series designed to make it easier than ever for people to get involved: Speak up & speak out Getting involved is easy Introducing Diabetes Advocacy 👉 Watch the videos and learn more here: DIABETES CANADA Bringing Advocacy to Life With Video Arc + Crown Media partnered with Diabetes Canada to help bring this important advocacy training to life through strategically designed animated videos, we helped make the training: 🎥 Clear and accessible Animation helped break down complex concepts into simple, visually engaging sequences, so viewers instantly grasp key ideas — like what advocacy is, how it works, and how they can participate. 📈 Action-oriented and motivating The pacing and progression were intentionally structured so someone watching could move from curiosity to confidence — ready to take action. 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How Arc + Crown Media Can Help Your Organization At Arc + Crown Media, we specialize in strategic video production that helps organizations educate, train, and inspire their audiences. Whether you’re working with: Volunteers Clients or customers Employees and stakeholders Advocates or community members …we can help you build animated and live-action video series that turn complex ideas into clear, compelling content. We specialize in corporate and nonprofit video production that supports long-term communication strategies, not just one-off campaigns. Organizations work with us to create: Animated explainer videos Training and onboarding video libraries Internal communications from leadership teams Culture and employer branding videos Educational and advocacy content This is especially valuable for companies and nonprofits that need to communicate consistently across departments, locations, or audiences. For many of our clients, video becomes a recurring communication asset — helping them save time, improve message clarity, and increase engagement. Here’s what we bring to every project: ✨ Message strategy & script development 🎬 High-quality animated and live action production 📊 Content designed for multi-platform use 🤝 Collaborative creative process tailored to your mission Video isn’t just storytelling — it’s a strategic communication tool that scales your training, expands engagement, and aligns audiences around your mission. Ready to Make Video Work for You? If your organization needs: Training and onboarding content Advocacy or awareness campaigns Educational or mission-driven storytelling Animated explanation videos …video can be one of the most effective ways to communicate. Looking for Animated or Training Video Production in Canada? If your organization is planning: Volunteer or employee training programs Advocacy or awareness initiatives Internal communications strategies Educational content for clients or stakeholders Professional video production can dramatically improve how your message is understood and remembered. Arc + Crown Media is a Canadian video production company specializing in animated and live-action video content for training, internal communications, and advocacy. We help organizations communicate complex ideas clearly and connect with their audiences authentically. 👉 Contact Arc & Crown Media to learn how video can support your communication goals. Arc + Crown Media creates video content that helps organizations communicate clearly, connect authentically, and scale their impact. Let’s talk about your next video project and how we can help you achieve your goals.