If you’ve never worked with a video production company before, the whole process can feel a bit opaque. What do you actually need to prepare? How long does it take? What happens between “yes, let’s do it” and the finished video landing in your inbox?
This is a question we get asked a lot at The Story Mill, so we figured it was worth a proper answer. Here’s what working with a Sydney video production company actually looks like, from first contact to final delivery.
Step 1: The Discovery Call
Before anything else, a good production company will want to understand your business, your audience, and what you’re trying to achieve. This isn’t just a sales call — it’s where we figure out whether video is the right tool for your goal, and if so, what kind of video makes sense.
Come prepared to talk about: what the video is for, who will watch it, where it will live, and any examples you love (or hate). The more context you can give at this stage, the better the creative work that follows.
Step 2: The Brief and Proposal
Once we understand what you need, we’ll put together a proposal that outlines the creative approach, what’s included, the timeline, and the investment. This is your chance to ask questions, push back on anything, and make sure you’re completely clear on what you’re getting.
One thing worth knowing: cheaper quotes often mean fewer shooting days, smaller crews, or less post-production time. That’s not always a problem — but it’s worth understanding what’s been cut to get to that price.
Step 3: Pre-Production
This is the planning phase, and arguably the most important part of the whole process. Pre-production includes writing the script or creative treatment, scouting locations, casting (if needed), organising permits, building the shot list, and locking in the schedule.
For a typical brand or corporate video, pre-production takes one to three weeks. Rushing this stage is where most video projects go wrong — the more thoroughly you plan, the smoother the shoot.
You’ll be involved here. Expect to review and sign off on the script or creative treatment before we go anywhere near a camera.
Step 4: The Shoot
This is the part most people picture — lights, cameras, crew. Depending on the scope of the project, a shoot can range from a few hours to several days. At The Story Mill, we typically work in and around Sydney, though we work Australia-wide.
On the day, your main job is to be available, be decisive, and trust the process. We’ll handle the creative and technical side. If you’re on camera yourself, we’ll make you feel comfortable — that’s part of what we do.
Step 5: Post-Production
This is where raw footage becomes an actual video. Post-production includes editing, colour grading, sound design, music licensing, motion graphics, and any voiceover or subtitles. It’s typically the longest phase — and where a lot of the creative magic happens.
You’ll receive a first cut for review, usually within one to two weeks of the shoot wrapping. From there, it’s a feedback and revision process until you’re happy. A good production company will be clear about how many revision rounds are included — ours typically includes two.
Step 6: Delivery
Once you’ve approved the final cut, we’ll deliver in the formats you need — an MP4 for your website, optimised versions for social media, or broadcast-ready files for a TVC. We’ll also advise on how to get the most out of the video once it’s live.
How Long Does It All Take?
For a typical brand or corporate video, the whole process takes four to eight weeks from kick-off to delivery. Complex productions with multiple locations, animations, or broadcast requirements can take longer. If you’ve got a hard deadline, tell us upfront — we’ll work backwards from there.
The most important thing? Don’t leave it too late. The best video work happens when there’s time to do it properly.
If you’re thinking about a video project, get in touch with us here. We’re always happy to talk it through.
