“GOOD – FAST – CHEAP: Pick Two” is the mantra for producers in the film industry.   It’s applicable to most project-based endeavors and it’s an easy concept to grasp. If you have the money to spend on an experienced crew, equipment and other resources, you can complete your production quickly at the highest professional level of quality. Since almost all producers are concerned with budgets, sacrificing on expenses necessarily impacts speed, quality or both.  You only get two of the three!

The rules are different today with online video. But many production houses trying to work in social media don’t seem to understand how the rules have changed and why that’s good for customers.

Given the low cost, high quality video imaging and editing technology available today, along with more varied distribution methods that re-define production quality, now it’s possible to achieve all three elements in video productions – especially if we substitute “effective” for “good.”   Following below are some examples of where the smart social media marketer can make sacrifices to maximize the return of the three elements on any video production.

Social Media with Video Services vs. Production Company

First, we have to consider that Page One video services is not a traditional video production company – think of it as Social Media with Video Services.  We are not equipped to handle large-scale productions requiring a pool of talent, set locations, crew and motion graphics or effects.  And with online distribution, an expensive broadcast standard is not necessary. We could eventually expand into larger scale productions, but for now, let’s take a look at some examples of videos that are more modest in scale, yet remain creative and integrate well with social media to deploy your message.

Animation: Simple cut-out drawings animated by hand are popular and a low-cost way to explain complex technology ideas.
Cloud Computing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJncFirhjPg

White Board Video: Similar to animation, using whiteboard drawings to help explain technology.
Funambol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek93ABPxVa4

Video Tweet: A wave of short quick creative videos, linked through Facebook and Twiiter, may be good way to make an announcement.
http://12seconds.tv/

Standard Interview, Plus:
Using Titles Creatively:
Yahoo: http://tinyurl.com/kjztjc
Lilipip: http://www.lilipip.com/about/
Adding Visuals:
Cisco/Leapfrog: http://tinyurl.com/daywp7
Vinagame: http://tinyurl.com/ydo65xr

Screen Capture: Ideal for showcasing your software.
Google Wave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pgxLaDdQw

Documentary Style: These short documentaries were great PR for Intel.
China Quake: http://tinyurl.com/y9ye43c
Vietnam Classmates PC: http://tinyurl.com/yfxobk5

Music Video: A clever, fun concept well executed, doesn’t always need expensive, complex lighting or lots of production time, though a bit of preproduction went into the creation of the song.
The Real Linus Torvalds/Linux: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzqnA793unc

Collaboration, Preproduction and the Script

In previous blog posts, and in our recent newsletter announcing our video services, Craig Oda made some good points about the need to define roles and responsibilities, and the process of developing a clear script. I’d like to emphasize that collaboration among the client, account manger, and video producer is key to producing an effective, visual video that grabs a viewer’s attention. It’s the key to creating the best concepts at the lowest costs.

Hopefully, the examples above can help spark some creative ideas for your company. All of these programs offer engaging, cost-effective messaging for social media distribution. And with rigorous planning and pre-production, you can save time in both production and post-production, and achieve all three elements of the Project Triangle: Good, Fast, and Cheap.