GUIDE
You don't need a finished script or a detailed shot list. You need a clear objective. Here's exactly what to prepare before your first call with a production company.
A well-prepared brief is the single biggest factor in whether your video project delivers what you need — more than the budget, more than the crew, more than the equipment. It sets the direction. A vague brief leads to a vague video. A clear brief — even a short one — gives the production team everything they need to bring the right creative approach, the right crew, and an honest quote.
1. The objective — what should viewers do after watching?
This is the most important question. Not "what should the video look like" but "what should it achieve." Should viewers contact you? Trust your brand? Understand your product? Book a demo? The objective shapes every creative decision that follows.
2. Your audience — who is this for?
A video for a procurement manager at a multinational is different from one for a first-time buyer on Instagram. Be specific: job title, industry, where they'll watch the video, and what they care about. The more specific you are, the more targeted the creative can be.
3. The key message — one sentence
If your audience remembers only one thing from the video, what should it be? Force yourself to write it in a single sentence. If you can't, the brief needs more work. This one sentence becomes the spine of the script.
4. Format and length
Where will the video live — your website homepage, a LinkedIn post, a conference presentation, a sales deck? Each platform has different attention spans and technical requirements. A 3-minute brand film for your website and a 30-second LinkedIn Reel are very different briefs even if the message is the same.
5. Timeline
When do you need the final video? Work backwards from your deadline — a product launch, an event, a campaign go-live. Give the production company the real date, not an artificially early one. They'll plan accordingly, and if the timeline is tight, they'll tell you what's possible and what it costs to rush.
6. Budget range
You don't need an exact number, but a range is essential. Saying "I have between RM 20,000 and RM 35,000" lets the production company propose something achievable. Saying "I don't have a budget yet" leads to a proposal that may be completely off. Be honest — a reputable company won't judge you for your budget, they'll tell you what's possible within it.
7. Reference videos
Find 2–3 videos you like — not necessarily from your industry — and explain what you like about each one. Tone, pacing, visual style, music feel. This is the fastest way to align on creative direction without writing pages of description.
8. Stakeholders and approvals
Who needs to approve the final video? If there are three layers of internal approval, the production company needs to build that into the timeline. If your regional director or legal team needs to sign off, say so upfront. Surprises in the approval process are one of the most common causes of delays.
You do not need a finished script, a shot list, a storyboard, or a detailed production plan. That's the production company's job. You need a clear objective, an audience, a message, a format, a deadline and a budget. Everything else flows from those six things.
Pre-production
Briefing, scripting, creative development, location scouting, talent casting, shoot scheduling. This phase determines everything — invest time here.
Production
The shoot itself. Crew, cameras, lighting, sound. Typically 1–3 days for most corporate projects. The shoot is the fastest phase — preparation is what makes it work.
Post-production
Editing, colour grade, sound design, music, motion graphics, subtitles, revisions and final delivery. This is where the story is built from raw footage.
The smartest briefs plan for multiple deliverables from a single shoot. One production day — properly planned — can deliver a 2-minute hero brand film, three 30-second social cutdowns, and a standalone testimonial clip. All from the same crew, same day, same budget. SCM Asia builds this thinking into every brief from the start, so you walk away with a full content library rather than a single video.
FAQ
Do I need a script before contacting a video production company?
No. You only need a clear objective and a rough idea of what you want to achieve. A good production company will ask the right questions and develop the script from your brief. Coming in with a finished script can sometimes limit the creative possibilities.
What information do I need to prepare for a video brief?
The six essentials: your objective (what should viewers do after watching?), your audience, your key message in one sentence, the format and where the video will be used, your deadline, and your budget range. Everything else — script, shot list, storyboard — is the production company's job.
How long does video production take in Malaysia?
Most corporate video projects take 3 to 6 weeks from brief to final delivery. This covers pre-production, the shoot, and post-production including revisions. Rush delivery is available for urgent campaigns — contact us to discuss your timeline.
Should I share my budget with the production company?
Yes — always. Sharing your budget range upfront lets the production company propose something achievable and tell you honestly what trade-offs might be needed. Withholding your budget leads to proposals that are either over-engineered or underscoped. A reputable production company won't judge your budget — they'll tell you what's possible within it.
How many videos can I produce from one shoot day?
With good planning, one shoot day can produce a hero brand film, multiple social media cutdowns, and a testimonial clip — all from the same footage. SCM Asia plans for multiple deliverables from the start of every brief so you build a content library from a single investment.
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Tell us what you need — we'll ask the right questions and give you an honest quote.
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