Your questions, answered.
FAQ
Everything you need to know about how we work and what to expect.
Yes, absolutely. Tell us vertical matters before we shoot and we'll build it into the project scope. Converting horizontal footage to vertical after the fact is tricky. Where your audience will watch is exactly the kind of detail we pin down in pre-production.
18. Do you create and deliver vertical video?
Yes, with a caveat. Our cinema cameras capture flat, washed-out "log" footage built to hold a wide range of light and color detail. It needs professional color grading before it's usable. Two options:
We archive every frame for at least two years, with options to extend.
- Pre-budgeted. We add a line item for color grading and delivery of the footage with the project.
- On demand. Send us a list of what you need later and we'll scope it.
We archive every frame for at least two years, with options to extend.
17. Can you send us all the raw footage, too?
Expect the first edit through a private online review gallery within about four weeks of wrapping the shoot. Two rounds of revisions are included, and projects rarely need more. Careful pre-production pays for itself here.
16. When will my videos be ready?
Comfort and confidence come first, so tell everyone to wear the outfit that makes them feel like a million bucks (maybe not the neon green one). Simple, solid, muted earth tones read best on camera. Bright colors, pastels, and tight patterns don't. We have a soft spot for blue, so anyone who wears it is bound to become a fast friend.
15. What should my people wear on camera?
We need 30 to 45 minutes after arriving at the location to set up and dial in the lighting. Keep the set clear during that window if you can. Don't take it personally if we're not chatty. We're doing sciency math in our heads. When we're ready to roll, we'll call in the interviewees. A separate waiting area nearby makes the day run even smoother.
14. When should I tell my people to be ready?
Because you can't rush greatness. Quality work takes time, and thoughtful work takes more. Booking a half-day or full-day shoot frees us to get the lighting, sound, and framing right instead of watching a meter. Hourly setups produce rushed work. Ours produces the polished kind.
13. Why don't you charge by the hour?
The best locations look good AND sound great. The ideal space is roomy, quiet, and light on foot traffic, with background details that support your story. Our crew arrives with cameras, a dozen lenses, lights, and microphones, so we can make most spaces work. Snap a few cell phone photos of your candidate locations and send them our way. We look forward to those photos more than we love ice cream. And we really, really love ice cream.
12. What makes the best location for a video shoot?
No, and it’s one of our strongest convictions. Every film we make is interview-based, and interviews only work when the answers are real. Advance questions are the number one way to kill the authenticity of an interview. People prepare, memorize, and perform instead of talking. We capture natural, in-the-moment answers, and editing means there's no pressure to get anything perfect. No scripts, no rehearsals. You can also trust that we edit with integrity, choosing moments that reflect each person's voice and message. Your only job is to be yourself.
11. Will you send the interview questions ahead of time?
Plan for about 20 minutes per interview, and most take no longer than 30. We leave breathing room between interviews so nobody feels rushed or kept waiting. We're creating something special, not racing a clock.
10. How long will each interview take?
The people we cast during pre-production are chosen to tell the story best in the time we have. We're happy to consider additions on shoot day, but they may not make the final cut, and they can change the scope of the production enough to bring overage charges. Our goal is a video that works, and that means staying focused on the key voices.
09. What if others on my team want to add interviews?
Our rule of thumb is one minute of screen time per person. A 2 to 3 minute video works best with no more than three interviews. Too many voices dilute the message. A few well-chosen voices make a clear, compelling story that holds attention from start to finish.
08. How many people should be interviewed for my video?
Every effective marketing video is brief, authentic, and valuable.
- Brief. Attention spans are short. Event videos work best at 3 to 7 minutes, website videos at around 4 minutes or less, and social videos at 2 minutes or under. Viewers are far less likely to press play on anything longer.
- Authentic. People want real voices, not polished scripts. Scripted voiceovers, on-camera hosts, and flashy graphics have been overused, and audiences no longer trust them. We capture real people speaking from the heart.
- Valuable. A video earns its runtime by teaching, revealing, or entertaining. If viewers leave having learned something or felt something, the video did its job.
07. How long should marketing videos be?
Every great video starts with a great plan. We call that planning pre-production, and it's so central to our process that we built a dedicated messaging and planning guide for it. Together we'll map out:
Lydia, our Production Manager, walks you through every step and builds a production schedule that works for everyone.
- Your target audience
- The key message
- Your "cast" of real voices
- Interview content and talking points
- Shooting locations
- The cinematic covering footage that gives the story depth
Lydia, our Production Manager, walks you through every step and builds a production schedule that works for everyone.
06. What is "pre-production"?
Every successful video project starts with five questions:
- Who is your audience?
- Where will they watch?
- What do you want them to hear?
- How do you want them to feel?
- What should they do next?
We'll work through these with you in pre-production, setting clear goals that keep the project on track.
05. Where or how do we start?
Our headquarters is in Springfield, Illinois, a few minutes from the Capitol, which puts all of central Illinois in our backyard and Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines, and Louisville within a day’s drive. Regional clients skip the travel costs national crews charge. The work travels: more than 700 projects across 23 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada. Travel is scoped into the budget up front, with no surprises.
04. Where are you located, and do you travel?
The investment for most projects is $5,000 to $50,000+, depending on scope. The range is wide because the work varies, from a single-day shoot to a multi-state documentary series. We'll give you a real number after a discovery call, and we work hard to stay inside it. Our pricing guide breaks down what moves the number.
03. What does video production cost?
Our process makes video production smooth, collaborative, and effective. Step by step:
- Discovery. Every project starts with a discovery call with Executive Producer Josh Hester and Production Manager Lydia Stuemke. Choose "Inquire" from the menu, answer a few questions, and we'll reply within one business day with an invite. We'll talk through your vision on the call, then send a formal proposal. Once the budget is approved and the service agreement is signed, pre-production begins with Lydia as your dedicated project concierge.
- Pre-production. This phase is the foundation of a successful project. We'll guide you through securing buy-in from key stakeholders, fine-tuning your message, and planning production day(s). Our planning tools make sure everything is prepared down to the fine details.
- Production. Time to roll. Our Emmy-winning crew of six brings a combined 74 years of production experience and has filmed in 23 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada, serving everyone from small businesses to national brands.
- Post-production. Editing brings it all together. You'll receive a private review link within four weeks of wrapping production, with two rounds of revisions included.
- Delivery. Once approved, you'll receive a secure download link with your final video files and custom thumbnail images, ready for publishing. We archive all footage for at least two years, and we're here for publishing questions and tech hiccups along the way.
02. What's your process like?
Planning a professional video production takes more coordination than grabbing a camera and showing up. We typically book projects 3 to 6 weeks in advance, depending on the season. The best way to get the ball rolling is our inquiry form. Tell us about your project and we'll reply within one business day to set up the right timeline.
01. Are you available on...?
Got a question? You’re in the right place. Here are the answers to the most common questions we get about our process and approach. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out to us at hello@storytellerstudios.com.
We’d be happy to add it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to next?
Meet the Storytellers
We’ve got the heart of a romantic, the nose of a journalist, and the brain of a marketer. In a world where authenticity wins trust & quality wins loyalty, learn how our compassionate team can help your cause stand out. A cut above.
How We Roll
Our method follows some very specific
guidelines. We lead with integrity, we respect every person and space we work with, and we believe in partnerships over dictatorships. If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s do this.
