Corporate Video Production Companies and Alternatives

Hiring a video production agency might be worth considering as a once-in-a-blue-moon investment. But, it is often unsustainable for businesses looking to scale their strategies with limited budgets. 

Luckily, there are other ways to create engaging corporate videos without relying on an agency every time. In this article, we’ll provide a list of top production companies to work with for one-off needs and explain how to produce content using PlayPlay as an agency alternative. 

What does a corporate video production company do? 

A production company can help you: 

1. Create a video marketing strategy 

A film agency can generate a comprehensive strategy to help you achieve specific business goals — whether that’s brand awareness, lead generation, or sales. 

To do this, it will research the audience, choose the channels that best align with your goals and target audience, and advise on the types of films to produce. It will also set and monitor performance metrics, such as views, engagement (likes, comments, shares), conversion rates, and ROI (return on investment), to measure the success of your organization’s efforts. 

2. Plan production 

A film agency can plan your production to guarantee high-quality output. This entails writing a script that captures your core messaging and providing logistical or technical assistance depending on your video type. 

For example, say you're shooting a live film. In that case, the agency can help you rent a location, hire cast, crew, and equipment, and handle other logistical requirements. And if it’s a product demo, they can hire a voice actor to narrate the text and edit the final footage into a polished presentation for your campaign. 

3. Distribute content 

A production company can help you distribute your films for more reach and engagement. It can convert lengthy videos into bite-sized ones for social media channels like Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube Shorts. 

It can also advise on the best ways to amplify your organization’s films to get in front of the right audience — like which channels to share them on or when to invest in paid promotions. It will sometimes partner with creators and influencers in your industry and get them to share your posts with their audience to boost your reach. 

Nine commercial video production companies you should know 

Want to hire an agency to scale film production? Here are the top nine agencies worth checking out — segmented by location. 

Top video production companies in New York 

Here are three New York-based film agencies for organizations. 

1. Sarah Merians Photography and Video Company 

Specialization: Live event coverage

Pricing: Custom

Founded in 1986, Sarah Merians Photography and Video Company is provides live coverage for organization events. 

Its expertise includes on-site promo shoots, event recaps, and interview production. They also make galleries to capture event memories, which can be used for post-marketing activities and promotions. 

Sarah Merians Photography and Video Company has worked with top organizations like MasterCard, Credit Suisse, and Goldman Sachs. Clients enjoy collaborating with them due to their excellent customer service, quality output, and a timely delivery. 

2. C318 Films 

Specialization: Commercial Videography

Pricing: Custom

C318 Films provides end-to-end production services, including scripting and conceptualization, filming, and editing. The agency has made more than 560 commercial films for organizations like Trip.com, Ryzo, and Harbour Biomed. 

What stands out is how C318 Films aptly captures its clients’ narrative and organization vision using quality storytelling. The agency also offers 3D animation, sound mixing, and motion graphics creation. 

3. Indigo Productions 

Specialization: Full-service professional film production

Pricing: From $10,000 per project

With decades of experience in film production, Indigo Productions has become one of the top agencies for organizations looking to bring their values and narratives to life with film storytelling. 

It handles end-to-end production — from strategy and scripting to shooting and editing. This makes it a great option for organizations looking for a hands-off approach that guarantees quality output.

Indigo Productions has an impressive client list that includes Duracell, Citibank, and Harvard University. 

Production companies in Los Angeles 

Here are three agencies based in Los Angeles. 

4. Zane Productions

Specialization: Video advertising campaigns

Pricing: From $10,00 per project

Zane Productions is an award-winning full-service production organization known for its professional delivery. 

They specialize in corporate film production, including livestream filming, branded content, and animation. So far, it has made over 200 campaigns for organizations like Adidas, Dove, and UFC. 

One thing that stands out for clients is the agency's flexibility to work with different budgets without letting this impact the film. 

5. Froth and Fur

Specialization: Brand films

Pricing: $25-$49 per hour

Froth and Fur helps Fortune 500 organizations launch and scale campaigns. It specializes in creating branded content for product launches, commercials, and social media video marketing. It also provides end-to-end production services like storyboarding, scripting, and post-production. 

What stands out for clients is the agency's ability to make films that match their voice and style — sometimes within strict deadlines.  

6. Blare Media 

Specialization: Branded content

Pricing: From $5,000 per project

For over a decade, Blare Media has partnered with top organizations for quality video production. They have worked with companies like Borde, Anchor Brewing Company, and Arizona State University, primarily creating product demos, internal training films, and explainers. 

What stands out for clients is the production organization’s quick turnaround. They have also earned a positive reputation for its creative delivery and ability to communicate your message and value with top-notch storytelling. 

Corporate video production companies in Boston

Here are the film agencies worth checking out in Boston. 

7. Maverick Productions

Specialization: Training videos 

Pricing: $5,000-$10,000 per project

Maverick Productions is an Emmy-award-winning film production organization that helps organizations bring their stories to life through visual storytelling. They handle all aspects of film production, from conceptualization and scripting to professional editing. 

The organization has worked with companies like Google, Charles River Associates, and Liberty Mutual. The agency's quick response time and excellent storytelling capabilities stand out to clients. 

8. Charles River Media 

Specialization: Video consulting

Pricing: From $10,000 per project

Founded in 2004, Charles River Media is a Boston film studio providing on-location and in-studio production services, including streaming, virtual production, and event support. 

It also provides consulting services for businesses looking to scale marketing videos or execute one-off campaigns. Its client portfolio includes Quickbase, Wayfair, and eClinicalWorks. 

9. Beverly Boy Productions

Specialization: Marketing videos 

Pricing: From $1,500 per project 

Known for its dedication to delivering the best results, Beverly Boy Productions has quickly made a name in Boston’s video campaign space. It specializes in campaigns but also offers streaming services and testimonial production. 

The organization has worked with organizations like AirBnB, Revolut, and Aramark. 

How much does video production cost? 

Most production agencies charge per project. While pricing varies a lot, larger production companies typically have a starting rate of $5,000 to $10,000. Meanwhile, smaller agencies might charge by the hour or use day rates. 

Paying an agency thousands of dollars for one film might make sense for your business. However, the price quickly racks up when you produce more frequently. You might end up spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, which isn’t sustainable for many businesses. That’s why some organizations take film production in-house. 

How to produce videos in-house 

There are three ways to produce in-house: 

1. Hire a producer 

If you frequently need a large volume of content, it might be worth hiring one or more in-house producers. Specifically, you’ll need someone with the technical expertise to handle cameras and other equipment — this person can also double as the editor. You’ll also need someone to develop strategies and make video concepts. 

Hiring in-house gives you complete control over the production process, and you can churn out faster. But bear in mind that you’ll have to cover overhead employee costs like insurance and pension contributions. Plus, you’ll have to purchase equipment and software or rent them frequently — adding to your expenses. 

2. Do it yourself (DIY) 

A DIY approach to video production is exactly what it sounds like. It means you’ll handle the entire process from start to finish, including creating concepts, writing scripts, and shooting the film (if required). You’ll also edit the final footage for a quality output. 

This approach is best used for simple work, such as bite-sized social posts or quick interviews. However, working with an agency or freelance videographer might be better if you want event coverage. 

3. Use video creation software 

Video creation softwares like PlayPlay makes it easy to make professional videos quickly. It provides customizable templates and premium stock footage access, so you don’t have to start from scratch. Plus, you can add your logo, colors, and other elements to match your visual identity. 

In the next section, we’ll explain how to create videos with PlayPlay. 

How to create videos with PlayPlay

Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating professional videos using PlayPlay. In this walkthrough, we’ll use PlayPlay’s AI assistant. 

Step 1: Sign up for a free PlayPlay account (for seven days)

Step 2: Click the video assistant button at the top of your dashboard

Step 3: Select “prompt” and enter the instructions for the film you want to make. Here’s an example prompt: We are a travel agency. I would like to publish a video on Instagram. Showcase the top 10 beach destinations in the world. 

Step 4: Add context to your prompt by including your preferred tone, industry, and target audience. 

Step 5: Click “Create Script” to view the video’s storyboard, screens, and content that the AI assistant proposed.

Step 6: Customize the AI video draft by adding or swapping images and elements and adjusting the screens. 

Step 7: Click “Next” to generate a film preview. If you’re happy with the output, click “Generate HD Video” to make the final version of your film. 

Examples of event films created with PlayPlay

Wondering what a ready-to-go PlayPlay video looks like? Here are some event film examples from brands that use our video software. 

1. Back Market's corporate announcement 

BackMarket used PlayPlay to create a corporate announcement video, where they highlighted their latest ranking and achievements. The company was able to communicate both internally and externally their successs in a fun, engaging way!

2. bioMérieux's quarter reporting 

bioMérieux used PlayPlay to create a quarter recap video, where they showcased their quarter's sales and organic growth successes. This video is great to show internally or externally because it portrays the company in a great light! 

3. Keep Learning French

Keep Learning French, a language learning group, used PlayPlay to create a promotional corporate video. The organization used subtitles to ensure the video's accessibility and visual cutaway shots to show the public as much as possible about their creative learning activities! 

Scale video production with PlayPlay 

To recap, production agencies are a good deal when you need one-off professional content. However, the costs (time and money) quickly add up if you hire them frequently, which is unsustainable for many businesses, especially those with more limited budgets. 

On the other hand, film softwares like PlayPlay can help you make professional films at a fraction of the cost and time of a typical agency. This makes it easier to execute and scale your film strategy. 

Remember: you don’t need to be a video pro to use PlayPlay. We provide customizable templates plus an AI tool that generates drafts from scratch. Want to test things for yourself? Try PlayPlay for free for seven days!