Shooting In-Studio or On-location: Which one is better for your marketing videos?

Videos are an effective form of business marketing as they help improve audience reach and engagement. Therefore, when it comes to shooting your marketing videos, it is natural to compare the pros and cons of in-studio and on-location shoots to make the best decision. Both have merits and demerits for video production. Understanding these aspects can help you make an informed decision about where to shoot your brand videos.

In-studio vs. On-location shooting for marketing videos

Marketing videos can consist of various types – explainer, testimonials, promotional, commercial, education, product, etc. Therefore, based on the types of videos you want to create, you can select either in-studio or on-location options. Let's discuss their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision for your next corporate video.

Scheduling and availability

You can rent a content creation studio either for shooting photos or videos. The procedure is quite simple. You need to contact the person-in-charge, enquire about the dates available and accordingly rent the venue.

On the other hand, shooting on-location might involve specific logistical issues. For instance, you must scout for locations to select the appropriate ones based on your video requirements. In this regard, you may need to visit multiple sites to determine which best suits your needs. All these may cost you time and use of resources. Finally, you need to check for venue availability.

Hence, when comparing both options, scheduling brand videos at a professional videography studio is easier.

Expenses

The expenses involved in shooting in-studio or on-location depend on various factors. For instance, shooting in a studio involves paying a fixed rate based on the number of hours you rent. Besides, they can provide you with props, backdrops, a green screen, etc., to help create your desired videos. On the other hand, based on the location you plan to shoot videos, various factors such as permits, rental expenses, possible set design, etc., can affect the costs. Hence, based on your video requirements, we suggest comparing the fees involved in shooting at both options to decide what's best for you.

Convenience

You need to consider various aspects to determine whether in-studio or on-location is better. These include – the number of crew members including talents or models, designated areas to get ready, washroom availability, parking space, Wi-Fi connection, etc. Usually, a professional studio for videography can help take care of all these aspects.

Flexibility and control

While a studio may offer a fixed space to record your videos, you can customise it according to your needs. You can set up a green screen or use backdrops, props, etc., to design the set at your convenience. Most studios will provide you with such amenities. On the other hand, when you are shooting on-location, you get exactly what you see. There is little flexibility. Moreover, if you want to design the shooting set, it can be expensive as you must bear the expenses for all the items needed.

Lighting and sound

Lighting and sound are critical aspects of recording marketing videos. When shooting in a studio, you have complete control over these aspects. A professional studio can make necessary arrangements if you need natural or artificial lighting. However, when shooting on-location, you do not have much control over nature. The natural lighting will vary based on the time of the day or month or specific weather conditions you are shooting in. Besides, the time needed to record marketing videos varies based on the type of content you want to create. You cannot entirely depend on natural light when shooting videos for extended periods. The reason is even a minor shift in light can easily be noticed in videos. When shooting in a studio, you can control this element even if it takes time to finish the shoot.

Similarly, a studio can offer you wired/wireless lavalier mics or super cardoid dynamic mics when recording sounds for your videos. Besides, you can use their amenities such as a microphone, mic amplifier, etc. On the other hand, shooting in an outdoor location will likely involve recording unnecessary background sound, which you must remove during the editing phase.

Takeaway

The above discussion highlights the advantages and disadvantages of creating brand videos in a studio and on-location. Therefore, based on your budget, the types of brand messages you want to deliver, the aesthetics, and the nature of your video, you can determine the location of your shoot. If a professional studio can meet all your marketing video needs, you can rent one. Besides, renting them along with the studio can be beneficial if you need to use different equipment–including lighting and sound, backdrops, props, etc. - and want to avoid bearing additional expenses on the same. Finally, you need to understand your audience and the content type they resonate with. It will help you create the right kind of corporate videos at a proper location.

How can Oracle Studio help?

Oracle Studio is a studio rental for photography & videography. Regardless of the type of marketing videos you want to create for your brand – such as explainer, product, informational or promotional, etc. – we can help you. You can check in with us for the availability of the studio to shoot your brand videos.