Stupid Companies Get Ripped Off

Video production is an essential investment for businesses looking to create professional, impactful content. However, not all production costs are created equal. Some companies inflate budgets by including unnecessary elements that add little to no value to the final cut. This article explores seven common ways video production companies waste money on things that don’t truly matter and provides insight into how clients can avoid these pitfalls.

Film Directors Aren’t Always Needed

Using a “Director” When There’s Only One Camera Operator
A director is essential for complex productions involving multiple cameras, intricate scenes, or large teams. Their role includes overseeing creative vision, coordinating shots, and ensuring the production aligns with the project’s goals. However, in small-scale projects—such as a single-camera interview or simple b-roll footage—adding a director is often unnecessary.

When the camera operator can manage tasks like framing, lighting adjustments, and basic audio monitoring, a director becomes redundant. According to the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the primary role of a director is to manage creative decisions on large, collaborative projects (American Society of Cinematographers, 2022). On a single-camera shoot, those creative decisions can typically be handled by the operator. By adding a director in these scenarios, production companies inflate costs without improving the quality of the final product. Clients should ask whether this role is genuinely necessary for their specific project.

Boom Mics Seldom Needed

Using a Boom Mic When Interviewees Are Wearing Lavalier Microphones
High-quality audio is a cornerstone of professional video production. Lavalier microphones (lav mics), which clip discreetly onto a subject’s clothing, are an excellent choice for interviews. They provide consistent audio clarity and minimize background noise when positioned correctly. While a boom microphone can be a useful backup, video production companies inflate cost by using boom mics where lav mics are already in use often adds unnecessary complexity.

Audio experts agree that redundant equipment setups are more about safeguarding against rare technical failures than enhancing audio quality (Audio-Technica, 2021). For small-scale productions, especially when lav mics are monitored in real-time, a boom mic rarely improves the outcome. Including an audio operator to manage a boom mic adds costs without benefiting the final cut. Instead, ensuring lav mic placement and levels are optimized is a more cost-effective and practical solution.

PA’s Only Bring Coffee and Lunch

Hiring a Production Assistant for Crews of Fewer Than Seven People
Production Companies inflate cost by hiring production assistants (PAs) which aren’t needed. PA’s are invaluable on large sets where logistics require extra hands. Their tasks often include coordinating equipment, managing schedules, and assisting with miscellaneous duties. However, for smaller crews—typically fewer than seven members—the need for a dedicated PA diminishes.

According to industry standards, small productions should prioritize efficiency by distributing tasks among existing crew members (Pro Video Coalition, 2020). For example, a producer or camera operator can often handle minor responsibilities like retrieving equipment or organizing files. Adding a PA for such productions unnecessarily increases costs without significantly improving workflow or production efficiency.

Use Disrupted VO Artist

Using Voice-Over Artists with Outdated Usage Rights Practices
Voice-over work is often a crucial part of video production, whether it’s for narration, explainer videos, or commercials. However, some production companies insist on working with voice-over artists who follow outdated usage rights models. These models often charge exorbitant fees based on distribution channels, geographic reach, or duration of use—a method that can quickly inflate costs.

In today’s digital-first landscape, many voice-over artists offer more modern pricing structures, such as flat rates or buyouts, which are fairer and more transparent. According to Voices.com, usage rights should evolve to match the realities of digital distribution, reducing unnecessary costs (Voices.com, 2023). Clients should inquire about the pricing model for voice-over work and opt for artists who provide flexible, up-to-date licensing terms to avoid hidden fees that don’t add value to the final product.

Cut the Crew Fat

Including Crew Members Who Don’t Contribute to the Final Cut
On many production sets, certain roles can be unnecessary depending on the scope of the project. One common example is the inclusion of a field producer for small or straightforward shoots. A field producer is typically responsible for coordinating logistics on set, managing schedules, and overseeing interviews. While this role is essential for complex productions, it is often redundant in small-scale projects with clear plans and minimal crew.

For example, if a producer or director is already present to manage the shoot, adding a field producer becomes an unnecessary expense. The tasks they handle can often be covered by the existing team, particularly on sets with fewer crew members or a simplified production process. Clients should critically evaluate whether each crew member is truly necessary for their project and how their presence impacts the final product.

Sound Recorders are for Large Productions

Using a Sound Recorder for Less Than Three Speaking People
Sound recorders and audio engineers are invaluable for large-scale productions with multiple audio sources or complex sound setups. However, for projects involving fewer than three speaking individuals—such as a simple interview or a two-person dialogue—adding a dedicated sound recorder is often unnecessary.

Modern cameras and external microphones are equipped with high-quality audio recording capabilities that can easily handle straightforward setups. In these cases, the camera operator or an existing crew member can monitor and manage audio levels. Including a dedicated sound recorder for such a minimal setup inflates costs without significantly enhancing audio quality in the final cut. Clients should ensure their project’s complexity justifies the inclusion of a specialized audio role.

Trucks Equal 25% More Cost

Bringing a Grip Truck to Small Two-Day Shoots
Grip trucks are invaluable for large-scale productions requiring extensive lighting setups, rigging, and equipment storage. However, for small two-day shoots, bringing a full grip truck is often excessive and unnecessary. Many smaller shoots can be managed effectively with minimal lighting gear and basic equipment that can fit into a compact vehicle.

According to professional production standards, grip trucks should only be used when the scope of the project necessitates their inclusion (ProductionHUB, 2023). For small shoots, the additional cost of renting, transporting, and staffing a grip truck far outweighs the benefits. Clients should challenge the necessity of a grip truck for smaller projects and ensure the production team uses only what is required to achieve the desired results.

The Impact on the Final Cut

The common denominator among these unnecessary expenses is that they don’t enhance the final product’s quality. Viewers won’t notice whether a director was on set for a single-camera shoot, whether a boom mic was present alongside lav mics, whether a PA helped organize equipment, whether a voice-over artist followed a modern pricing model, whether a field producer managed logistics, whether a sound recorder was employed for minimal audio needs, or whether a grip truck was brought to a small shoot. What viewers see is the polished video, and they care about the content’s clarity, creativity, and relevance—not the production setup.

Spending Too Much Equals Unemployment

How to Avoid Paying for Unnecessary Extras
Clients can take proactive steps to ensure their production budget is spent wisely. Here’s how:

Ask Questions: Before signing a contract, inquire about every role and piece of equipment included in the budget. Seek Transparency: Choose production companies that provide detailed explanations of their budgets and decisions. Scale Appropriately: Match the size of the crew and equipment to the complexity of your project. Prioritize Expertise: Partner with a company that values efficiency and understands your goals. Inquire About Licensing Models: Ensure voice-over costs align with modern standards to avoid hidden fees. Assess Crew Necessity: Evaluate whether every crew member listed contributes meaningfully to the production. Challenge Equipment Choices: Question whether large-scale equipment like grip trucks are genuinely needed for small-scale shoots.

Conclusion

While video production is a valuable tool for businesses, clients should be vigilant about unnecessary expenses that don’t impact the final cut. By understanding these common cost-inflating practices—because video production companies inflate cost by adding unnecessary directors, redundant audio setups, extra crew, outdated voice-over licensing, field producers for small projects, sound recorders for minimal audio needs, or grip trucks for small shoots—businesses can ensure their budgets are spent on what truly matters: creating engaging, high-quality content. Partner with companies like Episode 11 Productions, which focus on delivering efficiency and value without unnecessary extras.

Citations:

American Society of Cinematographers. (2022). “The Role of a Director on Set.” Retrieved from ascmag.com Audio-Technica. (2021). “Microphone Choices for Video Production.” Retrieved from audio-technica.com Pro Video Coalition. (2020). “Maximizing Efficiency on Small Production Sets.” Retrieved from provideocoalition.comVoices.com. (2023). “Modern Usage Rights for Voice-Over Work.” Retrieved from voices.com ProductionHUB. (2023). “Grip Trucks: When Are They Necessary?” Retrieved from productionhub.com