resources · explainer
what is a video production consultant?
Not every video problem needs a camera. Sometimes it needs a strategist. Here's what a production consultant actually does — and whether you need one.
Most organisations know they need video. They're less sure what kind of video, how much to spend, who to hire, or how to brief a production company effectively. That gap — between knowing you need video and knowing how to get good video — is exactly where a production consultant adds value.
what a video production consultant does
A production consultant is an experienced filmmaker or producer who works on the strategy side of video — helping organisations think clearly about their content before any production begins, and guiding them through the production process so they get what they actually need.
In practice, this might include:
- Video strategy — what types of content does your organisation need, for which audiences, on which platforms, and why?
- Brief development — turning a vague idea or communication problem into a clear production brief that suppliers can actually work from
- Supplier selection — helping you evaluate quotes, assess showreels and choose a production company that fits your project and culture
- Budget planning — realistic guidance on what things cost and where the value is
- On-set oversight — being present during production to protect the client's interests and make decisions that require editorial judgement
- Post-production guidance — reviewing edits, managing feedback rounds, ensuring delivery against brief
when does an organisation need a production consultant?
The situations where a consultant adds the most value tend to be:
- You're commissioning significant video production for the first time and don't have internal expertise
- You've had bad experiences with video production in the past — projects that went over budget, missed the brief, or just didn't work
- You have an internal marketing team that understands content strategy but doesn't have deep production knowledge
- You're managing a large or complex production — multiple locations, tight deadlines, high visibility — and want experienced oversight
- You want to build an ongoing video content capability rather than just buy individual productions
consultant vs production company — what's the difference?
A production company makes content. A consultant helps you get the right content made, by the right people, in the right way. Some production companies offer consulting as part of their service (we do) — but it's worth distinguishing between the two, because a production company has an inherent interest in selling you a production, while a consultant's interest is in your outcome.
The most valuable consulting relationships tend to be long-term — where a consultant becomes a trusted adviser on all things video, rather than being brought in to fix a specific problem.
what does video production consulting cost?
Consulting is typically charged by the day or half-day, or as a fixed fee for a defined scope (e.G. A strategy review, a brief development workshop, or oversight of a specific production). Day rates for experienced production consultants in Australia generally range from $800 to $2,500 depending on the scope and the consultant's background.
For many organisations, a half-day consulting engagement before a significant production saves multiples of its cost in avoided mistakes, better briefs and more efficient productions.
frequently asked questions
Can a production company also act as a consultant?
Yes, and many do. The key is transparency — a good production company will tell you honestly whether a production is the right solution for your problem, even if that means a smaller engagement. That's the mark of a genuine consulting relationship rather than a sales pitch.
How do I brief a video production consultant?
Start with your communication problem, not the production solution. 'we need a two-minute video' is a production brief. 'we're struggling to communicate our value proposition to enterprise clients' is a communication brief — and it's much more useful to a consultant, because it leaves room to question whether video is even the right answer.
Do I need a consultant if I'm just making one small video?
Probably not for a simple, low-stakes production. But even for smaller projects, spending an hour with an experienced producer to develop your brief can significantly improve the outcome. Many production companies offer this as part of their process.
What background should a good production consultant have?
Direct production experience — as a director, producer or DOP — is the most valuable foundation. Consultants who have actually made films and managed productions on set bring practical knowledge that pure strategists often lack. Ask to see their work, not just their credentials.
Can a consultant help us build an internal video team?
Yes. If your organisation has reached a scale where ongoing video production makes sense, a consultant can help you define what roles to hire for, what equipment to invest in, what workflows to establish and how to develop internal capability over time.