Budget-Smart, Brand-Savvy: Cost-Effective Tips for Filming Customer Testimonials Without Cutting Corners

In a competitive marketing landscape, authentic customer testimonials remain one of the most powerful tools for building trust and converting prospects. But producing these videos doesn’t have to strain your budget to be effective. At St Louis Video Production Crews, we’ve helped businesses of all sizes film compelling testimonials that look high-end while staying cost-conscious. If you’re a decision-maker looking to stretch your marketing dollars without sacrificing quality, here are several expert strategies to consider.


1. Choose a Location You Already Own

Skip the location rental fees. Your office, showroom, or even a well-lit conference room can become a professional backdrop with the right lighting and framing. Our team has extensive experience transforming everyday spaces into polished sets using private studio-style lighting setups, even on-site.


2. Schedule Multiple Testimonials in One Session

If you plan to feature more than one customer or team member, group them into a single shoot day. By batching interviews, you cut down on travel, setup, and breakdown costs. We’re pros at organizing efficient shoot schedules, keeping production flowing smoothly to maximize your investment.


3. Use Natural Light Strategically

Shooting during daylight hours can help reduce the need for extensive lighting setups, particularly for interviews near large windows. However, too much sunlight can create shadows or blowouts. Our experienced videographers balance natural light with controlled lighting for a clean, professional look that’s both budget- and brand-friendly.


4. Focus on Audio Quality

Even with a modest video setup, poor audio will ruin credibility. Invest in clean, crisp sound with lavalier mics or boom mics—tools that we include in every shoot package. We also supply professional sound operators to ensure every word is captured clearly, which reduces the need for costly re-recordings or fixes in post.


5. Keep It Simple With B-Roll

Enhance your testimonial with relevant b-roll footage that adds visual interest. Rather than filming entirely new scenes, we often repurpose existing footage or capture quick b-roll of your workspace, products, or service interactions during the same shoot. This dual-purpose approach adds depth without additional costs.


6. Pre-Plan the Questions and Flow

The more prepared your interviewee is, the smoother the session. We help clients craft concise questions and an outline to reduce shoot time and editing complexity. For budget-conscious projects, this kind of planning reduces reshoots and minimizes costly post-production hours.


7. Leverage Editing to Tell the Strongest Story

You don’t need a 10-minute testimonial. Often, a 60–90 second tightly edited video delivers more impact. We specialize in crafting bite-sized, emotion-driven edits from longer interviews, making your testimonial more shareable and digestible—without the cost of additional filming.


8. Repurpose Testimonial Content Across Channels

A smart way to boost ROI is to design content that serves multiple platforms—your website, social media, internal presentations, and more. At St Louis Video Production Crews, we customize deliverables in different aspect ratios and file formats so your testimonial works hard everywhere your brand lives.


Why Work With St Louis Video Production Crews?

With decades of experience since 1982, St Louis Video Production Crews is a full-service commercial photography and video production company trusted by businesses, marketing firms, and agencies across the St. Louis region. Whether you’re filming in-studio or on location, we provide the professional crew, the right equipment, and creative direction to execute your testimonial vision seamlessly.

We offer:

  • Studio and location shooting
  • Interview staging and lighting
  • Post-production and editing
  • Licensed drone pilots (yes, we can fly drones indoors)
  • Custom solutions for all file types and media styles
  • AI-enhanced editing workflows
  • A private studio space that accommodates props and customized setups

We’re not just videographers—we’re creative partners invested in your success. Our team repurposes your content to make every frame count and ensures your testimonial project builds trust, boosts credibility, and drives results—all within your budget.

Ready to create impactful testimonials without overspending?
Contact St Louis Video Production Crews today to discuss your next testimonial project.

314-913-5626
Mike Haller, St Louis Video Crew Captain

videocrewsstlouis@gmail.com

How to Plan B-Roll for Powerful Video Interviews: A Complete Guide for Business Video Production

When it comes to creating impactful corporate videos, few elements are as crucial as B-roll. This supplementary footage is key to adding depth, engagement, and a polished look to any video interview. B-roll helps to reinforce your message, offer visual variety, and keep your audience interested. However, planning and capturing B-roll effectively requires thought, strategy, and a creative approach. As an experienced videographer and photographer with St. Louis Video Production Crews, I’ve seen firsthand how vital B-roll is in transforming good interviews into great ones. Below, I’ll walk you through the process of planning and capturing B-roll for powerful video interviews.

For a professional look, also consider camera movements like panning, tilting, or zooming. These movements add an extra layer of engagement and dynamism to your video.

What is B-Roll and Why Does It Matter?

B-roll refers to supplemental footage that intercuts with your primary footage (A-roll), such as video interviews. It’s used to illustrate, support, or enhance what’s being discussed. Whether it’s close-ups of hands working on a project, wide shots of an office space, or reactions from people interacting in a meeting, B-roll adds a dynamic quality to your video.

Without B-roll, your interview footage would appear flat, monotonous, and lackluster. Adding B-roll enables you to:

  • Visually emphasize key points: For example, if your interviewee is talking about company growth, you can show footage of bustling office spaces or product development.
  • Create a more engaging viewing experience: By alternating between the speaker and relevant B-roll, the video will hold the audience’s attention more effectively.
  • Build a cohesive narrative: B-roll can show your company’s work environment, team dynamics, or client interactions, giving your audience a richer understanding of the story you’re telling.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning B-Roll for Video Interviews

  1. Identify Key Points in the Interview

Start by carefully reviewing the interview questions and the answers given by your subject. Pinpoint important moments, such as stories, statistics, or insights that need visual support. These are the moments where B-roll footage will have the most impact. For example, if the interviewee discusses the company’s innovative technology, B-roll showing the product in use or shots of team members brainstorming would be ideal.

  1. Determine the Visuals That Support Your Message

Consider how you can visually represent the key points in the interview. Does the subject mention a new product launch? Capture footage of the product in use. If they mention team collaboration, you could film employees in meetings or working together on projects. You’ll also want to think about incorporating your company’s branding elements, including logos, signage, or product visuals, as these can reinforce your brand’s presence in the video.

  1. Choose the Right Locations for B-Roll

The setting of your B-roll is just as important as the footage itself. The location should align with the message of the interview, adding authenticity and value to the narrative. For example:

  • Office spaces: Capture your team working, collaborating, or interacting with clients.
  • Factory or workshop settings: If you’re talking about manufacturing or product development, filming your production process is essential.
  • On-site at events or conferences: If your business is engaged in public-facing events, showing these settings will add excitement and energy to your video.
  1. Coordinate Camera Angles and Movement

B-roll footage should provide a variety of shots. This could mean varying the camera angle, such as wide shots, close-ups, over-the-shoulder shots, and tracking shots. For a professional look, also consider camera movements like panning, tilting, or zooming. These movements add an extra layer of engagement and dynamism to your video.

  1. Plan Your Lighting and Composition

Lighting plays a crucial role in making your B-roll footage look professional. Good lighting highlights important details, enhances the mood, and creates a consistent look across shots. Depending on your location, you may need to bring your own lighting setup to ensure that all B-roll footage is well-lit and matches the lighting of the interview.

In our private studio, we provide the perfect lighting setup for small productions and interview scenes, which means you won’t need to worry about inconsistent lighting affecting your visuals.

  1. Capture Supporting Visuals: From Props to People

Don’t forget that B-roll can also include supporting visuals like props, signage, or even staged interactions. For instance, if your company provides services, show visuals of your team interacting with clients or using the product. These types of shots help add realism and can help tell your story in a more comprehensive way.

  1. Utilize Your Crew for Seamless Production

For a high-quality result, your B-roll footage should be captured seamlessly within the context of the interview. This is where an experienced crew comes in. As part of St. Louis Video Production Crews, we have the right team members—from camera operators to sound engineers—who know how to plan and capture B-roll effectively, ensuring that the footage fits with your interview and story arc.

The St. Louis Video Production Crews Difference: Your Partner for Powerful Video Interviews

When you partner with St. Louis Video Production Crews, you’re not just hiring a videographer; you’re gaining a team of seasoned professionals with years of experience in crafting exceptional corporate videos. We specialize in full-service studio and location video and photography, editing, and post-production services.

Our creative crew is equipped with top-of-the-line equipment to meet diverse production needs, whether you’re shooting interviews in a controlled studio environment or capturing dynamic location footage. We offer:

  • Customized production services: Whether you need a custom interview set up or specialized drone shots, we can adapt our services to meet your specific needs.
  • Expertly executed B-roll: We’ll ensure that your B-roll footage enhances your message, keeping your video engaging and on-brand.
  • Extensive knowledge of file types and media software: We’re well-versed in all styles of media and the software required to work with them, so you don’t need to worry about technical issues.
  • Licensed drone pilots: For unique shots, we have licensed drone pilots capable of flying specialized drones indoors, adding an extra level of creativity to your production.

St. Louis Video Production Crews has been serving businesses, marketing firms, and agencies in the St. Louis area since 1982, making us a trusted partner in corporate video production. Let us help you capture the essence of your brand and convey your message in a powerful, professional video that resonates with your audience.

Ready to elevate your corporate video with expertly planned B-roll? Get in touch with St. Louis Video Production Crews today!

videocrewsstlouis@gmail.com

314-913-5626