Choosing ad film makers in Chennai starts with defining the job your film needs to do. A product demonstration, a brand story and a short promotional offer need different scripts, production plans and edits. Before comparing showreels or requesting quotes, write down the audience, the main message and the action you want viewers to take.
This guide explains what to include in a production brief and how to compare proposals on the same basis. You can also explore MS MediaCorp’s ad film production portfolio to prepare references for your discussion.
1. Decide where the advertisement will run
Tell the production team whether the film is intended for television, YouTube, social media, an event screen or your website. Placement affects how quickly the message needs to become clear, how text is framed and which versions you need. A landscape master does not automatically provide a well-composed vertical advertisement.
List the planned durations, aspect ratios and language versions. If a television broadcaster or advertising platform has supplied delivery specifications, share those before production begins. The team can then plan for the actual outputs instead of treating every additional version as a late change.
2. Review relevant work, not only the showreel
A showreel demonstrates a range of visuals, but a complete film reveals pacing, message clarity and the strength of the ending. Ask to see projects similar to your format and production scale. An interview-led business film is a different assignment from a cast-led commercial with location changes and visual effects.
Ask what role the company performed on each example: concept, direction, filming, editing or post-production. This helps you understand which skills the portfolio actually demonstrates. When comparing ad film directors in Chennai, discuss how each would interpret your brief rather than looking for one style that fits every project.
3. Compare the scope behind each quote
Two proposals are only comparable when they include similar work. A lower total may cover fewer shoot days, a simpler crew, fewer final versions or a different post-production scope. Ask for the inclusions and exclusions in writing.
- Creative work: concept development, script, storyboard and approval stages.
- Production: filming days, locations, crew, equipment, talent and travel.
- Post-production: editing, colour, sound, voiceover, titles, animation and VFX.
- Delivery: master formats, cutdowns, subtitles, language versions and revision rounds.
Clarify music and talent usage arrangements, including the intended channels and period of use. If you need raw footage or editable project files, ask whether they are included and in what form they will be supplied.
4. Set a realistic approval schedule
A release deadline should include time for planning, filming, editing and feedback. Agree who can approve the script and who will give the final decision on the edit. Consolidating comments into one set of notes helps prevent conflicting instructions.
Use clear checkpoints: approved brief, approved script or storyboard, first edit, revised edit and final delivery. Changes to an approved concept can affect filming and post-production, so ask how additional work will be handled before it arises.
5. Prepare a one-page production brief
You do not need a finished script to start a discussion. The following details are enough to make the first conversation more useful:
- Your business, product or service and the intended audience.
- The main message and the call to action.
- Where the film will be shown and the versions required.
- Your budget range, preferred release date and available filming dates.
- Reference videos, brand assets and any existing footage.
- People, locations or product details that must appear.
Questions to ask before appointing a production house
Should I choose a specialist director or a production company?
Match the arrangement to the support you need. If you already have a producer and crew, a director may fill a specific role. If you need coordinated planning, filming and finishing, ask a production company to define who is responsible for each stage.
Can one shoot provide several advertisements?
It can, when the versions are planned in advance. Include alternate openings, framing and messages in the shot plan. Do not assume every cutdown or language version is included without checking the proposal.
What should I send to MS MediaCorp?
Send your objective, audience, reference videos and delivery requirements. Explore our video editing and VFX services, then contact MS MediaCorp to discuss a project-specific scope.
