How Our Video Production Process Works | TruFocus Productions Chicago
How It Works

From discovery call to final cut — here's exactly how we make your video.

Six steps. Transparent pricing. Zero mystery. The same process we've used to deliver 2,500+ videos for corporate, event, and nonprofit clients across Chicago and beyond since 2013.

Book a 20-min discovery call See the process
2,500+
Videos delivered since 2013
24 hrs
Quote turnaround after discovery call
3–6 wks
Typical project timeline
The TruFocus Approach

Production without the guesswork.

Most production companies treat the process as a black box. You sign a contract, hand over a deposit, and hope the result is what you imagined. We don't work that way.

Every TruFocus engagement runs on a documented six-step process — built and refined over a decade of corporate, event, and nonprofit work. You'll know what's happening at every stage, what we need from you, and when you'll get it back. The room only happens once. The plan shouldn't be the variable.

The Process

Six steps from idea to final delivery.

01
Discovery

Discovery Call

A 20-minute Zoom with Chris (founder) — not a salesperson. We'll learn your goal, audience, deadline, and budget. You'll learn whether TruFocus is the right fit before any paperwork is signed.

  • What story you want to tell, and who you want to reach
  • Shoot dates, locations, and logistical constraints
  • What success looks like — registrations, recruits, donations, recognition
  • An honest answer on whether we're the right partner for the work
No deck. No sales pitch. Just a conversation about what you actually need.
02
Proposal

Proposal & Quote

Within 24 hours of the discovery call, you'll receive a written proposal with scope, deliverables, and a transparent quote. No hidden fees, no surprise add-ons.

  • Itemized scope — exactly what's included and what's not
  • Crew size, gear, and shoot day schedule
  • Edit timeline and deliverable formats
  • 50% deposit on projects over $1,500 to confirm dates
You'll know the price before you commit. Period.
03
Pre-Production

Pre-Production Planning

Once you approve the quote and we receive your deposit, we shift into planning mode. Story arc, shot list, run-of-show, talent coordination, location scouting — every detail mapped before anyone shows up with a camera.

  • Creative development — scripts, storyboards, and shot lists aligned to your strategy
  • Run-of-show coordination with your team, AV crew, and venue
  • Location scouting, permits, and equipment planning
  • Pre-event walkthroughs for live coverage
  • Stakeholder alignment so every decision-maker is on the same page
Showing up prepared is the difference between footage and a film. We come prepared.
04
Production

Production & Filming

Shoot day. A coordinated crew on-site with cinema cameras, broadcast-quality audio, and an on-the-floor producer making sure nothing gets missed — whether it's a live event, a brand film, or a multi-day documentary shoot.

  • 4K cinema cameras — the same gear used on professional film and broadcast productions
  • Three to five cameras rolling on every panel, keynote, and key moment for events
  • Lavalier and ambient audio capture so every word lands
  • An on-site director coordinating coverage in real time
  • Backup recording on every camera — nothing is ever lost
You only get one shot at the room. We make sure we don't miss it.
05
Post-Production

Post-Production & Editing

Our editor shapes raw footage into a story your audience will actually rewatch. Color, sound, motion graphics, and brand alignment — every frame is a decision.

  • Story-first edit that finds the moments that matter
  • Cinematic color grading and broadcast-clean sound mix
  • Brand-aligned lower-thirds, titles, and motion graphics
  • Tailored cuts for social, sponsors, recap email, and web
  • Music licensing handled, no copyright headaches on your end
Same-week edits on events. Three to six weeks on full corporate and nonprofit projects.
06
Delivery

Review & Final Delivery

You'll review the rough cut on a private Vimeo link. Two rounds of revisions are included. Once approved, we deliver final exports in every format you need — plus organized raw footage for your archive.

  • Private Vimeo review link with timestamped comment threads
  • Two rounds of revisions included on every edited project
  • Final delivery in every format you need — long-form, sizzle, social cutdowns, speaker clips
  • Complete HD raw footage delivered via Google Drive (hosted 30 days)
  • Physical media — 8GB swivel USB or 1TB hard drive — available on request
We only consider a project complete when you're fully satisfied with the end result.
Timeline

What three to six weeks looks like.

Week 1

Kickoff

Discovery call, proposal, deposit, and pre-production planning begins.

Week 1–2

Pre-Production

Scripts, storyboards, shot lists, scheduling, and stakeholder alignment.

Week 2–3

Production

Shoot day. Multi-cam coverage with on-site direction.

Week 3–6

Post & Delivery

Rough cut, two rounds of revisions, final exports, raw footage archive.

Roles

What you bring. What we bring.

You provide

  • Clear goals, audience, and success metrics
  • Brand guidelines, logos, fonts, and color references
  • Talent availability windows and key contacts
  • Access to venues, locations, and decision-makers
  • Timely feedback during the review rounds

We provide

  • End-to-end production management — pre, production, and post
  • Cinema cameras, audio gear, lighting, and crew
  • Story development, shot lists, and creative direction
  • Editing, color, sound, and brand-aligned motion graphics
  • Final exports, raw footage archive, and organized delivery
FAQ

Questions we hear most.

How long does a typical video production project take?
Most corporate and nonprofit videos take 3 to 6 weeks from kickoff to final delivery. Events are faster — full event recap plus highlight cut delivered within 6 days. Larger documentary-style projects can run 8 to 12 weeks. We give you a firm timeline in your proposal.
How many revisions are included?
Two rounds of revisions are included on every edited project. We've found that's enough for the vast majority of clients to land at a final cut they love. Additional rounds can be added at our standard editing rate if needed.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. Projects over $1,500 require a 50% deposit before we kick off pre-production. Projects under $1,500 are paid in full upfront. Our Terms of Service serve as the contract agreement.
Do I get the raw footage?
Yes. Your complete HD raw footage is delivered via Google Drive (hosted for 30 days) at no additional charge. Physical media — 8GB swivel USB or 1TB hard drive — is available for an extra fee.
Where do you film?
Our studio is in Naperville, IL. We film throughout Chicagoland and travel regularly across the United States — from the Midwest to the East Coast. Travel costs are itemized transparently in your proposal, no surprises. Meet the team behind every shoot.
What kind of cameras do you use?
We shoot on 4K cinema cameras — the same gear used on professional film and broadcast productions. For events, we run three to five cameras simultaneously to make sure no key moment gets missed.
Can you handle nonprofit budgets?
About half of our work is with nonprofit clients — World Relief, Caring Network, Midwest PBIS Network, and many others. We have scoping options designed to fit nonprofit budgets without sacrificing production quality. Tell us your budget on the discovery call and we'll show you what's possible.
2,500+
Videos delivered
12+
Years in business
100+
5-star reviews
22
States served

Got an event, brand film, or nonprofit story coming up?

Tell us about your goals and timing. The first conversation is on us — and you'll know whether we're the right fit before any paperwork is signed.

Book a 20-min discovery call Get a quote in 24 hours

5 Star Rated Videography on Google, Clutch, Facebook, and UpCity.

Home | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Blog

Corporate Video Production · Event Videography · Non-Profit Videos · Business Videography

© 2026 TruFocus Productions. Naperville-based Video Production