Do you need a presenter for your corporate video?

Will you need a presenter for your corporate video production, television documentary, video podcast or special interest DVD? This very much depends on the intended style of the production and whether a presenter would actually enhance the way that messages are communicated.

The corporate video budget is a consideration as well, especially if you are looking to source a 'named' personality.

Good presentation is integrated seamlessly into a production so that you 'experience' the film without consciously noticing the transition between voice-over and presentation to camera. However, in some situations, presenters are not necessarily required and in the worst cases, when the use is inappropriate or the performance is weak, they may detract from the overall purpose of the film.

So let's take a look at some of the options:

Presenter with voice-over

This is a very effective combination, especially when the video or film production is targeted at a large cross-section of people. The 'personal' element that a presenter introduces can greatly enhance the chances of getting the audience to take notice.

An example of the impact of presenters can be seen at the introduction to many television programmes when there is often a montage of images, music and narration - the audience will quite possibly show some limited interest or perhaps even mild disinterest at this stage. However, when the presenter appears for the first time, the audience becomes much more attentive - a person is engaging with them rather than graphics, music, voice-over, etc.

In modern corporate video productions, presenters are often used effectively to introduce new products, concepts, interview staff, or run through training techniques. If company staff are involved in front of the camera, it is often more comfortable for them to relate to a presenter than to autocue machines or an off-camera interviewer, so it is definitely worth considering.

Confident staff members may also have a flare for presentation and it is well worth persuading them to have a go at presenting the film. Bringing a different perspective from a 'named' personality may add a bit of sparkle to the production, but if you have to put across sensitive or tricky issues, then it is possible that a company member be better placed to do the job.

A voice-over in conjunction with presentation is a natural choice and will prevent 'overexposure' of the presenter, not to mention reducing his or her workload! Remember that the voice-over should match the presentation style in pace and tone to make for a flowing production.

Presenter without voice-over

This technique is not so common but for shorter productions, live webcasts, video podcasts, events and news reporting, it is an effective option. Autocue machines are inevitable if there is a lot of information to deliver!

Voice-over only

Using voice-over alone is often used for a range of applications such as educational programmes, corporate video and television documentaries. The technique works well when the visuals and graphics are captivating and the voice-over is skillfully delivered in a well-edited production. Scientific and educational products that are required to convey a great deal of factual information work well with voice-over alone. However, there are dangers that this technique can convey an overly authoritative feel, so productions have to be well scripted with the most appropriate voice-over talent.

To add the 'human' element with voice-over alone, personalities within the film can be interviewed by an off-camera interviewer to provide expert opinions - a technique regularly used in popular television documentaries. This is an excellent way to break up long sections of voice-over.

So remember, expensive sets, special effects and high-end motion graphics can be impressive but the human aspect shouldn't be underestimated... and that's where a presenter can help.