Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Professional video costs a small fortune, doesn't it?

A. Not any more, not in the age of DV technology. Your cost will depend on how many cameras your project requires, how many shots are needed, and what the intended use of the project is.

Q. If the technology is now so cheap and easy to use, why can't we buy a camcorder and some PC editing software and make our own video?

A. You can. And if all you need is a recording of a live event from beginning to end for archival purposes, this may work for you. However quality promotional and training videos require professional cameras and operators, good microphones and crew who know how to use them, in some cases lights, and finally, the knowledge of how to edit and narrate to command and hold your audience's attention.

Q. Aren't there a great many production companies in Bangkok?

A. If you can afford to pay for a film services camera crew there are many excellent companies you can use. If you are lucky, the weather will hold for your shoot here in Southern Thailand. If not, there may be the added cost of the crew having to wait for a weather break or making more trips. The advantages of using SITCA for your island shoot include big savings and the benefit you will gain from our knowledge of the area, and our contacts.

Q. We just want a short video clip to include in our website. We don't need anything fancy, right?

A. Yes and no. Shooting video for the Web requires a knowledge of what video compression does to image quality. Also, viewing video in the small browser window of a computer screen is not the same as viewing it on a TV or full computer screen. And getting good sound at the time of the shoot is also important.

Q. Is a video production going to disrupt my business?

A. Unless we are doing a dramatization of some kind with appearances by presenters or models, the disruption will be minimal. We understand that you have a business to run and that the comfort of your guests must always come first.

Q. I'm told professional video productions usually follow a script. Nobody knows our business like I do. I'm the perfect person to write the script, and we'll save ourselves some money. Right?

A. If you know the nuts and bolts of screenwriting and have a knack for it, you can get a great deal of satisfaction out of writing your own script. If not, you will probably be better off providing us with all the information you want to convey, and after discussions about the style you want, we will take it from there. Scriptwriting is a craft that requires knowhow, experience, and an ear for the way people talk.

Q. I have a favorite piece of music I would like to accompany our promotional video. Can you use it?

A. Yes, if you are willing to pay copyrights, for which you are liable in most cases not just to the composer of the composition, but also to the recording artist(s.) Video producers who use copyrighted music without permission are breaking the law. An economical and usually satisfactory solution for low budget productions, is the use of royalty-free music. We have a large selection of royalty free compositions and arrangements which we have purchased. There is something in our library for just about any video segment. It's one of the things our clients are paying for when they use our services.

Q. Can and should myself and my staff appear in the video?

A. Why not? If you and/or your staff feel at ease in front of the camera, and are capable of learning and rehearsing a few "lines", your appearance in the video will give it a personal touch. We can coach you to get the best results possible.

Q. Can I use the same video you shoot in different ways? For example to make promotional DVD to give away, and also to put some streaming video on our website?

A. In most cases yes, as long as you make us aware of your intentions during the planning stage.

Q. Don't we need to hire actors and actresses or models? Where are we going to find them?

A. Models add life to many video presentations. Professionals actors are not always needed. Here on Koh Samui there are economical solutions to providing this often essential element.

Q. Our clientele come from all over the world. Can our narration soundtrack be in more than one language?

A. Yes, if you have the budget. Each additional language requires a new edit of your video and an additional foreign language overdub. Thus each language will increase the cost.