They say if you stand still long enough in Chicago, someone will put you in a documentary. From gritty indie films shot in alleyways to sleek corporate promos wrapped in Lake Michigan reflections, Chicago knows how to show up on screen. 

However, video production isn’t one-size-fits-all. You wouldn’t shoot a wedding reel the same way you’d film a tech startup pitch, or at least, we hope not. 

So before you call “action,” you need to know your options. Because in a city where every block has a story, choosing the right kind of video production service can make or break your message. 

Let’s break down the types, so you’re not stuck hiring a drone team when all you needed was a talking head and a good mic.

Chicago Video Production Services 

Chicago’s production scene is as layered as the city itself. Whether you’re filming on the fly in Wicker Park or staging a high-gloss shoot in a downtown loft, this city gives you texture and talent on demand. 

But knowing where to start? That’s the real plot twist. From brand videos and music shoots to event coverage and animation, Chicago’s got it all (if you know what you’re looking for). 

1. Corporate Video Production

Corporate video production doesn’t exactly sound exciting. In fact, most people hear it and imagine a beige conference room with monotone voiceovers, and someone awkwardly gesturing at a pie chart. 

But when done right, it becomes one of the sharpest tools a business can use to show who they are, without boring anyone to sleep.

At its core, corporate video production is about translating your brand’s purpose and personality into visuals that connect. It could be a brand anthem that makes your team feel proud or internal training that doesn’t feel like a punishment.

You might need one if you’re launching a new product, onboarding a fresh team, pitching to stakeholders, or just trying to breathe life into your “About Us” page.

Here’s an example of a corporate video by FWD, an insurance company. It clearly highlights what they do, for whom, and how. 

2. Commercial & Advertising Videos

The primary purpose of advertising videos is to “persuade people.”

However, great videos make people feel something first. Curiosity. FOMO. Nostalgia. Hunger. (Especially if you’re filming in a city known for deep dish and gourmet popcorn.)

A great commercial doesn’t yell, “Buy this!” It subtly says, “This fits your life,” then leaves the audience wanting more. 

Whether it's a 30-second spot for local TV or a slick Instagram reel that stops thumbs mid-scroll, these videos are your brand’s chance to go bold and maybe even viral.

You’d want one when you’re launching a product, rebranding, or trying to grab attention in a crowded space. 

Here’s an example of BMW’s “Talkin’ Like Walken” commercial. It’s a 60-second SuperBowel spot featuring Christopher Walken and Usher. The ad cleverly uses humor and Christopher Walken’s unique persona to create an entertaining spot that naturally ties back to the brand’s message of authenticity. 

3. Event Videography

You know that feeling when a moment’s too good to trust it to memory alone? That’s where event videography steps in.

It documents the real, those unscripted, unrepeatable flashes of connection, celebration, and purpose. In Chicago, where every venue feels like a movie set (from century-old ballrooms to rooftop terraces overlooking the skyline), your event deserves something beyond shaky phone footage.

Whether it's a corporate conference, brand launch, panel discussion, gala, or charity run, a high-quality event video offers an extension of what happened. 

Ryan Trahan’s “50 States in 50 Days” Airbnb challenge is a great example. It’s where the YouTuber stays in a unique Airbnb each day across 50 US States, all while raising over $1 million for charity. 

4. Real Estate Videography

Nobody falls in love with a property because of the square footage listed in a spreadsheet. 

People fall in love with how it feels. The light hitting the kitchen island at 4PM. The way the stairs creak just enough to feel like home. 

Real estate videography captures those intangible moments and brings them to life on screen. Whether you’re selling a luxury penthouse in River North or showcasing a charming bungalow in Logan Square, video makes your listing all too intriguing. 

These videos help buyers experience the space before ever setting foot inside. And in a fast-moving market? That experience can be the deciding factor.

Check out this stellar real estate video example. The cinematic listing is narrated by Oscar-winning actor Liam Neeson for a home in Melbourne. It playfully leans into his Taken persona to promote the suburban property. 

5. Branded Storytelling

There’s advertising, and then there’s storytelling that just happens to carry your logo at the end. That’s branded storytelling. And when it’s done right, no one feels sold to. All they feel is “seen.”

Branded storytelling is about finding the soul of your brand (the why behind the what) and translating that into a narrative people want to watch, share, and remember. When your audience sees themselves in your story, that’s when loyalty begins, and no click-through rate can compete with that.

It could be a founder’s scrappy origin story, a customer whose life changed because of your product, or perhaps a mission that encourages your team to show up every Monday. They’re essentially mini-films with emotional pull.

6. Social Media Content Creation

Attention is the currency, and on social media, you’ve got about 1.5 seconds to earn it. Social media content creation involves creating content that stops the scroll and evokes an emotional response in less time than it takes to microwave leftovers.

The video comprises lo-fi iPhone clips with high engagement, vertical edits made for reels, behind-the-scenes moments that humanize your brand, and bite-sized storytelling that works well in a square frame. 

In a city as lively and content-rich as Chicago, you’ve got stories on every street. The key is turning those everyday moments into content.

Here’s a standout of social media content creation: Marc Jacobs’ “Perfect as I Am” hashtag challenge on TikTok, featuring influencer Rickey Thompson. The video amassed over 10 billion views and sparked a powerful wave of self‑love expression using the branded hashtag #PerfectAsIAm

7. Product Demos

If a picture’s worth a thousand words, a product demo is worth a thousand conversions. A good product demo shows how your product solves a problem with clarity and a touch of charm.

This is where you walk your audience through the “what,” “how,” and most importantly, the “why it matters.” 

Will this tool save time? Make life easier? Do something they didn’t even know they needed? That’s what your demo should answer. 

Chicago’s competitive market has everyone selling something. Naturally, the attention spans have a half-life. This means your product needs to speak clearly and make someone say, “Wait... I need that.” 

IKEA’s “Place App” AR walkthrough is one of the best examples of a product demo. It shows a phone scanning a real room and instantly placing furniture in it. The video demonstrates the features through the user’s perspective and ends with an actionable call to “Try IKEA Place in your place.” 

8. Educational Videos

Most people don’t want to be taught. They want to learn without feeling like they’re sitting through a sixth-grade lecture all over again. 

That’s where educational videos come in. When they’re good, they engage and make someone feel a little smarter without ever making them feel small.

Educational video production is perfect when you need to break down the complex or the just-plain-confusing, whether it’s how to use your platform, why your solution matters, or what your team is doing to make the world a little better. 

And it’s not just for schools or training modules. Brands utilize educational videos to establish trust and demonstrate thought leadership. 

One of the best educational videos is Kurzgesagt - “Do We Need Nuclear Energy to Stop Climate Change?” The video combines crisp, minimalist animation with expert narration to explain a complex scientific topic in under ten minutes. 

9. Music Videos

A music video is often the first time a listener sees your sound. A good music video expands your song’s reach, gets you noticed by blogs, curators, labels, and fans who scroll past a SoundCloud link but stop for compelling visuals.

You might need one when your single is ready to move beyond your circle: when you’re ready to pitch for festivals, build a press kit, or show industry professionals that you’re building a brand. 

A strong music video doesn’t need a massive budget. But it does need intentional direction. It knows what emotion to heighten, what to strip away, when to linger, and when to punch. 

Samsung’s “creator-led” music video is a powerful branded music video. It showcases Gen Z creators filming concert footage across Spain and Portugal using Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Nightography, Zoom, and AI features. 

It works brilliantly because it doubles as both a fan-first artistic project and a subtle product demo, highlighting the phone’s camera’s energetic live-music settings and targeting a real emotional moment. 

10. Testimonial Videos

People don’t always trust brands. But they do trust other people, especially ones who sound like them, speak from lived experience, and have nothing to gain from sugarcoating the truth. 

That’s what makes testimonial videos so powerful. 

You need a testimonial video when trust is the missing piece. Maybe your service is high-ticket, and people need more than a slick sales pitch. Maybe your solution is unfamiliar, and prospects want to know someone else has gone first (and it worked). Or perhaps your audience is skeptical (because they’ve been burned before), and they need real faces and real words to bridge that gap.

But not all testimonials work. The best ones feel unscripted and emotionally grounded. They say what problem you solved, how it felt, and what changed. That’s the kind of proof that speaks louder. 

Google Pixel 7 “Fixed on Pixel” Super Bowl magic ad is a powerful testimonial-style demo. It uses real-life scenarios and celebrity voices to authentically showcase Pixel’s standout photo-editing features.

11. Animation 

You might turn to animation when you're launching a new app, onboarding users, or showcasing a process that would take ten minutes to explain with words but thirty seconds to show with motion. 

It's also ideal when branding consistency matters (colors, tone, pacing), all perfectly aligned.

Good animation requires rhythm and thoughtful design choices that reflect your message with intention. When done well, it works so seamlessly that the viewer doesn’t even notice they’re being guided.

An example worth mentioning here is Airbnb’s “Animated Series.” It’s a whimsical campaign that follows diverse travelers on heartfelt journeys around the world through charming animated vignettes.

Let INDIRAP Create the Videos Your Brand Deserves 

Chicago doesn’t hand you a spotlight. You have to earn it. And when you do, you better have a camera rolling. 

In this city, storytelling is happening in loft offices, gritty alleys, rooftop cafes, and the minds of people turning raw ideas into valuable content.

Whether you're a brand or a founder with something worth showing the world, knowing the right type of video saves you from wasted budgets and messages that fall flat.

At INDIRAP, we build stories that work for your brand and your market. From concept to final cut, we help you create content that moves the people watching. Book a free, no-obligation Discovery Call today to get started!