Chicago has about a hundred video production companies ready to take your money. The problem is that half of them will give you a shiny video with zero soul. The other half might ghost you halfway through post-production. You’re not here for that.

You want a crew who knows how to make people care, pause, click, or covert, whatever success looks like for your brand. This would require you to separate cinematic savants from the tripod owners with TikTok dreams. 

So, before you sign that contract or nod politely through another Zoom pitch, here’s a list of the smartest questions to ask when hiring a Chicago video production company.

Questions to Ask Your Next Video Production Partner In Chicago 

You’re about to hire a creative partner who’ll translate your messy vision board into something people would be interested in watching. So, don’t rush it. Ask the questions to understand the stuff that matters. Let’s get to it. 

1. What types of videos do you specialize in producing?

Not every video team that claims to “do it all” actually does it well. 

You want to know where their creative instincts naturally live. Are they the go-to for storytelling? Social-first content? Animated explainers with soul? 

This question filters out the jack-of-all-trades who mastered none, and helps you find someone whose sweet spot aligns with your actual goals. 

2. Can you share examples of work you’ve done for similar industries or brands?

If they’ve worked with brands in your lane, chances are they already understand the nuances, pacing, and emotional triggers that move your kind of audience. 

Ask for case studies. Did their video drive sales? Increase sign-ups? Make people feel something? 

If their past work makes you say, “That’s exactly the vibe we’re going for,” you’re on the right track.

3. What is your creative process from concept to final delivery?

Ask how they go from scribbles on a whiteboard to something you’re proud to share. Do they research? Do they storyboard? Who writes the script? Who signs off on it? When do you get to see drafts? 

The answer should reveal how they think. If their process sounds like “we just vibe it out,” run. If it sounds buttoned-up but flexible, collaborative but confident, you’re likely in good hands. Because the journey matters just as much as the final cut.

4. How do you approach storytelling in your videos?

Anyone can point a camera. Very few can make you feel something. That’s the power of storytelling, and it’s where average video teams get exposed. 

Ask them how they find the emotional thread, how they structure a narrative, and how they make sure it’s persuasive. 

Do they build stories around real human moments? Do they obsess over pacing, tone, and tension? You want a team that thinks in arcs and one that knows a powerful story is about connection.

5. What’s included in your production packages, and what costs extra?

Before you fall in love with the sizzle reel, get crystal clear on what’s actually included. Does the package cover scripting? Voiceovers? Motion graphics? 

What about revisions? Are you getting one or five? And when does “just a little tweak” start racking up extra charges? 

A solid production partner will lay it all out without flinching. If they’re vague or allergic to spreadsheets, that’s a red flag.

6. Do you offer scriptwriting, casting, and location scouting services?

Great production teams build the entire world around your message. 

So ask: Do they handle the words, the faces, and the places? Do they have a copywriter who can say more in fewer words? A talent pool beyond stock-photo energy? Can they scout locations that don’t look like a conference room pretending to be cool? 

If they offer these services in-house, that’s a win.

7. How do you handle revisions and feedback during the project?

Feedback can make or break a project. 

So ask early: When you say “revisions included,” what does that actually mean? Are we talking one round or an open-door policy until it’s perfect? Do they send you rough cuts with context, or just drop a link and disappear? 

A great team will have a system with clear checkpoints and quick turnarounds. 

If they flinch at the word “revisions,” you’re probably looking at a one-way creative street, and no one enjoys driving on that.

8. Who will be the main point of contact throughout the production?

You don’t want to play broken telephone with five different people who all “just need to check with the editor.” 

Ask who’s steering the ship. Is there a dedicated producer? A project manager who can play the role of a creative and the client? You want someone who’ll keep you in the loop.

A single, responsive point of contact can make a huge difference. Because clarity starts with knowing who’s driving.

9. What’s your average turnaround time for projects like ours?

Does the team build in buffer days? How do they handle quick turnarounds without tanking quality? And most importantly, have they delivered for brands like yours on time, without excuses? 

A pro team will give you a timeline grounded in reality. Because whether your launch is six weeks out or breathing down your neck, you need partners who know how to move fast and still make it look like you spent months in post.

10. Can you scale the production up or down based on our budget?

Whether you’ve got startup scrappiness or full-agency firepower, you need a team that knows how to stretch or shrink without compromising the story. 

Can they strip it down to a lean crew and still make it look polished? Or go all-in with multiple shoot days, actors, and motion graphics without losing the plot? 

The right partner won’t shame your budget. Instead, they’ll shape the production around it. And if they act like anything less than a Super Bowl ad isn’t worth their time? Cool, now you know who not to hire.

11. Do you have experience producing content for social media platforms?

Can they be framed vertically? Think in loops? Cut for TikTok without making it look like your brand’s going through a midlife crisis? 

Social content is about creating native, nimble, algorithm-aware stories that perform well. The right team will know how to tailor content for Reels, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, or wherever your audience scrolls. 

If they’re still suggesting one hero video and a bunch of crop jobs… keep scrolling.

12. Are you familiar with filming permits and location logistics in Chicago?

You want a team that knows the city. Ask if they’ve dealt with local film offices, street closures, parking restrictions, or that one neighborhood where filming requires six signatures.

The best teams have shortcuts, contacts, and the kind of logistical muscle that keeps your shoot moving without a hitch. If they look confused when you say “City of Chicago Film Office,” that’s your cue to run.

13. What equipment do you use, and do you shoot in 4K or higher?

Ask what cameras they shoot on, what lenses they use, how they handle audio (because bad sound kills good video), and yes, do they shoot in 4K, 6K, or still stuck in 1080p? This will help you understand whether their tools match your vision. 

Need buttery slow motion? Crisp product shots? Aerial footage that doesn’t look like it was filmed on a toy drone? You deserve specifics.

And if they dodge the question or throw around buzzwords you can’t Google, there’s a chance they’re compensating for a pretty weak setup.

14. Can you produce multiple video formats or cutdowns for different platforms?

One size doesn’t fit all, especially in video. A full-length brand story might shine on your website, but try cramming that into a 15-second Instagram Reel and… well, good luck. 

Ask if they can tailor the content for each platform: square for Insta, vertical for TikTok, wide for YouTube, maybe even a banner-loop version for your site. 

Great teams know how to repurpose. In fact, it’s a part of their strategy. So, if they treat cutdowns like bonus work instead of built-in value, you’re leaving reach on the table.

15. How do you ensure brand consistency throughout the video?

Ask how they absorb your brand guidelines. Do they actually read them, or just eyeball your logo and guess the rest? 

How do they match your tone, whether you’re buttoned-up and corporate or bold and irreverent? Do they sync with your color palettes, fonts, and motion style? 

Brand consistency means threading your identity through every frame and transition. The right team will ask smart questions to protect your brand like it’s their own. 

If you find yourself doing the heavy lifting to “make it feel more like us,” something’s off.

16. What happens if weather or external factors delay the shoot?

Do they have backup plans? Rain dates? Contingency clauses in the contract? 

A seasoned team knows how to pivot. They’ll scout indoor options, shift the schedule without drama, and communicate fast so you’re never left guessing. 

If they pretend delays never happen, that’s either a red flag, or they’ve never shot outside in Chicago.

17. Do you provide post-production services like color grading, sound mixing, and animation?

Ask if they handle everything about post-production: color grading that makes your visuals pop (without turning skin tones radioactive), sound mixing that doesn’t blast music over dialogue, and animation that actually adds meaning. 

Post-production is where your story tightens and your brand shines in its best light. If they outsource everything or shrug off the post as “just editing,” take it as a sign to consider someone else. 

18. How do you manage project timelines and deadlines?

Timelines are promises. Break them, and the whole thing falls apart. Launches stall, campaigns suffer, and people start panicking in group chats. 

So ask: how do they build their schedule? Are they working from a detailed production calendar or simply hoping everything aligns magically? 

Great teams manage time like professionals. If their process sounds like “We’ll keep you posted,” move on. You want a team that respects the clock as much as the camera.

19. Can you help us with video strategy and distribution planning?

Before you hit “publish,” ask if your production partner can help map out where this thing should live and how it drives results. 

Do they think beyond the edit? Can they advise on platform-specific tweaks, paid media strategies, content calendars, or even help you squeeze multiple campaigns out of a single shoot? 

If their job ends at file delivery, they’re not a real partner. The right team will treat distribution like part of the story. Because what’s the point of a killer video if no one sees it?

20. Are you insured and compliant with local production regulations?

Here’s the least glamorous but most important question on the list. Accidents happen. Equipment breaks. Someone trips over a light stand, and suddenly you’re liable. 

Ask if they carry production insurance, and if they’re up to speed on Chicago’s local filming rules. 

A professional team will show you that they’re covered. If they hesitate or brush it off with “we’ve never had a problem,” that’s your cue to back away slowly. 

Your Brand’s Next Big Moment Deserves the Right Crew!

When hiring a video production company in Chicago, you don’t have to see who owns the fanciest gear or who name-drops the most past clients. You need to learn about their vision and determine whether it aligns with yours. 

And asking the kinds of questions that reveal how someone actually works when the lighting isn’t perfect, the client’s stressed, and the deadline’s not budging helps a great deal. 

If you’re in Chicago and tired of the fluff and the missed cues, let’s talk. At INDIRAP, we build content with strategy and real results that complement your marketing efforts. Book a free, no-obligation Discovery Call today and bring the questions. We’re ready for ‘em.