What are the best video production tools for creating captivating product demos and explainer videos?

We use Boords.com as our go-to storyboarding tool. You can add collaborative members to the project and even export out in a variety of formats including ready-to-print PDFs, Google slides, even animatics. We couldn't work without it!

There are a great number of digital tools that can help in the story boarding process, while paper and pencil works just as well. The most important thing is to convey your ideas clearly of what will be shown and how the story progresses. Typically, product demos and explainer videos are using a heavy amount of 2D/3D animation, so it's easier to translate what's on the storyboard to the video.

Figjam by Figma is a great whiteboarding tool to implement for scripting because getting the brand voice for products is so important. What’s more important though is collaborating with key stakeholders to get that voice right. Figjam provides this. The scripting process works best when you involve all stakeholders rather than bringing key stakeholders in at the end of the process. With Figjam you can get realtime feedback from those stakeholders and or have a springboard for action later if schedules don’t align. It’s a great place to develop a full project plan.

Crafting a compelling script for product demos or explainer videos is crucial for effectively conveying your message. Scripting tools aid in organizing thoughts, structuring narratives, and ensuring clarity. Look for software with collaborative editing for real-time refinement by team members. Storyboarding features help visualize scenes and plan the video's flow prior to filming.

Crafting a compelling script is the foundation of any successful video project. Utilize scripting tools like Final Draft, Celtx, or even simple word processors like Google Docs or Microsoft Word to organize your ideas, structure your narrative, and ensure clarity and coherence in your message.

Recording equipment is only as good as the hands and eyes operating it. It's not about how fancy or expensive your camera is, it's all about how you use the one that you have! I used a Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR for more than 5 years without ever upgrading. Why? Because I was comfortable using it, and that comfortability allowed me to become more creative and try new and innovating ways to capture and record. When it comes to audio recording, you must invest in Sennheiser products. They are the best and there is a noticeable drop in quality when you switch to other brands.

Rode makes quality products that teams can use for their productions at affordable prices. Depending on the project, they have a wealth of products to choose from. From podcast recording all the way to video production. Are there better products? Yes; but you do have to piecemeal when you get up there in price. Most of the higher end brands only specialize in one thing. So when you have a team on a budget it’s great to have one brand to rely on for all your production needs.

Investing in high-quality recording equipment is essential for successful video production. Opt for high-definition cameras and professional lighting to capture clear footage. Good quality microphones are equally important for clear audio. While professional gear can be expensive, there are affordable options available without compromising quality. Ensure the equipment meets your production needs without exceeding your budget.

High-quality recording equipment is essential for capturing crisp visuals and clear audio in your product demos and explainer videos. Invest in a reliable camera, microphone, and lighting setup to ensure professional-looking footage. Popular options include DSLR or mirrorless cameras, shotgun or lapel microphones, and LED lighting kits.

When it comes to editing software there are industry standards and there’s the “new” kid in school; DaVinci Resolve. I realize it’s not new. It doesn’t have a stronghold like the others though. What’s great is that it’s an all-in-one vs. the Creative Cloud which asks that you download 4 apps to do everything that DaVinci can do. (Ppr. Ae. Au. and Me.) I realize it’s hard to get large agencies and corporations to move entire ops who’ve bought into CC. Photoshop is an absolute necessity for all creative teams, however, DaVinci is a powerhouse of a program that is more than capable to support production teams. The knowledge base is also freely accessible on YT. It’s a win for any production team, especially those starting out in the industry.

For an explainer or product demo, you'll likely be needing many pieces of software once you've entered the editing stage. You'll need an NLE to edit the footage, a DAW to edit the audio, and a 2D/3D animation software to create and refine the animations. You may also need a screen capture software to capture product demos if the product is software. While what software you use will depend on the job, here's the software I would use for a product demo/explainer video: NLE - Adobe Premiere Pro DAW - Adobe Audition 2D Animation - Adobe After Effects Screen recording - Clean Shot X

As a longtime Adobe user, Adobe has provided me with the ability to seamlessly incorporate projects from Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom into Premiere Pro, which has been incredibly useful. The software offers many advanced features, which contribute to an overall excellent user experience. Additionally, Premiere Pro provides a good selection of free elements, and there are many resources available online where you can find free assets. If you subscribe to something like Envato Elements, you can gain access to a vast library of templates and graphics, which is an added bonus. Overall, the possibilities with Adobe Creative Suite are endless, making it a fantastic tool for creative professionals.

I agree The use of a good editing software can bring your video to life The variety of different tools offered in softwares can really help enhance your video and make it eye catching

Customizable and repeatable animated elements such as lower thirds and data visualizations go a long way in making your content look polished and professional. When researching animation tools, make sure they offer a plug-in that’s compatible with your editing or effects software.

Character Animator is a great program to use. Being that it comes packed into the Creative Cloud helps make it a no brainer for teams who need animation or explainer vids with characters. It comes out of the box with stock characters, so if you’re in a pinch you can just knock out some quick videos. Ideal for internal projects for shared services like IT or HR. It’s also robust enough for complex projects as well. You can even use it to create avatars for live streaming. Because of its facial recognition algorithm that uses your face to map to a characters face live on screen, you can use that to bring your brands characters to life when producing your next video conference. It’s a great tool to have in any production houses’ tool belt.

Character Animator, after effects, illustratrator, best team for animations. You also need some audiotools, for fx sounds like basehead, composing music and nice mixing tools. I use ableton, protools and Izotope software for this.

I believe that incorporating a voiceover talent is an often overlooked method of unifying a project. By giving your project a voice, you can effectively convey your message and evoke the desired mood and emotions. While I personally prefer a human voice, AI technology can also be utilized to achieve this goal.

I personally find voiceover talent as something that’s continually overlooked, but this can really make or break your content and engagement with what you’re creating. Voice over adds explanation, dialogue and a whole new element as a whole that the user cannot receive from the visuals. If you do your own voice overs it also allows for a personal touch and gives an insider connection to the content creator

Frame io is a great tool to use for your production team but, you might consider WorkFront if you’re already bought into the Creative and Experience Cloud by Adobe. Not only is it a great tool for feedback, it serves the main function of managing projects. This works especially if you have a small or nonexistent PM team. It can cover all your creative projects needs, and has a robust feedback system to suit. What’s even better is its integration into the cloud; more specifically Sensei. This helps serve up a DAM system powered by AI that teams can rely on for assets. I’m talking all teams including marketing and sales. They can to tap into it if they need to develop assets for their own use; consumers and internal usage alike.

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2 main ways to showcase the customer journey: 1. Simple: Screen record the entire process, from setting up an account, using the software, purchasing the product, checking out, etc Add voiceover and large legible captions to clarify each step Zoom in / highlight important buttons or icons 2. Elaborate, may include: Animated version of the website's customer journey NOT 100% consistent with the actual customer journey but accentuates the various steps Add animations to each step to make it more clear and engaging Build a 3D computer or iPhone to show the site running on an actual device Recreate the site with animated vector files (Illustrator) Add 3D animations of buttons / icons Composite a person into the world of the website

Be sure to show off your unique style and creativity in your piece. You have a unique perspective and should express that in the work. Allow room to experiment and learn on the way to the final product. The best tool to use is the way you see the world and how you want others to see it.

I believe it's important to focus on the basics and go back to the pre-production stage. This is where we set the goals for our video and turn our ideas into a script and creative brief. By being clear and comprehensive in this stage, we can ensure a successful final output. It's crucial to avoid experimenting during the production stage, as it can waste time and budget. Similarly, relying on post-production to fix issues from pre-production or production can also be costly. Therefore, we must prioritize the pre-production stage to achieve our desired outcome.