Let’s talk ↗

How we work

From first brief to finished film.

You know your business. We help you decide what to show and guide you through making it. Here’s how we work, what we handle and what we need from you.

Book a video planning call ↗
Cinema camera on a tripod ready for a shoot Strategy before shooting.

Your project at a glance

  1. 01Understand your brief
  2. 02Agree the scope and quote
  3. 03Prepare together
  4. 04Film with confidence
  5. 05Review the edit
  6. 06Receive your content
  7. 07Review how it’s working

Your project, step by step.

Every stage ends with a clear decision or next action, and we confirm dates with you as we go.

A clear purpose. A clear plan.
01

Understand your brief

Our first conversation connects what you want made with who it’s for and what you want them to understand or do.

What we do

  • Listen to your ideas, discuss where the content will be used and check your budget and timing.
  • If you already have a clear brief, we build on it.

Your part

  • Share your brief, any useful examples, your audience and any deadlines.
  • You don’t need to know the technical side of video production.

Next step We summarise the brief, recommend an approach and confirm when you’ll receive a proposal.

02

Agree the scope and quote

Before production starts, you’ll know exactly what we’re making, what you’ll receive and what it costs. We do it in three clear steps.

  1. aAgree the proposed scope
  2. bReview the detailed quotation
  3. cApprove the costs and book

What we do

  • Send a scope proposal: what the content should achieve and how we propose making it.
  • Once the scope is agreed, send a detailed quotation covering the deliverables, schedule, review rounds, price, expenses and terms.

Your part

  • Check the scope and tell us what to change.
  • Review the quotation and project terms, and tell us your main contact and who approves the work.
  • Approve the costs in writing to book.

Next step Once the quotation is approved, we send your booking confirmation and production plan.

03

Prepare together

Planning gives the filming a purpose. We decide what to capture, in what order and with whom, so the day runs smoothly and the edit has what it needs.

What we do

  • Shape the content with you and agree the outline or script where needed.
  • Prepare the filming plan: locations, contributors, timings and anything needed on the day.

Your part

  • Nominate one main contact.
  • Confirm access and contributors, and approve the plan before filming.
  • Flag any permissions or internal approvals needed.

Next step We confirm the filming plan, with a named person and date for every remaining action.

04

Film with confidence

You don’t need presenting experience. We guide you through it and help everyone feel comfortable.

What we do

  • Manage the filming, sound and lighting.
  • Give clear direction, allow retakes and capture the supporting footage in the plan.

Your part

  • Have the agreed people, spaces and materials ready.
  • Keep a contact available for access, questions and decisions on the day.

Next step Before we leave, we explain what happens in the edit and when to expect the first version.

05

Review the edit

Your first edit is your chance to check the content and request changes within the agreed scope.

What we do

  • Edit the content and add the agreed graphics, sound and finishing.
  • Send a Frame.io review link, explain what to check and give you a feedback date.

Your part

  • Check wording, names, facts, branding and the overall message.
  • Ask one person to combine everyone’s feedback and comment against the exact moments.

Next step We confirm the amendments and the date for the revised version. You approve the final edit in writing.

06

Receive your content

Delivery should leave you knowing which files to use and where.

What we do

  • Supply the approved files and formats listed in your quote, clearly named, with download instructions.
  • Explain which versions are meant for which channels.

Your part

  • Download and save the files, check you have everything agreed and share them with whoever publishes them.

Next step Put the content to work. If you’re unsure which version to use where, ask us.

07

Review how it’s working

Once the content is in use, we look at what’s worked and what might be useful next.

What we do

  • Agree a follow-up point and talk through how you’ve used the content and the response it’s had.

Your part

  • Tell us where the content has been used and how people have responded.
  • Share any figures you can.

Next step We agree whether any further content or support would help.

Behind the scenes

See what a filming day looks like.

Here we’re setting up to film Samantha Davies of Digital Accounting Evolution for her Making Tax Digital masterclass. Lights, sound and a calm set, so she could relax and focus on sharing what she knows.

Before your planning call

Bring what you know. We’ll help with the rest.

A useful quote starts with a clear brief and the right people. Don’t worry if some of this is still undecided.

1

Your brief and budget

  • Your goal, audience and the message people should take away.
  • Where the content will be used, and any examples you like.
  • A budget range, and whether it includes VAT.
  • Your deadline, locations and who’ll be on camera.
2

The finished content

  • How many films or photos, roughly how long, and in what formats.
  • Any extra versions, subtitles, graphics, voiceover or languages.
  • Who supplies scripts, brand assets and facts.
3

People and approvals

  • Your main contact.
  • Who approves the quote, the content and any extra spend.
  • If an agency or several teams are involved, who gives final sign-off.

The filming day is the part you see.

Your investment also covers the planning before it and the work that turns the footage into finished content.

A clear purpose.

Who’s watching, what they need to understand and what should happen next. The answers guide the message, the scenes and how we film them.

Planning before filming.

What to film, who’s involved and how the story works. Schedules, outlines, shot lists and storyboards where they help.

Guidance on the day.

We run the production and help contributors feel comfortable, so your team can focus on what they need to say.

The work after filming.

Selecting and editing the material, then adding the agreed graphics, sound and finishing.

A clear review process.

A chance to review the work, with amendments handled within the allowance in your quote.

Content ready to use.

The agreed files and versions, with a clear explanation of where each one goes.

Nothing is filmed without a reason. That reason shapes the plan.

Keeping changes clear.

Your accepted proposal is the reference. It confirms what’s included, the price, payment terms and timetable, and nothing gets added without your say-so.

Example: shortening a scene is usually an amendment. Turning one film into three separate films changes what you’re getting.

How amendments work

  • Your quote states the number of review rounds and what they cover.
  • One round is one combined set of feedback on a version we’ve sent, from your nominated contact.
  • Gather internal feedback first and mark exact changes in the review link.

If you need more

  • Tell us what you want to change.
  • We send a written summary of the extra work, cost and timing.
  • Your approver agrees it before any extra work starts.
  • On a fixed budget, we can look at reducing or swapping other work instead.

You’ll always know where things stand.

At each key stage, we confirm four things.

Agreed.

What’s been decided and what’s ready to go.

CCM will.

What we’ll do, who’s handling it and by when.

Your next action.

What we need from you and when. If nothing, we say so.

Next contact.

When you’ll hear from us again.

If something changes

Tell your CCM contact as soon as a deadline, location, contributor or requirement changes. We explain the impact and agree the next step. If our timetable changes, we tell you and confirm a new date.

We keep project information together in Kitchen.co and share edits for review through Frame.io, and we’ll show you how both work.

Questions people ask before starting.

Do I need a detailed brief before we talk?

No. Bring your brief or an initial idea. We’ll talk through your audience, goals and a sensible starting point, and help clarify anything that’s still undecided.

What do you need from me to quote accurately?

Your goal, audience and main message; where the content will be used; a budget range and whether it includes VAT; your deadline, locations and who will be on camera; and roughly how many films or photos you need, at what lengths and formats.

How many rounds of changes are included?

Your quote states the number of review rounds and what they cover. One round is one combined set of feedback on a version we’ve sent, from your nominated contact.

What happens if the brief changes?

Tell us what you want to change. We send a written summary of the extra work, cost and effect on timing, and your approver agrees it before any extra work starts. If your budget is fixed, we can look at reducing or swapping other work instead.

I’ve never been on camera. Is that a problem?

Not at all. You don’t need to be a presenter. We guide you through the session, allow retakes and help you feel comfortable.

Is raw footage included?

Only if it’s listed in your proposal. Your project terms set out exactly what’s delivered and how you can use it.

How it feels from the other side.

Shoot day ★★★★★

“His advice before the shoot was fantastic.”

Nicholas SinclairTrade Accelerate (Google review)
Read the full review
“I spoke to a few different videographers before choosing Scott Benzie at Chocolate Cake Media, and I’m so glad I did. His advice before the shoot was fantastic. It genuinely helped me get the absolute most out of the day, the footage, and the overall strategy. Scott is talented, reliable, easy to work with, and clearly a high performer. As a digital marketing agency, we seek out the best and Scott is exactly that.”
Charity promo

“Within a week, we set up a promotional shoot.”

Kirsty BirchallAdmin and Marketing, Love4Life
Read the full review
“Scott, Ed and the rest of the team at Chocolate Cake Media were brilliant. They clearly understood what our charity needed and were very easy to communicate with. Within a week, we set up a promotional shoot for Love4Life and are very pleased with the content, style and edits of the videos. Very professional, friendly and would definitely recommend.”

Ready to plan your video?

Bring your brief or an initial idea. We’ll talk through your audience, goals and a sensible starting point.

Book a video planning call ↗

Rather not book a call? Send us a message or ring 01509 276 223.

  • 30 minutes, on Teams or by phone
  • Your goal, your audience and what to film
  • A clear next step, with no obligation
Already working with us? Contact your CCM project lead.