The 5 Types of Video Production

Whether it’s the latest summer blockbuster in a billion-dollar movie franchise or a four-second clip on TikTok, various types of video production can inspire, educate, inform, entertain, and captivate specific audiences. In the past decade, thanks in large part to social media platforms, online learning opportunities, and countless streaming services, video content has become more accessible, more important, and more ingrained in our daily lives than ever before. But not all video content is created equal. If you’re looking to get into filmmaking or you’re in need of video services for your own business or product, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the different types of video production and stages of video production to ensure you’re delivering the best possible product for your audience.

The Different Types of Video Content

Most video content you’re going to come across whether you’re browsing social media, surfing Netflix, or flipping channels, can be categorized into one of the following genres: documentary, entertainment, educational, promotional, informational, and of course, cats (just kidding about that last one). Video content in each of these categories can be especially captivating and effective if you know what you’re doing or know what you’re looking for. If you’re looking to hire a professional production company, it’s important to know exactly which of these genres you’re going for as seasoned videographers typically specialize in maybe one or two fields (be especially wary and a little skeptical if they claim to be experts at all five as that’s not often a totally believable claim). For reference, Once Films specializes in storytelling by way of documentary filmmaking. And on that note, let’s get into what each of these categories actually encompasses, starting with our favorite:

Documentary Films

A non-fiction medium dating back to the 1920s, a documentary film’s goal can be to educate, communicate, raise awareness, enlighten, persuade, and/or simply satisfy curiosity. Documentaries feature real-life people in real-life settings talking about real-life events or concepts in a way that speaks to the viewer and artistically conveys a message. Documentaries are generally not “overtly Hollywood” and are designed to shine a light on a particular subject by way of in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and expert analysis.

As we mentioned, Once Films specializes in documentary filmmaking, so to give you a better look at what constitutes a documentary, a few of our favorite documentary productions include Jazz St. Louis, Bringing Healthcare To The Homelessness, and Artisans of Freedom.

Entertainment Videos

Not to say that documentaries can’t be entertaining (they are!), but when we say “entertainment videos”, we're talking about the wide range of video content that exists for one simple reason: for fun! Entertainment videos include most of the big-budget action, horror, or comedy flicks you’ll see at the theatre as well as a variety of television shows, music videos, and even low-budget (or no-budget) Youtube and Facebook videos concocted by amateurs who never fail to bring a smile to your face.

Educational Videos

When you hear “educational videos”, your mind might wander back to grade school when the teacher would wheel in the tube TV and VCR for a monotonously narrated and grainy look at photosynthesis in action. Yes, this is technically an educational video, but the genre is so much more than that. An educational video exists to teach a skill (change a tire, bake an apple pie, etc.), inform about a specific subject (WWII fighter jets, Abraham Lincoln, etc.), or illustrate a certain concept (photosynthesis, the Pythagorean Theorem, etc.). Job training videos and online learning videos are both excellent examples as well.

Promotional Videos

Not to be confused with advertisements as you’d see during the Super Bowl (which tend to fall more into the entertainment category), promotional videos are designed to appeal to a very specific audience by talking about a product’s features or otherwise providing context as to why the product is a worthwhile purchase. Advertising deals with paid sponsorships with media companies whereas promotional videos are generally housed within the company’s site or official social media channels as an added convenience for customers or prospective customers to view at their leisure. Examples may include testimonial videos, product demonstration videos, comparison videos, or product review videos.

Informational Videos

Based on the title alone, it might seem like we’ve covered this already. And yes, while you can certainly derive information from any of the aforementioned video types, when we say informational videos, we mean short and to-the-point videos that present information quickly and succinctly without added flair or theatrics. A prime example would be a news clip or broadcast; a piece of content that includes photos, videos, interviews, and fact-based narration designed to alert or inform the viewer of a particular situation or event.

Conclusion

As a viewer, there’s nothing wrong with digesting and enjoying all of these types for what they offer. And for aspiring filmmakers, it’s important to be familiar with various video production tactics to further your own videography and storytelling skills. And for those in need of contracted video content, it’s always best to have a general idea of what you’re needing so you’re better equipped to survey potential vendors. Don’t get us wrong. It’s certainly not necessary to have a vast knowledge of cinematic history and practice in order to enjoy your favorite music videos, documentaries, or YouTube sensations. But by knowing the different types of video production and the goals each type is designed to achieve, you’ll have a better appreciation of the medium as a whole.