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Why make a video?Video is the most engaging way to market your listing. It allows you to show off the flow of a home in a way that photos can’t, and gives you the opportunity to highlight details, lifestyle, and neighborhoods, in a visually exciting way. It’s also one of the best ways to win more listings!
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Should I be on camera?Introducing the home on camera and/or speaking about the listing in a voiceover is a great way to sell both the apartment and yourself as an agent. It gives you the opportunity to speak about specific selling points and communicate elements that might not be easy to convey visually. It’s also an opportunity to build your brand and online presence. Just make sure to let us know in advance of the shoot if you'd like to be on camera or record a VO (and if anyone will be joining you) so we can make sure to bring audio equipment!
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What about sound? Any tips?For moments where you’re speaking on camera, and during voiceover recording, we need a quiet space with no background noise. Construction, traffic, AC, people talking in the hallway, etc… can all become very noticeable when in the background of a video. If you think we might run into an issue in the space you’d like to use, let your producer know so our team can come prepared with a solution!
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Do I need a script?If you’re planning to do an intro/outro and/or voiceover, we always recommend creating a script in advance! This allows us to plan things out on our side, offer any suggestions for what we find works best, create a shotlist to ensure we’re capturing everything you’d like to highlight, and make the most of our time on site. We can always shoot scripted videos in a way that feels unscripted, but shooting without a script at all often results in redoing takes until you’ve said something exactly how you want to, essentially scripting them out on site. This makes for a less polished product that ultimately still feels scripted. We’re happy to go unscripted if you prefer though, it just may require additional production and postproduction time. Generally we recommend budgeting for an extra hour of each.
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How far in advance does REPN need my script?The sooner the better, but no later than 2 days prior to the shoot. That gives us time to offer any suggestions, create a shotlist, and make sure everything is going to work in the edit. We’re also always happy to wing it when necessary. But getting the script to us in advance helps us make sure we’re capturing everything needed for a video that flows well, making the most of our time on site, and keeping the project on budget! Please note, if the script is received less than 2 days before the shoot, then there will usually be additional production and/or postproduction costs.
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When should I go unscripted?Going unscripted is great for content like interviews, brand videos, and client testimonials! These videos are usually longer and shot in a way that lends themselves more to that unscripted format. If you prefer to go unscripted for a property video, neighborhood tour, or other video where a script is recommended, it may result in slower turnaround time and added costs to cover additional editing time.
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What type of property videos do you offer?REPN offers two main property video packages– basic and high end: Basic Property Video Package Up to 3 hour shoot One complimentary round of revisions (except music changes) Royalty free music included High End Property Video Package includes all production elements in basic property video shot and edited by our most senior team members a split AM & PM shoot totalling 5 hours (recommended to capture each space in its best light) or a single shoot up to 5 hours optional dusk/sunset footage and/or timelapse window masking and/or sky replacements for clearer views and blue skies speedramping complimentary social cut We also offer a wide variety of custom videos if you're looking for something different!
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I’m looking to do something different than a typical property video, can you help?Of course! We have a talented team of editors who are ready to bring to life whatever style property video you have in mind. Links to specific examples of videos you’ve seen and liked are always helpful if you have them. If not, no worries! Send us an email with your ideas and our team can offer suggestions of what we think will work best!
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Do you shoot other types of videos?We do! Our team can help with Events, Team/Agent Profiles, Educational Series, Market Reports, Neighborhood Tours, Website Banners, and any other custom content you have in mind!
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Does your company shoot outside of New York City?Yes! We're based in NYC but always happy to travel elsewhere. We do have a minimum for video shoots outside of NYC, so adding on other services like photos, floor plans, 3D tours, etc.. can be a great way to make the most of the shoot.
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Does your company do drone?Yes, we do; however, there are limitations on where you can legally fly drone and sometimes a permit is required, which can take time to acquire. So, let us know as soon as possible if you want to shoot drone and provide the address, so we can confirm if it’s an option for that property! To launch a drone, we'll always need a private roof, yard, or balcony to launch from.
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Can we hop on the phone to plan out the shoot or talk through editing revisions?Yes, our high end package includes a complimentary preproduction and postproduction call with one of our producers if desired! For our basic property videos, to keep prices as low as possible for our clients, we answer all questions via email. This also typically allows for a quicker response! Whether we do a call or not, we always recommend emailing over any questions/notes in a single email that your entire team has reviewed, so we can stay organized and avoid anything getting lost over the phone!
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Horizontal or Vertical or Both?Our default for property videos is horizontal, 16x9 aspect ratio. But we can shoot any format you like! Just let us know so we can bring the correct equipment. Horizontal is best for your listing page, and generally the format that shows properties the best. Vertical is best for IG, TikTok, and Youtube shorts. If you’d like both formats, we have a couple options! Cropping the horizontal version to create the vertical one. That's the most cost effective route to create two videos, but it does mean sacrificing composition in the vertical version, since the original footage was composed horizontally. Shooting both vertically and horizontally and creating two videos - that's going to give you the best composition for both versions, but since that means shooting two different videos instead of one, it's also the least time/cost effective version, since we're shooting and editing twice as much.
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How long should the video be?60-90 seconds tends to be a good length, but we can do any length you like! We like to think of property videos as short movie trailers, meant to entice buyers into taking a tour, rather than long documentaries where buyers feel they’ve already seen everything they need to see from the video, and have no reason to visit in person. We recommend focusing on only the exciting stuff (even if that means a very short video) and leave out anything that might keep a buyer from reaching out. A video isn't meant to replace your listing copy or floor plan, it's meant to hook buyers and get them excited (as well as sell your brand)! That said, we’re happy to do something longer and more thorough! Just keep in mind that videos longer than 2 minutes may require additional production and postproduction time, which will result in added costs.
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Can I do photos, floor plan, or other services at the same time?Yes! If you’re using REPN for everything, all of our team members are trained to work around each other to save you time on site! For smaller apartments, it can sometimes be good to stagger appointments a bit, but for larger apartments we recommend doing everything during the same window so you don’t have to style spaces multiple times or make multiple trips to the property. However, if you’ll be using another company for your other services, we recommend separate appointments. If that’s not an option, REPN can still shoot the video while the other company is present; however, working around other companies can sometimes take longer, leading to overtime, or impact the final video.
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When is the best time to shoot?It depends! Interior shots will generally look best when they receive direct sunlight (morning for North/East, afternoon for South/West). That’ll allow us to expose the windows more evenly so you can see the views outside. Views will generally look best with indirect sunlight. That helps us avoid glare or dirty windows being too noticeable. For the best results, we recommend our high end video package with a split AM/PM shoot, to capture each space/exposure in its best light, including sunset/dusk/night footage if desired! If you’re opting for our basic video package, we generally recommend shooting during direct sunlight.
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How long does the shoot take?Video takes a little longer than photos. Up to 3 hours for a regular property video, and up to 4 if the agent is on camera. Usually around 1 hour of that time will be spent outside shooting building exteriors or neighborhood shots. You’re welcome to join your videographer for that, or simply provide them with a list of local hotspots you’d like them to capture.
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Can you help with staging?Yes! Our videographers and photographers are trained to style the space to look its best. But the more time we have to spend time rearranging furniture or decluttering, the less time we’ll have to capture footage. So the more shoot-ready the space is upon arrival, the better!
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Can you follow me through the space as I talk about it?Of course! For regular property videos, we generally do an intro and outro shot in the space(s) with the most flattering light, and then voiceover throughout the middle of the video. If you prefer to be walking through multiple rooms and talking in a continuous tracking shot, it may require additional equipment and/or crew members. Just let us know what you’re trying to achieve!
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What if the apartment is too dark?If it’s a dark room with bright windows, video doesn’t allow us to combine multiple exposures the way we do with photos. Our preference is to make the space look bright in the wide shots, and possibly have the windows a little blown out, then cut to a close-up of the views and expose for that. There are also some other options available (window masking, lighting equipment, split AM/PM shoots, view replacements, etc.) if you prefer to spend a little more time and money on your video. Our high end packages are a great fit for more challenging spaces!
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Can we shoot building amenities?Yes, as long as the building is okay with it! We recommend asking the building for permission prior to the shoot. Some buildings require notice several days in advance or a custom certification of insurance. We recommend sending us any building insurance requirements a few days prior to the shoot to allow for adequate time to provide the certificate of insurance and get building approval before the shoot. When speaking with building management, we recommend using the blanket term “photography” when discussing the shoot. Often if we use the phrase “film” or “video”, buildings will assume it’s a large scale production with multiple crew members, lighting, etc. when in actuality it’s even less equipment than we would use for still photography!
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How many shots do I get?As many as we can squeeze into 3 hours (or 4 hours if you’ll be recording audio). Typically we’ll be able to cover: a few angles of 5-6 rooms some tighter closeups of details you’d like to highlight a few exterior shots of the building 3-5 nearby neighborhood shots (restaurants, shops, parks, etc.).
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We want to record an intro, can our whole team be on camera?Always let our team know as soon as possible if you’d like to be on camera and/or have audio recorded! This will ensure our videographer comes with the necessary equipment, and we have enough time to rent additional mics if necessary. If our team is not told ahead of time that you’d like to record audio/be on camera, or we are not told how many people will be speaking, then it’s possible we may not have the equipment necessary and/or enough mics to properly capture audio. Generally, our videographers won't have a mic with them unless we're told we'll be recording audio in advance, and their kits usually contain 1 microphone (meaning we can record one speaker).
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Can we photoshop video?Unfortunately not! For the most part, with video, what you see is what you get. That means no removals or virtual staging like we can do with photos. For this reason, the space needs to be especially tidy/well-staged prior to the shoot to present it in the best light.
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I'm in a rush! Can you help?We can often accommodate a quicker turnaround for a rush fee! The more notice we have, the more likely we’ll be able to help, so let us know right away if you need your video sooner than our usual turnaround time.
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How long does editing take?Our photo, floor plan, virtual staging, and 3D services are all delivered next business day, but video takes a bit longer! For a standard property video, it’s up to 5 business days (or 4 for our full service clients that use REPN exclusively). To help us get you the final product as quickly as possible, please give us any information you think might be helpful in advance of the shoot or shortly after (i.e. music selection, contact information, text you’d like included, preferred sequencing of shots).
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Can you send me the raw footage, so I can create additional content?Unfortunately for regular shoots, we're not able to provide raw footage from our projects. Generally production companies don't release unedited material unless it's agreed in advance, shot differently to allow for easy transfer and use by another party, and billed at a much higher price point. But we're always happy to edit previous content into something new for you! If you have a project where you'll require the raw footage, please let us know in advance of the shoot so we can see what's possible!
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Can I mix in photos with the video?Absolutely! But if we have the ability to shoot something on video, instead of using photos, that’s usually preferable and will make for a more seamless piece. We can add digital movement to photos (a slow zoom or pan), but it will never look the same as in-camera movement.
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Can I use my own branding instead of my company branding?Unfortunately, most brokerages require that we create the video following their specific brand guidelines. However, we can always create an alternate version of the video using your branding exclusively that you can use on your personal website, YouTube, etc.!
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Can we use my favorite pop song?Probably not… Licensing contemporary music costs thousands of dollars (usually around $10,000 per song). But we have lots of great royalty free music to choose from on www.artlist.io and https://elements.envato.com/audio! Just send us the link to the song or both the artist and song name.
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Do I choose the music or do you?Whichever you prefer! Typically, our team will select a song that we feel best fits the property, but you’re always welcome to choose your own music from one of the royalty free websites we use (www.artlist.io or https://elements.envato.com/audio). If you'd like to select, please make sure to send over your choice within 24 hours of the shoot! If we don't receive a selection before then, we'll select on our side to keep the project on schedule. Please note - we always recommend being as specific as you'd like, since song changes are one of the more time-consuming changes, and not included in our complimentary 1st round of revisions.
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How many re-edits do I get?Your first re-edit is complimentary (except for music changes), as long as the request is received within 1 week of delivery of the video. Additional re-edits start at $35 for minor changes, and $150/hr for more time consuming ones. To cut down on costs and turnaround time, we suggest watching the first draft a few times, sharing it with your team, and compiling all your notes into one email.
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I want to add text to the video, is that possible?Yes! We can add room labels, square footage, lower thirds, or any text you’d like within the video. Just send us the specific labels along with details on where you would like us to include them in the video, if you have a preference.
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Why doesn’t this link work on StreetEasy?StreetEasy requires a public link for their platform – we keep ours private until requested otherwise, in case you’re not ready to release the video publicly yet. Just let us know if you’d like to use our link on SE and we’ll make it public for you!
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Can you send me a link so I can download the video?You can actually download the video directly from Vimeo! Beneath the video name is a Download button that you can click to download the video. We recommend downloading the highest resolution video for the best quality.
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Can you change the first image on the link?The first image that you see on Vimeo is actually just the thumbnail, which isn't part of the video file itself. It's kind of like a cover page for the video. If you'll be using our link, we can change the thumbnail to anything you like (including a photo that isn't in the video)! If you'll be uploading yourself somewhere else, you'll need to select the thumbnail manually during that process on the platform you're using (or one will be randomly generated for you).
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