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Corporate video for engineering firms: how to explain what you do without boring people
How to plan a corporate video for an engineering firm: what to show, who speaks, how to film on site and in the technical office, and which mistakes to avoid.
Whoever hires an engineering firm can't check whether the calculations are right. What they can judge is whether the team looks serious, organised and able to explain itself. A well-made video shows that in two minutes.
Here's how I plan a corporate video for an engineering company: what I decide before shooting, who appears on camera and what tends to go wrong.
Why an engineering firm needs video
An engineering firm's work is invisible until it gets built. Before that there are drawings, models and reports the client can't read. The website usually deals with it by listing specialisms and showing a couple of site photos.
A video lets you show the process: who reviews what, how the team coordinates and what happens when a problem appears on site. That's what reduces perceived risk, and in a large contract perceived risk weighs more than price.
My recommendation is one introductory piece of one to two minutes and several cuts by line of work, which can be used for tenders, LinkedIn and sales meetings.
How to do it properly
Who appears on camera
The people the client will see on the project: a partner or technical director, a project manager and someone from site. Technical people often say they can't talk to a camera. I prepare three questions for them, film them seated and ask them to explain the work as they would to a client from outside the industry.
What you show
One real project, from start to finish: the problem, the solution and how it was carried out. I prefer one well told to five listed. Calculation or modelling screens work well as cutaway shots, as long as no confidential client information is visible.
How to film on site and in the office
On site I need the site management's permission, a hard hat, safety boots and a vest, and I talk to the safety manager beforehand. I shoot with a lightweight camera and plan the shots for windows when work isn't interrupted. In the technical office I set up two cameras for the interviews, soft light and a lavalier microphone, because ambient noise on a site makes direct sound unworkable.
Common mistakes
- Putting together a video of machines and landscapes with epic music and nobody from the team speaking.
- Letting the video talk about specialisms instead of telling the story of a specific project.
- Filming on site without telling the site management or following their safety rules.
- Showing drawings or screens with client data without asking permission.
- Using jargon that only another engineer understands and losing the person who decides on the contract.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an engineering firm's video be?
The company introduction, between one and two minutes. Each project, between one and three. For LinkedIn, cuts of 30 to 45 seconds taken from the same material.
Can you film a project while it is being built?
Yes. I need authorisation from the owner and the site management, and I follow their safety rules. It's usually the best thing you can show, because it shows the real work.
Is a drone needed?
It depends. For infrastructure or large facilities it adds context. In urban areas it requires authorisation and flying isn't always possible, so I don't take it for granted.
How long does it take to get the video?
An introductory piece usually takes between three and five weeks: preparation, one or two shooting days and editing with one or two review rounds. If filming on site is needed, the schedule depends on the site.
If you run an engineering firm and want a video that shows how you work and not just which specialisms you cover, get in touch via /en/contact. In a short call I'll tell you which format suits your projects.