7 Questions to Ask a Video Production Firm Before Approving a Script
Every video project starts with a script. It is the foundation that influences everything else, from performance and pacing, to editing and animation, to how the final piece connects with its audience. But when a script lands in your inbox for sign-off, how do you know it is really ready? While it is easy to check for spelling errors or obvious content gaps, there are several less talked about but important questions that can help you make a more informed decision. These are not trick questions or technical deep-dives. They are practical, collaborative questions that help align your objectives with the expertise of the video production firm. Let’s take a look at the questions worth asking before you give that script the green light.
1. Does this script assume too much prior knowledge?
Why this matters:
When you are deeply involved in your industry, it is easy to forget that not everyone shares your vocabulary or context. A script filled with industry-specific terms, acronyms, or processes might alienate the very people it is meant to reach.
What to check for:
Read through the script from the perspective of someone completely new to your service or product. Ask yourself: Would a first-time viewer understand what is being said without needing to look anything up?
How a video production firm can help:
An experienced production team can act as a fresh set of eyes. They will often challenge assumptions and suggest where a more universal explanation, analogy, or rewording could improve clarity and viewer retention.
2. Are we repeating what the visuals will already show?
Why this matters:
Video allows for layers of meaning, the script, the visuals, the sound design. If the script is simply narrating what will be shown on screen, it wastes the opportunity to provide extra value or context.
What to check for:
Look for redundancy. If the script says, “Our team works across industries,” and the footage shows your team in a healthcare, tech, and construction setting, consider how that line could be reworked to say something deeper or more specific.
How a video production firm can help:
Professionals know how to build scripts that complement, rather than compete with, what is on screen. A good production firm will anticipate the final visuals and adjust the script accordingly, keeping things lean and purposeful.
3. Is there a clear handoff between sections or speakers?
Why this matters:
A common issue with corporate scripts is the lack of natural flow. Transitions between topics, sections, or speakers can feel jarring or abrupt, which can reduce trust and attention.
What to check for:
Pay attention to how one section leads into another. Do the ideas connect logically? If there are multiple speakers or voiceovers, does it feel like a conversation or just separate blocks of content stitched together?
How a video production firm can help:
A skilled production company will think about flow across the full script. They will ensure transitions feel smooth and intentional, even when switching formats or tones, so the video feels cohesive rather than fragmented.
4. Are the core messages reinforced subtly throughout?
Why this matters:
Most viewers retain only a fraction of what they hear. Repetition helps, but it needs to be subtle and meaningful, not just repeating the same sentence in different ways.
What to check for:
Are the main points introduced, supported, and revisited naturally throughout the script? Is the takeaway message still clear if someone watches only the first 30 seconds?
How a video production firm can help:
Rather than blunt repetition, a professional scriptwriter will weave key ideas throughout the script using variation in language and emphasis. This helps reinforce the message without sounding repetitive or forced.
5. Does the tone match the brand and the context?
Why this matters:
The right tone is not just about formality or humour. It needs to reflect the audience’s expectations, the platform the video will be shared on, and the emotional context of the message.
What to check for:
Does the script sound too casual for a high-stakes training video? Or too stiff for a social media promo? Is it written in a way that reflects your brand’s voice and the setting where it will be watched?
How a video production firm can help:
A professional production company will align tone with purpose. They will ask questions about audience mindset, brand identity, and delivery platform, and make tone choices that support the bigger picture.
6. Are we asking too much of the viewer at once?
Why this matters:
Trying to cover too many messages in a single video can dilute them all. Viewers may leave without remembering anything specific, or worse, feel confused about what to do next.
What to check for:
Review the script to see how many different points are being introduced. Is there one clear focus, or does it bounce between multiple goals? If there is a call to action, is it obvious and reasonable?
How a video production firm can help:
A production firm will help you refine your objectives. They will work with you to prioritise what truly matters in the video and remove what can be said elsewhere, whether in a follow-up video, on your website, or in written content.
7. Has the script been reviewed for duration and pacing?
Why this matters:
Even the best script can fail if it runs too long or too fast. Viewers lose interest quickly, especially online. Scripts must be written with real-time delivery in mind, not just for how they read on paper.
What to check for:
Read the script aloud at a natural pace. Does it run over the intended duration? Are there sections that feel rushed or overly packed with information?
How a video production firm can help:
Experienced teams time scripts accurately and revise based on performance style and editing rhythm. This ensures the video fits its slot, flows well, and keeps viewers engaged for the full duration.
Worth Thinking About Before You Hit “Approve”
Signing off on a script is not just a formality. It is a moment where strategy, creativity, and communication meet. Asking the right questions at this stage helps avoid misalignment down the road and sets the project up for success. Working closely with a video production firm that values this collaborative review process makes a real difference. They will not only answer these questions with confidence but will have already considered most of them during the scripting phase. Still, having them on your radar allows for a stronger partnership, and ultimately, a better video. Let your next script approval be less about “is this done?” and more about “is this ready to do what we need it to?”
If you value a collaborative approach where the thinking goes deeper than the page, Sound Idea Digital works closely with clients to shape scripts that are considered and ready for production. Let us know when you’re ready to get started.
We are a full-service Web Development and Content Production Agency in Gauteng specialising in Video Production, Animation, eLearning Content Development, Learning Management Systems, and Content Production.
Contact us for a quote. | enquiries@soundidea.co.za | https://www.soundideavideoproduction.co.za| +27 82 491 5824 |