Car dealerships often mail fliers to homes with the hope of getting people to walk through the doors. The truth is that most of these fliers are thrown away, with other junk mail, and rarely read. Making a car commercial to advertise vehicle inventory may help bring in business and boost sales. Airing a car commercial may cost a little more than flier distribution, but can also generate a larger crowd.
Create a commercial and shooting script. A commercial script will include a description of the action that will occur, character or actor names and dialogue. The shooting script will give camera directions and shots. It is also important to create a storyboard for every shot, as well as a breakdown sheet to identify needed effects and props.
Cast actors, actresses or drivers. Have them all fill out model release forms, so you can legally record them. Hold at least three rehearsals before producing the commercial. Hold production meetings before each rehearsal and final shoot to ensure everyone knows their roles and has the opportunity to ask questions.
Scout the location. Search for an easily accessible site. If the car is to roll, be sure to select a closed driving course or an open stretch of road that is not busy. Contact your city or state film commission to obtain filming permits, location release forms and insurance. Find out if you must pay fees to film in certain areas.
Secure production equipment. Find a video and audio rental company either locally or online and rent cameras, microphones, lighting and whatever else is necessary. It is best to rent two high-quality cameras to obtain multiple shots of the vehicle(s).
Shoot the commercial. Follow the shooting script and storyboard to ensure that every shot is taken. Record extra footage of the car(s) and ambient sound to add during editing. This is known as "B-Roll." Take three shots, at the most, of each scene to produce the commercial in a reasonable time.
Transfer the footage into a movie editing program. After this, rename each shot, if possible. In the editing process, you will select the best shots and audio tracks. Add video transitions and music to complete the commercial. Save the finished result on your hard drive or burn it to a DVD-R.
Contact local television stations and cable companies to purchase advertising space. Obtain information on ad space rates and requirements needed to run the commercial. Advertising rates may vary according to company and location. Once the air time is paid, you will receive run dates and times.
