An opening ceremony can use up to five videos, one for each stage of the running order: a silent loop while guests arrive (one to three minutes), an opening film as the lights go down (one to two minutes), an introduction to the brand, project or exhibition between speeches (two to three minutes), a countdown and reveal for the ribbon-cutting or unveiling, and a one- to three-minute highlight afterwards. Hand over the material for the opening and introduction films three to four weeks before the ceremony.
Opening ceremonies are usually short, half an hour to an hour, but the guests matter: officials, VIPs, partners and the press. Beyond the speeches, what plays on the big screen decides whether the occasion feels like a formality or a day people remember. Whether it's an exhibition opening, a new shop or factory, a property sales centre or a new school building, the videos a ceremony uses are much the same. This page follows the ceremony in order and sets out what suits each stage.
The running order and the video for each stage
Before guests are seated: a loop
While guests arrive, don't leave the screen on a static logo. Loop an introduction to the brand or exhibition, or footage of the building or space. It should make sense without sound and run one to three minutes.
The ceremony begins: opening film
One to two minutes before the host opens proceedings: lights down, music up, and the room falls quiet. The content can be the story of this space or this exhibition, from planning and construction to completion. If you have footage recorded during construction, this is where it earns its place. For more on opening films, see the opening film section of year-end party videos.
Between speeches: introduction film
An introduction to the brand, the project or the exhibition theme, two to three minutes long, so that officials and guests have the full picture around the speeches.
Ribbon-cutting, unveiling or launch moment: countdown and reveal
A ten-second countdown, then a reveal animation with sound effects at the moment of the ceremony, so the action on stage and the screen move together. It's very short, but it needs the timing agreed in advance with the host and the sound desk more than any other part.
After the ceremony: highlight
Cut the recording of the day into a one- to three-minute highlight for the website, social media and the press release. It also serves as a record of the occasion. See the videos a corporate event needs: before, during and after.
Preparing the material
- Footage of the space or exhibition: the finished building, the exhibition layout, 3D renders or design drawings.
- A record of the process: photos and video of construction, installation and preparation. The earlier you start recording, the more you will have to work with.
- Brand assets: logo, key visual, set typefaces and colours, and the full official name of every organisation involved.
- Guest list and running order: check once more every name and job title that will appear on screen.
For the recording of the ceremony itself: we don't offer filming; we specialise in editing, post-production and AI video. Filming can be done by your own team or a crew you hire, and the original files then come to us. For practical tips, see filming an event with post-production in mind.
Check before playback on the day
- The aspect ratio and resolution of the screen or LED wall; see LED wall video sizes and specifications.
- The playback computer and software, who operates it, and how to switch between videos.
- The timing of the countdown and reveal; rehearse it once with the host and the sound desk.
- At outdoor ceremonies, screens are harder to read in daylight, so the picture and text need higher contrast.
- Keep backup files on separate USB drives.
Timeline
A ceremony date rarely moves, so hand over all the material for the opening and introduction films three to four weeks before, and leave a week for internal approval and a test playback at the venue. For working back from the date step by step, see event video timeline planning.
Frequently asked questions
The new premises aren't finished yet. What can the opening film show?
3D renders, design drawings and construction footage, combined with motion graphics and AI-generated imagery for atmosphere. Once the building is finished, real footage can be added and cut into the formal introduction film.
Should the opening video include the guest list?
It can go in the loop before guests are seated, or in thank-you credits at the end. The organiser should confirm the final names and titles to avoid mistakes.
Can the highlight be published the same evening?
Same-day edits aren't something we offer; we specialise in editing and post-production after the event. The highlight is made once we receive the footage, to the schedule set out in the quote. If you have a release date in mind, mention it when you get in touch.
Other kinds of event video are covered under event video production.
