What to expect on your video shoot

If you've never shot a video or worked with a company to produce one, you may be confused about what to expect when your production team arrives on site. Here’s a look at some of the basics of our production process to help you feel more comfortable and better prepared before your next shoot. Knowing more about the various stages of video production from arriving on-site to setting up equipment, composing shots, managing lighting and capturing audio will ensure both you and your video team have a smoother production experience and make for a better end product.

Arriving on Site and Unloading

When we arrive on-site, we bring a substantial amount of gear, which may require multiple trips to transport everything into the production facility. We move all of our equipment on a cart so limited space, elevators and narrow corridors can present challenges, especially in downtown areas or older buildings. Knowing ahead of time that there is an entrance without steps or if there’s a loading dock with a wider door or hallway with a wider turning radius is helpful to get equipment in as quickly and easily as possible. It’s also helpful to have a conference room or other area designated to bring equipment to and store it in for easy access throughout the day.

Setting Up to Shoot: Lights, Camera, Audio!

Once inside the building, we focus on staging our gear to optimize workflow. Every item has its place, ensuring a streamlined process and avoiding wasted time looking for or unpacking something. Our goal is to provide a system that allows easy access to equipment as it’s needed at a moment’s notice and keeps the production moving efficiently.

Usually, if we are doing interviews we like to set up and complete those first. This includes finding a good location, and possibly arranging the furniture for the interviewer and company representative (non-swivel chairs are preferred!) and then setting up lights, microphones and the camera.

Lighting plays a vital role in video production, evoking emotions and setting the tone. It's not about using an excessive number of lights but rather understanding how to use them effectively. We aim to achieve the desired look while using minimal lighting techniques. By controlling light, we can ensure accurate skin tones and eliminate distracting background elements, such as sunlight from windows.

Despite being frequently overlooked, audio is also a critical aspect of any video production. While visuals are essential, poor audio quality can ruin the video’s overall impact. We emphasize capturing clean and professional sound, ensuring that dialogue is clear and free from background noise or interference. By using suitable microphones and considering the room's acoustics, we create a pleasing listening experience for your viewers.

This whole process from unloading equipment to being ready to start recording can take a couple of hours, but these are crucial steps to preparing for the day and creating visually appealing shots and professional audio for a high-quality looking video.

Equipment Versus Expertise

While having a bunch of expensive equipment can look impressive, what really makes a video shoot successful is when you have experts that know how to make the most out of the gear they’re using and troubleshoot when obstacles inevitably arise. Professionals understand the importance of compromise and finding creative solutions within limitations. They can mitigate potential issues such as background noise in post-production or suggest alternatives during the shoot to ensure an optimal outcome and avoid having to come back or do more editing which can create additional cost.

Ensuring a Smooth Production Process

To facilitate a smooth video shoot, there are some steps you can take beforehand. For example, spend some quiet time in the shooting location to observe the surroundings and identify potential noise sources. Consider removing or adjusting elements that don't match your desired aesthetic. Additionally, arranging a site visit with your production company allows for better planning and understanding of the space, ensuring optimal camera placement, lighting adjustments and audio considerations.

Understanding the video production process is crucial for both clients and professionals. By familiarizing yourself with the different stages and considerations involved, you can have realistic expectations and actively contribute to the success of your video project. Whether it's preparing the shooting space or collaborating with professionals, each step contributes to a more efficient production experience and an end result that you’re going to love and will generate a positive return on your investment.

Want to learn more about what to expect on a shoot? Watch or listen to our podcast with our lead videographer and editor “The Ins and Outs of the Video Production Process: A Cinematographer’s Perspective.”

Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ins-and-outs-of-the/id1501809743?i=1000610112364

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