Lay of the Land

A Site Survey beforehand will also help in the planning of the day.  The Site Survey can be used by the Director of Photography and the Producer to discuss important considerations concerning access and camera angles.  The Site Survey should be attended at the same time of day as the planned shoot so that any hurdles can be addressed, like security access, noise in the area, and lighting issues or camera angles.

Now, let’s look at some simple concepts to keep in mind when planning for the day.

Location

This can be simplified to “where is the shoot happening.”  For a lot of shoots, the location is determined by a handful of factors including the availability of on-camera personnel, demonstration equipment and background visuals.  Interviews can be conducted in an office or studio, but perhaps a background that reflects the subject matter is better.  The location will determine what gear is needed for the shoot, how the crew will access the location, and any audio or lighting concerns.

Videos are visual and the background has the potential to help reinforce the Key Message.  This might not always be the case.  Having a factory floor in the background may seem fantastic, but the noise of the machines working will drown out any audio.

Also keep in mind the area you are in.  Will the shoot cause disruption in the workplace?  Look for ways to mitigate the effects of the crew moving around the area if that is a concern.  Video gear is not small and moving around and setting up can cause distractions.  Our crews are always courteous and mindful of the workplace and will keep this to a minimum but workers can be a curious bunch when cameras and lights are around!

Time

The time of day is another important element of the shoot.  This will determine when the crew needs to arrive and setup, what natural light there may be and the business of the workplace.  Normal business hours can create positives and negatives.  A positive is that everyone involved is there when needed; a negative may be interruptions or unwanted noise in the area.  The Site Survey can be a helpful tool to decide if the location is well suited for the video shoot.

If there is Security at the shoot location, the time of the shoot will also determine ease of access.  Sometimes, there is a skeleton crew after hours and getting into and out of the location may take a bit more time.  Consider getting them involved early in the planning to determine if there are any questions in this area.

Personnel

Look back at your list of Key Personnel.  It might seem like a great idea to have everyone there the day of the video shoot.  Depending on the location, this may not be a great idea.  There is the potential to slowing the shoot down if there are too many bodies milling about.  Consider who on the team needs to be there to answer any questions that may arise.  Besides the Production Crew and Producer, the Operations Consultant and someone who can give Final Approval should definitely be at the shoot.

Length

How long will the shoot last?  This question can only be answered by the script and location.  One interview in an easy to access office will take far less time than a multi-location re-enactment training video.  The time of day also has the potential to determine the length of the shoot.

During normal business hours there can be times that the crew has to stop filming because of extra noise or more business workers arriving at the location.  The length of the shoot will also determine if refreshments should be considered.  A short 2-4 hour shoot may not call for food for the crew, but a day-long shoot will require lunch, whether it is brought to the location or having the crew leave and come back.

All of this planning will help create the Production Schedule and Shot List for the day.  Using the answers to these questions, the Producer will be able to determine when is the best time for the crew to arrive and setup for the first shot.

Not sure where to start on your shoot planning?  We have a great staff willing to help you every step of the way to a fantastic video shoot!  todd@madeya.com

Happy Planning,

Todd