Parc Entertainment - A Video Production Company - Birmingham, AL

A successful video production crew is a prepared video production crew. Every possible variable must be considered before heading out on location to shoot a project for a client. Your job as a video producer is to make sure that the client has everything he/she needs. So, if something unexpected pops up, you will be there with a quick solution to the problem. Accommodating the client in a prompt, professional manner is essential in building good word-of-mouth and repeat business.

Being prepared means building a versatile production kit, so that you will always have the right tools while on location. Now, I realize that everyone doesn’t have a full two ton production truck sitting in the parking lot outside the office, but you do need to focus on building up a solid production kit. This happens gradually, so you will have to rent gear when you need to. The most important thing to remember is that you, as a video producer, need to anticipate. Always expect the unexpected.

In the world of video production, the word “schedule” is used very loosely. Things get shuffled around. Shot lists change. A client’s needs might shift depending on what’s happening on set. For example, a client might tell you, “Don’t worry about audio for Friday. We will only need it on Saturday.” What happens if you leave your audio gear at the office and Friday afternoon the client tells you, “Oh, we need to mike this guy up for a quick interview.”? It doesn’t reflect well on you as a producer.

Even the most experienced video producer/director makes mistakes. The goal is to learn from these mistakes. Remember, luck favors the prepared.

I’ve heard it said that video production is 75% furniture moving. There’s a lot of truth in that statement. Shooting on location can be a very intrusive process. There’s a lot of people, a lot of gear, and a lot of commotion. A lot of re-adjusting takes place while on location to make room for the camera, the lights, the crew, etc. Many times I will arrive on location to shoot a corporate video and my client can’t believe the amount of gear my crew and I have brought with us. If your company has hired a video production company to come out and profile your business, it’s important to know what to expect and how to prepare.

In previous articles I have gone over important tips for mapping out your entire production project and scheduling individual shooting days. In this article, I would like to give some advice on how to prepare your office before the production company arrives.

Coordinate

If you work for a large corporation, more than likely you will have to reserve areas of your office in advance. Talk to your office manager. Make sure he/she has the video shoot written on the calendar. Find out which rooms in the building are available and which are not. There have been moments when my crew and I spent valuable time just walking around with my contact trying to find available rooms in which to shoot.

Communicate

Make sure other employees in the office know about the shoot well in advance. Let them know what’s expected of them. Let them know which areas of the office the production company will be using. Make sure that everyone comes to work that particular day dressed appropriately. There have been days when my crew and I have arrived on location, only to discover that no one else other than my contact knew we were coming.

Think Aesthetically

When conducting employee interviews or client testimonials, a video production company will seek out those places in your office that look the best. Usually, a producer and/or director will scout your offices before the shoot, but budget constraints can sometimes prevent a tech scout. So that means it’s up to you to have areas in your office prepared before the production company arrives. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Look for areas in your office that have character and color. Conference rooms are usually bland and therefore not a great option for conducting on-camera interviews.
2. If you have to use a room without much color, can you bring items in from other areas in your office to dress up the set? Artwork, plants, pictures, books? Look for anything that can support the look and the subject matter of your video.
3. Remove any unwanted posters, etc. from the room. Look out for anything in the background that advertises someone else’s brand.

Think Spatially

As mentioned previously, video production can be intrusive. The crew will need furniture and other items moved in order to make room for equipment. Find those areas in your office that provide the most space in which to work. Find out what furniture can and cannot be moved. Also, make note of the most convenient elevators, service ramps, loading docks, etc. to help the crew maintain efficiency as they move in and out of the office.

The most important part of the video production process happens well before the camera starts rolling. A well executed pre-production ensures a more enjoyable and efficient production experience for all involved.

When you finally meet with potential clients interested in your creative services, it’s easy to sit back and allow them to describe the project for you. It’s easy to listen as they tell you what they would like. But what do you do when your contact turns and says, “I’d like to hear some of your ideas.”

One of the best ways to attract new work is to spend some quality time preparing for that first meeting. Research your contact’s company. Learn what you can about the way they do business. Examine their current brand and their current marketing efforts. Read what other people are saying about them. And see what their competition is doing. If you take the time to do your homework then you can be better prepared to ask relevant questions offer creative solutions to their marketing problems. It’s a great way to establish a strong business relationship.