Video Production - Stage 2: Production and Development

As the client you need to be as prepared for your role in the video-production process as the crew and the director. It is necessary for the client to be aware of every facet of the filming day, and to be ready to walk through every step with the crew.

After all, you need to ensure that every detail that is captured on film will portray the company in the best possible light.

There are many intricate details involved in the production of a video – many that you, as the client, may never need to be aware of or concerned with. The crew and producer will take care of these without needing to discuss these first.

However, there are certain precautions and steps that you, as the client, can take to help deliver the optimum result.

Dress each scene correctly

Ensure that each person is wearing the correct gear and that the necessary safety measures and precautions are followed throughout the filming. The immediate environment should also be tidy and aesthetically pleasing.

Lastly, make sure that all people and objects that you would like to feature on camera are placed in the scene.

Stick to the plan

The clock doesn't start when filming begins, but rather when the crew arrives. The standard call time (arrival to wrap up) is ten hours. Most video producers plan every hour very carefully so that overtime is not required.

Spur-of-the-moment ideas may lead to spontaneous developments in the program, but deviating from the pre-prepared plan may run the production into overtime. Every additional hour of filming has implications including extra costs that you may be held accountable for.

Crew’s Safety

It may seem like an excellent shot will be achieved from scaffolding that reaches three floors up, but unless your company has efficient safety gear and precautions, this kind of scenario should be entirely avoided. Also, take the immediate environment and location of the shot into account (e.g. a video crew filming in downtown Johannesburg may be robbed).

Invest in rain insurance

In the event of bad weather at an outdoor venue, an entire day of shooting may be wasted, that you may be charged for. Most video producers charge a small fee to cover the insurance of a wasted day on site.

Power Supply

Make sure that there are sufficient power supplies available for all equipment.

Ambient Noise

Keep in mind that the camera records ambient sound. The camera man would need to record only the location's natural ambient noise and not the voices of the audience who have gathered to watch the filming. In other words, do not allow hangers-on to gather around the set.

Role Players during the production stage

Although one person can fulfil a number of roles during the production stage (e.g. that of director and producer), a production team typically consists of the following role players:

Director

This person will be responsible for staging the production. He or she will coordinate the production team and is also responsible for the selecting talent. The director guides and cues the performance and supervises post-production editing.

Camera operators

Camera operators are responsible for all filming operations.

Lighting Director

The lighting director arranges and supervises all lighting and lighting equipment.

Audio Engineer

The audio engineer is responsible for sound balance and supervises personnel operating microphones and sound equipment.

Make-Up Artist

The make-up artist applies make-up to all actors throughout the video shoot.

Floor crew

The crew is responsible for moving equipment and assisting with the setting up of locations or dressing of settings.