Client Preparation: Steps for a Successful Video Shoot

Get ready to shine -- you're almost ready for your big debut!

Whether it's a brand video, TV commercial, explainer video or you're introducing your business for the first time, we've got you covered.

In this article, we'll share some fantastic tips and best practices to make sure your production day is an absolute smash! Creating professional-looking videos requires some pre-shoot preparation and that's where we come in. Planning ahead is the secret sauce to ensure your video turns out exactly how you envision it. So, let's dive in and discover how you can prepare like a pro for your upcoming video shoot.

So, grab your popcorn and get ready to embark on your video production journey!

1 Day Before Your Video Shoot

At this point, the pre-production stage is over and all your production documents should be finalized and approved. These documents play a crucial role in guiding the video production process and ensuring everyone is on the same page. Depending on your video project, these may include treatments/creative briefs, mood boards, shot lists, video scripts, and interview questions. Now, as you approach your production day, it's time to focus on those last-minute pre-production steps that will set the stage for a smooth and successful filming experience.

1. Dialogue

Whether you’re reading off a teleprompter or being asked interview questions, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with the material. This doesn’t need to be memorized by any means, but you should have a good understanding of what you’ll be discussing. You know your subject very well, but writing a clear outline can help you focus on your points and ensure you don't miss anything important.

2. Location

If you're filming at your location, be sure to take some time to tidy up your office or shooting space. It not only helps your brand look more professional, but provides a visually appealing backdrop for your video. Remove any unnecessary clutter, wastebaskets, or distractions that could divert attention from your captivating presence. A clean and organized setting ensures the spotlight stays on you and your message.

3. Wardrobe

This is highly dependent on the type of video you're creating, but it's important to wear something you'll feel comfortable in. Whether you're being interviewed at your office or reading off a teleprompter at a studio, you're going to want to look and feel confident. If you're feeling confident in what you're wearing, you'll be able to project an authentic, unscripted energy in your video.

Most of the time, it's best to stick with what you wear at work and match the outfit to the subject matter. Whether that's a suit, uniform, or branded polo, it should stick to these guidelines:

• The attire should be well-fitting and freshly pressed.
• Mild or pastel solid colors work best under lights. No stripes, plaid, pure black, white, or red.
• Limit large & shiny jewelry (it reflects bright lights & causes unintended audio w/ movement).

Last note on colors...if you're shooting on a green screen, be sure to avoid green in your outfit...or you'll look like a floating head.

4. Take Care of Yourself

Get a goodnight's rest and drink plenty of water. Not only will catching some zzz's help you look refreshed, but it will help you feel more confident and prepared on camera. The same thing goes for your skin! Hydrated skin is less oily and gives your make-up a better foundation to work with.

5. Take a Deeeeeeep Breath

We understand that being on camera can be a little nerve-wracking. After all, you're not a trained actor! We've worked with thousands of clients who've never spoken on camera before, so we know how to exactly present you in the best light possible. After all, it's our job to make you look good, so always trust the professionals behind the camera.

The Morning Of Your Video Shoot

Lights, camera, action! It's time to get ready for your moment in the spotlight.

Here’s What to Expect

Here's what you should expect when you arrive on set.

When you arrive, the production team will help you get settled and show you how to sit, stand, and how to direct your answers. Depending on the video style, you could be reading off a teleprompter or speaking directly to someone asking you questions.

While the team is getting set-up, it's a good idea to go over your talking points. Remember, what you're saying is just as important as how you're saying it. So be conscious of your tone, cadence, and enunciation. Here are some speech exercises and tongue twisters you can use to get your muscles moving and vocal cords warmed up.

Once the lighting is set, the camera is framed and you're hooked up to audio, you're ready to begin! Just remember to have good posture, smile, and have fun. It's normal to have jitters, so don't worry about making mistakes or stumbling on your words. We always do multiple takes to make sure you're warmed up and comfortable on camera. Worst case scenario, we'll cut it out in post and it'll be like it never even happened.

If you're working with the Tasca Studios team, rest assured that we'll take great care of you. Even though we're serious about video, we like to have fun! Our team strives to make the environment as pleasant and easy going as possible.

That’s a Wrap!

Hurray! All that's left is for the crew to break down the gear and they'll either start working on your edit or preparing to transfer the footage. Regardless, your job is done for today - great work!

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have a clearer idea on what to expect and how to prepare for your video shoot. If you still have questions on the overall video production process, you can click here. You'll get a full breakdown on our pre - production process, post - production, and distribution/video marketing process.

Even though it can be stressful, with the right video production company you'll be a natural in no time! If you need more tips or have further questions, don't hesitate to reach out, we're always happy to help! If you live in West Palm Beach or South Florida and you're looking for a video production partner, we have tons of experience in corporate video production and have helped dozens of brand and businesses create high-quality videos that increase conversions; from script to screen we've have you covered!

But don't just take our word for it though - check out what our happy clients have to say!

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