Is managing a video project new for you? Maybe you’ve even got a few under your belt. Nonetheless, here are foundational truths that are good to know going into any production shoot.  After 20+ years, and some one hundred awards, *four this year*, we offer you a peek behind the curtain with Five Secrets to a Great Video Shoot:

• Project Completion
The project should be done before you shoot. What does that mean?  Your producer should know every shot you plan to get – all of the action, everything should be scripted and approved.  You should be able to close your eyes and see the entire video completed. That way you don’t waste time and know what you want – no guesswork  This makes the shoot day easy and fun and editing becomes straightforward. 

• Location
The location is EXTREMELY important. Planning an outdoor shoot? Expensive camera equipment and an uncertain weather forecast certainly does not sound like a strategy for success. Your location should always have a plan B… and C!

• Talent
Not everyone can deliver the line, not everyone has the right look, your production will only thrive with the right people.  If that means casting five people rather than 50, so be it. Scale your talent down based on, well, talent.  

• Listen to the Director
There’s only room on the set for ONE diva – the director! Take their direction because they have the big picture in mind. A good director provides space for feedback and is always checking in with a client to make sure things are running as expected. 

• Catering
Food matters. That doesn’t mean a $10 pizza from around the corner. There should be no fast food. The talent and the crew need to eat healthy. Bad food means low energy. If it’s a shoot that’s longer than 8 hours, set aside time for two meal breaks. In this case there has to be hot options. For a shoot shorter than 5 hours, keep the food options light, but make sure they’re filling.