Production

why the production phase is critical the production phase is where planning turns into execution every decision made during discovery and pre production is now put into action a well run shoot ensures efficient use of time, high quality footage, and minimal reshoots , reducing delays and costs in post production key insights on video production efficiency films with proper pre production see 40% fewer delays on set (source wistia) sound issues account for 80% of reshoots in corporate video production (source hubspot) on set inefficiencies can increase production costs by up to 50% (source think with google) without a structured on set workflow, even the best planned videos can fall apart due to miscommunication, technical issues, or poor execution step 1 on set direction & execution the director, cinematographer, and crew must work in sync to execute the planned vision while remaining adaptable to real time changes best practices for on set efficiency start with a clear call sheet → ensure every crew member and talent knows their schedule follow the shot list rigorously → stay organized while leaving room for creative spontaneity use multiple takes & angles → capture a variety of options for seamless post production editing monitor footage in real time → use external monitors to review each take before moving on action step conduct a morning briefing before shooting begins to align all teams on the day’s schedule step 2 camera, lighting & sound setup technical execution is just as important as storytelling —poor lighting, bad sound, or shaky footage can ruin even the best script essential camera setup guidelines frame the subject properly → follow the rule of thirds for visually balanced shots stabilize footage → use tripods, gimbals, or sliders to eliminate shaky shots use appropriate frame rates → 24fps for cinematic storytelling, 30fps+ for corporate content lighting best practices lighting type purpose key light primary light source on the subject fill light reduces shadows and evens out exposure back light adds separation from the background audio & sound quality must dos use external microphones → built in camera audio is rarely good enough test for background noise → avoid distractions that will be difficult to remove in post record room tone → capturing ambient sound makes post production audio matching seamless action step conduct a pre shoot equipment test to verify that camera settings, lighting, and sound levels are correct step 3 directing talent for natural, engaging performances how talent delivers their lines and moves on camera impacts audience perception and engagement how to coach talent for on camera presence give clear, simple instructions → overloading talent with direction leads to unnatural delivery encourage conversational tone → unless scripted otherwise, natural speech improves relatability run warm up takes → allow talent to ease into their role for more fluid performances use teleprompters wisely → helps with script adherence but can reduce authenticity if overused action step set aside time for rehearsals before rolling to help talent feel comfortable and confident step 4 capturing b roll & additional footage b roll footage provides visual variety, context, and smoother transitions in the final edit best practices for capturing high quality b roll shoot environmental footage → showcase surroundings to establish setting and context film close ups & details → add depth and visual interest by focusing on small but meaningful elements capture candid moments → authentic expressions and interactions enhance storytelling use slow motion or time lapse when appropriate → adds dramatic effect or condenses long sequences action step allocate at least 20% of your shoot time to capturing high quality b roll footage step 5 on set problem solving & adaptability even with perfect planning, unexpected challenges will arise—flexibility and quick decision making are essential common on set issues & how to fix them issue solution poor lighting conditions use reflectors or additional fill lights to balance exposure background noise interference adjust mic placement or reschedule for quieter time slots unnatural talent delivery provide relaxed coaching and reframe instructions equipment malfunction always have backup gear and extra batteries on hand action step assign a troubleshooting lead on set who can quickly diagnose and resolve production issues common video production mistakes & how to avoid them biggest pitfalls in production not reviewing footage before moving on → mistakes caught later lead to expensive reshoots relying on fixing mistakes in post production → prevention is always cheaper than correction skipping sound checks → poor audio is harder to fix than bad visuals not capturing enough footage → more footage means more flexibility in the editing room how to prevent these issues review clips immediately after recording fix mistakes in real time rather than assuming they can be corrected later always record more coverage than planned—editing flexibility is key maintain a collaborative, open feedback loop on set advanced video production strategies multi camera shoots → capturing from different angles simultaneously reduces production time live video monitoring → use external monitors and live feeds to ensure every shot meets expectations cloud based clip uploads → upload raw footage directly to cloud storage for immediate review ai enhanced cinematography → automated tracking and focus tools improve shot precision final takeaways how to execute a flawless video production on set organization and direction are key to efficiency and high quality output proper lighting, audio, and camera work ensure professional grade footage capturing extra takes and b roll reduces editing constraints and enhances final storytelling being adaptable on set prevents costly delays and improves overall production quality want expert help building a video first marketing strategy? book a consultation with look studios sources & further reading wistia best practices for professional video shoots retrieved from wistia com https //www wistia com/ hubspot why sound quality is more important than video quality retrieved from hubspot com https //www hubspot com/ think with google how on set efficiency impacts video marketing roi retrieved from thinkwithgoogle com https //www thinkwithgoogle com/