How to Stop Finding Your Story in Post-Production
I’m going to keep this one short and sweet…
Talent is not a replacement for a plan.
How many times have you started a video project, even with a strong idea, by simply filming a handful of interviews or some really cool b-roll shots and told yourself, “We got great stuff today. We’ll definitely be able to make a video out of it… Right?” This can happen whether you are creating a video with your internal team or hiring the wrong video agency to produce it.
Spray and Pray Method
To the uninitiated, you’d probably think the more footage, the better. When I think back to my early days using this method, my typical clients would try to pack in as much filming as possible. Whether it’s realistic or not.
More footage equals more time spent on location. It equals more storage. It also equals more time spent editing and combing through the extraneous amount of captured footage; spinning your wheels trying to identify what is important to the final iteration of the edit.
Out With the Old Way, In With the New
You wouldn’t build a house without a solid foundation. Would you? Here are three examples of where you can spend more time in pre-production to save more time in post-production (and production, too).
1. Pre-Interview
One of the best things you can do to prepare for a project in the pre-production phase is by completing a pre-interview for each of the subjects. This will help you know what questions to ask in the actual interview or help to guide the scriptwriting process during the creative phase. Spending the initial time on a pre-interview will save you time and money in the end.
2. Shot List
Creating a shot list gives you the peace of mind to capture the shots you had planned on, as well as the flexibility to film other creative shots that may present themselves to you during the shoot. If your production is more “run and gun”, this checklist will help to keep you on track. If you’re working with a full film crew, a shot list will help you plan out setups and maximize your day.
3. Location Scouting
During a shoot, your most valuable asset is time. Everything ALWAYS takes longer than you would initially imagine and it feels like you are racing against the clock. An experienced crew will know how to get the most out of a day of filming and the reason is that certain members of the team have spent the initial time scouting the location. The alternative would be showing up on the day and then deciding where you want to film, what shots you could get, and how you should light it.
What direction is the sun coming from at a certain time of day?
How noisy is the area?
Are there any other obstacles that you could have foreseen had you visited the location prior to filming?
It’s a lot easier to figure these things out prior to the day of filming when you don’t have an entire paid crew of people standing there while you weigh your options.
These are just a few of the considerations we deal with on a daily basis in the field of video production. The experience of a great team will provide you with a better result in the end, as well as a lot less stress during the project. If you’d like to discuss your video project with a member of the Stories With Purpose team, contact us today.
