Essential tips for planning your next video shoot

Before you hit the record button, there are a couple of things you need to think about to ensure you get the most out of your video shoot. By following these simple tips you’ll be able to maximise the time you spend shooting your next video and getting the results you’re after.

Why do you need to plan your video shoot?

You’re probably used to just pulling out your phone, hitting record and capturing the moment in front of you. There are times when this is useful for capturing a spontaneous moment in time. However, to ensure you get the most out of your next video shoot planning is going to be key.

By planning out the day, picking locations ahead of time and creating a list of all the shots you need to capture, you can ensure that you make the most of your shoot and avoid having to go back on a later date for shots you forgot  or couldn’t capture.

Planning tips for your video shoot

Write a script

Once you have your idea, messaging and audience all down on paper, it’s time to write a script. This will help you formulate your idea into something which can be delivered within the time limit you’ve set for your video. 

When writing, think about who is going to voice each line. Will you have one talking head or many? Will you be interviewing people? Will you have a narrator? Will the script not be voiced at all and instead appear as text on screen?

Writing a script is different to how you’d write an article for a blog for example. Scripts should be written in a conversational tone and language. They should also be concise. That means avoiding jargon or acronyms which people might not understand. 

The best way to check a script is to read it aloud. Does it sound natural to you? Is that how you’d describe something when asked by a friend to explain it? If it feels odd, then it probably needs to be rephrased. This will also make sure that it’s easier for your talent to deliver on the day of filming. 

Make a storyboard and shot list

A storyboard is a really useful tool to have with you on the day of a shoot. By planning out each or at least some of the shots and sequences you need to capture for your final video, you can use this as a reference point throughout the filming process.

By developing a storyboard it will also help you create a clearer sense as to how you’d like your video to look and feel. It can also help you decide where you might want to place motion graphics or animation during the video to help promote or explain something to your viewer.

Having a storyboard also makes it much easier to draw up something called a shot list. This is simply a list of the shots you need to capture to be able to edit your final video together. Spending time writing a shot list before you commence filming will ensure you can keep track of everything you need to capture on the day and avoid having to come back again to film shots you missed the first time around.

Decide on locations ahead of time

Deciding on where and when you are going to film your video are two of the most important questions you need to answer ahead of your shoot. The subject or theme of the video will typically influence this. A corporate promotional video, for example, would probably be best captured in the factory run by the business, rather than in a bland office.

Try to source locations which are going to offer visual interest rather than a blank or sterile backdrop (unless this is the look you are going for). Having a more visually stimulating location will provide greater opportunities for more dynamic shots.

Deciding on the time of day is also a big factor to consider. The lighting at sunrise or sunset will be very different to that of the harsh midday sun during the summer.

Find and brief talent before filming

The people or person you choose to face your video is going to be central to bringing your vision to life. Choosing the right people to appear in your video is therefore really important. 

You could hire in professional talent to present your video or you could ask staff at your business or organisation to face it. Customers or case studies could offer a more human element to your video and add legitimacy to your brand.

Once you’ve chosen who is going to appear in your video, make sure you provide them with a brief and a copy of the script if you’re using one ahead of time. This gives them the opportunity to practise their lines and better understand what is expected of them on the day of filming.

Source and hire a crew to film the video for you

Depending on what resources you have available, it might be worth considering hiring an external production company to shoot your video for you. 

Professional production companies, like Sheeran Media, bring with them a wealth of experience, expertise and equipment. By hiring an external agency to conduct your shoot, you can focus on ensuring that your vision is brought to life. 

Take a look at our guidance for choosing the right video production company for your project. Or feel free to reach out to us directly to see how we could help with producing your video.

Plan out a schedule for the shoot

Having a running order for the day makes a shoot a lot easier for everyone involved. It means everyone knows when they are needed and where, whilst also maximising what can be captured during the filming window.

A schedule can be as simple as a list of all the timings, locations, who is needed and what parts of the video need to be captured. Building in time to travel between locations is also a good idea to consider.

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We’re Sheeran Media

You might have reached the end of this article and thought that you’d like some help from the professionals to create your next video. 

We’re Sheeran Media. An all in one content creation company with expertise in video, podcasts, animation and design. If you have a video you need support with, then get in touch. We’d love to help!