Our team has discovered a few key learnings from our remote video shoots that will help you create impactful videos when recording speakers from afar.
Your crew is your presenter, and your presenter is your crew
In a remote video shoot, you are working with a slim team. And by slim, we mean one-person on-site slim. Audio, lighting, set design, and wardrobe is all being done by your on-screen talent. It’s important to remember that these responsibilities could be new, especially when you’re not using professional actors or keynote speakers. So be patient as they work through their role, but don’t be afraid to push their boundaries to get the shot. And don’t forget to send out lighting and audio kits to your talent ahead of time. It saves time and aggravation during your shoot.
Remote does not mean Zoom.
You don’t need to rely on a video call to capture the content. Almost everyone has a powerful camera within their cell phone that can record a better-quality video (make sure the talent has enough storage before you begin shooting!). You can even send a DSLR camera to be used for the shoot. Zoom should still be used to communicate between the director and the talent – NOT to capture the content! To elevate your remote video shoot even more, get creative with your camera angles. We often set-up 2 different angles to add more dynamic shots to the video.
Prep work makes the dream work.
A remote video shoot is still a video shoot. Make sure your entire team is prepared – whether that is sending the script ahead of time or creating a shot list. To get a professional, high-quality video shoot takes time and effort. Location scout! Have your talent walk around their space and see what will work on shoot day. Be prepared for troubleshooting by adding time for it into your timeline. Expect to do a few extra takes as well.
Most of all, enjoy the process! Take care of the details and watch how your audience increases engagement thanks to a well-produced video.
