Welcoming a video production crew into your office for the first time can be a daunting experience, with many people not knowing what to expect. To alleviate some of the anxiety and ensure you get the most out of your shoot, here are our seven tips to prepare your office for a video shoot
1. Tidy-up of the shoot space
I think every videographer has been there… you’ve turned up to an office ready to shoot, only to find that the space is anything but camera-ready. While we are happy to help tidy up, this is taking valuable time away from what you brought us there to do. You’ve spent money to use our expertise so don’t let it go to waste collecting coffee cups!
2. The power of an office plant
Don’t underestimate the power of a little set decoration! Whether it’s an office plant or wall art, a little pop of colour can completely change the feel from a dull foreground or background into a visually appealing one. We promise these small changes can make a world of difference when preparing your office for a video shoot!
3. Choosing the right space
Our third tip in preparing your office for a video shoot is a simple yet important one! The room in which the filming is taking place needs to be large enough to fit our equipment, the person speaking, and some space behind the speaker. The aim here, in video production lingo, is to achieve depth of field. This is when the speaker stands out against a softly blurred background, and to do this we can’t have the speaker crammed up against the wall. Another important thing to note is that you don’t want reflective surfaces in the shot, such as mirrors and windows. An easy fix for windows is to have a blind or curtain – even sheer and semi-transparent curtains will do the trick!
4. Lighting Matters
The right lighting can dramatically improve the quality of your video. While our video production team comes equipped with the necessary lighting gear to illuminate your space perfectly (we’re pretty much a bunch of moths at Tempus HQ), turning off overhead lights or positioning yourself in a room with fewer overhead lights can be advantageous. However, we understand this isn’t always possible.
5. Incorporating Brand Colours
If you want to go one step further in preparing your office for a video shoot you can add something in your business’s colour pallet to the background to subtly boost your video’s impact. This could range from wall colors and artwork to smaller details like cushions or coffee mugs. Pay attention next time you watch a Woolworths ad, you’ll notice that almost everything on screen is green!
6. Optimising Audio Quality
In an ideal world, we’re shooting in a space with minimal hard reflective surfaces such as concrete floors, windows, and high ceilings. Where possible opt for carpet floors and rooms with fewer windows. If this isn’t attainable, not all hope is lost, It’s pretty impressive what technology can do to enhance poor audio quality these days!
7. Briefing the team
Last but not least, preparing your team is key to creating a comfortable atmosphere, which translates beautifully on camera. Informing your team to keep the noise down, especially those not in the current shot, can significantly enhance the on-camera individual’s comfort. Ensuring that phones and computers are muted is also part of this preparation. A relaxed team environment fosters a genuine and engaging video production outcome.
These are just a few things to consider when you’re looking to prepare your space for a video shoot. In saying this, we understand that perfect conditions are not always possible. Rest assured, your videography team will collaborate with you on the day of the shoot to ensure you receive a high-quality final product, regardless of the initial conditions.
