Why do professional filming days take so long?

Are you looking to start your videography journey and want to know more about the whole process? Do you have a professional filming day coming up and want to know what to expect?

Identifying the right location

When it comes to filming days the very first thing that your team will do is identify the right location(s) to film.

This not only includes finding the best spot(s) to film but also setting up all the cameras, lights and props.

Setting up cameras, lighting, and sound equipment are all part of the video production process. This set-up, no matter what the type of filming can take up to 45 min to 1 hour.

• Dressing location

  Following identification of the 1st location and set up of the camera, lighting and sound equipment, comes location dressing. Location dressing refers to the staging or beautification of the shot to make sure that the video looks as professional and sleek as possible. This could mean anything from adding plants into the background or hanging background screens.

  Staging your shots can take up to 10 – 30 minutes depending on the type of project and location, but however long it takes, it’s a necessary step to ensure that your videos look clean and attractive.

Subject preparation

Once the 1st location has been framed and staged it’s time to start filming, however, before the cameras start rolling more preparation needs to be done with the subject.

This is a crucial step in the video production process and ensures that you can deliver the best possible version of your video.

• Interviews

  Interviews or other projects where the subject of the video is either you or your team can require lots of subject preparation. If you or your team aren’t used to being on camera or trained actors, coaching and prompting may be required.

  It might also be required to take several versions (takes) of the interview to make sure that not only you or your team are relaxed but also that all the points are covered fully in the video.

  Subject prompting may take another 20 – 30 minutes depending on their nervousness, and their previous experiences on camera, and to coach them in the dos and don’ts of being on camera.

• Product videos

  Preparing the subject of product-focused videos requires a different kind of preparation process. With product videos, positioning, cleaning and keeping the product clean is an essential part of the preparation process. This can add up to 20 minutes before shooting and in-between shots to maintain.

Background interference

Another thing that can extend the length of your video filming day is unexpected background interference.

This disruption can come in many different forms, some of it manageable and some of it not.

• Transport

  Planes, trains and busy roads are one of the ways that background interference can affect a video filming day. Depending on where you’re filming loud noises and sounds can find their way onto your video. In cases like these, it’s just best to let the vehicles pass and wait for a quieter moment.

• Sharing space

  While having a studio completely to yourself can be great, often not all filming shoots have access to this kind of space. This means that sometimes, interviews or product videos can be filmed in a shared space like an office entrance, or aesthetically appealing 1st floor lobby.

  Filming in these kinds of places can come with its own problems as other people may be working there at the same time, or more commonly walking through on their way to another location. This can lengthen the time of your video filming day.

Professionally filming in medical device

Incorporating professional-looking videos into your marketing can be a real asset, helping you engage with your audience.

For video campaigns that gain attention, we’re here to assist. Simply book your call with one of our team to find out how we can support your team moving forward.