Mistakes To Avoid During a Video Production Shoot
In order for video production to go as smoothly and professionally as possible, it requires immense planning and knowledge of the industry. Without proper preparation, you can find yourself making some of the biggest mistakes to avoid during a video production shoot.
These mistakes influence three of the key principles of any video production, so if you take the time to understand them now, your final product will reflect your expertise. If you brush them off and simply wing it, that will also reflect in the final product, but not in a good way.
Not Prioritizing Audio
Unless you’re shooting a silent film, ensure your production has high-quality sound. Aside from buying the right types of microphones, you have to properly use those microphones. If you buy cheap equipment or you buy good equipment but don’t set it up correctly, you can wind up with no audio at all, audio that’s obnoxiously loud or full of background noise—there’s a variety of ways your sound can go awry, all of which are going to cause your audience to turn their attention to their phone or a new program.
Don’t stress just yet because, luckily, avoiding this mistake is simple: know what equipment you need (boom mics, lavalier mics, etc.) and how to use it to its full potential. When in doubt, read the user’s manual and do some experiments with the equipment to get familiar with it.
Mishandling the Camera
If you have incredible camerawork but your audio is awful, it’s going to hurt the entire product. Likewise, if the audio is top-notch but the camera is too shaky or out of focus, the audience is going to immediately disengage with your video.
This common mistake is, like poor audio quality, an easy fix: put together a secure cage. There are a variety of reasons to use camera cages on professional video shoots, not the least of which is the cage’s ability to capture smooth, stable footage. With precise camerawork and clear audio, you can effectively catch the attention of viewers. That being said, there’s one more mistake to avoid: improper lighting.
Improper Lighting
Avoiding these mistakes during a video production shoot will instantly show your level of professionalism on your set, and lighting is no exception. Whether you’re on a set or you’re shooting outside, lighting is going to be an issue.
You want to be sure not to create an image that is too bright or too dark. Find a happy medium. Taking advantage of good lights, the right color temperature, and strategic light placement will help you create the atmosphere you’re looking for while also capturing crisp, detailed footage along the way.
