There is an old saying that goes, "if you stay ready, you won't have to get ready", can you guess why they say this? Being prepared is one of the most important steps before showing up to any session, so you won't have to worry about any odd events that may arise during your shoot. This keeps the flow and energy going while you are working to get the job done. There are a few things that every videographer should do before you get there.
First thing is first.
1. Get to know your client.
Getting to know your client is crucial because you want to know who you are working with and what ideas your client may have for the video. A few important questions you should ask your client should be
1. What is your vision for this video?
2. What is your budget for this video?,
3. What type of impact or storyline are you looking to give your video?
4. Is there any particular audience you are wanting to reach? Any marketing techniques?
These questions can help you and your client come to a mutual understanding of what they would like the outcome to be for the particular video you are putting together. It will give you a better insight on how to go about planning.
2. Write out the storyboard for the project.
A storyboard can be crucial to your project, it is a board that consists of ideas you may have for the video, the angles you want to capture, and the plot. Your storyboard can be written in the form of an actual board, pictures, a list, reference photos, etc. And this will give you an idea of how you should go about planning the video. There are many different ways to go about actually creating a storyboard, but the end result should all be the same. Make sure to share this with your client and get their feedback or input as well.
3. Location Scout
Location scouting is a long lost technique that many people don't think is necessary. But truth be told,it is the another one of the most crucial things you should complete on this list. Scouting for locations can be a timely task, but well worth it. This is just you and your crew getting together and looking for the best or different locations to shoot your video. When location scouting you never know what you may find, so make sure to take pictures or write down location addresses for future references for other videos you may produce in the future.
4. Shop for Props
This step may not always be necessary for some videos, but depending on the shoot you may need to gather some different props. You can literally use anything for a prop, it's just all about being creative. You can get props for your set, the artist, or props that will help you as the videographer shoot this particular video. Some of the best places to find props are thrift stores,pawn shops, yard sales, flea markets,etc. At these locations, you can more than likely find what you are looking for, at a fraction of the cost you would buy it brand new. The best part about buying props is that you can get multiple uses out of them, a they are almost never just a one time thing. This is of course assuming that your client has a set budget for the video or you are setting up a specific set for your client.
5. Make sure your equipment is CHARGED and ready to go!
Now,I know what you are thinking, this step sounds super obvious, but I honestly can't tell you how many times I have shown up on set and realized that a piece of my equipment isn't fully charged. It never hurts to double check or charge it anyway the night or two before, because you never really know how fast your battery will drain or how long you will be out shooting. Another necessary thing is make sure to always have more than one battery for your equipment, keep a car charger just in case, so you can stay prepared. There is nothing more unprofessional than having your battery die and not having a backup. Stay ready so you won't have to get ready!
