Location. Location. Location.

Finding the right location for your video shoot can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That being said, identifying the best spot to record is so important because you’ve just spent all this time defining your Ideal Viewer Profile, and writing a tailored message that specifically addresses their anticipated needs and challenges. The last thing you want is to have a confusing, irrelevant, or otherwise distracting background that may compete for your viewer’s attention. If your message is foundational to everything in your video, the location or backdrop is like the framing built on that foundation. It should compliment what’s already been poured, and provide structure for what comes next.

So what are we actually looking for here? Allow me to unpack three key elements you’ll want to get right in order to feel confident that you’ve chosen the right location.

#1 - Isolated Environment

Control the controllables. When scouting filming locations, remember that your camera will see and hear just about everything that you see and hear. It’s imperative that you control as many elements as possible, and this often means choosing a location that is off the beaten path. Don’t buy into the lie that you can just ‘fix it in post’ if you can make a better decision on the day of your shoot. Even if you’re a world-class video-editor, cleaner footage and audio is always better. Obviously, not everything is in your control, so let’s address two things that are easiest to fix long before you ever hit record:

• Lighting - If you’ve ever spoken with a photographer, they’ll tell you that lighting is key and can make all the difference between an amateur photo and a professional one. The same is true in video. Depending on the environment you’ll be filming in, you may opt either to light with artificial lights or with natural light (aka the sun). You’ll want to avoid places with harsh shadows, and if you’re using artificial lights, you’ll usually need a place to plug in (unless, of course, you have a large battery pack). Lastly, if you’re going to utilize the sun as your natural source of light, you will need to pay attention to the weather forecast leading up to filming day, and since the sun moves, the timing of your shoot will need to be considered.
   
• Sound - Do you remember going to the movie theater in the mid 2010s? This was back when it was ‘cool’ to have a custom ring tone for all your favorite (or least favorite) friends and family members. The box office understood this and would roll a line before the opening credits that said something like, “Don’t spoil the movie by adding your own soundtrack. Please silence your phone and enjoy the show.” Don’t go through all the hard work of crafting a beautifully tailored and impactful message only to have it drowned out by rush hour traffic. Be on the lookout for water fountains, barking dogs, airplanes, etc. I may even suggest you plug in your mic with a set of headphones, walk around the potential filming site and listen to everything your mic is capturing. Additionally, a directional microphone, or shotgun mic, will help reduce some background noise, but do what you can to limit unwanted noise entirely while filming.

#2 - Relevant Background

This may sound obvious to some, but your background footage should compliment your message. This applies not only to talking head videos, but also interviews and commercials. There should be a strategy behind every frame shown on the screen, and if it doesn’t fit the story, get rid of it. Your viewer will notice and appreciate when you are being intentional. It tells them that you’re the real deal and these details will take your video to the next level.

Let me give you an example: Say you own a local flower shop, and you’re going to film a video to announce your grand opening to the community. Would it make sense to film in front of the world’s tallest rollercoaster or the glow-in-the-dark bowling alley up the street? No way!

Now what happens in our desired location isn’t available on the day of our shoot? Don’t panic as there’s always a way forward. The first, and most logical, choice would be to delay production until your location becomes available. If you don’t have the luxury of time on your side, you can always plant yourself in front of a green screen as a last resort, and add an image or looped video of your location in post-production. This will require a bit more skill and time editing, but can be a great way to isolate your environment and eliminate distractions. Speaking of distractions…

#3 - Eliminate Distractions

I love watching Pixar movies. Have you ever stopped to think about the level of attention to detail that is carried out in a Pixar movie? For example, a crumpled up pop can next to the trash can, or dusty, tattered books on a shelf in the back of the room. Pixar movies are 100% computer generated, that means a human being had to ‘write’ junk and clutter into their movies to make it more realistic! In other words, a Pixar artist is starting with a blank slate. Zero distractions.

We, on the other hand, are not so lucky. I mentioned lighting and sound as potential distractions, but what else could compete for your viewer’s attention and dilute the impact of your message? This is where all the little stuff adds up.

What are you (or your subject) wearing? Did you brush your teeth after lunch? Did you forget to set your phone down after reviewing your notes? What is on the table behind you? The walls? All of these things could be diminishing your credibility and distracting your viewer from the message you know will transform their lives. Pay close attention to everything that lands in your frame and cut out anything that may confuse and lose the focus of your audience.

Control What You Can Control

The world is competing for our attention nonstop, and despite our best attempts to eliminate distractions and stay on task, we often find ourselves wondering why the milk is in the cupboard and the cereal is in the fridge (this can’t only be happening to me). The point is, if someone discovered your highly relevant video and graciously offered a few minutes of their time to watch it, don’t miss the mark by putting little thought into your filming location. Explore a few sites until you find an isolated environment, choose a background that is relevant and complimentary, and lastly, eliminate every possible distraction before you ever push the red button.

With a better understanding of how choosing the right location can drastically improve your next video project, you are well on your way to creating something amazing.