What I Learned Filming 3 Client Videos in a Day

When I started editing videos on the side for extra cash, I had no idea it would one day result in me flying across the country, road tripping through 5 states and filming 3 videos for a multi-million dollar tech company in one day. Over the course of 5 months, we held several scoping calls to make sure we were aligned on the vision. I presented some ideas that eventually turned into a script. A surprise video was added to the mix, and we finally landed on the prospect of shooting 3 videos in a single day in the client’s office.

Despite all of the conversations, preparation, and visualization, there were still several things I learned throughout this process, 3 of which stood out to me on production day that I would like to share, and at the very end, I’ll offer one last nugget that I believe was the catalyst for making this all come to fruition. Let’s start with what may be obvious, and arguably the most important takeaway… having a plan.

Lesson #1 - Have a Plan

I once heard it said that “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” When this project was first brought to my attention, it was to be a single ad, and we devoted ample time to planning and preparation so that we could make the best use of our time. Two weeks prior to filming, we decided to add two more videos to the mix, which didn’t leave a lot of time to create a solid plan.

The biggest challenge here was that I really only had a high-level, general idea for what my client wanted in these videos, making it difficult to pack appropriately and prepare a storyboard. In hindsight, I should have scheduled one more scoping call to make sure we were aligned on the vision and overall content. Since I didn’t know the core message for each video, I had to make some educated guesses for which b-roll shots to take, making for a less efficient use of my time.

Luckily, I’ve worked in the tech industry for more than a decade and was able to quickly fill in the gaps. I was also fortunate to work with a great group of people who made the entire day feel like hanging with friends. The moral of this story is this: don’t walk into a video project blind. Gather all the information needed before the project ever begins so that you can guarantee the best results, and remember, proper planning prevents poor performance.

Lesson #2 - Relax, It’s Not About You

It doesn’t matter if you’ve just completed your first production, or your hundredth production, you’ll likely be dealing with some degree of nervous jitters. For this particular project, I had only met my client virtually and delivered one last-minute edit 2 months prior. That of which received great feedback and praise. That said, it was still nerve-wracking to fly/drive across the country to meet them in person, in their office, and show up with the level of professionalism I believed they expected from me. Here’s the real truth – my subject was far more nervous about speaking on camera than I was as the director.

It’s important to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, because you’ll quickly realize that when you’re serving others, it’s not about you. If you’re nervous going into a shoot, it’s because you’re human. But you must remember that your client likely doesn’t sit in front of the camera every day. In fact, I published an entire video about getting comfortable on camera which you can find here: 3 Tips for Getting Comfortable on Camera. This is an opportunity for you to move from director to coach, offering guidance and encouragement to your client. It’s your job to capture the best take, even if that means taking a 10 minute break and starting over. Your subject is likely lacking in the confidence department, so if you come off nervous, that doesn’t give them a ton of hope. Take a moment to accept that this production is not for you, and relax. It’ll not only help you, but it’ll create an environment of confidence and drastically improve your subject’s performance.

Lesson #3 - Take Your Time

We all know the adage, “time is money,” but fast does not always equal better when it comes to video production. In fact, the quicker we move, the more likely we are to make mistakes. Have you seen those videos online of a producer shouting “cut!” only to find that he was never recording, or he forgot to remove the lens cap? While these are funny to see in our Instagram reels, they are real problems that happen in real life. Remember, your job as the videographer/director/sound engineer/cinematographer, is to ensure that the picture is well framed and in focus, that your subject remains on script, that your audio is clear and not clipping, and nothing is distracting or over/under exposed. You are managing a ton, and nobody is going to be impressed with you moving so quickly that you miss key components of the shoot.

In my recent travel project, I didn’t have the luxury of going back to the office to film shots that I missed or to replace shots that I filmed poorly. It was critical for me to pay attention to every detail and recording device to ensure we captured something of high quality that same day. It was also important for me to have the courage to speak up if I thought something didn’t match my expectations. This isn’t being rude. If you’re charging what you’re worth, your client will appreciate your thoroughness and dedication to the outcome. Are there some things you can ‘fix in post?’ Sure! But don’t lean on that as a crutch. If you take your time to get it right at this stage of production, you’ll fly through the edit and return a finished product well ahead of schedule, earning your great praise from your clients and open door opportunities for new clients to come!

Do the Thing That Scares You

At the end of the day, repetition in any field is going to make you better, stronger, and more confident. Video production is no different. That being said, you’re not going to grow by simply recording selfie videos from the comfort of your bedroom for your YouTube channel. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve filmed plenty of videos from home and continue to do so on a weekly basis, but I’m not afraid to grab hold of the external project too. These are the ones that push me out of my comfort zone and teach me new things. The scariest projects are often the ones that teach me the most. For the better part of a year, I kept this quote on my iPhone lock screen: “Comfort is the enemy of making your dreams come true.” When you’re presented with an opportunity to try something that scares you, have the courage to say yes. You’ll either win big, or you’ll learn something new that will make you better in every way for the next one.

Some will say videography is a piece of cake. The rest of us know the truth. Hone your craft, try something new (even if it scares you), and go create something amazing.