Production

Basic Video Production Tips To Ensure A Successful Project

Helen Clark
August 20, 2019
Contents

We are living in a world filled with various types of mediums. Today everyone is trying to send out a message in their way, tell a story, or appeal to someone’s senses through multiple media.

Ever since the video format first appeared, it has been one of the most popular mediums,it has evolved and changed many times. Today video production has adopted virtual reality, vertical videos, cinemagraph, and other techniques to get the desired effect. 

If you are interested in video production, there is a long way ahead of you, but if you like it, that road won’t be too challenging. However, with so many things to consider, it can be easy to get lost and jump straight to items that are too advanced.

There are many blog posts that will give you an insight into the basics of video production. 

Here, we have made a comprehensive list of essential video production tips to help you complete any video project that you might be handling. 

1. Put together your shooting script and storyboard 

The first of the many video production tips is to ensure that you have put together both your shooting script and your storyboard. A storyboard is a graphic display in the form of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for pre-visualizing any video.

A shooting script, on the other hand, is the version of a screenplay used during the production of a motion picture. Both are essential in video production (before and during).

These two will help you understand your schedule and know all the shots you need before filming during the time of video pre-production. Additionally, the shooting script can also be used as your video screenplay.

It’s important to understand that your storyboard doesn’t have to be a masterpiece that takes up all your time.  A series of different photographs will do just fine. 

2. Ensure there is no conflict between artificial and natural light

Atifificial vs Natural light

Light is an essential thing when a camera is involved, no matter whether we are talking about photography or videography. When shooting videos, it’s almost always necessary to use some backlight to get better scenes and shots, especially when shooting during the night. This will most certainly affect the quality of your video. 

With every shot, you need to ensure that the light you’ve set is consistent. This is also important during the day when you have natural sunlight. When there is a mixture of the two, try to make them look the same.

3. Opt for a B-Roll

B-Roll is a video production term that refers to secondary footage that doesn’t include the main subject. The main issue in scenes is presented in A-Roll, and it’s important to understand this difference.

A video that provides for only A-Roll footage can be off-balance, and this is where B-Roll footage can complement it. 

The important thing to know about B-Roll is that you need to plan for it. Think about your main footage and how you are going to shoot it. When you know this, take the time to add B-Roll footage.

For example, if you are interviewing someone, then shoot the part when they are coming, the room around them, and when they are leaving.

4. Don’t try to do it all in one take 

Image of a Video Shoot

Mistakes are a natural part of video production, and yes, even the best producers make a lot of them. It is essential to not be stubborn and use the technology you have available. No, nobody is going to think you are special just because you did the whole scene in one take and wrapped it up. 

Sometimes you won’t even know what kind of shot you like better unless you try it. Don’t think that your first idea will always be the best one. It’s better to shoot multiple takes and then compare them to see which one you like the most. 

Additionally, when you are more relaxed and willing to experiment, chances are your work will be better. 

5. Control yourself with transitions and video effects 

Infographics on Product Videos

Always bear in mind that whatever kind of a video you are making, its first and foremost goal is to impress your viewers. Even though there are different types of viewers, none of them want to be confused with excessive effects and annoying transitions that suffocate the central message of your video. 

For example, if you are shooting a product video, don’t try to add too many special effects, lighting, and explosions without actually showing what the products look like.

Potential customers need to see it and get a better understanding of it, not look at your effects. One important video production tip is - make sure you add quality and clarity with your video, and then add effects. 

6. Make sure your crew is prepared

Video making is a job that involves many people, and there is a lot of room for mistakes and delays. This is why you must make sure that everyone working with you is competent and prepared for the project.

One of the many good video production tips is to rehearse as long as necessary.  Give them all the information and materials they need so that they’ll know what they are signing up for.

7. Equipment is important

Your choice of video equipment matters a lot. Without professional gear, you will never be able to make something amazing. Of course, there is a semi-professional gear that you can make use of and do some solid work.

On the other hand, another common mistake people make in regard to video equipment is that they think that choosing the right tools is 99% of the work. 

That is not the case since renting the most expensive equipment doesn’t mean that you now magically understand video production. If you do not know how to utilize the gear properly, you just wasted your money.  

Wrapping it up

In the end, remember that no matter how well you shoot your video and for whatever purpose, it is essential to do some video editing. Read up on all the video production tips possible and then plan your post-production.

All professionals use video editing services, as a good editing job can have a very positive effect on the project. Luckily, you can outsource this work to Video Caddy professionals and not have to worry about it. 

Helen Clark

Helen Clark is a professional content developer at Video Caddy. She works closely with creative and videography professionals and has in-depth knowledge of video, animation, storyboard topics.

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