What to Expect on Onsite Video Production Day

Welcome to MarketScale's comprehensive guide on what to expect during an onsite production day. This article will provide you with a detailed overview of the processes involved, from the start of the day to the final tasks at the end. By following these best practices, you can ensure a successful video production experience with our team of experts.

Start of the Day: 

On the designated day, our professional production crew, consisting of two videographers and their necessary equipment, will arrive at the scheduled time. They will promptly contact the designated point of contact, who will be your liaison throughout the production day. Our teams prioritize traveling light while delivering high-quality videos, typically carrying a couple of mid-sized travel bags or a small cart.

If you require additional videographers, an extended onsite crew presence, or supplementary services such as photography or drone footage, simply inform your MarketScale contact as early as possible. We are happy to accommodate your requests and make the necessary arrangements.

After the video crew establishes contact with the point of contact, their first task will be to familiarize themselves with the shooting location. A quick tour of the areas to be filmed helps the videographers align the filming plans with the practical aspects of the location. Subsequently, the team will unload their gear, proceed to the first filming location, and set up for shooting. Please note that certain pre-filming preparations are required, and we allocate a 45-minute window between arrival and the start of filming.

Interviews: 

Interviewees have the option to be filmed while sitting or standing. However, it's important to note that moving locations for interviews is time-consuming, as it requires dismantling and setting up the necessary equipment. To maximize efficiency, we recommend using a single location for all interviews. Although filming at multiple locations is possible, it may limit the number of interviews or b-roll footage captured during the day.

Interviews can vary significantly, with some individuals being natural on camera while others may require more coaching. We recommend notifying interviewees in advance about the recording date and sharing the questions beforehand, if requested. On the day of filming, it is crucial to bring positive energy and interact with interviewees in a supportive manner. This helps them feel at ease and reflect that positivity on camera. Encourage them by highlighting that a professional editing team will make them look great and that only a few seconds of their full interview will be used in the final video.

Interview durations typically range from 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the production goals and the individuals being interviewed. It's worth noting that most interviewees become more comfortable as the session progresses, so consider building up to key questions with easier ones or revisiting initial questions towards the end if the interviewee's confidence has significantly improved during the conversation.

Allow a few minutes between interviews for interviewees to be mic'd up, settle into their designated spots, and for the crew to make any necessary adjustments. For maximum efficiency, we suggest having the next interviewee waiting outside the interview location a few minutes before the previous session concludes.

All interviews should take place in a sound-controlled environment, as background noise can negatively impact the quality of the footage. While our exceptional post-production team can address various issues, minimizing background noise during filming is of utmost importance, particularly loud and inconsistent noises.

B-roll: 

B-roll plays a crucial role in creating captivating videos. During a standard production, our aim is to capture a minimum of 4 hours of high-quality b-roll footage. As a general guideline, approximately 1 hour of b-roll footage translates to 1.5 minutes of final video content.

The point of contact assigned for the production day may need to assist the videographers in navigating the facility, particularly if certain areas have locks or present navigational challenges.

Our skilled crews work swiftly, always striving to capture the best shots. They often divide into smaller teams to optimize efficiency. While they work autonomously based on the pre-production breakdown, on-site guidance is invaluable. Providing direction on critical elements and coordinating people for specific shots greatly enhances the quality of the final product.

Lunch: 

Please note that each production day allocates a one-hour lunch break. Filming can be physically demanding, and this break allows our crew to refuel and rejuvenate, ensuring their readiness for the remainder of the day's activities.

The lunch break typically serves as a transition point between filming interviews and capturing b-roll footage. In cases where both are being recorded, we strive to synchronize the lunch break accordingly.

Common question: "Should I plan to provide lunch for the crew?" Our crew can provide their own meals, but they will certainly thank you if you provide lunch to them along with your interviewees.

End of Day: 

As the day draws to a close and the filming is completed, the video crew has a few final tasks to wrap up. They will gather all their equipment, carefully break it down, pack it up, and load it into their vehicles. Typically, we allocate around 30 minutes for this process, although the duration may vary depending on the production requirements and facility considerations.

Once the crew has successfully captured all the footage and is ready to exit the facility, the duties of the point of contact for the day are concluded. However, the crew still has some remaining responsibilities. They will share the footage with the lead videographer, who will then drive back to our headquarters and initiate the file transfer process to upload the footage to the MarketScale servers. Once the upload is complete, the production officially concludes!

Conclusion: 

We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with valuable insights into what to expect during an onsite production day with MarketScale. From the initial arrival to the final tasks, our professional team is committed to delivering exceptional results. By following these best practices, you can ensure a seamless and successful video production experience, resulting in high-quality content tailored to your unique requirements. For any further questions or assistance, please reach out to your dedicated MarketScale contact.