Behind the Scenes: What Happens During a Corporate Video Shoot in Philadelphia
- Angela Wolf Video
- Nov 13
- 3 min read
We know that making a corporate video may sound intimidating, so we're taking you behind the scenes to show that there's nothing to fear! Keep reading to learn about our process and what to expect during a corporate video shoot in Philadelphia.
1) Location Prep: Prep the Set
As much as we love on-location shoots, they definitely require plenty of prep work; the vast majority of these shoots are held in places that were not designed with video production in mind. In turn, production teams must create their own "studio" within the space provided. We typically block out 30 minutes for this process, which includes unloading gear, rearranging furniture, and light “set dressing” with relevant decor. It’s crucial that the set itself is completed before starting on gear to ensure the shoot goes as smoothly as possible. Our number one tip for on-location corporate video shoots is to never film in a conference room. While a board or conference room may seem like the best option based on size, we need to move furniture to accommodate cameras and lights. If the large table in the middle of the room cannot be removed, it’s not the right location. We find that lobbies usually have the space, furniture, and decor that we need for filming. Though, it’s important to note, this is only an option if you are able to “shut down” the lobby to keep others out of the video.
2) Set Up: Lights, Audio, and Cameras
Now that the set is prepped, it’s time to dive into the particulars of gear set up. Professional videographers come with professional equipment, which requires a significant amount of time and expertise to prep before filming. For a standard corporate interview video, we like to schedule 60 minutes for gear setup. This includes time to set up lights, cameras, and audio equipment. We always block out more time for lighting than we think we need—and we almost always use it all! For shoots like these, a three-point lighting setup is standard. The the goal is to achieve even lighting that avoids shadow. Audio may also require more time for setup than expected, depending on the acoustics of the room and level of auxiliary background noises.
3) Filming: Take 1, Take 2, Take 3
At long last, it’s time for lights, camera, action! When planning for the shoot, many clients assume that a three-minute script will only take about three minutes to film. Unfortunately, that’s a bit far off. In fact, we allot three times the length of the script when filming with a teleprompter (and even more time when we are conducting interviews or filming "off the cuff" videos). We never film just one take—even if we get a perfect shot, we always get a safety. This means we get a second good take, just in case there were any unexpected problems that occurred during the first. Additionally, we want to provide clients plenty of time to feel comfortable in front of the camera. People often need to “warm up” to filming for a few minutes. We provide a teleprompter, so it can also take a bit of time to get accustomed to reading from it.
Angela Wolf Video offers corporate video production services near Philadelphia, PA. Do you have a specific video question? Schedule a free video analysis call at bit.ly/callawv
