Organizing teams and teams for sessions can present a number of potential issues. Here is a checklist that I have found extremely helpful. I am passing it along in the hope that you will find it useful as well.
First, make sure in advance that you have the right gear and equipment for the job. This means having all the session details in advance and being on top of everything your client expects you to deliver. If it’s your own project, think about everything you’ll need to get the material you want.
I’ve seen crews show up without lights because they were told all filming would be done outdoors, only to find out that three interviews needed to be filmed indoors. Or a sound guy shows up on location with a standard production sound kit and discovers that he needs six radio microphones when the two he normally brings usually cover the typical requirements.
Getting these details is not always easy. A standard list of questions can help:
What is the end use of the material?
What will we be filming?
Where will we be filming?
Indoor or outdoor?
Interviews? How many subjects at once?
Where will the interviews take place?
Are follow shots or jib needed?
Are handheld jacks needed? stabilized camera?
What are the sound requirements?
If possible, even if a client doesn’t request lights, I would recommend always carrying a basic interview lighting kit. And a spare radio microphone pack. Those two sets of kit can help to solve many unexpected requests made on the spot.
Once you have the details for a shoot, you’ll also be able to better tailor the crew to the job. If the videographer is expected to run around with a camera slung over his shoulder all day, a fitness fanatic who likes this type of work is your man. Match the skill set and strengths to the job.
Ideally, arrange for the cameraman to speak with the producer or director before the shoot to go over the details. This conversation can help identify any specific requirements for the additional kit or crew.
Before work, email the customer the equipment list and the equipment you will provide, and ask the customer to confirm that the list covers everything they need. It’s better to fix anything missing before the shoot rather than on location.
And when you schedule the time for the call, have the team arrive 15-20 minutes early (or more). This offers some important benefits:
If there is any delay on the way to work, the team has a margin of 15 to 20 minutes.
If the crew gets to where they think the location is, but it’s hard to find, they have time to deal with any confusion.
If the crew arrives at the site early, they have time to order parking, unload, confirm security arrangements, and check out the site.
Following the above procedures has helped me many times. I hope there is something above that you can apply.
