How can you select and manage the right team for your video production project?

Ask yourself this: is this a big project or a little project? If it’s big, you may need to hire large people. If it’s small, you might want to consider a crew shorter than 5’2”.

Carefully consider the end goal and your journey there. Who seems like the best option initially may not be when the project logistics, budget and timeline are considered

Ensure everyone understands the content proposition, target platform and audience, ensure you have strong leads in key roles so editorial, production, creative, style, budget, timeline, compliance etc. are in the best hands. With increasing pressure on budgets having a nimble team who can be flexible and find creative solutions is critical. New technology is opening doors for better creativity and workflow, you want people who can harness these. Give the team space to work but ask challenging questions and as always, communication and being open and honest is critical pre, during, and post to ensure the best possible content is delivered.

One thing I've found helpful for selecting and managing the right video production team is starting with laser focus on the project's core message. This single question - what's the one key takeaway you want your video to convey? - sets the stage for everything else. Nail outcome video's one key message first. This defines the target audience, style, and resource needs. Build the team with key roles like videographer and editor, considering budget and project size. Prioritize portfolios, testimonials, and technical skills. Foster open communication and choose collaborators who work well together. Online platforms can help find specialists. Good luck building a dream team!

Many start with call to action - what do you want the viewer to do but what is equally important is what do you want the viewer to feel? Video is a visual medium that gives you an opportunity to create emotion and engage your viewer. It is an opportunity to trigger oxytocin release which is the hormone that creates bonding, trust and love. Do you want the viewer to feel humor, empathy, help, hope - those answers will help you choose the right video team who can deliver as some agencies specialize in animation/fun versus heartfelt scenes.

Choosing a person or company to trust with creating a video is tricky. In my opinion the most important thing in this process is finding someone you can connect with and communicate effectively with. Find someone creative who brings excitement and passion to your project. Thats the best way to ensure your video will turn out well, as well as enjoy the production process.

Absolutely, selecting the core team members for your video production is critical. Look for individuals with relevant experience, a strong portfolio, and availability within your project timeline and budget constraints. Compatibility with your vision is key, so consider their previous work, personality, work ethic, and communication style to ensure smooth collaboration throughout the project.

Form your core team for video production by selecting individuals for key roles like producer, director, writer, cinematographer, editor, and sound designer. Consider experience, portfolio, availability, compatibility, personality, work ethic, and communication style in your choices.

First and foremost, you and your core team need to "see the world" the same way. Your mental vision of the production that needs to be shot should be complementary to the mental vision your core team "sees" when you describe a scene or transition or sound or - FEELING. If you're all on the same page, communication will be easy; creativity & creative suggestions will be purposeful and helpful. It'll also be FUN because you get along. Once you assemble a core team like that, you can allow them to select the crew who will work under them. They will know who they can trust to deliver the vision.

The core team is the most important as they hold and delegate the most important jobs. Yes money is a huge motivator and gets you the best people. But i would rather work with someone who may not know as much but is passionate and loves the poisition they are in, than someone who is only in it for the money. Define your team by understanding what they can provide for you but also what you do for them.

Form your support crew by hiring roles like production assistant, script supervisor, gaffer, grip, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, location manager, and music composer based on skills, rates, and recommendations. Ensure familiarity with the equipment, software, and protocols used by your core team.

If you've done your due diligence right you'll assemble an experienced core team that you can trust. That trust will allow you to turn them loose to select the crew who will work under them. In my experience, every Director has a DP they like to work with and that DP has a trusted group of assistants. The same holds true for the audio and post production departments. The heads of those specific groups will know who THEY can trust to deliver the vision ALL of us share.

Absolutely, assembling the support crew for your video production is essential for ensuring all aspects of the project run smoothly. Consider the specific needs and scale of your project when selecting roles such as production assistants, script supervisors, gaffers, grips, makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, location managers, and music composers. Hire based on their skills, rates, and recommendations, and ensure they are familiar with the equipment, software, and protocols used by your core team to maintain consistency and efficiency throughout the production process.

After assembling your team, define roles and responsibilities with a detailed breakdown of tasks, deadlines, and expectations for each member. Designate leaders or points of contact for production phases to prevent confusion, duplication, and conflicts within the team.

Unless you're a beginner these things are pretty obvious and no-brainers. As the leader of this team of professionals, don't get mired in the minutia of every little thing - you shouldn't need to if you've done the work it takes to assemble your core team.

It’s very important to establish team roles and responsibilities. To make a quality product, it takes a variety of skills. Finding individuals who are willing to be team players and do their best at the role they’re given is what’s most important. Everybody can’t and shouldn’t do everything. Know who’s best at what and plan accordingly. It’s important to set the tone and make sure your team understands that regardless of their role, their efforts are equally important and valuable to the success of the project. Everybody included doesn’t have to be an amazing creative. Can they be a team player? Can they protect the moral of the team? Can they think in advance and be flexible as plans change? All of these things are important.

After assembling your team, it's crucial to establish clear roles and responsibilities for each member. Develop a comprehensive breakdown of tasks, deadlines, and expectations, ensuring each team member understands their specific responsibilities. Designate leaders or points of contact for each phase of the production process, such as pre-production, production, and post-production, to facilitate smooth communication and coordination. This clarity will minimize confusion, duplication of efforts, and conflicts within your team, leading to a more efficient and successful project outcome.

Need to select the right candidate to engage in the project, give them points of view share information and provide support but let them take action and be proactive

Establish communication requirements at the very start. Know which tools are required to get the job done well and what platforms are key for communication, whether it be Whatsapp, slack, Voxer or something else. Having a targeted communication method with agreed daily goals is vital, not only for you and the team, but for the client who may or may not want to be involved in the communications.

1. Effective Communication Tools: Utilize email, phone, video conferencing, instant messaging, cloud storage, and project management software. 2. Regular Check-ins: Establish routine check-ins and feedback sessions. 3. Open Communication: Encourage team members to voice opinions, questions, and concerns. 4. Positive Culture: Foster a positive, respectful team culture, celebrating achievements and milestones.

When it comes to teams of creatives, I love to provide them with references and proper feedback on every stage. But don't forget to allow them be themselves and give enough freedom for that. Create some guidelines for yourself on what to say and when.

Hold regular meetings to discuss progress, address challenges, and ensure everyone is aligned with the project goals. Encourage open communication among team members. Providing a platform for sharing ideas and feedback can lead to creative solutions and improvements. For basic communication, we normally use Whatsapp groups which is great for fast and short messages. For project overview and roles tasks we use Trello.

Leaders lead by example. You should be the first one on and the last one off the set or location everyday. Chip in and help wrap gear. ALWAYS remember a compliment or pat on the back goes a long way, but... don't give out compliments without true sincerity. As you review the quality, efficiency, and satisfaction of your team's work, and identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of your team remember to include yourself in that review.

In the dynamic realm of video production, fostering a collaborative spirit goes beyond tools. Embrace diversity of thought, encourage creativity, and cherish the journey. Team camaraderie and shared victories amplify the artistic and professional triumphs of your collaborative efforts.