How do you work with other video pros on a shoot?

Field shoots, in particular, should be a collaborative effort. The Producer ALWAYS has the final say, but should be open to suggestions from everyone on the crew. As a former cameraman, it really bothered me when a producer would tap my shoulder while I was shooting to ask if I was getting a particular shot. Let everyone do what they’re getting paid for. Tell the crew what you’re trying to show or say, and let them do what they’re getting paid for. Don’t overmanage. Remember, the crew is not part of the equipment; they need bathroom breaks and food at some point. You should already know their talent and competence from their resume or reel. If you don’t get what you want, that person won’t be in the business long. In short, be a team.

Don’t be afraid to add your perspective but remember what your there to do. When working as a team you’ll all have your role to deliver so focus on this as a primary and add your perspective where needed, that way you’ll deliver the best possible piece.

I have gone through 1000s of scripts over 15 years or so for TVCM's and directed like wise over 500 TVCMs. Think My experience can help another new and up and coming Director to identify a flow of how a shoot can go through frame by frame than blindly tell a cameraman you shoot we will edit.

Be kin to let them take the lead, follow intrusctions and have an eye out for detail of some seems off remember even if the are pros they are still human point it out i belive they will thank you you for it.

It always takes some time to get to know your crew, so communication especially at the beginning is really important. Ask questions, get to know each other, observe and learn from others and know your role and responsibilities. When you know your responsibilities and the responsibilities of your team, everything will work like clockwork.

A lot of times you might feel new to a crew who have worked with each other before and already have a working bond. In this scenario its even more crucial to remain open to communication. This includes both sharing and listening. As a Director I have always considered two kinds of group meetings very important - One that happens before the shoot where I try to include all the HODs and assistants to brief about the project/shoot. Its an open forum to ask questions both for me and the other teammates. Similarly a group meeting at the end of schedule is equally important where I love to acknowledge everyone for their contribution. This makes my bond stronger with my team.

Effective communication is crucial when working with other video professionals on a shoot. Research shows that 86% of employees cite a lack of effective communication as a key issue in the workplace. Effective communication increases productivity, improves engagement, and increases retention. Furthermore, companies with strong internal communication programs are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their competitors. Clear and open communication fosters trust, collaboration, and problem-solving, leading to successful video production.

Being clear in communication is most important thing in a crew. When you want something from other people, especially working with them, you must tell exactly what you want. In the broadcast industry, your messages must be short, clear and must tell what you wait from them. Generally, doing live broadcasting, you don’t have a huge time to tell anything. You need to tell people what you want with less words. While doing this, of course you should be respectful🙂

I believe communication at a group level is although possible to establish, yet it’s an amalgamation of how everyone really operates as individuals. Some people like to text, some prefer brief calls, some prefer pre production briefs and then meet up straight at wrap up unless an emergency, some will loose focus if the message in more than a few words, some are comfortable with long passage provided it’s in bullet points etc. To come to happy consensus on a particular communication style, I do discuss that upfront with everyone when forming a team, I also do workshops that helps everyone practise the style, then a few accountability structures and then I leave it to each person to customise to themselves and be respectful for others styles

Communication is of course important, that goes without saying. To me however before effective communication can be established on a shooting, everyone needs to have a discussion about their expectations regarding the production. Expectation management is crucial for a productive process.

Collaborating creatively with other video professionals on a shoot is crucial for producing exceptional results. Research shows that creative collaboration enhances productivity and innovation. According to a study, teams that collaborate creatively are 5 times more likely to perform higher than their non-collaborative counterparts. Creative collaboration brings together diverse perspectives, leading to better problem-solving and more innovative ideas. Moreover, it fosters a sense of ownership and teamwork, increasing job satisfaction and employee engagement. By working together to combine their unique skills and expertise, video professionals can elevate the overall quality of a shoot and deliver outstanding video content.

Absolutely, collaborating is the key to a creative process. It’s a process and can only unfold when done together. Our blind spots are seen by others and the process is made richer by listening, observing and discussing with other contributors to the process!

By working together, you can learn from each other's unique perspectives, share ideas and feedback, and leverage each other's strengths. This can help you to expand your creative horizons and produce more innovative and engaging videos. In addition, collaborating creatively can help to make the production process more enjoyable and rewarding. Working with a team of talented professionals who share your passion for video production can be a stimulating and inspiring experience.

Define each person's role and responsibilities early on to avoid confusion. Set up regular check-ins to discuss progress and any potential issues. Emphasize openness to feedback and be prepared to adjust your approach based on the team's input. Utilize shared digital tools to keep everyone aligned on project goals and deadlines. Consider setting aside time for brainstorming sessions to explore new concepts and techniques. This structured approach not only improves the efficiency of your collaboration but also fosters a productive and supportive work environment.

Workflow is more than planning... more than pre-production, production and post. More than just timeline. These are macro milestones. The small workflows that live within each step of the whole production is crucial and everyone needs to be aware. If production delays the shoot because they left a piece of gear behind, then post production is heavily affected on their deliverables. Is a team sport and every single step of the different workflows need to be respected.

Working with other production teams on a shoot involves collaboration and coordination to ensure a smooth and successful production. Here are some key steps and considerations: 1- Pre-production Planning 2- Production Meetings 3- Equipment Sharing 4-Location and Set Management 5-Problem Solving 6-Post-Production Handove Collaboration and effective communication are key to successful productions when working with multiple teams. Clear planning and a collaborative mindset will help ensure a smooth shoot and a high-quality final product.

As much as you want it to, not everything is going to go as planned. Stuffs going to crop up that you couldn’t have seen coming. Be ready for this, find work around and solutions to keep the shoot on track. Work with others if it’s an issue your facing in your particular role, they may have a solution which you haven’t thought of.

It's impossible to plan for every outcome when working on a shoot, the unexpected can and will happen, to combat this it is so important to keep a level head and use your ability to adapt to whatever situation arises. Especially when working with other video pros, creating a positive atmosphere and adapting in the face of challenges can make creating solutions much more effective. When things don't go to plan, it's an opportunity to learn something new.

When I teach my students I make a particular point to this. No production, not any have ever gone 100% according to the schedule. So you need to prepare for the unforeseen and be flexible. However this is more easily achieved if as much as possible concerning the shoot has been planed in pre-production.

Set up regular check-ins to discuss any emerging issues and devise solutions together. Keep detailed notes on the production process, including changes made and their outcomes, which can guide future projects. Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, allowing for quick reassignments if needed. Be prepared to make swift decisions and implement adjustments as required. Cultivate a mindset that views challenges as opportunities for growth, and encourage your team to share insights and suggestions. This approach will help maintain efficiency and foster a positive working environment, ultimately enhancing the production experience.

1. Be kind 2. Help in some humble way, set a tone, no ego here. 3, know your job, aim always to do better than last time in some way. 4. Remain curious and learn. This wisdom was shared by William Bacon III and I enjoy passing it along. Bill mentored and worked with so many talented peers from Alaska, after a 20 year career at Disney. He was a gifted cinematographer and even better human. These are the attributes I hire whenever working a project. Sabrina

I say this from what I have experienced in the field. Everyone on the set has an ego of their own. So it’s important you know how to listen to everyone and choose what’s best for you. If you don’t listen and do not collaborate, people will avoid working with you. If you do not agree with something just find a way to politely explain why their idea won’t work or better just say, ”let’s try it and see what works better on the edit table”. Some of my best works involve using ideas/suggestions from other people. So be a good communicator.

Many times the videos that I shoot are not scripted by myself… I am very instinctive in what I am trying to produce in the visual aspect of the videos that I make. I envision what I’m trying to produce… I look to decide where I will shoot from and I focus on my intent to capture the image and information from it.

Pour collaborer efficacement sur un tournage vidéo : communiquez clairement, planifiez en détail, respectez les rôles, coordonnez la logistique, soyez flexible, favorisez une ambiance positive, encouragez le feedback constructif et gérez efficacement le temps.

Be a good person - help others on set even if its not "your role", if there is trash on the ground pick it up Ask questions - if you don't know chances are someone else also doesn't know