What do you do if your video shoot faces unforeseen obstacles?

1 Stay Calm

When an obstacle arises, your first step should be to remain calm. Panicking can cloud your judgment and lead to rash decisions that might exacerbate the situation. Take a deep breath and assess the issue. Communicate with your team openly about the problem and encourage a collaborative atmosphere where everyone can suggest potential solutions. A clear head and a positive attitude are your best tools for navigating unexpected challenges.

2 Assess Quickly

Evaluate the severity of the obstacle and its potential impact on your production schedule. Determine if it's a minor hiccup that can be resolved with a simple workaround or if it requires a major adjustment. Time is often of the essence in video production, so make this assessment swiftly to minimize delays. Once you understand the extent of the issue, you can start formulating a plan to address it without losing valuable shooting time.

3 Adapt Plans

Flexibility is crucial in video production. If an obstacle is insurmountable, be ready to adapt your plans. This might mean changing the shooting location, reorganizing the schedule, or even altering the script if necessary. The ability to pivot and make the best of a challenging situation often differentiates successful productions from those that falter under pressure.

4 Source Alternatives

If the obstacle is related to equipment or resources, look for alternative solutions. This might involve improvising with the gear you have on hand or reaching out to local rental houses or fellow professionals who might be able to help. Being resourceful and maintaining a network of contacts within the industry can save the day when you're in a bind.

5 Capture What You Can

When faced with time constraints or other limitations, focus on capturing what you can. If certain shots are no longer feasible, concentrate on those that are still possible. This approach allows you to make the most of your available resources and time, ensuring that you walk away with usable footage that can be creatively integrated into your final product.

6 Learn and Adapt

Finally, use each obstacle as a learning opportunity. After the shoot, reflect on what happened and why. Analyze how your team responded and what could be done differently in the future to either avoid similar situations or handle them more effectively. This continuous learning process will strengthen your problem-solving skills and prepare you better for future video production challenges.