10 essential things that help make a video production shoot run smoothly!

You’ve got a great script and funding. You’ve found a producer and crew to bring your vision to life. Here are the 10 things you can do to ensure the shoot is successful, efficient, and fun for everyone involved!

1. Pre-production:(The blueprint) have a plan, the more organized you are ahead of time, the better the shoot should go!
2. Production Schedule- (The plan of attack) list the specific times, dates and locations you will shoot each scene during the day, including talent, props, wardrobe etc. Have this planned in advance to keep you on schedule.
3. Equipment-Professional lighting, sound and camera equipment are paramount to taking your shoots to the next level but, smaller details matter as well. Memory cards, batteries, cords etc, make sure everything is charged and in working order. This will help prevent delays and setbacks. 
4. People(the crew): A solid crew can make or break a shoot. Lead from the front and lead by example. Keeping your team happy, motivated and focused adds production value. This includes keeping your team fed and keeping spirits high.
5. Budget:Take a realistic approach to the scale and scope of your production and make sure it matches your budget accordingly. 
6. Test everything: Video production shoots have a lot of working parts, confirm everything is running as it should be in advance or your budget and schedule could suffer.
7. Prioritize: Work smarter not harder, set up shoots to capitalize on the time allotted and prioritize the most impactful or time sensitive shots first. 
8. Consistency: Solid Continuity in your talent/props/ lighting/costumes and shots, separates amateurs from professionals, hire a script supervisor.
9. Communication: this is essential, everyone being on the same page with a clear vision and goal will keep things running smoothly. 
10. Positive can do attitude: Having a great experience on and off set could potentially create new business as well as establish relationships that create new projects in the future. People will want to work with you again if things ran smoothly and they had fun!