Corporate video can boost your brand, but only if it looks professional. That doesn’t happen by accident.
At grizzlybearmedia.com.au, we’ve worked with teams across Brisbane for over 30 years in TV and communications. And we’ve gathered from experience that successful video shoots start with proper team preparation and organisation.
But how do you get your team ready for filming? And who should speak on camera, and what will your crew need from you?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through simple, friendly steps to prepare your people for a smooth shoot day.
We’ll show you how to choose the right spokesperson, organise your space, and work with video professionals.
Let’s start with your team, because they’re the ones who will bring your message to life.
How to Prepare Your Team and Space for a Successful Video Shoot
Poor communication or messy surroundings can ruin what could be a great video. And the thing is, if your team’s confused or your space is a mess, even the crew can’t save it.
In fact, nearly every issue stems from simple planning mistakes. But the good news is you can fix these issues before filming starts. Here’s what to focus on when getting ready.
- Set clear expectations: Your team needs to know exactly what’s expected of them. So, firstly, send everyone the who, when, and dress code at least a week before the shoot.
- Prep your spokesperson: Now, don’t hand over the lines and cross your fingers. Give your spokesperson the main topics they’ll discuss on camera ahead of time. A few days to think through their responses can greatly improve how natural they sound.
- Share the schedule early: Nobody likes surprises on filming day, so share your schedule early with the team. This way, everyone knows how long the shoot will run and exactly when they’ll be needed. Your team can then plan their day around the filming without stress.
- Tidy the space: A tidy filming space makes everything look more professional. So, clear away desk clutter and remove distracting items from backgrounds. While you’re at it, test your lighting and eliminate any ongoing noise issues that could interfere with recording.
- Pick the right location: Next, it’s time to choose the right shooting location. Our general recommendation is a place with good natural light and minimal distractions, but you should consider any setting that best reflects your business values.
- Check wardrobe and props: What people wear and what appears in your shots can directly affect the outcome. For example, busy patterns can be distracting on camera, and competitor logos definitely don’t belong in your video. So, take a moment to remove any branded items that don’t match your company’s image.
After your people and places are ready, it’s time to focus on how your team performs on camera.
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Tips to Enhance On-Camera Confidence for Filming
Not everyone loves being in front of a camera, and that’s completely normal. Even confident speakers can feel nervous when they see professional filming equipment set up. But it’s also true that anyone can look natural and professional on screen with the right coaching approach.
Curious to see how it works? Here’s how to get your team ready.
Give talking points (not scripts)
Your team will sound way better when they use their own words instead of memorising lines. So, rather than giving them a word-for-word script, just guide them with the main points.
Since they already know these topics from their daily work, they’ll sound more genuine when explaining things their own way. Once you’ve shared these points, let them practice until talking about each topic feels easy and natural.
Practice tone and pacing
Good video footage needs clear, steady speaking that viewers can easily follow. This means asking your team to slow down a bit from their normal talking speed when practising.
At the same time, encourage a warm, friendly tone that sounds welcoming rather than too serious or rushed. These small adjustments make your final video look much more professional and engaging.
Coach for the lens
Now, one question often comes up: should they look at the camera or at the person asking questions? The answer depends on what kind of video you’re making.
For example, in interview-style videos, looking at the interviewer feels more natural, while speaking directly to your audience works best when you look straight into the lens.
Now it’s time for filming day tips.
How to Keep Your Team Focused and Confident on Filming Day
The big day has arrived, and your team is ready to create something great. And boom, suddenly the lights and cameras make the day feel huge, and everyone is overwhelmed. Firstly, this is normal and doesn’t mean your team isn’t ready.
But here’s how to make sure your shoot day goes exactly as planned.
Stick to the Plan, But Stay Flexible
Things will probably change a little during filming, and that’s totally normal for any video shoot. Maybe the lighting needs to be moved around, or your spokesperson decides they want to explain something differently than they practised.
When you’re ready for these small changes, it actually helps your team stay relaxed instead of getting stressed. The important thing is knowing your main goals while being open to adjustments that make the video even better.
Support the Crew and Your People
Try to keep interruptions to a minimum so everyone can focus on making great content. One way to do this is to check in with your team between takes and make sure they feel confident and comfortable.
At the same time, give your video professionals enough room to do their work with the equipment and get the best shots possible.
Let the Pros Do Their Thing
You’ve done the hard work of preparing your team for this moment. Now it’s time to trust your videographer to bring out everyone’s best performance and capture footage that shows your brand in the right light.
Prepare Right for Your Next Corporate Video
So, now you know what the best corporate videos are built on.
You don’t need to become a filmmaker to get great results from your next video shoot. What you need is to be a good communicator who sets clear expectations and supports both your team and the professionals you’re working with.
Ready to create professional video content that showcases your brand?
The team at Grizzly Bear Media brings over decades of experience helping Brisbane businesses tell their stories through high-quality video production. Let us guide you through every step of the process.
