How to Prepare For Your First Corporate Video Production

After weeks of brainstorming and preparation, the day of your big video shoot is nearing. This is when the nerves can start to creep in and the fear of being on camera becomes real. We’ve compiled a list with our most frequently asked questions from clients who don’t know what to expect on set. So whether it’s your first time on camera or you just need a little refresher, here our are top tips to help you prepare for your video production.

1. What should you wear for your corporate video shoot?

Our number one piece of advice is to wear something you feel both comfortable and confident in. Your clothing pieces will vary significantly depending on your industry, the nature of your video and the colours of your backdrop. For men, this may be a full business suit or a branded polo shirt. For women, it could be a dress shirt or a blouse. When in doubt, we recommend you choose solid colours that compliment your skin tone and won’t clash with the colour of your backdrop.

If you’re planning to buy an entire outfit specifically for a corporate video shoot, it’s best to wear it at least once prior to filming so that you know how it fits throughout the day and aren’t caught off-guard by any discomfort or wardrobe malfunctions. We also recommend to bring one backup option to set just in case. When more than one person will be on camera, check in with each other in advance so that you don’t accidentally show up wearing the same outfit.

Recommended Clothing to AVOID Wearing for your Corporate Video Shoot: 

• Avoid busy patterns like gingham, herringbone, small stripes, and polka dots. These can lead to a distortion on camera called moiré.

• Avoid bright whites or yellows that may reflect additional light and make you appear washed out.

• Avoid bold logos or clothing with text (unless of course they are to promote your brand or business).

• Avoid excessive jewellery that may appear distracting on camera or cause disruption to audio levels (like several bracelets or bangles).

Lastly, even if you plan to be seated during your video, make sure your entire outfit is suitable for the camera. You may feel inspired at the last minute to capture different angles or movements in your video and it would be a shame for something as trivial as mismatched socks to prevent you from doing so!

2. Do you need to get your hair and makeup done?

This is not essential but entirely up to you. If you are doing hair and makeup yourself, we recommend going for a natural look that does not differ too much from your day-to-day appearance. It’s also good to bring something to help remove excess shine on your face like blotting wipes or face powder. Sometimes being under lights all day can leave your skin looking oily and this will help make sure it doesn’t become a distraction on camera.

As always, our team will set up professional lighting to ensure you look your best. If you’re on the fence about hair and makeup, we can always recommend makeup artists we’ve worked with on corporate video shoots. We also have stylists available to assist on set and help with things like touch ups and wardrobe. 

3. What time have you scheduled your corporate video shoot for?

Our team is flexible when it comes to your desired start time. We recommend blocking out a time of the day when you feel most energized and free of distractions. This means you may want to avoid booking a video shoot first thing Monday morning, between two tight meetings or at 4:00pm on a Friday.

For many of our clients, the best time for video interviews is mid-morning. Also keep in mind that some productions take up to an hour to set up.

4. What happens if it rains?

The majority of our corporate videos are filmed indoors, at either an office or a studio. If parts of your shoot include filming outdoors, we will keep a close eye on the weather and make adjustments as needed. Sometimes it’s only a matter of switching our filming from morning to afternoon. We will always do our best to make accommodations for unfavourable weather and like to avoid rescheduling unless there is no other option.

5. What if you’re not good on camera?

Being on camera can be an intimidating process, especially with multiple lights and cameras focusing solely on you. Our team is very easy going on set and we aim to create a relaxing and stress free environment at every corporate video shoot. 

Here are our top suggestions for making a good impression on camera:

• Posture makes a big difference so remember to sit up straight and avoid slouching.

• Maintain eye contact with the camera or the interviewer.

• Smile and speak with enthusiasm.

After years in the business, we’ve seen and heard it all. From sweat stains to cursing through the lines, we’re no strangers to the inevitable stress that some feel when on camera. There’s no need to be nervous and you can rest assured that we’ll coach you on how to look and sound your best. 

6. How will you remember what to say?

We’ve never filmed an interview in only one take. Does that help put you at ease? It’s only natural for an interview to include several takes while filming your corporate video. We’re more than used to it. But here are some things that can help get your message across smoothly:

• Prepare what you’re going to say in advance and practice saying it out loud before your shoot date.

• Have someone on your team available to interview you. Since you’re familiar with them and they are familiar with your business, it helps keep the flow of your interview.

• Try not to pay attention to what is taking place on set. Focus on your message and ignore the rest.

• Remember to complete your sentences and avoid trailing off. The editing is smoother when there are complete thoughts and less “umms” and “ahhs”.

• Relax! And know that your video will be edited after all.

One beneficial tool we offer in our video production services is the use of a teleprompter. If your corporate video includes a script, a teleprompter makes it incredibly easy to read your message in a way that the average viewer won’t notice. Ask our team about adding this feature to your video package and simplifying the interview process for you.

Takeaways 

We hope our list helps you better prepare for your big day on set. If you have any other questions about your corporate video production, feel free to ask us in the comments or email us for more information.