This blog is continuing from the previous blog Setting Up the Studio For Your Shoot.
It is the dream of every production to have a smooth operation. You want your days to be steady, fluid, and productive. The best ways to maximize your shoot days is to prepare everything in advance. The previous article examined all the factors of pre-production that go into a shoot. Not every shoot will require large crews. This article will focus on just the talent and products you want to capture under the camera to boost sales for your product.
Casting Talent
Casting is one of the essential components of any production. Even animation requires live models for conceptual derivation and voices. Voice over talent can be redone easily in post-production. However, the face you see in the video or photo is a little more permanent. For corporate video and entertainment, you want to find a face that represents your vision. There are neurological reasons why viewers have a greater correlation to the product and message when it accompanied by a human face.
Professional Actors
Casting talent that can deliver the lines you want and have the look you are trying to relate can be a daunting process. There are many casting sites that allow you to pull the exact look you need. For photography this usually all you need. For video, an audition is really the only way to know if you are hiring the right actors. Many burgeoning actors are eager for work. Assure the production schedule with them before agreed to hire them. Even after you hire talent, do consistently keep everyone current to their set arrival times and ensure they have a solid ride to set.
Inexperienced Talent aka Normal People
Many times, as with real interviews, you might recruit an inexperienced actor. This can be a great resolve if you have a charismatic executive. The audience wants to see the real people behind the logo. Providing ample time for both hair and makeup and rehearsal is crucial. Even the most professional and talented actors have nervous moments just as the cameras begin to roll. The lights in many shoots both for photography and video can be extremely bright and hot. First-time talent looking directly into the camera can feel their eyes burning. Make sure your talent can cope with these details.
Getting That Perfect Product Shot
If the term “money shot” was not already in use by another industry then it would perfectly describe this aspect of commercial photography. When you want to sell your message to an audience you need that exact, pristine example of the item in question. Even if it is a service such as law or medicine, then you still want to capture the essence of the moment. Many times in video you will see the actors and then a close up of the product. In these examples, the product could seem a little unnaturally placed from real life. This is fine and actually expected to transmit the message.
Look at these fine examples of video commercials that completely grasp the idea of showing the “product shot”
Vivioptal – 20 seconds in:
Green Mountain Coffee – 3 seconds in:
To read more about why this short Green Mountain ad is so genius click this sentence
When you are ready to book your studio time, it is a good idea to be on the same page as the rest of your talent. Work with them and make sure to have them rehearse before-hand. Get the look you want and inform them to keep or cut their hair or beard appropriate to the needs of the shoot.