Production Planning Principles
Production Planning Principles
How to Apply Big Production Planning Principles to your Internal Comms Videos
Producing video for internal communications should take just as much thought and preparation than anything that you would release to the public.
These are, after all, your colleagues and team members. They should come away feeling confident that you’ve invested time, effort and though into your comms.
Here are 7 “big production” Planning principle that should be applied to your internal comms videos:
1. Make it Nice
It goes without saying, but it’s mind-blogging how often it’s overlooked. Take an extra few minutes to make sure your video looks nice. Not necessarily prime-time TV nice, but it should be well shot and produced.
2. Respect Your Time
Your colleagues are busy. Watching unnecessarily long videos won’t go down well. Communicate clearly and concisely, but get to the point. If it can be wrapped up in 60 seconds, then a three-minute video is simply wrong.
3. Speak Up
Use a microphone to ensure quality sound. (Try simple LAV mics for smartphones.) there’s nothing more distracting than a mumbling communicator with the office buzzing and whirring behind them.
4. Mind Your Surroundings
Avoid shooting your subject against a wall. Use something -a plant, a picture, or some office activity a few feet behind your subject to add visual interest. Use discretion however, to prevent unnecessary distractions.
5. Video is Never Vertical
If you have success to a quality camera, make use of it. However, most smartphones are equipped with HD video capabilities, and can shoot something quite professional.
But Remember: Just because many of your phones’s functions are used vertically, shooting video is never one of them. Seriously, just don’t.
6. Use A Tripod
A tripod helps to distinguish a video shot in haste from one that’s had a little forethought (if all you have is a smartphone, there are inexpensive tripods available for those too). Your colleagues don’t want to feel like they’re drifting at sea while watching your video.
7. Consider Your Lighting
If you don’t have access to professional lighting find an area that is well lit by something more than fluorescent office lights. Make use of the sun’s light by finding a quiet place outside or near a window, ensuring that the face of your subject can be seen clearly.
These quick tips will help you to apply some “Big Production” planning Principles to your internal comms videos. Your colleagues will thank you for it
