A professional video shoot can feel a little intimidating if you’ve never been in front of a camera before, especially when you don’t know what will happen once you arrive at the studio.
Do you immediately start recording? Do you need to know exactly where to stand? What happens if you mess up a line? Who handles the cameras and microphones?
These are normal questions. The good news is that you aren’t expected to walk into a studio knowing how production works. You should be able to concentrate on what you want to say while the production team handles the technical side.
Here’s a better idea of what you can expect.
Before the Cameras Start Recording
There’s usually some work to do before anyone presses record. The production team needs to understand what you’re making.
A short social media video may need a completely different setup from a two-person interview or a green screen presentation.
We’ll want to know what you’re recording, how many people will be on camera, where the finished video will be used, and whether you need anything specific such as a teleprompter.
This is also a good time to go over your script or talking points.
You don’t need to memorize everything before arriving. In fact, trying to memorize a long script word for word can sometimes make people more nervous.
Know your subject and come prepared with the points you want to cover.
Cameras, Lighting and Audio Come Next
Once we know what you’re recording, the technical setup can be prepared. That includes deciding where you’ll sit or stand, positioning the cameras, adjusting the lighting, and setting up your microphone.
Lighting may need to be adjusted based on where you’re positioned, what you’re wearing, and the background being used. Audio also needs to be checked before recording begins.
You may be asked to say a few sentences so levels can be tested. That’s not the actual recording, so don’t worry about giving a perfect answer.
We’re simply making sure everything looks and sounds the way it should.
You’ll Have a Chance to Get Comfortable
Very few people walk into a studio, sit down, and immediately feel completely natural. Give yourself a few minutes.
Talk with the person behind the camera. Ask questions. Get used to the lights and the microphone.
The first take can even help you settle in. Sometimes the second or third attempt is better simply because you’ve stopped thinking so much about the camera and started thinking about what you’re actually trying to say.
What Happens If You Make a Mistake?
You do it again, and that is really it. If you stumble over a word, forget what comes next, cough, lose your train of thought, or decide you don’t like how you answered something, nobody expects you to keep going as though you’re broadcasting live.
Stop and start the sentence again. Sometimes we may only need to repeat a small section rather than the entire video.
Editing gives us quite a bit of flexibility later, so there’s no reason to turn one missed word into a stressful moment.
What If You’re Using a Teleprompter?
If you’re working from a script, a teleprompter can make the process much easier. Your script appears near the camera so you can read while still looking toward the lens.
But using a teleprompter isn’t simply a matter of reading as quickly as possible.
Take your time. Speak the way you normally speak. Pause where you would naturally pause in a conversation. We can adjust the speed of the text to match you. You shouldn’t have to chase the words down the screen.
It may take a couple of minutes to find a comfortable pace, especially if you’ve never used one before.
Interviews Work a Little Differently
During an interview, you may not need a script at all. Instead, you’ll usually be responding to questions from another person.
Depending on the style of the video, you might look at the interviewer rather than directly into the camera. That can make the conversation feel much more natural, particularly for testimonials and longer interviews.
Don’t worry about making every answer perfect. If an answer becomes too long, we can try it again. If you think of a better way to explain something, say it again.
The final viewer doesn’t need to see every attempt.
After Recording Comes Editing
Finishing the recording doesn’t necessarily mean the video is finished. Depending on your project, the footage may go through post-production.
That can include selecting the best takes, cleaning up cuts, adjusting audio, adding music, inserting logos or graphics, creating titles, adding captions, incorporating B-roll, or building branded intros and outros.
Green screen recordings require additional work because the green background needs to be replaced during editing.
The amount of post-production depends on what you’re making and what you want the final video to look like.
Your First Professional Video Shoot at OASIS Studios
At OASIS Studios in Orlando, we work with business owners, REALTORS®, organizations, professionals, and creators with all kinds of experience on camera, including people recording professionally for the first time.
Our studios can accommodate podcasts, interviews, business videos, social media Reels, green screen productions, commercials, educational content, testimonials, and other projects.
You don’t need to arrive knowing how to position a microphone, operate a camera, set the lights, or figure out the technical side of production.
Come prepared to talk about your business, your idea, or your subject. We’ll help with the rest.
