FIELD NOTES / 001–012
Journal
Notes on how video production actually works, planning, shooting, and delivering, written as a general guide, not a pitch.
These come from things picked up on real productions over the years. They’re guidance, not rules, and they won’t always be the exactly right answer for every project.
All Entries
012
How To Brief A Videographer So You Actually Get What You Want
Most disappointing videos don't fail on set. They fail two weeks earlier, in a brief that described the wrong thing.
Before You Book
6 MIN
011
What Actually Happens On A Corporate Video Shoot Day
For most clients, this is their first time on a set. Here's the shape of the day so nothing feels unfamiliar.
On Set
4 MIN
010
What Actually Drives Video Production Cost Up Or Down
Not the camera. Almost never the camera. It's time, people, and how many places the footage needs to work.
Before You Book
6 MIN
009
What Should Actually Be In Your Video Deliverable Package
"You'll get the final video" is doing a lot of unhelpful hiding. Here's what a proper deliverable list should specify.
After The Shoot
3 MIN
008
Where To Begin: Momentum Over Perfection
Most brands and most creative projects stall in the same place: trying to finish thinking before starting doing. The better approach is almost always the reverse.
Starting Out
5 MIN
007
Solo Videographer, Small Production House, Or Agency: Matching The Team To The Project
Once the right scale is clear, the next question is what kind of team actually supplies it, and each option has a real shortcoming worth knowing upfront.
Before You Book
8 MIN
006
Why Creative Direction Matters Before The Camera Ever Rolls
The difference between footage and a film is almost always decided in a room with no camera in it.
On Set
3 MIN
005
Documentary, Corporate, Or Narrative: Choosing The Right Style For Your Project
These aren't just aesthetic choices. Each one asks something different of your audience, your budget, and your timeline.
Before You Book
5 MIN
004
Realistic Turnaround Times For Corporate Video Production
The honest range, and the specific things that push a project toward the slow end or the fast end of it.
After The Shoot
2 MIN
003
What Actually Changes As Video Production Scales Up
More budget rarely means a fancier camera. It means specialisation, and someone accountable for every part of what makes a video land.
Before You Book
6 MIN
002
Videographer vs Director Of Photography: What's The Difference And Why It Matters
The terms get used interchangeably in most inquiries. They're not the same job, and knowing which is needed changes the brief.
On Set
3 MIN
001
Getting More Mileage Out Of One Shoot Day: Repurposing Video Content
The most cost-effective video strategy isn't more shoot days. It's planning for reuse before the camera rolls.
After The Shoot
4 MIN