Journal

Practical notes on planning, shooting and delivering video, from more than ten years behind the camera in Wellington.

  1. 012How to Brief a Videographer (and Get the Video You Pictured)Most disappointing videos don't go wrong on the shoot day. They go wrong a couple of weeks earlier, in a brief that asked for the wrong thing. Before You Book4 min
  2. 011What Happens on a Corporate Video Shoot DayFor most clients it's their first time on a set. Here's how a typical shoot day runs, so nothing on the day comes as a surprise. On Set4 min
  3. 010What Pushes the Cost of Video Production Up or DownIt's almost never the camera. Video budgets are driven by time, people, and how many places the footage has to work. Before You Book4 min
  4. 009What Should Be in Your Video Deliverables List"You'll get the final video" hides a lot. Here's what a proper deliverables list should spell out before you book. After The Shoot3 min
  5. 008Where to Begin: Momentum Over PerfectionBrands and creative projects tend to stall in the same place, trying to finish all the thinking before doing anything. Starting small and early usually works better. Starting Out3 min
  6. 007Solo Videographer, Small Production House or Agency?Once you know the scale of your project, the next question is who should make it. Each option works differently, and each has limits worth knowing upfront. Before You Book4 min
  7. 006Why Creative Direction Matters Before the Camera RollsThe difference between footage and a film is usually decided in a room with no camera in it. On Set3 min
  8. 005Documentary, Corporate or Narrative: Which Style Fits Your Project?These aren't just looks. Each style asks something different of your audience, your budget and your timeline. Before You Book3 min
  9. 004How Long Does a Corporate Video Take to Make?A realistic range for turnaround times, and what pushes a project towards the slow or fast end of it. After The Shoot3 min
  10. 003What Changes as a Video Production Gets BiggerA bigger budget rarely means a fancier camera. It buys specialists, and someone responsible for each part of what makes a video land. Before You Book3 min
  11. 002Videographer vs Director of Photography: What's the Difference?The two titles get used interchangeably in most enquiries. They're different jobs, and knowing which one you need changes your brief. On Set3 min
  12. 001Getting More Out of One Shoot Day: Repurposing Video ContentThe best-value video strategy usually isn't more shoot days. It's planning for reuse before the camera rolls. After The Shoot3 min

Guidance rather than rules. Every project is different, but these are the questions that come up again and again.