Video Production

The What Where When and How to manage a camera crew.

I’ve been filming for over 20 years now and I’m still amazed how long it takes from arriving on site, setting up and finally the camera rolling. But by asking the right questions before the shoot you can save valuable time – and money. It will also ensure your filming day runs smoothly, on time and that everyone involved has a productive and enjoyable day.

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We’ve all seen time lapse photography. It’s the kind of thing that gets posted on Facebook so we can marvel at the way a building grows out of the ground in a matter of seconds or a flower blooms and dies in just an instant.

The real benefit of time lapse is showing something that we are unable to view in real time. A motorway cutting its way through a chalk hillside takes years – yet, with time lapse, you can see its progress in seconds.

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The brief is the document you give to the video production company telling them what you want in your video. Think of it as a cross between a manifesto and a shopping list. Divide it into content (what messages, who do you want to appear, who is your audience, what do you want them to take away) and visuals (what you want the audience to see, how you want the video to look and feel).  Give as much information as you can – for example, if you love the opening sequence on Top Gear, explain that is the kind of look you want. Then give some guidance on logistics – is the location you want filmed only available on a Thursday, for example? An indication of budget is helpful.  Finally, outline your timescale. The brief is not a stand-alone document, but it should be a very useful reference during the whole production process.

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There’s one thing a television studio can’t function without. Watch closely when you see Fiona Bruce deliver the 10 O’clock news. Examine the set as you wake up with Adrian Chiles. You can see it quite clearly when Jezza and the Hamster stand in front of the Cool Wall on Top Gear. Any ideas?

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In January the BioIndustry Association (BIA) held their annual dinner at the Natural History Museum in London. This flagship event is the highlight of the bioscience calendar.Over 570 life science professionals from over 265 of the UK’s foremost biotech companies joined together to network, meet old friends, make new contacts and enjoy the champagne reception and sumptuous dinner. This is the fourth year in a row that Tallboy has been asked to produce a video for this prestigious event.

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