Behind the scenes video during two days of filming commissioned by House of Workouts

One of the most enjoyable activities of our profession (at least we think so ourselves) are the video and photo shoots we get to do for our clients from time to time. Being experienced in producing a successful shoot, we know well how to prepare. And that preparation is no small thing. A well-run and time-efficient video shoot (every hour costs money) relies on the art of good preparation.

Pre-production

Video shoots are fun, but intense and complicated. Everything that needs to be taken care of before a video shoot is called pre-production. First of all, the subject, story and atmosphere of the shoot must be figured out. It may be that the client has a certain idea about the content of the shoot, but it also frequently happens that we start from scratch with the formation of a concept. We do this by holding one or more brainstorming sessions, from which a number of products emerge, such as: a shot list, a mood board and a storyboard. A mood board is a collage of images that give an impression of the atmosphere of the final shoot.

You can think of a storyboard as a bunch of drawings or pictures in boxes one after another, like a comic strip. In each box is an image to be captured with the video or photo camera. The storyboard also contains technical aspects about the shots.

For example, detail shots may be taken, of clothing or equipment, or certain people who are important to the image may be highlighted. Afterwards, a shot list is used, a document that includes camera angles, what kind of light is needed, and what lens is used. This also describes camera angles, such as a close-up, an extra long shot, or a crane shot.

Looking for the right people

Once a clear concept is on the table, the task is to get a group of people together to make the video shoot possible. As you can imagine, this requires quite a bit of coordination, as a small army needs to be mobilized. This "army" consists of a video and/or photo team and possibly people for sound, lighting and other technology. Models are scouted that fit well with the client's brand and the atmosphere of the shoot. Sometimes models are put in couples, where it is important that the combinations of different models fit well together.

The BRN® cast in Amsterdam

The XCORE® team in Tilburg

The models all need clothes in the right sizes and colors. Often the client arranges clothing with their own brand on it, but should this not be the case, there is still a task to scrounge all the clothes together. A make-up artist is hired to provide all the models with make-up, indispensable when you take your place in front of a camera lens. Last but not least, a caterer is hired to provide delicious food for all attendees. Indispensable!

Location scouting: studio or real life location?

It often happens that a video shoot is held in a studio, with or without the help of, for example, a green screen to add a different background in post-production. Still, you achieve the best results on a lifelike and original location. A location that fits well with the atmosphere of the concept, the brand of the client and complies with aspects such as: the right size, provision of electricity, water, internet, dressing rooms et cetera. Because such venues are often rented out on a daily basis, the challenge is to do as much as possible in a limited amount of time.

L: Koepelhal Tilburg
R: Pactum Studios Amsterdam

The playbook is sacred

Once all of the above is taken care of, the day of the shoot is meticulously planned. Every minute is scheduled and accounted for so that not a second is lost. By creating a daily schedule, script and call sheet, everyone on the set has their own role. On the day of the shoot, it's hard work. In this regard, Fitbrand has created an additional challenge for itself, which is to do both a photo and video shoot in one day. Therefore, the script is sacred; it contains the division of tasks and the time schedule of the shoot.

Watch the "behind the scenes video" below where all the preparatory work comes together:

Post-production

Once the shoots are over and everyone has gone home, we move to the next phase: post-production. This begins with "spotting" videos and photos. This involves separating the good from the bad footage. Good stays, bad goes away. Next, color correction is applied to the remaining images to ensure unity between them. Then the images are edited to ensure a match with the client's brand. This can range from a simple color or contrast edit to cropping and distorting images.

Video images are edited together as previously conceived in the storyboard. Appropriate music may be added underneath this, depending on the final product. Once post-production is complete, the photos and videos are mature enough to explore the world on their own. This of course goes through all kinds of channels: ads on Facebook, posts on Instagram, banners, life-size posters, images for the web, videos on Youtube or television; you name it.

flnr: XCORE: unedited photo, freestanding and color-grading, final result on DVD front and cover

See more?

Curious about the other end results of this photo and video production? Then check out the new House of Workouts website or the new promotional videos of XCORE® and BRN®.