How to Prepare for a Professional Video Shoot
A professional video shoot is an investment in your brand, and the right preparation can make a huge difference in the final product. Whether you’re filming a corporate video, a promotional piece, testimonials, or onboarding videos, being well-prepared ensures a smooth shoot and the best possible results. Here’s how to avoid a chaotic disaster and actually enjoy the process.
1. Clarify Your Objectives
Before the shoot, figure out why you’re doing this. Ask yourself:
- What’s the point of this video?
- Who is actually going to watch it?
- Where will it live? Website, social media, or inside an email that actually gets read?
Having a clear goal helps your videographer craft a video that’s engaging, purposeful, and actually works for your audience.
BTS Shoot – Americold & Flynn Group
2. Ditch the Script (Unless You Love Stress)
If you’re not delivering a polished sales or onboarding pitch straight to camera, do not write a full script. Especially if you’re not a trained actor. Reading lines word-for-word makes you sound like a hostage reading a ransom note.
At Eyetell, we use the question-and-answer method. Basically, a casual chat that keeps things natural and makes you look way more confident. Watch our videos, and you’ll see how professional people come across without acting like awkward robots.
Instead of a script, just prepare keywords. If your mind goes blank mid-sentence, you can take a quick peek and get back on track without panicking.
3. Think About Your Audience, Not Yourself
This might sting, but your video isn’t about you. It’s about what your audience wants to see. What’s going to make them stop scrolling and pay attention? What will make them click ‘follow,’ ‘purchase,’ or take action? Prioritise what they find valuable—not just what you feel like saying.
4. Pick a Location That Doesn’t Look Like a Boring Office
Your location sets the entire vibe of your video. Think about:
- Background: Avoid clutter or spaces that scream ‘corporate beige.’
- Lighting: Bright, natural light is amazing, but we can bring in pro lighting if needed.
- Aesthetics: Big spaces, brand colours, patterns, plants—think visually interesting. If you’re unsure, ask us. At Eyetell, we’re upfront about how your location will look on camera and can suggest ways to make it even better.
BTS Shoot – Purple Playground
5. Dress Smart, Not Distracting
What you wear matters. A lot. Here’s how to avoid regret:
- Skip the wild patterns and neon colours unless you want to blind your audience.
- Stick to solid, neutral, or brand colours.
- Avoid overly shiny jewellery that can catch too much light and become distracting on camera.
- If multiple people are on camera, coordinate outfits
Also, ask your videographer about mics. We use magnetic mics, which means we prefer clothing that lets us attach them easily. These mics keep things looking clean, no awkward mics or wires ruining your look.
BTS Shoot – Hexagon
6. Make Sure Everyone Knows What’s Happening
If you’re filming with a team, do them (and yourself) a favour by making sure everyone knows:
- What time to show up.
- What they’re supposed to do.
- What to wear.
- How long they’ll be there
A little communication goes a long way in preventing confusion and delays.
7. Practice? Only If You’re Doing a Sales or Onboarding Video
For casual, interview-style videos, skip the rehearsals because they tend to make you sound stiff. However, if you’re delivering a straight-to-camera sales or onboarding video, practice can help.
We generally don’t recommend teleprompters unless you’re an experienced speaker. While they’re useful for structured sales content, they can take away from the natural, storytelling feel we aim for in most videos.
8. Handle the Small Stuff Before the Shoot
Little details can make a big difference:
- Bring an extra shirt. You don’t want to look back at your video and realise your pit stains were the unintentional star of the show. Australian summers don’t mess around.
- If it’s an all-day shoot, bring some water and snacks to stay focused and comfortable.
- Make sure your phone is on silent to avoid interruptions during filming.
BTS Shoot – iNGENū CRO
9. Trust Your Videographer (That’s Why You Hired One)
You hired us for a reason, so trust us. We know the best camera angles, lighting setups, and pacing. If we suggest a change, it’s because it’ll make your video better.
Final Thoughts
Good preparation means a smoother shoot, less stress, and a video that actually does its job. Follow these steps, and you’ll end up with content that looks great, sounds great, and—most importantly—gets results.