SVG on Set: Live Corporate Videography for Clough Capital

This past Tuesday, SVG provided videography services for the 2016 Client Forum put on by Clough Capital  at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Boston. We were tasked with providing a live recording of the event for clients, investors and members unable to make the conference. Prior to and during the event, the SVG team prepared for a multitude of potential obstacles to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Pre-production is important to any video project, but even more so for a live event shoot where there is only one chance to get the shot.  Here are three key points that were especially applicable to this event, and that you will need to consider when doing live event videography, and when entering the field of corporate video:

1) Speaker Style

This event was the second time SVG was hired by Clough Capital, so the team already had a few profiles on the various speakers for the event. Keep in mind that an animated person will often require camera tracking, whereas a low-energy or podium-based speaker will require tight framing.

Interview Segment

Hedge Fund Interview

In the case of a conference, give particular attention to the event schedule or itinerary, because these documents will indicate if there are different segments, such as a panel, an interview, or a single-speaker presentation. The conference had all three of these segments, each requiring their own unique camera angles, aperture settings, etc.

2) Who Will Provide Audio?

With the emphasis placed on visuals in key terms like “videography” or “video production,” it is easy to forget about the second-half of the film medium: audio. Sound can be just as (if not more) important than video when recording a live event. While a venue or client will sometimes provide the audio equipment, always bring your own for backup files.

Corporate Panel

Client Event Speaker Panel

Certain live events can be taped just fine with a shotgun mic plugged into the main camera, (which was done for this event) while others may require a completely separate person manning a boom pole and a recording device (ex: Tascam). Even if you are providing the audio, coordinate with the people monitoring the sound booth to ensure that microphone levels are ideal for video playback and compression.

 

3) Bring More Than One Camera

This may not always be feasible budget wise, but adding a second (or 3rd) camera angle or even editing in power point slides in post can help raise the production value of your live event video.  Adding this expense or not can depend on what your goals are for your video.  If you are producing a live event video for archival or internal purposes, a single camera should more than suffice.  If this event video is for marketing or promotional purposes, it makes more sense to give the final video more bells and whistles as it will hold the attention of your audience.

Live Event Equipment

Chuck Green, SVG’s Director of Photography, setting up camera and checking monitor feed.

A benefit of working with skilled and experienced videographers such as the video production crews at SVG, is knowing your video team has seen it all and knows how to handle a variety of situations.  There are a lot of things that can come up that will make or break a live event video and it gives our clients peace of mind to know their video is in safe hands.  Skillman Video Group was very pleased to have been invited back to work with Clough Capital and is proud of the work we have completed together.

Skillman Video Group, LLC specializes in Boston video production.  Please call 1-800-784-0140 to learn more.

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