Producing Video Safely in a Pandemic

How Do You Produce Video Safely in a Pandemic?

Remote Video

The video production industry nearly went full-stop this past year in hopes that in-person shoots would start back up in the fall as the coronavirus pandemic abated. Sadly, the pandemic never slowed, making in-person shoots more challenging.

Many companies struggled to make content due to state restrictions or frankly, not knowing how to put out content when they couldn’t shoot in person.

As the transition into 2021 takes place, you can’t afford to sit on the sidelines as your competitors continue to push out content, so you must devise a strategy to make content to the best of your ability.

One such way is to do remote video.

Let’s get the common misconception that remote video, must be DIY, out of the way. Remote video and DIY are not synonymous. There are video agencies, like our Boston video production agency,  Skillman Video Group, to help guide you through creating that remote video!

Depending on your brand, the size of your company, who your audience is and the size of their companies will help you determine the level of quality needed, whether your video is done remotely, or through animation, or in person.

So if you’re worried about doing remote video, here are some tips on how to create video safely.

Animation

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Animation has always been done remotely. It is done on a computer, not a camera. This way you don’t have to worry about crew members and logistical issues surrounding the number of people allowed in a space because there is no person to person contact when creating animations.

It is a great avenue to take if you are concerned about people being in a space together because there are countless creative styles you can take. So hire a professional video or animation team to work with you and create the best video possible.

Technician/Small Crew

Although person-to-person contact is limited, there are ways to go about it that are still safe and heavily limit the spread of the virus.

You could have a small crew or even a single technician, who is a dedicated crew person, go to the space where you are filming, such as someone’s home or office space. The technician would be able to assist you in setting up the camera, audio and even lighting to help guide you through creating your marketing video.

If you have a larger project that needs a crew, it’s recommended that you use a small crew of maybe 2 to 3 people. This way you limit the possible spread of the virus; but you’re also given the ability to move around the space easier, maintaining that 6-foot distance, rather than if you had an even bigger crew and are all crowded into a space where no one can move.

However, it is possible to get a larger video production team if your project takes place outdoors, and the talent and crew have the ability to stay clean and safe while on set. It all depends on the size of the project you’re looking to create. No two projects are the same, and each one might require a different size crew.

Production Crew as Artists

When it comes to more stylistic videos, you’re going to want an in-person crew consisting of at least a Director of Photography (DP) to shoot your video.

This will allow you to be more creative with the video in terms of camera angles and the overall quality of the video.

DPs use more professional level cameras and equipment. This ensures that they have more creative liberty when filming and makes sure that those artistic styles shine through the finished product.

The size of this crew is entirely dependent on the size and complexity of the project.

Staying Safe While on Set

If you choose to have a small or large crew sent out to shoot in person, there are multiple things that you could do and take that extra step in keeping everyone safe.

Set Layout

Starting with arriving at the set and unloading gear, it is important to remember that you have to keep things separate from clean and dirty. Dirty meaning it has been used and needs to be disinfected, not necessarily covered with dirt.

For example, you could have a table that is divided down the middle. On the right side, you layout the gear that has been sanitized, and on the left lay the equipment that has been used and still needs sanitizing. The decision of laying out the equipment is the job of whoever is in charge of the gear itself, whether it is the Director of Photography, the Grip and Electric team, or even the Director.

Distancing

When it comes to the classic, social distancing, you could go as far as to mark off sections that people are designated to when shooting, or even making one-way travel lanes like supermarkets, so crew members avoid close distances with each other.

The main objective of these strategies is to keep everyone 6 feet apart, as much as possible. But what about putting a mic on the talent?

Audio

This is one of the exceptions where the audio technician on a larger crew or the DP on a smaller crew of 2 could approach the talent while wearing a mask, face shield, and gloves.

From here, they could do one of two things. They could directly attach the microphone to the talent, or they could demonstrate how to attach it, so the talent can then do it themselves.

Production

Countless strategies of filming during the COVID-19 pandemic exist. It is up to you and the video agency to come up with a strategy that is right for you–whether it is making an animation, a small video that only needs a technician for assistance or a project that requires a whole crew.

Social distancing, cleanliness, and the will to create the best video possible while staying as safe as possible will lead you to create the project of your dreams, even during this trying time.

Your clients want to see your face. They want to hear your voice. They want to be doing business with people. So get out there and create the best video possible and get back in touch with your prospects.

Check out this video our CEO and Creative Director Christina Skillman created, to help you get a better understanding of how to strategize your video marketing for the next six months. And be sure to check out our website and blog further for more information on our productions and how we produce video safely!

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have questions or are looking for production companies in Boston to get started on your very own project!

How to Strategize your Corporate Video Marketing for the Next 6 Months from Skillman Video Group on Vimeo.