Mastering Outdoor Filming: Skillman Video Group’s Boston Testimonial Shoot

Windy days can be quite a nuisance. They can ruin a good hair day and, for women, often require constant vigilance to avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment.

While a windy day can be annoying to the average person, it’s even more challenging for a corporate video production company trying to shoot interviews outside.

Beautiful days in Boston offer gorgeous video interview backdrops, especially at places like Bunker Hill Community College.

The Learn to Earn Program

Recently, Skillman Video Group was tasked with filming testimonials for the Learn to Earn Program at the college.

Led by our CEO, Christina Skillman, and our professional videographer, Chuck, we aimed to create compelling content to attract more sponsors for the program.

Video testimonials were the perfect medium for this shoot, delivering emotional and impactful messages through each interviewee’s story.

Navigating Audio Challenges

Outdoor shoots present unique challenges, especially with audio. The ambient noise from cars, wind, birds, and people can interfere with capturing clear sound.

Unlike indoor or closed set environments where background noise is minimal, outdoor settings require careful consideration and preparation.

For this shoot, we used both a shotgun mic and a lavalier. Typically, a lavalier suffices, but the shotgun mic was essential to capture additional audio from the interviewees that might otherwise be lost to background noise.

Managing Lighting with Natural Elements

The weather was perfect for our shoot, and the shaded area at the campus provided an ideal filming spot.

Filming in the shade is crucial for several reasons. It prevents interviewees from sweating under the direct sun, which can make their faces look shiny and distract the audience. Shade also ensures better lighting consistency, as too much sunlight can cause glare and unwanted shadows.

To maintain consistent lighting throughout the shoot, Chuck set up a fill light with blue gels. These gels balanced the red and yellow hues from the sun, making the post-production process smoother in terms of color correction.

Proper lighting is essential to avoid noticeable time lapses and maintain audience focus on the testimonials rather than lighting inconsistencies.

Overcoming Outdoor Filming Challenges

Filming outside always comes with its set of challenges, but our crew and the participants of the Learn to Earn Program were well-prepared.

The day went smoothly, thanks to meticulous planning and the beautiful weather. Our team’s experience and adaptability ensured that we captured high-quality footage without major hiccups.

Reflecting on the Experience

Overall, the testimonial shoot for the Learn to Earn Program was a success.

Despite the potential difficulties posed by an outdoor setting, our preparation and the favorable conditions allowed us to create compelling and visually appealing content. This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability and meticulous planning in video production, especially when working with natural elements.

By understanding and mitigating the challenges of outdoor filming, we were able to deliver a powerful and professional video that effectively communicates the goals and successes of the Learn to Earn Program.

The stunning Boston backdrop added to the visual appeal, making the testimonials even more engaging for potential sponsors.