You’ve booked your video production company, the date is set, and filming day is approaching. While your production team will handle all the technical aspects of the shoot – cameras, lighting, sound, and creative direction – there are several things you can prepare on your end to ensure the day runs smoothly and you get the best possible results.
At Dark Skies Productions, we work with businesses across the UK to create engaging corporate videos. Here’s what we recommend clients prepare before we arrive on site.
1. Share detailed information about your filming location
Your video production team needs to understand your space before they arrive, so they can plan the setup and bring the right equipment.
Suggestions of what you could send your production company:
- Photos of the filming space from multiple angles
- Information about soundproofing – is the space acoustically treated, or are there external noise sources? (neighbouring offices, air conditioning, traffic)
- Confirmation of space – is there enough room to comfortably set up 2 or more cameras, lighting stands, and equipment?
- Power outlet locations
- Details about windows and natural light – can it be controlled with blinds or curtains?
- Any restrictions or limitations on the space
This information allows your video team to arrive fully prepared. If your budget allows, many production companies will conduct a site recce (reconnaissance visit) beforehand to assess all the practical considerations and plan the shoot properly.
Top tip: Gather this information and share it with your production team as early as possible. The more detail you can provide, the smoother filming day will be.
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2. Brief your participants well in advance
The people appearing in your video need time to prepare, and this is something only you can do.
If filming interviews or testimonials:
Share the interview questions with participants at least one week before the shoot. This gives them time to:
- Think about their answers properly
- Consider relevant examples or stories
- Ensure their responses are on-message and on-brand
- Feel more confident and less nervous on camera
People who’ve had time to pre-consider their answers deliver much more polished, natural responses than those who are seeing questions for the first time on camera.
Explain the context:
- What’s the purpose of the video?
- Who’s the target audience?
- What are the 2-3 key messages you need to communicate?
- What tone should they strike? (professional, friendly, technical, approachable)
Your role: You know your business and your people better than anyone. Brief participants thoroughly so they understand what’s expected and can represent your brand authentically.
3. Provide clear clothing guidance
What people wear on camera makes a significant difference to the final video quality, and participants often don’t know what works best.
Clothing guidelines to share with everyone appearing on camera:
Avoid fine patterns at all costs: Fine dogtooth check, pinstripes, herringbone, or other small repetitive patterns create moiré effects and strange visual artifacts on camera – distracting shimmer or wavy patterns that can ruin footage. This is the single most important clothing rule.
Other guidance:
- Solid colours work best and are always safe
- Align with your brand – suggest colours that complement your company branding where appropriate
- Avoid bright white – it can cause overexposure issues; off-white, cream, or light colours are better
- Skip third-party logos unless they’re relevant to your brand
- Keep jewellery minimal – some items can create noise or catch on microphone equipment
Your role: Send these guidelines to all participants at least a few days before filming. Make it clear this isn’t about fashion – it’s about ensuring they look their best on camera.
4. Get your premises “camera ready”
Your video production company will make your location look great through lighting and framing, but they need you to provide a clean, tidy, professional space to work with.
For interview locations:
- Give the space a thorough clean and tidy
- Remove clutter, bins, delivery boxes, and personal items
- Clear away dated materials (old calendars, temporary signage, seasonal decorations)
- Remove or hide anything confidential that might be visible in backgrounds
- Position company branding tastefully where it adds value
For B-roll filming (general footage of your premises and operations):
B-roll showcases your business in action, so everything visible needs to look its best:
- Clean areas that will be filmed – dust and mess show up clearly on camera
- Organise workspaces so they look active and professional, not chaotic
- Tidy product displays and ensure stock looks neat
- Prepare any equipment or machinery that will be filmed
- Clear confidential information from whiteboards, screens, or documents
The goal is authentic but polished – your business looking like its best professional self, not artificially staged.
Your role: Schedule time before the shoot to prepare your premises. You know your space better than anyone, so you’re best placed to get it camera ready.
5. Brief any staff appearing in B-roll or background shots
If your video will include general footage of people working, or quick voxpop-style comments from staff, they need to be prepared too.
What to communicate:
- When and where filming will take place
- That they should follow the same clothing guidelines (especially avoiding fine patterns)
- They should be presentable and aligned with your brand image
- What’s being filmed so they can behave naturally
- To minimise obvious phone use or staged behaviour when cameras are rolling
People who know they might be filmed are more relaxed and authentic on camera than those who are surprised by it.
Your role: Brief relevant staff members in advance. A quick email or team meeting covering the basics ensures everyone’s prepared.
Ready to create your corporate video?
For office or commercial premises:
Ready to Create Your Corporate Video?
When you’ve prepared these seven areas, your video shoot will run smoothly, participants will feel confident, and your production team can focus entirely on capturing great content that achieves your objectives.
At Dark Skies Productions, we guide clients through this preparation process to ensure every shoot is a success. We handle all the technical complexity – you just need to prepare your people, your space, and your message.
Ready to discuss your corporate video project? Contact Dark Skies Productions on 07792 769837 for a free consultation and quote.
