If you've never been part of a professional video production shoot, it's natural to feel a bit uncertain about what to expect. Will you need to be on camera? How long will it take? What should you wear? What happens if something goes wrong?
As a Los Angeles video production company that's guided hundreds of clients through their first shoots, we've created this comprehensive guide to demystify the process and help you feel confident and prepared for your video production day.
Before Shoot Day: Pre-Production Preparation
A successful shoot starts well before the cameras roll. Here's what happens in the days leading up to production:
The Pre-Production Meeting
Typically held 1-2 weeks before the shoot, this meeting covers:
- Creative Direction: Reviewing the script, storyboard, and visual style
- Logistics: Confirming shoot location, date, and time
- Talent: Discussing who will be on camera and their preparation needs
- Wardrobe: Guidance on what to wear (and what to avoid)
- Props & Materials: What you need to provide vs. what production brings
- Schedule: Detailed timeline for the shoot day
What You'll Receive Before the Shoot
Typical Pre-Shoot Documents:
- Call Sheet: Detailed schedule with times, locations, and contact info
- Shot List: What scenes/shots will be captured
- Talent Release Forms: Legal documents for anyone appearing on camera
- Location Agreement: If filming at your office or property
- Wardrobe Guidelines: Specific clothing recommendations
- Parking/Access Instructions: How crew will access the location
What to Bring on Shoot Day
Being prepared makes the day run smoothly. Here's your essential checklist:
For On-Camera Talent
- Wardrobe Options: 2-3 outfit choices (production will help select)
- Makeup/Touch-ups: Powder for shine control, lip balm
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated (avoid coffee right before filming)
- Script/Talking Points: Even if memorized, have a backup
- Personal Items: Phone charger, any medications you might need
For Clients/Stakeholders
- Brand Assets: Logos, products, marketing materials needed on camera
- Reference Materials: Any documents or images for reference
- Laptop/Tablet: For reviewing footage or making quick decisions
- Contact List: Phone numbers for anyone who might need to approve decisions
- Snacks: Shoots can run long—bring sustenance for your team
Typical Shoot Day Schedule
While every shoot is different, here's what a standard production day looks like:
Morning Setup (First 1-2 Hours)
What's Happening:
- Crew arrives and begins unloading equipment
- Lighting setup and camera positioning
- Audio equipment testing
- Set dressing and scene preparation
- Director and DP (Director of Photography) finalize shot composition
What You Should Do:
- Arrive 30 minutes after crew call time (unless otherwise specified)
- Stay out of the way during setup—crew needs space to work
- Use this time for hair/makeup if needed
- Review your talking points or script
- Ask questions if you're unclear about anything
Production (Main Filming)
What's Happening:
- Multiple takes of each shot (this is completely normal)
- Lighting and camera adjustments between setups
- Audio checks before each take
- Director providing guidance to on-camera talent
- Frequent playback reviews to ensure quality
What You Should Do:
- Stay quiet when cameras are rolling (even if you're off-camera)
- Turn phone to silent mode
- Provide feedback during designated review moments
- Trust the director's guidance—they know what works on camera
- Stay patient—good video takes time
Lunch Break (If Full-Day Shoot)
Most full-day shoots include a 30-60 minute lunch break. This is when:
- Crew and talent take a break to recharge
- Production team may review morning footage
- Adjustments to afternoon schedule are discussed
- Wardrobe changes happen if needed
Afternoon Production & Wrap
Final Hours:
- Completing remaining shots on the shot list
- Capturing any additional B-roll or coverage
- Final review of critical shots
- Equipment breakdown and packing
- Location cleanup and restoration
Who Will Be on Set
Understanding crew roles helps you know who to talk to about what:
Core Production Team
Key Crew Members:
- Producer: Your main point of contact, manages schedule and logistics
- Director: Leads creative decisions, directs talent
- Director of Photography (DP): Manages camera and lighting
- Camera Operator: Operates the camera (sometimes the DP)
- Gaffer: Chief lighting technician
- Sound Engineer: Manages all audio recording
- Production Assistant (PA): Helps with various tasks, often your go-to for questions
Additional Specialists (As Needed)
- Hair & Makeup Artist: For talent preparation and touch-ups
- Stylist: Manages wardrobe and on-camera appearance
- Teleprompter Operator: If using a teleprompter for scripts
- Grip: Handles camera support equipment and rigging
- Art Director: Manages set design and props
Common Shoot Day Scenarios
Scenario 1: Interview/Testimonial Shoot
What to Expect:
- You'll be seated in a comfortable position
- Microphone will be attached to your clothing
- Director will ask questions off-camera
- Multiple takes to get the best responses
- Typical duration: 2-4 hours total
Scenario 2: Corporate Overview Video
What to Expect:
- Multiple locations within your office/facility
- Employees may be filmed working (B-roll)
- Executive interviews or presentations
- Product or service demonstrations
- Typical duration: 4-8 hours
Scenario 3: Product Demo Video
What to Expect:
- Detailed close-up shots of your product
- Multiple angles and lighting setups
- Hands demonstrating product use
- Potential for stop-motion or time-lapse
- Typical duration: 3-6 hours
Scenario 4: Commercial Production
What to Expect:
- Larger crew and more equipment
- Professional actors or models
- Multiple complex setups
- Precise timing and choreography
- Typical duration: 8-12 hours (or multiple days)
How to Prepare Yourself or Your Team
For On-Camera Appearances
The Day Before:
- Get a good night's sleep
- Avoid alcohol (can cause puffiness)
- Drink plenty of water
- Practice your talking points out loud
- Lay out your wardrobe options
Day Of:
- Eat a light meal (avoid foods that cause bloating)
- Arrive 15 minutes early
- Avoid caffeine right before filming (can cause jitters)
- Use the restroom before your scene
- Do a few breathing exercises to calm nerves
Wardrobe Guidelines
What to Wear:
- Solid colors in jewel tones (blues, greens, burgundy)
- Professional attire that matches your brand
- Comfortable clothing you can sit/move in
- Layers for temperature control
What to Avoid:
- Busy patterns (stripes, small checks, herringbone)
- Pure white or black (can cause exposure issues)
- Logos or branded clothing (unless intentional)
- Noisy jewelry (can interfere with audio)
- Shiny fabrics (can create unwanted reflections)
Common Concerns Addressed
"I'm nervous about being on camera"
This is completely normal! Here's what helps:
- Professional directors are skilled at making people comfortable
- You'll do multiple takes—first ones are often just warm-ups
- Focus on the message, not the camera
- Remember: editing will make you look and sound great
- The crew wants you to succeed—they're on your side
"What if I make a mistake?"
Mistakes are expected and easily fixed:
- Simply stop, take a breath, and start that sentence again
- The director will guide you through it
- Editing removes all mistakes—you'll never see them in the final video
- Even professional actors do multiple takes
"How long will I need to be available?"
Typical time commitments:
- Simple interview: 1-2 hours
- Multiple scenes: Half day (4 hours)
- Complex production: Full day (8 hours)
- Large campaign: Multiple days
Your production company will provide a detailed schedule in advance.
"Can I see the footage during the shoot?"
Yes, usually! Most productions allow:
- Playback review of key takes
- Feedback on performance or framing
- Approval of critical shots before moving on
However, trust your director's expertise—they know what will work in the final edit.
What Decisions You Might Need to Make On Set
While most decisions are made in pre-production, you may need to weigh in on:
- Wardrobe Selection: Which outfit looks best on camera
- Set Dressing: Product placement or background elements
- Messaging Adjustments: Tweaking talking points that don't feel right
- Additional Shots: Capturing extra footage if time allows
- Talent Performance: Approving key takes before moving on
Pro Tip: Designate one decision-maker to avoid conflicting feedback. Too many voices can slow down production.
Behind-the-Scenes: What's Really Happening
Why So Many Takes?
Multiple takes aren't about mistakes—they're about options:
- Different emotional tones or energy levels
- Various camera angles for editing flexibility
- Technical perfection (focus, lighting, audio)
- Capturing spontaneous moments that might be better
Why Does Setup Take So Long?
Proper setup ensures quality results:
- Lighting must be perfect for professional results
- Audio requires careful mic placement and testing
- Camera settings need precise calibration
- Set dressing creates the right environment
Remember: Setup time = better final product. It's worth the wait.
Why Are There So Many People?
Each crew member has a specific, essential role:
- Specialized skills produce professional results
- Multiple people work simultaneously for efficiency
- Redundancy ensures nothing is missed
- Professional productions require professional teams
After the Shoot: What Happens Next
Once filming wraps, here's the typical post-production process:
- Footage Backup: All footage is immediately backed up to multiple drives
- Review & Selection: Editor reviews all footage and selects best takes
- First Cut: Initial edit created (typically 5-10 days)
- Client Review: You provide feedback on the first cut
- Revisions: Edits are refined based on your input
- Final Delivery: Completed video in all requested formats
For detailed timeline information, check out our Video Production Timeline Guide.
Tips for a Smooth Shoot Day
Do's:
- ✅ Arrive on time (or slightly early)
- ✅ Communicate any concerns immediately
- ✅ Trust the professionals you hired
- ✅ Stay flexible—creative adjustments happen
- ✅ Provide clear, consolidated feedback
- ✅ Keep your team informed of the schedule
- ✅ Have fun—positive energy shows on camera!
Don'ts:
- ❌ Don't invite unnecessary observers (can be distracting)
- ❌ Don't make major creative changes on shoot day
- ❌ Don't rush the crew—quality takes time
- ❌ Don't provide feedback from multiple stakeholders simultaneously
- ❌ Don't forget to silence your phone
- ❌ Don't stress—the crew handles the technical details
Conclusion
A professional video production shoot is a collaborative, creative process. While it may seem complex, experienced production companies like VPLA make it smooth and stress-free for clients.
The key to a successful shoot day is preparation, communication, and trust. Come prepared with what you need, communicate openly with your production team, and trust the professionals you've hired to deliver exceptional results.
Remember: every member of the crew is working toward the same goal—creating a video that exceeds your expectations and delivers real results for your business.
At VPLA, we pride ourselves on making the production process enjoyable and efficient. We guide you through every step, answer all your questions, and ensure you feel confident and comfortable throughout the entire shoot.
Ready to start planning your video production? Let's discuss your project and create a shoot day experience that's smooth, professional, and produces outstanding results.