Whether you just got a new client or booked your very first corporate shoot and are looking for the information to help you prepare and make sure everything runs smoothly, I’ve compiled these SIX TIPS based on the corporate shoots I’ve recently done. 
- If it’s a large corporation, they will most likely provide you with detailed specs of what they are looking for technically (what cameras and lights to use and a description of approximately what they are looking for as an end result). If it’s not the case, you’ll be discussing that with the client and agreeing on before the shoot.
- The video will be on some sort of topic. If it’s not scripted yet, it would be good if you could get client to script it to make sure what needs to be said is covered. Get involved in preparations if needed. That way you will be able to make sure you have all the footage needed on the day and will give you ideas for b-roll.
- With the main presentation/interview/discussion, you will most likely need to shoot b-roll in order to make the video more interesting. Get as much information on the subject as possible. That will help you to compile ideas of relevant things you can film that would add to the video. Have ideas written down and discuss them with your client. It’s good to have couple of extra ideas of what you could do for the b-roll. In case client doesn’t like one of them or it just doesn’t work in the setting or on the day, you will have something to fall back on. This will make things run smoother and take away stress of having to come up with new ideas on the spot under pressure.
- Discuss clothing, make-up and possibly hair in advance. Get the person being filmed to bring in couple of clothes changes, just in case something doesn’t work on camera. Small patterns and big unrelated brand logos are probably not a good idea, talk about that with client. For make-up, the most important thing is that client’s nose and forehead are not shiny. I always bring powder and brush on set with me if there is no make-up artist involved. Client may have had powder applied in the morning, but by the afternoon the face may get shiny under the big lights that are generating heat. For those cases having a powder and brush at hand is a must.
- Make it fun and comfortable for the client. Friendly chat, encouragement, couple of jokes and just a positive and relaxed air from yourself will go a long way to make it less awkward for the client, who may not be used to presenting on camera.
- On the day, you may face all sorts of unexpected things happen, as they usually do with shoots. Just roll with it and tweak your initial plan to what’s feasible to achieve with the conditions you are presented with. Enjoy the process!
Here is our crew picture from corporate video shoot I recently produced for DELL. Fantastic team on both sides of the camera! I was so impressed with employees being so capable in delivering their pieces and improvising! It’s been an absolute pleasure! 
My example of time well spent.. One day. Two short films made. Amazing banter was had. Literally..
Night Out in Killashandra is another short film that we filmed on the same day, last Saturday. I wrote the screenplay for that. Seeing people in a pub or a bar swiping left and right on popular dating apps and not paying attention to the immediate surroundings prompted me to write it. It explores another theme too… To find out, you’ll just have to watch the movie when it’s out.