At Creative Images, we pride ourselves on our adaptability and resourcefulness when it comes to video production. Over the years, we've encountered a wide range of scenarios, and we've learned that being prepared for anything is essential. Today, we want to share a light-hearted story that illustrates the importance of always being ready on a video shoot, regardless of how simple or straightforward it may seem.
A few years back, one of our regular clients, familiar with the video production process, asked us to go on-site and capture b-roll (supporting footage) of a product being used in the field, specifically, on the side of a roadway. The weather that day was far from ideal – we're talking 10°F in Wisconsin – with strong winds to boot. The plan was to shoot for only an hour, so our team packed light: just a camera, enough batteries, and a monopod for mobility.
Surprise Interview
Before the shoot, we even confirmed with the client once more that the objective was to capture b-roll only! So, imagine our surprise when, after a long drive and upon arriving at the site, the client casually mentioned, "We may wish to capture an interview as well."
Our immediate reaction was one of surprise, not because we were unwilling to do the interview, but because we always strive to make our clients happy, and in this instance, we hadn't brought any of our interview gear – no microphones, reflectors, lighting, or even headphones to ensure the audio was up to par. Fortunately, the client completely understood, given our pre-production planning, but we decided to make the best of the situation with what we had.
After capturing the necessary footage, we found the ideal interviewee. We positioned him with the sun as our only light source (since we had no other options) and got the camera as close to him as possible, relying on the built-in microphone to capture the audio. We couldn't verify the quality of the sound, but we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best.
To our delight, the result was a success, and the client was thrilled! (You can check out the video below.) This experience taught us a valuable lesson: always be prepared for anything. From that day on, we make sure to bring along just about every piece of gear we could possibly need, even if it's not initially part of the plan. You never know when a client might throw you a curveball, but being prepared ensures that you can hit it out of the park every time.