How to Execute Remote Video Production With Cinebody

Remote video production has seen a huge uptick in the last 8-10 months, and you don’t have to be a genius to figure out why. But while the 2020 pandemic is certainly a major factor in its popularity, it’s by no means the only reason you’d want to do remote video production. 

Indeed, as marketing budgets were shrinking long before COVID-19 was dominating the industry, content producers have been looking for ways to pivot to the most cost-conscious methods of video production. Doing it remote removes a number of expensive line items from the budget, including travel and location costs. But by utilizing Cinebody for your remote video production projects, you can also remove additional expenses associated with equipment, crew, and pre-production.

We tapped our top Cinebody pros and asked them how to create a killer video production project remotely, and got their top tips on a successful shoot.

Tip one: Ensure creators are well-prepped and excited to participate

With User-Directed Content (UDC), the focus on the creators is paramount. They’re not only the directors but also the stars. Proper preparation will give them the foundation they need to get the shots you want. (Note: Click here to access a one-sheeter template for your next project.)

“One of my favorite tools as a producer is a one-sheet on-boarding document that’s branded for the project and has all the necessary information and FAQs to arm the filmers for success,” said Allie Meikle, Producer & Project Manager, Lumenati. “ Depending on the breadth of the project, I also recommend an on-boarding call with the filmers to walk them through the shot list and answer any questions.”

It’s also key to get your content creators psyched about what they’re filming. The more into it they are, the better the footage will be. Brad Connor, Director, Lumenati, is a huge proponent of the pre-shoot pep talk: “Get your participants psyched on what you're doing!” said Connor. “Get to know them and their story. Give them examples for inspiration and most importantly draw ideas of what they can capture from your conversations you have with them or what you see them already capturing with the app.”

Tip two: Don’t confuse authenticity with amateur hour

It’s a mistake many newcomers to UDC and UGC make. Authentic footage shot by amateurs is going to look, well, amateurish right? Actually, no, that’s not the case at all. You don’t have to be a big name movie director to shoot stunning content on an iPhone. But you do need to prepare your content creators and provide a little training and filming pointers, as our pros will once again attest to:

“It’s very helpful to walk them through how the platform works and provide tips n’ tricks on how to shoot effectively using their phones,” said Emilie DeLong, Video Creative Manager, Odyssey - the content studio of Miles Partnership. “Simple things like ensuring your creators are paying attention to lighting, what’s in the background of a shot or standing close enough to the phone so that audio will be picked-up, can make a huge difference.”

Tip three: Keep your shot list buttoned up

Once again, good preparation will reap rewards, and an air-tight shot list is no exception. Don’t give your creators too much leeway when it comes to filming. This is not the time to let them run wild, and the more focused your shot list is, the better the outcome. 

“Provide examples for each shot,” said Meikle. “Instead of just saying ‘show us your morning routine,’ including some likely scenarios like ‘Do you practice yoga every AM? Walk the dog? Enjoy a cup of joe?.’” 

It’s also just as important to make sure you control the camera setting for each shot, which is again something you can do easily using the Cinebody app. “Take the time to really separate out each question or shot that you want,” said Carly McCarthy Holowell Social Media Manager, University of Central Florida. “Encourage users to record in the Cinebody app to have some control over quality and orientation.”

Tip four: Stay in control, and never let the project run itself

To be honest, the software is so intuitive and easy to implement that it can be tempting to just “set it and forget it” so to speak. That’s a huge mistake. While remote video production is a little more autonomous than a traditional production set-up, you still need to firmly hold the reigns. As you are able to review footage as it’s coming in, you can use push notifications to provide almost instant feedback. Not seeing something you want? Ask for it. Keep your creators engaged and on track. 

“It’s important to review the footage as it is captured,” said Brandon Moore, Director & Producer, Bone + Gold. “Cinebody makes it easy to give creators direction through push notifications if you need to communicate directly.” 

Remote video production is here to stay. And who knows, within the next few years it could very well be the primary way content is captured for a whole host of industries and brands. If you learn how to take advantage of it now, you’ll be set up for great success in the future.