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Choosing A Location

  • Updated

What to consider when choosing a location for filming remotely

 

The ideal location to shoot is somewhere quiet, with WIFI, and with natural & adjustable lighting. 

PRO TIP: Schedule a pre-production call with your subject and discuss exactly what you're looking for in a location. This will significantly cut down on the time it takes you to set up at the beginning of your scheduled shoot. 

 

TOP 3 CONSIDERATIONS

  • Connectivity 
  • Lighting
  • Audio

Connectivity

  • The subject will need to have an internet connection to film. They can be connected to the internet either via WIFI or cell phone data (LTE).
  • WIFI is preferred (it is typically stronger and more stable)
  • Related Article: Internet Speed
  • Related Article: Connection Issues

Lighting

When choosing a location take note of the light that already exists in the location (ambient light). Naturally lit areas with adjustable lighting (ie: shades and curtains) are best. 

  • Mobile camera sensors LOVE natural light
  • If there is too much, or uneven light in a setting shutting a shade or curtain can make a world of difference.
  • Think of the "magic hour lighting" or the time at sunset when everyone wants to head down to the beach and take photos - THIS is great lighting
  • See our other support articles about trouble shooting lighting & shadow issues

Audio 

Look for a quiet place to film.

  • AVOID: Background Noise --- AC vents, fans, other people in office or on set, phones ringing, areas where you can hear traffic
  • AVOID: Echo --- Very large spaces and very confined spaces can both be echoey depending what furniture is in the room to absorb the reverb (consider the echo in a large auditorium, and also the echo in your bathroom, neither of these work)

 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

On-Brand

The beauty of shooting remote is that you can always shoot "On-Location".  Keep in mind that different messages are sent from different background. 

  • Is the setting professional? Consider asking your subject is the space that your filming a location where they would host a meeting with their biggest client? If it's not find somewhere else. 
  • Is the setting relevant to the story? Is it on-brand?
  • Consider filming a CEO of a Tech Startup, would any of these background's be relevant to her story? What about a lawyer? Or a doctor?

 

Tidy & Professional

Whatever setting you choose, it should be clean & tidy.

  • One of the easiest ways to cut down set up time at the beginning of the shoot is to ask your talent to clean up the location where they would like to film before hand. 
  • These locations might be suitable for filming after a little bit of spring cleaning. 

Depth

How can we film on a mobile device and not make it look like our video was filmed on a mobile device? Creating depth in your shot is one of the easiest ways to do this. 

  • Create depth by pulling your subject further from the wall/background
  • This reduces shadows and creates a much more dynamic shot
  • You'll want to film in a larger space to create the type of depth show in the "BEST" picture below.

Importance of choosing a background ahead of time

If you are filming on location or in an office, know where you are filming ahead of time, gives your subject an opportunity to tidy up and remove distractions, wear the correct clothing, alert others using the space that filming is in progress.

 

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