Shooting Live Events & Retreats: The Ins & Outs
When it comes to shooting live events/retreats, being quick on your feet is crucial because there’s really so much to take into consideration (especially in comparison to a produced shoot with models/talent). If you’re not ready and the perfect shot happens, there’s no “going back to 1” and trying for a take 2 (which I have personally tried anyway on multiple occasions lol...), so prep is everything to say the least.
Let’s talk about the top 3 things you need to know before going in to any live event shoot:Pre-production is KEY! Make sure to have an itinerary early (before the event), so you can get a good idea of the locations you will be filming in and what gear will be best for which segments. From there, start envisioning what you’d like (ideally) this shoot to look like once the edit is complete. Going in with ideas put you in a productive, proactive state vs. a reactionary state (where most videographers find themselves), and you become the director instead of getting a modge-podge of footage that you hope will come together later. To help with this, start a shot list and have it complete before you arrive to the shoot. Most don’t think to do this since shooting live events can seem (and are for the most part), very random and spontaneous. However, when opportunities arise, you need to be in a position to recognize the shot you had planned for, and be ready to execute it quickly. With a shot list you’re also less likely to forget shooting that one detail that could have been lost in the craziness of the event.
Don’t over-complicate production. The camera you use and the gear around it is very important, but the operator is one that sometimes get put as last priority (yes, that’s you!), and without that, the rest doesn’t matter! So, when you’re about to do that adventure hike or zip line tour, knowing what gear is best for the situation (and most importantly: what gear is best for the operator) is the question that needs to be constantly asked. Think light, tight and effective. Don’t kill yourself just so you can look cool with a giant shotgun mic hanging off your rig when it’s really not going to make a huge difference in the end.
Put on a smile. Unlike working with models/actors, the only actor in a live situation is YOU as everyone else feels somewhat like a deer in headlights as you throw a camera up in front of them. Everyone will react to the camera based on the quick relationship they’ve been able to create with you, so it’s your time to shine! Most people are a bit shy around a camera (even though they hired you) and are also trying to feel you out as well. In order to move past this and capture the moments that really show emotion and mean the most to the client, it’s important to get good at creating quick relationships of trust. Don’t think for a second that you can shoot something that’s going to be meaningful and move people by shooting like a paparazzi from behind a tree. Remember, however people react to you and your energy is what the camera will capture and be reflected back.