FILMING CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Pre-Production
1. Planning and Scripting:
Objective: We want to define the goal of the testimonial. What message do you want to convey? Please be sure to share with us what you want; any samples you can share would be helpful.
Interview Questions: We prepare questions that lead the client to share their experience compellingly.
Why do we share the questions prior? If we share them, we lose the authenticity. Every answer they give becomes scripted. Please let your clients know we only ask questions about their experience of your work. Why they would recommend your business and anything personal, they want to add about the work.
Location Scouting: Choose a location that reflects the client’s actual environment or relates to the story. Once we arrive, the director and audio crew will select the best part of the location to use.
2. Equipment We bring into the location:
- Cameras
- Tripods
- Microphones (lapel/lavalier for the interview, shotgun for b-roll)
- Audio recorder
- Lighting kit
- Reflectors and diffusers
- Batteries and chargers
3. Crew on site and their Roles:
- Director/Interviewer
- Camera Operator
- Sound Technician
- Lighting Technician
- Production Assistant
Production
1. Setup Time:
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes -2 hours, depending on complexity.
Activities: Assembling the camera and tripod, setting up lighting to ensure the subject is well-lit without harsh shadows, and conducting a sound check.
2. Audio and Interview Setup:
Microphone Placement: Attach a lapel mic to the client. Conduct a sound check to ensure clear audio.
3. Filming the Interview:
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour. We want the client to become comfortable, provide authentic responses, and encourage concise answers.
4. Capturing Lifestyle B-Roll:
Objective: Film scenes of the client using the product/service in their daily life. This adds authenticity and reliability. It will also showcase your service or product.
Duration: 30 minutes -2 hours. We plan shots that correlate with the testimonial's narrative.
Takedown Time:
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Activities: Dismantling equipment, ensuring all gear is accounted for, and packing up.
Post-production (what takes place after we leave)
1. Review and Edit:
- Compile the footage, selecting the best takes of the interview and the most compelling b-roll clips.
- Edit for flow, ensuring the story is coherent and engaging. Add subtitles, music, and graphics as needed.
2. Feedback and Revisions:
- Share a draft with stakeholders for feedback. Make necessary revisions.
3. Finalize and Distribute:
- Export the final version in the required formats for distribution on various platforms (website, social media, etc.).
Additional Tips:
Sound Quality: To ensure the audio is crisp by minimizing background noise. We will bring moving blankets to help panel and dampen echoes. If an air conditioning or heater is running, we ask that it be turned off while recording audio.
Lighting: If possible, we will use natural light supplemented by artificial lights to eliminate shadows. We do bring studio lights in case they are needed.
B-Roll Variety: We will capture a wide range of shots (wide, medium, close-up) to keep the video visually interesting.