There's an old saying that goes, "Experience is the best teacher." In my years as a videographer, I've encountered a wide range of scenarios and have learned to be ready for just about anything. Today, I want to share a light-hearted story that illustrates the importance of always being prepared on a video shoot, no matter how simple or straightforward it may seem.
Several years ago, I had a client who hired me for many different projects, and was therefor, very familiar with the video production process. They asked me 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 was downright nasty – we're talking 10°F in Wisconsin – and the winds were strong. The plan was to shoot for only an hour, so I packed light: just a camera, enough batteries, and a monopod for mobility.
Surprise Interview
Before the shoot, I even clarified with the client once again that the goal was to capture b-roll only! So, imagine my surprise when, after a long drive and upon arriving to the site, the client casually mentioned, "We may wish to capture an interview too."
My jaw nearly hit the ground, not because I wasn't willing to do the interview, but because I always work hard to make my clients happy and, in this instance, I hadn't brought any of my interview gear – no microphones, reflectors, lighting, or even headphones to ensure the audio was up to par. Thankfully, the client totally understood, given our pre-production planning, but I decided to make the best of the situation with what I had.
After capturing the necessary footage, we found the perfect interviewee. I positioned him with the sun as my only light source (since I had no other options) and got the camera as close to him as possible, relying on the built-in microphone to capture the audio. I couldn't verify the quality of the sound, but I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
To my delight, the result was a success, and the client was thrilled! (You can check out the video below.) This experience taught me a valuable lesson: always be prepared for anything. Since that day, I make sure to bring along just about every piece of gear I 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.