video crew

Live Streaming Like a Pro: Best Practices for Video Production Success

As a seasoned location scout, video producer, and photographer at St. Louis Location Scout, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the transformative impact of live streaming on business endeavors. In this article, we’ll delve into the best practices for achieving video production success when it comes to live streaming.

Planning and Pre Production

Behind every successful live stream lies a well-thought-out plan. Start by defining your objectives for the live stream. Are you looking to educate, entertain, or inform your audience? Understanding your goals will guide the entire production process.

Once your goals are set, create a detailed script or outline for the live stream. This will ensure a smooth and coherent flow of content, reducing the chances of awkward pauses or confusion. Collaborate with your team to assign roles and responsibilities, including hosts, presenters, and technical support.

 

Choosing the Right Location

As experts in location scouting, we understand the pivotal role a setting plays in conveying your message. The right location can enhance the ambiance and captivate your audience. Consider factors such as the backdrop, lighting conditions, and acoustics. Whether you’re streaming from a picturesque outdoor setting, a dynamic urban environment, or a controlled indoor space, the location should align with your brand and content.

Camera and Equipment Setup

Investing in quality camera equipment is a non-negotiable aspect of professional live streaming. High-definition cameras, tripods, and stabilizers contribute to a polished and visually appealing presentation. Position your camera at eye level to establish a personal connection with your viewers. Test your equipment well in advance to troubleshoot any technical issues.

Lighting and Audio Considerations

Lighting can make or break your live stream’s visual quality. Natural light is an excellent option, but if indoors, opt for soft and diffused lighting sources to avoid harsh shadows. Additionally, prioritize audio clarity by using external microphones and minimizing background noise. A poor audio experience can lead to viewer disengagement, so invest in professional audio equipment.

Engaging Content Creation

Compelling content is at the heart of a successful live stream. Incorporate a mix of storytelling, visuals, and data to maintain audience interest. Integrate interactive elements such as polls, Q&A sessions, and live chats to encourage participation. A well-crafted narrative will keep viewers hooked from start to finish.

Interactive Audience Engagement

Engagement is a two-way street. Leverage the live nature of the stream to interact with your audience in real-time. Respond to comments, answer questions, and acknowledge viewers by name. This fosters a sense of community and builds a loyal following. Remember, the more engaged your audience is, the longer they’ll stay tuned in.

Post-Production and Optimization

Once the live stream concludes, the work is far from over. Save the recording for future use and consider repurposing it into bite-sized clips for social media or promotional purposes. Review viewer analytics to gain insights into viewer demographics, engagement rates, and drop-off points. Use this data to refine your future live streams and tailor your content to your audience’s preferences.

St. Louis Location Scout: Your Full-Service Production Partner

At St. Louis Location Scout, we take pride in being your trusted partner for all your business location production needs. With a solid foundation in location scouting, video production, and photography, we are equipped to handle the entire spectrum of multimedia creations. Based in St. Louis, we specialize in curating stunning visual backdrops and ensuring seamless video production experiences.

As professional video producers, St. Louis Location Scout has scouted and helped produce hundreds of video projects for all types of large and small businesses and organizations in the St. Louis region. Our expertise spans across industries, enabling us to deliver tailored solutions that align with your brand identity and communication objectives.

Whether you’re planning a live stream, a commercial shoot, or a corporate video, our team at St. Louis Location Scout is dedicated to turning your vision into reality. We bring a keen eye for detail, technical proficiency, and creative flair to every project we undertake. Let us be your partner in bringing your ideas to life and achieving video production success.

To embark on a journey of compelling visuals and captivating storytelling, get in touch with us today. Together, we’ll elevate your video production endeavors to new heights.

Cell 314-913-5626  stlouislocations@gmail.com

The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Freelance vs. In-House Video Production Crew.


In today’s digital age, video has become an essential tool for businesses to effectively communicate their message and engage with their target audience. Whether it’s for marketing campaigns, brand promotions, or internal communications, high-quality videos can make a significant impact on your business’s success. When it comes to video production, one of the key decisions you’ll need to make is whether to hire a freelance video production crew or establish an in-house team. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and in this article, we’ll explore them in depth to help you make an informed decision.

Freelance Video Production Crew

Pros

  1. Cost-effectiveness: One of the most appealing aspects of hiring a freelance video production crew is the potential cost savings. Freelancers typically have lower overhead costs compared to an in-house team, allowing them to offer competitive rates for their services. This can be particularly beneficial for small businesses or organizations with limited budgets.
  2. Flexibility: Freelancers provide flexibility in terms of availability and scheduling. They can be hired on a project-by-project basis, allowing you to scale up or down as needed. This flexibility is particularly advantageous when you have sporadic or seasonal video production requirements.
  3. Specialized expertise: Freelancers often specialize in specific areas of video production, such as cinematography, editing, or motion graphics. Hiring freelancers with specialized skills can ensure that you have access to the best talent for each aspect of your video production process. This can result in higher-quality videos that effectively convey your message and resonate with your target audience.
  4. Fresh perspective: Freelancers bring a fresh perspective to your video projects. As outsiders, they can offer a new creative angle or innovative ideas that you may not have considered. Their diverse experiences working with different clients can bring a unique touch to your videos and help set you apart from your competitors.

Cons

  1. Limited availability: Freelancers often have multiple clients and projects, which means their availability may be limited or subject to change. If you have tight deadlines or require immediate revisions, coordinating with multiple freelancers can be challenging and time-consuming.
  2. Dependency on individual freelancers: When you hire freelancers, you’re relying on individual professionals rather than a cohesive team. This can be risky if a freelancer becomes unavailable or their work doesn’t meet your expectations. It’s important to thoroughly vet and communicate with freelancers to minimize potential issues.
  3. Lack of long-term commitment: Freelancers typically work on a project basis, which means they may not have a long-term commitment to your business. This lack of continuity can be a disadvantage if you’re looking for ongoing video production support or if you want to establish a consistent brand identity through your videos.

In-House Video Production Crew

Pros

  1. Dedicated team: Establishing an in-house video production crew gives you the advantage of having a dedicated team solely focused on your video production needs. They become intimately familiar with your brand, objectives, and vision, which can lead to better consistency and alignment in your videos.
  2. Immediate availability: With an in-house team, you have the advantage of immediate availability. You can directly communicate with your team, make real-time revisions, and ensure that your videos are produced within your desired timeline. This can be especially beneficial for time-sensitive projects or last-minute changes.
  3. Cohesive workflow: In-house teams work together regularly, fostering a cohesive workflow and efficient collaboration. They develop an understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to seamlessly integrate their skills and expertise to deliver high-quality videos consistently.
  4. Long-term investment: Building an in-house video production team allows you to make a long-term investment in your video production capabilities. By nurturing and developing your team’s skills, you create a valuable asset within your organization. They can adapt to your evolving video needs, maintain brand consistency, and contribute to your overall business growth.

Cons

  1. Higher costs: Hiring an in-house video production crew involves significant upfront and ongoing costs. You need to consider salaries, benefits, equipment, software, and training expenses. For small or medium-sized businesses with limited budgets, these costs can be prohibitive.
  2. Limited expertise: An in-house team may have limitations in terms of specialized expertise. While they may be skilled in certain areas of video production, they may lack the diversity of skills and perspectives that freelancers bring. This can limit your ability to explore new creative avenues or tackle complex projects that require specific expertise.
  3. Resource constraints: Building and maintaining an in-house team requires allocating resources, including time, effort, and management oversight. This can divert your attention from your core business activities and add additional responsibilities to your plate. It’s essential to assess whether you have the necessary resources to effectively manage and support an in-house team.

St. Louis Locations: Your Full-Service Video Production Partner

At St. Louis Locations, we understand the significance of video production in business branding and marketing. Our experienced team of video producers, commercial photographers, and location scouts are here to support your unique requirements and help you achieve your business goals.

Full-Service Video Production

Our full-service video production capabilities encompass every stage of the production process. From concept development and scriptwriting to filming, editing, and post-production, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life. Our team leverages the latest equipment and techniques to ensure the highest quality videos that captivate your audience and convey your brand’s message effectively.

Commercial Photography

In addition to video production, we offer professional commercial photography services. Whether you need product photography, corporate headshots, or lifestyle imagery for your marketing campaigns, our skilled photographers have an eye for capturing compelling visuals that showcase your brand in the best light.

Location Scouting

Finding the perfect location for your video or photoshoot is crucial for creating an immersive and visually appealing experience. Our experienced location scouts have an in-depth knowledge of St. Louis and can help you discover unique and captivating settings that align with your creative vision. We handle all the logistics, permits, and negotiations, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

Business Branding and Employee Engagement

At St. Louis Locations, we recognize that your videos and visual content play a vital role in establishing and reinforcing your business branding. We work closely with you to understand your brand values, target audience, and marketing objectives. Our team integrates your brand elements seamlessly into the videos and photographs we create, ensuring a consistent and impactful representation of your brand.

Moreover, we believe in the power of employee engagement through video production. Whether it’s showcasing your company culture, conducting interviews with team members, or documenting special events, we can help you create videos that inspire and motivate your employees, fostering a sense of belonging and pride within your organization.

In conclusion, choosing between a freelance video production crew and an in-house team requires careful consideration of your specific needs, budget, and long-term objectives. Each option offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages. At St. Louis Locations, we provide full-service video production, commercial photography, and location scouting to cater to your unique requirements. Our experienced team is dedicated to delivering high-quality videos and visuals that elevate your brand and engage your target audience. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you achieve your business branding needs through our comprehensive services.

314-913-5626

stlouislocations@gmail.com

Mastering Location Scouting for Video Production: Tips, Techniques & Tools to Make Your Shoot a Success.

Location scouting for video production is often an overlooked step in the production process. However, masterful location scouting can make the difference between an average and extraordinary video production. Finding the right location for your next productionIt’s the key to creating visually compelling stories and can also save a lot of time and money when done correctly. Whether you’re a seasoned video producer or just getting started, there are some key tips, techniques, and tools that you can use to make your next shoot a success. From understanding the basics of location scouting and legal considerations to utilizing the latest technologies to save time and money, mastering the art of location scouting can help you create the perfect video production.

Understanding the Basics of Location Scouting

Location scouting is the process of identifying and securing potential shooting locations before the start of a production. This includes everything from scouting for the right look, to finding the most convenient and cost-effective locations, to securing permission to use those locations. The location scout’s role is to find the best possible locations for your production to meet your story’s narrative and production requirements. They do this by collaborating with various departments and stakeholders to find the best possible locations, and then communicating logistics, requirements, and costs back to those stakeholders. The most important thing to remember about location scouting is that it’s not just about finding a pretty place. Successful location scouting requires the location scout to understand the story, the characters, and their motivations, and then find places where those stories can be told in an authentic and compelling way.

Legal Considerations for Location Scouting

Before you go on a location scout, make sure you understand the legal considerations at each location. Even if you’re using a public space, there may be rules and regulations that you need to follow. While shooting on public property may be free, you may need a permit. Also, you may need to get permission from the city, county, or state government. Getting the necessary permissions will help ensure that you stay on the right side of the law. It’s also important that you get permission from the owner of any private property that you intend to shoot on. Failure to secure the proper permissions could result in fines, a shut-down, or even a lawsuit, so always check with the owner and get the necessary legal documents signed before beginning your shoot.

Utilizing the Latest Technologies for Location Scouting

The best location scouts don’t just look for great places to shoot. They also keep their ear on the ground for new and exciting locations. Location scouts who are constantly scanning the web and social media for new places to shoot are sure to find exciting and fresh locations for their shoots. This can help your production stand out from the crowd and create a more compelling story. It can also save a lot of time and money because you won’t be wasting time scouting places that won’t work for your story. The internet is bursting with location-sharing platforms that allow you to find new, exciting locations. Some of the most popular platforms include Instagram, Pinterest, and TripAdvisor. However, there are also more niche-oriented tools like Whim, which is dedicated to helping filmmakers find new, visually compelling locations. Whim features a built-in visual search engine that allows you to search millions of photos for new and exciting locations. It also features a built-in communication tool that allows you to connect with the host of the location, check their availability, and make arrangements to book the space.

Tips for Finding the Best Locations

Before you start scouting for locations, create a logline for your shoot. This will help you understand the narrative of your shoot and will help you find the right locations. Once you have your logline, use these tips to find the best locations. – Start with a storyboard. A storyboard will help you visualize the shots you want and will help you find locations that can help you execute your story. – Look for interesting places that tell a story. You want to find places with a lot of character that can help you tell your story in an authentic way. – Be flexible with your search. While you want to find a few places that can help you tell your story, it’s also important to cast a wide net. Being flexible will help you find new and exciting locations that you may have otherwise missed. – Think about your crew. You also need to think about your crew when searching for locations. Some locations may be too difficult for your crew to shoot in. And, some places may be too close to other productions to make shooting there possible.

Advice on Working with Location Managers

A location manager is typically hired by production companies to scout and secure filming locations on behalf of production crews. A location manager should understand the story of the shoot and help choose the best location(s) that will help tell the story in an authentic way. Having someone on your team who knows how to navigate the legal considerations, negotiate with property owners, and represent your interests can be invaluable. If you find a location that you want to shoot at but don’t have a location manager, do your research and be sure to let the owners know that you’re willing to pay them for their time and property. When you’re looking for a location manager, make sure you’re working with someone who understands the needs of video production. Ideally, you want someone who has a lot of experience with video production in the area you’re shooting in. This will help ensure that the location manager knows the rules and regulations for shooting in the area and can help guide you as you secure locations for your shoot.

Creating the Perfect Storyboard for Your Shoot

Once you have found the perfect locations for your shoot, it’s time to create the perfect storyboard for your shoot. This is the single most important tool that you can use to help you visualize your shoot, keep the shoot on schedule, and ensure that you capture the shots that you need. A storyboard is like a map of your shoot that shows the order in which you will shoot the different scenes. It also details how each scene will transition into the next one. You can create a storyboard using a wide variety of tools. From old-fashioned pen and paper to digital storyboard software, there are dozens of different tools that will help you create the perfect visual representation of your film. One thing is important, however. You want to use the storyboard to help you visualize the shots that you need to capture, not necessarily the order in which you will capture them. This is important because it helps you prioritize the shots you need to capture, which will help you keep your shoot on schedule.

Best Practices for Working with Locations

While the best practices for working with specific locations will vary from shoot-to-shoot, there are some best practices that apply to almost every shoot. – Always communicate with the owners of each location before you start shooting. Let them know when you will be there, how long you expect to be there, and what you plan to do there. – Be respectful of each location. You are using these locations by their permission, so make sure you treat them as you would your own house. – Stay on schedule. A production is like hosting a party. The longer the party goes on, the more the guests will want to leave. Keeping your production on schedule, including the location shoots, will help ensure that it ends as soon as possible.

Location Scouts | Video Production Crews

Our primary mission and passion is to tell our clients’ stories, and help share their message with video. We provide corporate, event, employee training, music, fashion, web, and TV video production to do just that. We offer professional High Definition (HD) video production scouting and crewing services with high quality craftsmanship in all phases of production, including concept creation, scripts and storyboards, talent and location scouting, on-location or in studio production, digital editing, graphic design and animation, and media methods and distribution strategies.

St Louis Advertising Location Scouts – AB InBev Hardees

The initial location scout is one of the best times in the pre-production schedule.  In the commercial world, by the time I am on board as the cinematographer, chances are the production team will have some strong contenders for possible locations.

During the initial location scout on this job it was just the director and I and we made our way around the city in one day checking out the various locations the production team had lined up for review.

There are a few important things to take into consideration when on an initial location scout.  The most obvious is you want your locations to match (as best they can) the brief that the director created and the mood he or she is after.  Besides the overall look you need to also be thinking about the logistics of the location.

Location Scout preparing for a commercial production on the streets of St Louis

A good location scout for film will make your job easy and provide you with multiple options for each location.

It’s your job to review the locations, scope it out in person, and decide the best location for your budget and production needs.

Mike Haller
314-913-5626
stlouislocations@gmail.com

St Louis Location Scout and Manger

St Louis location scout and location manager.

The primary duty of a location scout is to find an environment best suited for a particular scene, or the entire movie, TV show, or commercial.  We do that very well indeed.  The search begins with the script, which indicates what kind of location is needed. The scouting of potential sites usually begins with a file search, leading to physical visits to actual sites, whether exterior or interior.  As the location scout, we are responsible for contacting property owners to gain permission to scout their property; permission also must be obtained from the appropriate authorities to prevent the possibility of trespassing or other legal liabilities that may occur.  As Location scouts, we often drive to sites and may scout locations with others. Once at a site, we take descriptive notes and detailed photos and video that shows how the spot meets the aesthetic goals of the script, as well as noting details about the logistical implications of the site. The more details we can provide about a site to the director and producers, the better; a complete picture of what to expect during the shoot is expected.  Ambient lighting conditions, ambient sound, parking areas for the crew, sources of electricity, and access to the site are just some of the most crucial details that should be scouted. Finally, once the location is chosen, the legal issues have been worked out, and the crew descends on the site, location scouts photograph the site to ensure that any “dressing” of the location, whether in the form of props and furniture or actual structural changes, can be easily undone and the location returned to its original condition once filming is complete.

St Louis Location Sout

Mike Haller
314-913-5626
stlouislocations@gmail.com

St Louis Location Scout and Manager

Our scouting team is group of experienced veterans dedicated to servicing all production professionals shooting in the St Louis and Midwest region.

The Layover Movie – Drone Flight Crew and Director William H Macy

Our services have been utilized by directors, producers, still photographers, production companies, other location scouts, film festivals & exceptional people interested in the unique visuals and history of St Louis. 

Whether you are producing an elite editorial shoot or a studio feature film, we understand your needs and react quickly, appropriately and precisely.

Alexandra Daddario and Kate Upton. St Louis drone video filming with tethered balloon and the Arch


Our goal is to constantly scout for new and unique location options providing a consistently evolving range of fresh and exciting location choices.
Mike Haller
314-892-1233
stlouislocations@gmail.com
9910 Claywood Court
St. Louis, MO 63126

Missouri Location Scout for Photography, Video and Film Productions

St Louis Locations provides the most comprehensive location selection in Missouri and specifically the St Louis region, from factories to family rooms to farms.

Our goal is to make your dream location a reality, no fail, every time. If you need a specific look for a photo or film shoot, chances are we have it in our files. If we don’t have it, we’ll find it — and have fun doing it. We want to make this easy as possible for you.

Mike Haller
314-892-1233
stlouislocations@gmail.com
9910 Claywood Court
St. Louis, MO 63126

Missouri and Midwest Location Scouts

Working with local and international photographers, art directors and producers, our team has developed a reputation as one of the best location services in the Midwest. With a client list ranging from Nestle Purina to A-B InBev to hundreds of other firms. St. Louis Locations has built and organized an extensive location library since we began in 1982.

The team of highly skilled photographers and videographers, known for their fine art and cinematography independently, bring an exceptionally high level of vision, craft and creativity to all of their scouting assignments.

314-892-1233
Mike Haller
4501 Mattis Road 63128
St Louis Photographer
St Louis, Missouri, USA | Photography services
stlouislocations@gmail.com