video production

What to Look for When Scouting Video Locations: A Guide for Decision Makers

When it comes to creating high-quality video content, the location plays a pivotal role in setting the tone and enhancing the storytelling process. Whether you’re producing a commercial, an interview, or a promotional video, choosing the right location can make or break the production. As an experienced videographer or photographer, you understand the importance of every detail in the production process, and location scouting is no exception.

In this article, we’ll explore the essential factors to consider when scouting video locations, and how St Louis Locations, a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, can ensure that your next production is a success.

1. Space and Layout
The size and layout of the location directly impact your ability to capture the shots you need. For instance, when filming interviews, you need to consider the space for the crew, equipment, and lighting setups. A spacious location with room for movement is essential for flexibility, particularly if you need to adjust camera angles or incorporate props into the scene.

At St Louis Locations, we offer a private studio that is perfectly suited for small productions and interview scenes. Our studio is large enough to accommodate various setups, including props, backdrops, and special lighting arrangements. The flexibility of our space ensures that we can create the ideal environment for your production needs.

2. Lighting Considerations
Good lighting is crucial to any video production, and the natural light of a location can either enhance or hinder the visual quality of your footage. When scouting locations, always assess how much natural light enters the space and how you can complement it with artificial lighting.

At St Louis Locations, we offer custom lighting setups in our private studio that cater to different styles of shoots. Whether you need soft, diffused lighting for a corporate video or more dramatic lighting for a creative shoot, our studio can accommodate your needs with precision. Our expert crew is experienced in making the best use of both natural and artificial light to achieve the desired effect.

3. Acoustic Properties
Sound quality is just as important as visual quality in video production. When filming interviews or any content with spoken words, you want to ensure that the location has minimal background noise. Locations with echo or unwanted reverberation can cause post-production headaches and detract from the overall quality of the video.

Our private studio at St Louis Locations is designed to provide optimal acoustics for small productions. We ensure that our environment is soundproofed to eliminate distractions, and we have a professional sound team to assist with any specific audio requirements you might have.

4. Ambiance and Aesthetics
The ambiance of a location directly influences the mood of your video. Whether you’re shooting in a corporate office, an industrial warehouse, or a cozy café, the location must align with the brand’s messaging and the tone of the video. Always consider the background elements and how they contribute to the overall aesthetic.

St Louis Locations excels in repurposing photography and video branding, ensuring that the locations we select complement the visual identity of your brand. From clean, minimalistic setups to more elaborate themed environments, we can tailor the atmosphere to fit your project’s needs. Our team is highly skilled in transforming ordinary spaces into visually compelling settings that enhance the overall production.

5. Accessibility and Logistics
Location accessibility is another important consideration when scouting for video production. Is the location easy to access for your crew, equipment, and talent? Are there power outlets, and does the location have internet connectivity if needed? Ensure that you consider parking, permits, and potential restrictions that might complicate the shoot.

St Louis Locations offers full-service production support, including location permits, access to our vast library of suitable locations, and assistance with all logistical needs. Our experienced location scouts handle everything from acquiring permits to coordinating security and police services, ensuring that your production runs smoothly from start to finish.

6. Indoor Drone Accessibility
A growing trend in modern video production is the use of drones for aerial shots, even indoors. Drones can add a cinematic flair to your video by capturing sweeping, dynamic shots that would otherwise be impossible to obtain. However, not all locations are suitable for drone flights, and you need a space with the right size and clearance.

At St Louis Locations, we have specialized drones that can fly indoors, allowing us to capture stunning aerial shots within confined spaces. This ability opens up creative possibilities for your production that were once limited to outdoor shoots.

7. Budget and Time Constraints
Lastly, the cost and timing of the location are crucial factors in the decision-making process. A well-scouted location can help keep your budget in check by reducing the need for expensive post-production fixes. It can also help save time during the shoot by providing the right environment for the task at hand.

At St Louis Locations, we understand the importance of balancing quality and budget. Our experienced team provides cost-effective solutions without compromising on the creativity and quality of your production. From pre-production to final edits, we ensure that every aspect of your video production is handled professionally and efficiently.

Why Choose St Louis Locations?
When it comes to successful video and photography productions, experience matters. St Louis Locations is a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company with extensive experience in working with businesses, marketing firms, and agencies across the St. Louis area since 1982. We are equipped with the right tools and a creative crew to handle all aspects of your production needs.

We specialize in full-service studio and location video and photography, as well as editing, post-production, and licensed drone pilots. Our studio’s private lighting and visual setup make it perfect for small productions and interviews, while our team is ready to assist with everything from custom interview setups to sound and camera operations. Additionally, we are well-versed in various file types, media styles, and software, ensuring that your production is captured and delivered in the highest quality.

Whether you need a location for a corporate shoot, a drone for aerial footage, or a customized production to elevate your brand’s image, St Louis Locations has the experience and equipment to make it happen. Let us help you achieve your vision and make your next video production a success.
stlouislocations@gmail.com
Studio 314-892-1233
Cell 314-913-5626

Video Services | Interviews & B-Roll

The Benefits of Incorporating Video Interviews and B-Roll into Your Content.

Searching for ways to make great content? Video Interviews and B-Roll can assist in capturing your viewers’ attention.

Find out how these approaches can improve your content. They can hold your audience’s interest and even boost conversions.

Introduction

Writing awesome content is a great way to boost your outreach and marketing. Whether it’s for increasing brand recognition, giving executives a thought leadership platform or deepening customer relationships, a good content strategy is essential.

But nowadays, just writing blog posts won’t be enough. To make your content really stand out – and create strong engagement – think about using video interviews and B-roll. Going beyond the written word adds a personal touch that can really make a difference when connecting with an audience.

Video draws on our visual sophistication as a society. And it helps you quickly build a connection with people on either side of the camera – something text can’t do. In this article, let’s explore the benefits of adding video interviews and B-roll to your content strategy.

What is Video Interviewing?

Video interviewing is a way to interview someone or a group from a remote distance. Zoom, Webex, and Microsoft Teams are popular video calling platforms which have made video interviews more popular. You don’t need to be in the same location for these interviews.

Videos provide better content with more details than an audio interview. You can record good quality videos from anywhere and make content that is more interesting than just plain text or audio.

In addition to the audio and video of the interview, you can also add b-roll footage. B-roll is extra material that adds more context. For example, footage of people working in their home office, or employees participating in virtual meetings. Interviews give viewers real quotes they can relate to, while b-roll helps show the points in more detail. This combination makes content more powerful and able to reach viewers.

What is B-Roll?

B-Roll is extra footage used to help the main video story. It’s usually used between shots of an interview. But, it can also be used for establishing shots, cutaways, or background footage. B-Roll helps people connect and gives visual interest.

B-Roll should have a purpose. It should tell its own story. In interviews, it can help support topics being discussed. For example, someone may describe working out but not have access to a gym. B-roll footage of someone working out can give an extra layer.

When using B-Roll, remember two main goals. It should contribute to the narrative. Also, it should help create an emotional connection. This makes stories more tangible and real. If you remember these two goals, audiences will connect with your content!

Benefits of Incorporating Video Interviews

Video interviews are a great way to communicate with viewers. It’s more engaging than text alone. Interviews give voice to topics and provide viewers with dynamic insights. Plus, they make content more informative, interactive and entertaining.

Interviews can be used in many ways. For example, a website homepage could have a new video. Interviews can also help people understand complex topics. You can also use them to let people interact with your brand and get accurate information.

Including b-roll is essential. It adds interest and helps tell the story. It can also make interviewees look more professional and competent. B-roll should be planned out before filming. This will make editing easier later.

By using good interviews and b-roll, you can see positive results. Think: increased engagement and becoming an expert in the topic discussed.

Benefits of Incorporating B-Roll

B-roll, also known as “spring roll” or “candid roll,” is a term in filmmaking for background footage. In marketing, it’s supplementary material showing ideas and stories. Content creators use it when swapping A-rollers isn’t possible. B-roll often has unique clips: people talking, product demos, and time lapse shots.

The benefits of B-roll are many. Firstly, it makes the video look polished and professional. Secondly, marketers can show visuals related to topics in the video. Thirdly, it gives an immersive experience with real people and activities. This creates an emotional connection with customers, increasing their engagement and loyalty. Lastly, B-roll increases production value without expensive resources.

Tips for Using Video Interviews and B-Roll

Video interviews and b-roll can seem daunting. To get the most bang for your buck, follow these pointers:

• Have a plan. Before you start filming, define what you want to achieve and what footage you need.

• Structure interviews. Prepare a script with open-ended questions, so your interviewee can elaborate on their answers.

• Take your time filming b-roll. Don’t rush it; capture useful shots instead of quick cuts between unrelated events.

• Keep an eye on post-production. Make sure no crucial info is missed. Check clips before they go online too – background noise can be a huge distraction.

Examples of Effective Video Interviews and B-Roll

Video interviews and B-Roll are great for making your content come alive. Video interviews allow you to have an interesting conversation with subjects and capture their reactions. B-Roll provides visuals to support your content and statements from others.

But, not all video interviews and B-Roll are the same. To make effective use of these techniques:

  • Pick a visually exciting setting.
  • Interview people who can add value to your story.
  • Decide if you need long clips or several shorter ones.
  • Give people time to get comfortable in front of the camera.
  • For B-Roll footage, focus on action shots related to the topic.
  • Make sure audio levels, sound quality, and white balance adjustments are good.

If you use these techniques thoughtfully, you can effectively communicate complex topics without just using words.

Conclusion

Get creative! Video interviews and b-roll can make content more compelling. For blog posts or using videos on social media, this will make the content dynamic and engaging. It’s a great way to upgrade from text, images and voiceovers, appealing to multiple senses. Plus, subtitles can help international viewers understand.

Experiment! Consider sound quality, lighting, interviewing and storytelling. With practice, you’ll recognize best ways to use video without detracting from the user experience. Decide which approach works best for your business and your target audience.