1. Importance of "Casting"

When casting talent for your video, you have several options. You can have open auditions, work directly with the Theatre or Film department at your school to identify possible actors, or recruit students that you know to join the project. Look for the following traits in your film actors: a calm, low-key personality; controlled facial expressions, and limited body movement and gesticulation.


2. Location Scout
   Take a notebook on location with you and make notes about the location of power, where the light comes from, how noisy it is, and so on. This will help you know how to plan. Also, this is a great time to picture exactly where the talent will stand, where you will place the camera (noting what will be in the background) and so on. Do this early in the process, as it will usually result in changes to the script and/or storyboard.
   
   
3. Shooting Schedule
   Estimate how much time it will take to shoot, then double it. (Seriously.) Allow plenty of time for set up and testing of the equipment prior to the arrival of the talent. Allow time for re-shoots if necessary.
   
   
4. Shot list
   Sometimes it's more efficient to shoot out of sequence. (For example, shooing all the close ups of each talent at once, rather than changing the lighting and miking for each shot.) In this case, it’s a good idea to make a list of all the shots required in the order you will shoot them. Check them off as you go.
   
   
5. Equipment checklist
   A list of everything you should bring to the shoot.

Back to presentation resources page