14 One-Sentence Producing Tips
Anyone can be a commercial producer if they can communicate clearly and make decisions efficiently.
Time is only on your side if you use it, so get to work on finding a crew and a location as soon as you can.
It’s better to reach out for crew availability early, even if the project isn’t 100% locked-in, than it is to wait and reach out late in the game.
The only thing you need to shoot a video is a camera, so get that figured out first.
Freelancers will happily work for cheaper than usual if you clearly communicate the expectations, and you treat them kindly on set.
Keep the project under budget or you probably won’t be hired by your client again.
With this in mind, ask each member of your crew for a small discount, and save that money for the inevitable last-minute expenses that arise.
If you find a good freelancer who works hard and has a great attitude, keep them around and pay what they ask–any extra money you pay will save you ten times that in headaches.
Rental houses are very likely to give you a discount if you ask because their gear will either earn what you can give them, or it’ll earn them no money sitting on a shelf.
Schedule an hour for load in, an hour for set-up, and an hour for test shots on simple shoots–this might seem like too much time but buffer time is always your friend.
Schedule more buffer time than you think you’ll need–you’ll either need it, or your crew will be excited to wrap early.
On set, be ready to solve problems quickly.
It might seem like everything is on your shoulders, but remember it’s okay to ask crew members for for help with decisions.
Producing is stressful, all-or-nothing work, so make sure you take a break and celebrate when the project wraps.
