Guides
Production Fundamentals
How a video gets made, from the first plan to the final export. The stages, who does what on a small shoot and the mistakes that cost time.
If you only read one guide here, make it video production basics for small teams. It takes you through planning, shooting and finishing, and links out to everything else in this section. From there, how to film an interview on your phone walks through a real job step by step, and my budget phone rig lists the kit I use with UK prices. The rest cover live events, interviewing and the jobs people do on a shoot, written for one or two people rather than a full crew.
-
The camera operator role in small-team video production
On a small-team shoot, the camera operator owns the frame (consistent framing, purposeful movement, enough coverage for the edit) and catches image problems before they reach it.
By Nigel Camp
-
Video production basics
Every video goes through three stages (plan it, film it, finish it) and most of the work happens in the planning.
By Nigel Camp
-
A creator's practical guide to the role of a film director
A film director shapes the story, tone and performances of a project and holds final creative responsibility, from planning through the shoot to the edit.
By Nigel Camp
-
How to build a budget filmmaking rig for any phone
A good phone rig is a cage to hold the phone, a grip or tripod to keep it steady, a proper microphone and a small light.
By Nigel Camp
-
The essential gear for filming a live event
For most live events you need one or two cameras on solid tripods, a sound recorder taking the desk feed with a backup source, spare mics and cables, and spare batteries.
By Nigel Camp
-
How to film an interview on your phone
Before I press record on a phone interview, I sort out three things (what's behind the person, how they sound and how the picture is exposed).
By Nigel Camp
-
Why good interviewing matters in video production
Good interviewing matters because it shapes the whole story, and a relaxed subject asked good questions sounds natural and credible on camera.
By Nigel Camp
-
What does a video producer do?
A video producer turns an idea into a finished video that can actually be delivered, handling the planning, budget, schedule, logistics and communication.
By Nigel Camp
