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It’s an interesting moment for creators, faced with sudden limitations at a time when the demand for original content is soaring. As it goes though, where obstacles appear, so does innovation. Technology, smart ways of working and a rethinking of pr

What are the limits?

With restrictions slowly lifting around the world, creators are now able to go back to work in certain countries. There are however a lot of restrictions around this, which are likely to stick around for long enough to change the way we do production forever.

Here’s a summary of some of the current guidelines in the US and UK.

• Only essential people should attend the shoot and social distancing must be followed on set (No more than 6 in the US).
• Crew should wear masks and gloves and alcohol based sanitisers should be visible.
• Video-conferencing needs to  be used for client oversight.
• Stagger call times of cast and crew.
• Sanitise gear before and after use.
• Use disposable makeup and brushes. Hair and makeup artists should wear PPE protective gear (masks, gloves, face shields)
• Avoid catering unless meals are pre-packed individually.
• Locations need to be well ventilated – outdoor locations are preferred.
• Avoid far away locations that require overnight accommodation.
• Cast should use their own wardrobe. When not possible, wardrobe should be sent 48 hours before fitting and disinfected.
• Use long lenses for social distancing between creators and cast.

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Beyond these shoot-day requirements, upfront creative development and pre-production also need to take place completely remotely.

Working really collaboratively with creators during these early stages of a production is something we already choose to do for greater creative buy-in from those involved. Going forward though, this way of working will be essential for everyone.

There are a lot of great alternatives to in-person shoots that are worth exploring if a simpler approach is needed.

Directing Remotely

We’ve had a lot of fun with this lately, working with OK Cool to create interactive videos for TikTok’s promotion of its services in the UK.

We created these videos completely remotely with a Director, working with 5 cast members who never left their homes. It can be done really successfully!

It’s essential to work with a director on this kind of shoot to ensure a strong performance from the cast, but also for considerations around framing and lighting. The cast members need a lot of support when filming themselves (often) for the first time.

Here are some of our top tips for this type of remote production:

• You can use built in webcams and mics on computers for the basics, but consider using HD webcams and external mics for higher quality content
• You can also send phone tripods to cast members with smartphones with high quality cameras as an alternative.
  Consider storage space ahead of time – cast members should have a good amount of free space on their laptops (At least 10GB) for a 1-2 hour shoot to avoid the computer slowing down. An external hard drive can be really helpful here otherwise.
  If the cast are using smartphones to film, they will need to free up a good amount of space. Bank on 3.6GB per hour of filming and ensure they’re shooting in 1080p for a balance between a crisp picture and manageable file sizes. They should also use the camera on the back of their phone rather than the front camera.
• Make sure each cast member is comfortable with what they need to do on the day and that they’ve chosen an area(s) at home with good lighting. Natural light is best, but any source of front facing light will do the trick.
• A clear briefing document, followed up with a call to do a technical run through goes a long way.
• Create a WeTransfer Pro account so cast members can transfer large files.
• Create a Zoom Business account to allow for multiple hosts on the video call you’ll use to oversee the shoot. This is a safety net in case the main host’s internet fails.
• Make your editor happy by sharing a filing convention with cast members before they send footage over.

Outlandish can fully conceptualise, find the best suited Director, handle remote casting and project manage the technicalities that come with this kind of shoot. We can also work with our team of animators to add additional visuals to the footage to make it stand apart.

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Recommended Kit

Webcams

• Logitech StreamCam
• Razer Kiyo
• Logitech C922 Pro Stream

Microphones

• FiFine USB Microphone
• Alvoxcon USB Microphone
• Yanmai USB Microphone

Shooting at Home

One of the best things about working with freelancers is that they often have at home studios and equipment of their own. With different home environments, we are able to find the most ideal space for a specific look you may have in mind. Whether it’s a sunny balcony, nearby park or a quirky kitchen, it’s all possible and totally safe with this style of production.

This form of content creation is best for product content where products and props can be shipped with a detailed brief of what to capture. Sign off can happen remotely, with previews shared at each stage of the shoot.

User Generated Content

UGC has never been more relevant. At a time when people are online, cooped up indoors and looking for a creative outlet, participation rates will soar. Allowing your audience to have a stake in shaping a brand they love can be a powerful creative tool and yields genuine authenticity.

Animation and Illustration

Another exciting option that can totally refresh a brand’s look and feed is to branch out into new mediums like animation and illustration. These dynamic mediums remove the creative restrictions that now come with live-action shoots.

Creative Edits

Most brands have a bank of unused footage and images, or assets that can be reimagined in creative ways. With the right creative direction, editor, graphics and/or stock footage, you can bypass having to do a shoot altogether in the short term.

Summary

While these times do present challenges, they’re also allowing us to explore new creative territories and are pushing the industry to trim the fat on some unnecessary aspects of production.

We’re seeing major label artists produce Zoom music videos, TV show hosts broadcast from home and ads being created collaboratively by creators in different countries. Tomorrow’s industry could look uncertain, but it is also exciting.

At Outlandish, we choose to work with a network of freelance talent because it allows us to create work that speaks to the (very different) cultures and audiences that our clients want to reach. Right now though, working this way also means that we can safely create content in so many different ways, anywhere in the world.

If you’d like to discuss how you can bring your content to life at this time, we’d love to hear from you –

hi@outlandish.io

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