How to Plan a Video Content Shoot

We’ve all been there—“Ugh, I should’ve done blah blah blah…” after a shoot.

Don’t should yourself!

Instead, learn and prepare better for next time. These days, “long-form” video often means anything over a minute, especially in the world of social media. If you're gearing up to film one, here are some practical tips to help you plan, shoot, and edit more efficiently.

1. Creating a Draft

If your video involves a lot of talking to the camera, drafting a script or outline is a must. Use it to answer the key questions every viewer will have: Who? What? Where? Why? And So what?

Think of your video like a mini story or how you would begin writing a book—remember in grade school? You’ll need an intro, body, and conclusion. Start by introducing the problem or topic, follow up with the solution or value you’re offering, and close it with a solid takeaway. This structure will also make organizing your shots much easier later on.

2. Organizing the Draft

Make sure your content flows in chronological order you can enure this when writing a script and following it during filming. It might seem obvious, but when you’re in the editing stage, you’ll thank yourself for keeping things in sequence. I’ve been there—editing a video only to realize the questions or topics are all jumbled, which adds way more time to the editing time.

Having a structured draft not only helps during filming but also keeps you on track in post-production. It ensures your video follows your original vision and hits the goals you set.

3. Curating the Shoot

Now it’s time to bring your draft to life visually. Create a one-sheet with shot ideas, B-roll suggestions, and a simple checklist to make sure you capture everything you need.

Need inspiration? Do some quick research, screenshot visuals you like, and build a mini mood board to bring to your shoot. This keeps the creative vision consistent and gives you a visual reference when you’re filming.

5.Disclosures with the participant

You want to make the participant feel as comfortable as possible. If you are hooking a mini mic on their clothes, I like to ask if it is ok that I can clip it on for them. This requires you to be a bit close to them and I don’t want them to get caught off guard. This is the same for me when I may need to fix their hair or if they have some crumbs or dust on their shirt. 

I also like to explain and advise the participant to reinstate the question given during the interview. For example, How did you feel during your event? I would want them to say, “How I felt during the event was…” This can cut down editing time and provide keywords within the video.  

Final Thoughts

Planning ahead is the secret weapon of every great video. A little structure up front saves a lot of stress later. With a clear draft, thoughtful organization, and creative prep, your long-form content will be more engaging, polished, and effective. No more post-shoot regrets—just solid, scroll-stopping video.