Turn your cubicle into a Hollywood soundstage
We film in a LOT of offices. When we’re not filming in offices, we’re filming just outside of the office, in the cafeteria, in the lab, at the refinery, or wherever it is that our clients get their work done. Yes, we have access to some amazing studio spaces in Houston that we can use when the situation necessitates it, but for the most part, corporate video projects require the authenticity, efficiency, and versatility that filming in-office allows.
Because these work spaces are not generally designed with filming in mind, we put together a list of a few simple ways to best prepare your office to be camera-ready, whether you’re filming a broadcast commercial or just hosting a livestream from your desk. All you have to do is remember the 4 S’s - Space, Sound, Surroundings, & Ssssssecrets.
Space
I’m sure you’re a better person than I and your workspace is consistently tidy, organized, and ready to host 3-12 of my best friends and their filming equipment at a moment’s notice. BUT just in case you’re not, take a few minutes to Marie Kondo those TPS reports, wipe the fingerprints off your monitor, and think about which of those knickknacks on your desk will best support the messaging of your video.
Your space should look personalized, but not cluttered, so we get a sense of who you are without it pulling focus from what you’re communicating.
If you’re making content that you intend to keep evergreen, keep an eye out for any items that might date your video, such as calendars, temporary slogans, pop culture items, etc.
Is your space compliant with your company’s safety protocols? Think about PPE, safe operating procedures and compliance. It’s no good to spend a day filming only to realize you can’t use any of it because you didn’t follow SOP.
Zach’s “standing desk” situation might be a bit TOO minimal.
Sound
Hard office walls, floors, and desks make for additional reverb that might not be noticed on the daily, but some slight adjustments, like adding soft, fabric surfaces where possible, especially near microphones, will improve audio recording quality. Sound-absorbing fabric can be a temporary fix, or incorporated into the decor.
Add a desk pad/blotter to reduce “slapback” off the desk surface
Pin a tapestry or blanket to the wall behind your computer screen or whichever direction you are speaking.
Lay an extra thick rug under your chair. This also helps prevent decrease unnecessary/distracting chair movement (and is comfy for your toes in the wintertime!)
If you’re working with us, we’ll obviously tackle these issues for you and get you set up with the right audio recording equipment, but when we’re not there, just remember these two rules: prioritize treating the surfaces your voice will hit first and keep your microphone close (within 6-12 inches, depending on type).
Are you picking up what we’re putting down here?
Surroundings
Consider the wider environment of your filming space and who you might need to coordinate with in order to maintain good filming conditions.
Let your coworkers know when the space needs to be quiet during filming. Give them ample time to plan so they can consider taking calls elsewhere, maybe use the copy machine at the end of the hall instead of the one by your desk, and not click clack back and forth across the room in high heels.
If you preset your space in a certain way before filming, make sure the custodial staff is aware so they don’t come in the night before and put everything back as it was.
Is your HVAC system noisy? Can you turn it off during filming?
Contact security and front desk with your plans in advance so they can help with access and preventing unnecessary interruptions. Inquire if there is any other scheduled maintenance or work planned for your filming time, and if they can help coordinate with the grounds crew or any one else who might be using or limiting the space.
FUN FACTS!
Legend has it that during filming of “Rear Window” Alfred Hitchcock got into an altercation with some gardeners who disturbed Thorwold’s flower garden resulting in the Order of Free Gardeners placing a curse on all film crews, wherein if they aren’t given proper notice, the moment you start filming, someone WILL start using a leaf blower or hedge trimmer - guaranteed. This is where the well-known Benjamin Franklin quote originated - “The only thing certain in life is death, taxes, and ground crew making a ton of noise as soon as the director calls ‘action’.”
You don’t hear any clicky-clacky feet on these floors!
Last but DEFINITELY not least, it’s time to talk about…
Secrets (sshhhh!)
Consider both your personal privacy as well as the considerations your company might have regarding the information shown in any given video. This will also be affected by the intended audience and reach of your video, although it’s always a good rule of thumb to avoid unnecessary information sharing whenever possible.
What does it all mean? Well…
Those pictures of your family on your desk are beautiful, but do you want them seen on camera? (Outside of whatever cringe your child might feel being in their parents’ company-wide training video, we often reveal private information through photos without realizing it - our schools, where we live, etc.)
Promotional materials, supplies, equipment, desk calendars, EVERYthing has a logo on it. When in doubt, mask any brands or logos you are not authorized to feature. Your legal team will thank you.
Proprietary information is all around us! When we work among it on the daily, we may forget that the map we sit next to contains private information that should not be blasted to TikTok. We tend to focus on what’s on our screens, but private information hides in plain sight all around us.
This is an area where outsiders like the Cut to Create crew may not be able to save you, because we don’t have your expertise.
TAKEAWAYS
If you’re working with Cut to Create on a video project, we’re going to help you out with preparing your Space, capturing excellent, crisp Sound, and securing our wider Surroundings, but you’re the expert on your Secrets so if you’ve got a minute right now (and you probably do since you’re reading this), take a look around and think about everything you have in your space right now that might fall into that category. In fact, make a quick list of all the items you would remove if filming and save it somewhere handy. Not only is it a fun thought exercise, but then you’ve prepared a list that you can reference (or give to your assistant) if a last-minute shoot is scheduled and you don’t have the time or mental energy to prepare.
Now that your space is camera-ready there’s only one question left…
What shall we film next??
