Video in Times of COVID
By: Sophia Sbiti
Tags: Production, Video Content, Video Marketing, Creativity, Safety

By Kelly Strawinski and Staci Hardy

Editor’s Note: In the following blog post, our video production lead and storyteller discuss how to safely create video content and other visual alternatives.

Photo by Melyna Valle on Unsplash

The pandemic has paused our usual activities, but it hasn’t stopped our creativity. Safety is key right now, but you don’t have to compromise the production of great content. There is a way to keep your team safe and visually engage your audience — creating video content. Whether the goal is to reach a broad audience or facilitate internal communications, video content has proven time and again to be highly effective. We know what you’re thinking: how can you safely create a compelling video? We’re here to tell you it can be done.

A Shoot Is Still a Possibility

There are a lot of aspects to consider if you’d like to create new live-action video content, but it can be done safely. Some of the safety measures that you can apply include:

Social distancing: This one may be tricky. Try to find a big enough space where social distancing can be easily implemented. If a large space is not available, you can put other measures in place to ensure the crew’s safety.

This one may be tricky. Try to find a big enough space where social distancing can be easily implemented. If a large space is not available, you can put other measures in place to ensure the crew’s safety. Mandatory masks: Require everyone on set to wear a mask. When available, keep disposal masks on-site for the crew members who may have forgotten theirs.

Require everyone on set to wear a mask. When available, keep disposal masks on-site for the crew members who may have forgotten theirs. Only essential people on set: Limit as many people as you can on set; in fact, depending on the product and content needed, many things can be shot with as few as two crew members.

Limit as many people as you can on set; in fact, depending on the product and content needed, many things can be shot with as few as two crew members. Temperature checks: Check everyone’s temperature before they enter the studio. If someone has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, they should be sent home.

Check everyone’s temperature before they enter the studio. If someone has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, they should be sent home. Disinfecting: It’s simple. The last person to use something should disinfect it with anti-bacterial wipes. This way, it will be ready to go for the next person. Wash hands often — especially when touching multiple surfaces.

It’s simple. The last person to use something should disinfect it with anti-bacterial wipes. This way, it will be ready to go for the next person. Wash hands often — especially when touching multiple surfaces. Shooting outside when possible: When the weather and content permits, take the studio outdoors. Studies have shown that holding events outdoors reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19. Conducting shoots outside will give you more room to implement social distancing and have open ventilation for everyone on set.

Before deciding to move forward with a shoot, it is important to consider the needs and comfort of your employees, clients, and customers — or anyone on set. If you’re unsure what those concerns might be, just ask! Honest input will only help your shoot run more smoothly. Just be sure not to put any pressure on those involved. When in doubt, check the CDC and local guidelines for up-to-date information on the best way to keep everyone healthy.

These steps have helped us at Launch with our live-action shoots and can be easily implemented for other projects. If you are still unsure about this form of video content, don’t worry — there are other alternatives you can explore.

There Are Plenty of Other Options

If you collect feedback and decide that shooting in person is not the best game plan, or the content doesn’t warrant it, consider the many other options available. Launch has a robust list of alternative ways to bring your project to life — such as animation, claymation, and more. Animation is a creative medium for spicing up your content in a fun and safe way. We’ve created dynamic motion graphics and claymation videos, including animating the person who would have originally spoken on camera. With this technique, we were able to bring the best of both worlds into the project.

If having live-action video feels important to your project, you can also explore stock footage or remote filming. We’ve actually had projects in which we’ve sent equipment over to the talent and coached them through the filming process. This saves money on travel, while adding an additional layer of safety to those involved. Win, win. Launch created a detailed presentation to help the talent find the best lighting, composition, and audio so that they can recreate the in-studio experience wherever they feel comfortable!

Photo by The Creative Exchange on Unsplash

Remember to be flexible and have fun. Everyone is adapting to the changes this year’s challenges have brought on, but creating new content can still be an enjoyable experience for viewers and creators alike.