Association videos

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Quick Setup Tips for Aerial and Ground Shooting: How to Maximize Efficiency and Quality on Location

When it comes to capturing stunning visuals—whether on the ground or in the air—successful productions begin long before the camera rolls. Efficient setup practices are crucial for staying on schedule, maintaining image quality, and creating a seamless experience for both your crew and your client. At St Louis Video Production Crews, we understand that time is money, and preparation is power.

Here are expert tips to ensure quick yet professional setups for both aerial and ground-based video and photography shoots:

1. Scout and Plan with Precision

Before wheels hit the ground, conduct a detailed location scout. Evaluate natural lighting, sound interference, space for gear, and any airspace restrictions for drone operation. Use GPS pin drops, aerial mapping apps, and sample footage stills to visualize the environment and plan efficient shooting angles.

Pro Tip: When working with drones, verify FAA flight restrictions and check weather forecasts up to the hour before takeoff.

2. Pack for Speed and Simplicity

Your gear checklist should reflect speed and versatility. Modular camera rigs, quick-deploy tripods, and gimbal stabilizers can make all the difference when moving between shots. For drone operations, ensure batteries are fully charged, firmware is updated, and props are pre-attached for rapid deployment.

Recommended Gear for Quick Setups:

  • Ground: Lightweight tripods with fluid heads, LED panels with battery packs, mobile monitor stations
  • Aerial: Compact drones with obstacle avoidance, spare SD cards, foldable controllers

3. Use Pre-Programmed Flight Paths and Ground Presets

If you’re shooting the same location across multiple sessions, create saved presets for camera profiles, white balance, and gimbal movements. For drones, use waypoints or intelligent flight modes for consistent and safe repeatability.

4. Control Lighting and Shadows Fast

For ground shoots, use bounce boards or collapsible diffusion panels to manage natural light quickly without having to rig a full lighting setup. For drone shoots, shoot during golden hour to minimize harsh shadows and avoid midday glare.

5. Communicate with Clarity and Confidence

A well-briefed team is a fast team. Establish roles beforehand—who’s monitoring audio, flying the drone, handling lighting, or capturing B-roll? If you’re coordinating a client-side marketing team or talent, let them know the schedule and flow so everyone works toward a shared vision.

6. Backups and Redundancies Save the Day

Always bring backups: camera batteries, drone props, lenses, media cards, and charging cables. A small hiccup shouldn’t derail your production, especially when timing is tight and locations are remote.

7. Be Creative—but Stay Flexible

Even the best-laid production plans can shift with weather, lighting, or last-minute client input. Stay agile. The best crews know how to pivot quickly without compromising production value.

Why Work with St Louis Video Production Crews?

At St Louis Video Production Crews, we’ve mastered the art of quick and effective setups, whether we’re shooting a dynamic aerial sequence over a construction site or a polished sit-down interview in a corporate office. As a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, we provide:

  • Studio and on-location video and photography
  • Expert editing, post-production, and AI-enhanced workflows
  • Licensed drone pilots capable of indoor and outdoor flights
  • Private studio lighting and set design for controlled environments
  • Custom interview studios and dedicated sound/camera operators
  • Deep experience working with businesses, marketing firms, and agencies since 1982

We are well-versed in all modern media formats and use the latest technology to ensure your video and photo assets not only meet expectations—but exceed them. Our specialization in repurposing branded visual content helps your media stretch further, engage deeper, and drive more value across platforms.

When you need a reliable team who can hit the ground (or air) running, St Louis Video Production Crews has the tools, talent, and track record to bring your vision to life—efficiently, creatively, and professionally.

314-913-5626
Mike Haller, St Louis Video Crew Captain

videocrewsstlouis@gmail.com

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Avoid These B-Roll Blunders: How to Capture Visuals That Actually Enhance Your Story

When businesses invest in professional video content, a surprising amount of focus tends to fall on the interview or scripted narrative — and understandably so. But it’s often the B-roll — those supplemental shots that visually support your main footage — that determines whether your final production is forgettable or truly compelling.

At St Louis Video Production Crews, we’ve seen firsthand how great B-roll elevates messaging, adds context, and keeps audiences engaged. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen what happens when B-roll is overlooked or poorly executed. If you’re a decision-maker guiding photography and video production for your organization, understanding common B-roll mistakes — and how to avoid them — can save time, money, and your brand’s credibility.

Mistake #1: Skipping the Planning Phase

One of the most common B-roll blunders is treating it as an afterthought. Without a strategic plan, the footage captured is often generic, redundant, or irrelevant.

Solution: Plan your B-roll with purpose. Think in terms of visual storytelling — how can your supporting footage visually reinforce what’s being said? At St Louis Video Production Crews, we map out a detailed B-roll shot list during pre-production based on the script or interview content. This ensures that every cutaway has a reason to be in the edit.

Mistake #2: Relying on Stock Footage

Stock B-roll may save time, but it rarely aligns with your brand’s authenticity or messaging. Overused clips can cheapen your final product, especially when audiences recognize them from other unrelated content.

Solution: Custom footage is always king. Whether we’re filming at your facility, in our private studio, or capturing aerial shots with licensed drones, our goal is to create B-roll that is uniquely yours. We customize every aspect to your branding, tone, and media objectives.

Mistake #3: Shooting Without Intentional Framing

Even experienced crews sometimes capture B-roll that lacks composition — resulting in shaky, overly wide, or uninteresting visuals. This lack of attention to detail can make your production look amateur.

Solution: B-roll deserves the same professional treatment as any hero shot. Our camera operators understand the art of visual composition, lighting, and motion. With our private studio lighting setups and framing expertise, we deliver clean, intentional footage that enhances your message and looks great across all platforms.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Audio Opportunities

While B-roll is typically silent in the final edit, capturing relevant natural sound (also known as nat sound) can create richer storytelling options in post. It’s often a missed opportunity.

Solution: We train our crews to think ahead — when appropriate, we roll audio with our B-roll, capturing footsteps, ambient office sound, or machinery in action. This gives editors more creative tools to weave an engaging narrative and texture your video with authenticity.

Mistake #5: Using Outdated or Inconsistent Visual Styles

Using mismatched frame rates, resolutions, or color profiles can leave your B-roll looking inconsistent — distracting from your brand’s polished image.

Solution: Our team ensures visual consistency across all footage, applying calibrated color profiles and using matching cameras and frame rates throughout the shoot. We’re well-versed in all media file types and editing software, and we use the latest AI-assisted tools in post-production for style matching, color grading, and motion smoothing.

Elevate Your Next Production with the Right Team

B-roll is not just “filler.” Done right, it gives your video depth, emotion, and brand personality. Done wrong, it drags down your entire production. That’s why it’s essential to work with a crew that understands the nuance and power of supplemental visuals.

St Louis Video Production Crews is a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company with the right equipment and creative crew service experience for successful image acquisition. We offer full-service studio and location video and photography, editing and post-production, and licensed drone pilots, including the capability to fly specialized drones indoors.

We can customize your productions for diverse types of media requirements — and we specialize in repurposing photography and video branding to gain more traction across marketing channels. With experience in all file types, media styles, and advanced editing software, we use the latest Artificial Intelligence tools to enhance and streamline our services.

Our private studio features professional lighting, a clean visual setup for small productions or interviews, and enough space to incorporate props to round out your set. Whether you’re looking for a private custom interview scene or need camera operators, sound techs, or a turnkey production team, we’ve got you covered.

Since 1982, we’ve helped businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies across the St. Louis area bring their stories to life with compelling, professional video content.

Let’s avoid those B-roll blunders — and make your next video production perfect.

Ready to roll? Contact St Louis Video Production Crews today to start planning your next standout production.

videocrewsstlouis@gmail.com

314-913-5626

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St. Louis Video Production: What Equipment Do You Really Need?

When planning a professional video production, one of the most important factors to consider is the equipment. Whether you’re shooting a corporate interview, a product showcase, or an event highlight reel, the right tools can make or break your final product. But with so many options available, how do you determine what equipment is necessary for a high-quality production?

Tripods & Fluid Head Mounts – Essential for steady shots.

Essential Equipment for Professional Video Production

1. Cameras: Choosing the Right One

The type of camera you need depends on your production goals.

  • Cinema Cameras – Ideal for high-end commercial work, these cameras offer superior image quality, dynamic range, and color depth.
  • Mirrorless & DSLR Cameras – Great for flexibility and mobility, these cameras are used for corporate interviews and online content.
  • Action & 360-Degree Cameras – Used for immersive video content, often seen in sports and experiential marketing.

At St. Louis Video Production Crew, we use industry-leading cameras, ensuring crisp visuals that meet your marketing and branding needs.

2. Professional Lenses: Shaping the Look

Lenses significantly affect the storytelling aspect of your video. Some essential lenses include:

  • Prime Lenses – Offer exceptional sharpness and low-light performance, ideal for interviews and product close-ups.
  • Zoom Lenses – Provide versatility, making them perfect for event coverage and dynamic shots.
  • Wide-Angle Lenses – Great for capturing spacious environments and sweeping landscapes.

Our expert videographers select the best lens for your project to enhance visual impact.

3. Lighting: Crafting the Perfect Atmosphere

Lighting sets the mood and ensures proper exposure. Essential lighting equipment includes:

  • Softbox & LED Panels – Used for controlled studio lighting and interviews.
  • Ring Lights – Ideal for beauty and product videos.
  • Gobos & Colored Gels – Used for creative and cinematic effects.

At our private studio, St. Louis Video Production Crew has a fully equipped lighting setup to match any production requirement.

4. Professional Audio: Clear Sound Matters

High-quality visuals need to be complemented by superior audio. Key audio gear includes:

  • Lavalier Microphones – Perfect for interviews and presentations.
  • Shotgun Microphones – Used for capturing directional audio in dynamic settings.
  • Boom Poles & Wireless Systems – Allow for flexible audio recording on set.

Our professional sound operators ensure pristine audio capture, eliminating background noise and enhancing vocal clarity.

5. Stabilization: Achieving Smooth Shots

Shaky footage is a major red flag in professional production. Key stabilization tools include:

  • Tripods & Fluid Head Mounts – Essential for steady shots.
  • Gimbals & Stabilizers – Used for smooth movement in action sequences.
  • Dollies & Sliders – Provide cinematic motion for dynamic storytelling.

Our team ensures that every shot is properly stabilized, maintaining a polished and professional look.

6. Drones: Capturing Aerial Perspectives

Drone footage adds a cinematic feel to your video. Our licensed drone pilots specialize in both outdoor and indoor drone operations, offering unique vantage points that elevate your brand’s visuals.

7. Editing & Post-Production Software

After capturing the footage, the magic happens in post-production. We utilize industry-standard software like:

  • Adobe Premiere Pro & Final Cut Pro – For high-quality video editing.
  • DaVinci Resolve – Used for professional color grading.
  • After Effects & Motion Graphics – For adding visual effects, animations, and branding elements.

Do You Need Everything?

Not necessarily. The key to successful video production is selecting the right equipment based on your project’s needs. Working with a professional video production crew ensures that you’re using the optimal gear without unnecessary expenses.

Why Choose St. Louis Video Production Crew?

At St. Louis Video Production Crew, we have the right equipment and expertise to bring your vision to life. As a full-service commercial photography and video production company, we offer:

  • Studio & Location Video and Photography
  • Editing, Post-Production & Motion Graphics
  • Licensed Drone Pilots for Aerial & Indoor Drone Filming
  • Custom Productions for Various Media Needs
  • Private Studio Lighting & Interview Setups

Since 1982, we’ve partnered with businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies in St. Louis, providing expert video production solutions that drive engagement and enhance brand visibility. Whether you need a full-scale production or a simple studio shoot, our state-of-the-art equipment and experienced crew ensure high-quality results tailored to your marketing objectives.

Ready to elevate your video content? Contact St. Louis Video Production Crew today to discuss your next project!

videocrewsstlouis@gmail.com

314-913-5626

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The Critical Role of a Production Coordinator in Your Video Crew

In the dynamic world of video production, ensuring a seamless and successful shoot requires meticulous planning, coordination, and execution. Behind every great production, there’s a crucial figure orchestrating the entire process: the production coordinator. Often overlooked but indispensable, the production coordinator plays a pivotal role in bringing your vision to life. In this article, we’ll delve into the responsibilities and significance of a production coordinator within your video crew.

The production coordinator meticulously plans every detail, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that the shoot progresses smoothly.

Understanding the Role

1. Pre-Production Planning

The production coordinator is the linchpin of pre-production activities. They liaise with clients to comprehend their objectives, budget constraints, and timelines. From scouting locations to arranging permits, equipment, and crew, they ensure that every logistical aspect is meticulously addressed.

2. Crew Coordination

Coordinating a diverse team of professionals is no small feat. The production coordinator serves as the central point of contact for crew members, scheduling their assignments, and ensuring everyone is briefed on their roles and responsibilities.

3. Logistics Management

From transportation to catering, the logistics of a shoot can be intricate. The production coordinator meticulously plans every detail, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that the shoot progresses smoothly.

4. Problem-Solving

In the fast-paced environment of video production, unforeseen challenges are inevitable. The production coordinator’s ability to think on their feet and swiftly resolve issues is invaluable in maintaining momentum and quality throughout the shoot.

5. Post-Production Support

Even after the cameras stop rolling, the production coordinator’s work continues. They facilitate the seamless transition to post-production, overseeing the delivery of footage, managing revisions, and ensuring that the final product aligns with the client’s vision.

The Significance of Experience

An experienced production coordinator brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. They have honed their skills through years of navigating the complexities of video production, enabling them to anticipate challenges and devise effective solutions. With their guidance, your production will not only meet but exceed expectations, delivering results that resonate with your audience.

Why Choose St Louis Video Production Crews?

At St Louis Video Production Crews, we understand the critical importance of a skilled production coordinator in ensuring the success of your video projects. As a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver exceptional results, thanks to our experienced team and state-of-the-art equipment.

From concept to completion, we handle every aspect of your production with precision and creativity. Whether you require studio or location shoots, editing, post-production, or licensed drone services, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life. Our commitment to excellence has earned us the trust of numerous businesses, marketing firms, and agencies in the St. Louis area.

If you’re ready to elevate your video productions to new heights, look no further than St Louis Video Production Crews. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and discover how we can help you achieve your goals.

As a full-service video and photography production company, St Louis Video Production Crews has worked with many businesses, marketing firms, and agencies in the St. Louis area for their corporate photography and video.

videocrewsstlouis@gmail.com

314-913-5626