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
St Louis Video Production Crews 