What Really Happens on Shoot Day: Inside Our On-Set Production Process

You’ve planned the concept, locked the script, and finalized the schedule. Your pre production is complete. Now it’s time for the most exciting part: shoot day.

At Coley & Hochman Productions, we believe that the actual production day is where preparation meets execution. A smooth, well-run shoot is the result of smart planning, and a team that knows how to adapt when the unexpected happens (because it always does).

Whether you’re a business owner curious about what to expect, or a brand planning your first professional video, here’s a full breakdown of how we approach on-set video production, and what makes our process different.

Why the Production Day Matters

The day of the shoot is where your story comes to life, literally. It’s where footage is captured, audio is recorded, and visuals are crafted with intention. A well-executed production day helps you:

• Stay on budget
  
  
• Stay on schedule
  
  
• Capture high-quality footage that’s easy to edit later
  
  

And most importantly, it sets the tone for how your brand is presented on screen.

At Coley & Hochman Productions, our goal is to make shoot day feel organized, professional, and stress-free, so you can focus on being your best in front of the camera.

Arriving on Set: Gear Setup & Lighting

We ALWAYS arrive early to prep.

Our crew begins by unloading equipment, scouting the location, and setting up lighting, cameras, and audio gear based on the day’s shot list. Whether we’re filming in an office, outdoor location, studio, or client space, our setup is intentional to ensure the footage matches the vision from pre-production.

We use cinema-grade cameras, pro lighting kits, and high-quality microphones to capture sharp visuals and clean sound. Depending on the project, this may include:

• Tripods, gimbals, or sliders for movement
  
  
• LED panels or softboxes for lighting control
  
  
• Lav or boom microphones for interviews
  
  
• Monitors for client viewing and playback
  
  

Working With On-Camera Talent

Whether you’re the face of the video or we’ve hired talent for your project, we know being on camera can feel intimidating, so we guide you every step of the way.

Our directors and producers help with:

• Line delivery and natural body language
  
  
• Framing and eye-line positioning
  
  
• Adjusting tone or pace to match the script or brand feel
  
  

We’re not just there to hit record, we coach, encourage, and capture the best version of your story.

Capturing Multiple Angles & Formats

We often shoot multiple versions of a scene to allow flexibility in editing, especially when creating vertical and horizontal content at once.

• Horizontal (16:9) for websites, YouTube, presentations
• Vertical (9:16) for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts
• Wide and close-up shots for flexibility in post

We also capture b-roll, behind-the-scenes footage, and extra content for future repurposing. This allows you to get more mileage out of one shoot, something our clients love.

Interview-Style Shoots

For talking-head videos or testimonials, we take extra care with lighting, audio, and camera positioning. We’ll often use a two-camera setup:

• One wide shot for context
  
  
• One close-up for impact
•  

We prep interviewees with sample questions in advance, and we roll plenty of extra takes to make sure we capture strong, natural sound bites.

Live Monitoring & Real-Time Adjustments

On set, we review footage live using external monitors to ensure:

• Exposure and framing look right
  
  
• Audio is clean and consistent
  
  
• The performance hits the right tone
  
  

We’re also flexible. If something’s not working, we’ll make real-time adjustments to improve flow, lighting, or shot composition.

That flexibility, paired with years of experience, helps Coley & Hochman Productions keep projects running smoothly, no matter the complexity.

Breaks, Timing, and Staying on Schedule

We follow a detailed shoot schedule, but we also build in buffer time for breaks, touch-ups, or quick reshoots. Communication is key, our crew stays in sync using call sheets, shot lists, and client notes so nothing gets missed.

We also assign a point of contact (typically a producer or director) to manage the day, allowing clients to relax and enjoy the process without worrying about logistics.

After the Final Shot

Once we’ve captured everything on the list (and usually a little extra), we break down the gear and back up all footage to external drives before we leave the set.

This ensures your footage is safe and ready to move into post-production, where editing, sound design, and color grading bring it all to life.

What Makes Our Shoots Different?

Clients choose Coley & Hochman Productions for more than just great visuals. They come back for our professionalism, organization, and creative direction.

Here’s what you can expect from our on-set experience:

• A calm, focused crew
  
  
• Clear direction for talent and clients
  
  
• Gear and formats tailored to your distribution strategy
  
  
• A process built on preparation and flexibility
  

Ready to Roll? Let’s Create Something Together.

If you’re planning a business video in 2025, whether it’s a brand story, commercial, testimonial, or social media content, production day is where it all comes together.

At Coley & Hochman Productions, we make shoot days stress-free, efficient, and fun—while capturing stunning content that tells your story the right way.

📩 Reach out today to start planning your next video shoot. Let’s bring your brand to life—frame by frame.