Capturing unscripted moments may seem chaotic, but this guide gives field producers tools to gather video with a purpose. Just because a moment is “unscripted” doesn’t mean that it lacks direction. And a savvy field producer plans for cameras to be in position for key moments.
Matty D. Media is a small business that specializes in video production in the field. Since 2015, we’ve led our process with open-ended interviews and trusted our clients to tell their stories. In turn, those experts need to trust their own expertise. Our field producers put those experts in position to succeed on camera.
This resource provides a guide for field producers who are looking to boost their skills in real life scenarios. There is no shortage of technology that makes it easier to capture high resolution video, but guiding the storyline is still very much a human art. This page provides a resource for professionals gathering content in the field, especially involving interviews and unscripted moments.
A Field Producer’s Guide to Creating Better Video Content
Great field production begins long before someone presses the record button. A field producer helps shape the story, prepares the people appearing on camera, guides the video crew, and solves problems as they arise. The role blends storytelling, organization, communication, and technical awareness.
Matty D. Media developed this Field Producer’s Guide from years of producing documentaries, business videos, interviews, social media content, and newsworthy stories in real-world settings. Just as our Drone Guide helps video producers working in the sky, this guide supports the social media marketers, content creators, and independent videographers working on the ground.
The following lessons introduce several important parts of field production. Each section also links to a more detailed article based on our first-hand production experience.
Conduct Location Scouting Before a Video Production
A location scout is about more than finding an attractive background. It is an early opportunity to understand the story. Ask what makes the location, organization, or person unique. Those answers can help you develop interview questions, choose meaningful recording locations, and begin a storyboard. A good field producer also listens for unwanted noise, studies the available light, identifies privacy concerns, and looks for supporting visuals. The more you learn before production day, the easier it becomes to make smart decisions once the cameras arrive. Review our complete location scouting checklist for video production to learn what Matty D. Media looks and listens for during a site visit.
Record Documentary Interviews Before Gathering Most B-Roll
Documentary-style video should leave room for unexpected discoveries. Research and planning provide a starting point, but an interview subject may reveal a powerful story that was never included in the original outline. Whenever the schedule allows, record the main interviews before gathering most of the supporting action shots. Producers can then use the interview commentary to build a more focused shot list. This approach helps the crew capture visuals that support what people actually said instead of relying only on what the producer expected them to say.
Click here for more tips about how to shoot a short documentary for a corporate video client.
Practice Moderating On-Camera Interviews
Interview moderation is a skill that improves through practice. It is especially valuable in today’s podcast-heavy media culture, where content creators are expected to guide natural conversations instead of simply reading questions from a list. A field producer must listen closely, recognize when an answer needs clarification, and ask useful follow-up questions. Interview subjects should also be coached to answer in complete thoughts so their comments can stand alone in the finished video. When someone struggles, the moderator can offer the beginning of a sentence and invite the person to finish it. Read our field producing and on-camera interview tips for more ways to help people relax and communicate clearly.
Work Effectively With Videographers, Journalists, and TV Stations
A strong field producer understands that every media professional on location has a different responsibility. Videographers need time, access, and clear expectations. Reporters need accurate information and concise commentary. Television producers are often managing several stories at once and need useful visuals delivered quickly. One of the best ways to support everyone is to organize the client’s b-roll, photos, logos, links, and talking points before they are requested. Field producers should also remain alert during live interviews, watch for incorrect information, and gather behind-the-scenes content that can extend the value of the appearance. Explore our complete guide to helping clients prepare for TV appearances and earned media.
Give Clients Clear Advice About What to Wear on Camera
Wardrobe guidance should help interview subjects feel comfortable without making them look unlike themselves. In most documentary-style business videos, people should dress as they normally would when meeting customers, coworkers, or community members. Solid colors are usually safer than shirts with thin lines or busy patterns, which can create a distracting moiré effect on camera. Noisy jewelry can also interfere with microphones. These simple recommendations prevent technical problems while helping each person appear confident and authentic. Share our practical article about what to wear during a corporate video shoot with clients before production day.
Keep Developing Your Field Production Skills
Field producing cannot be mastered by memorizing one checklist. Every location, interview subject, crew, and client introduces a new challenge. The best producers remain curious, prepare carefully, listen actively, and adjust when the story moves in an unexpected direction.
This Field Producer’s Guide will continue bringing together first-hand lessons from Matty D. Media productions. It is designed for videographers, social media marketers, content creators, public relations professionals, and anyone responsible for helping a story come to life outside the editing room.
ding at these locations. Enjoy this free resource as we share tips from the sky.
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