Embracing Challenges: Video Production in the COVID-19 Era with Video Pro San Diego

Shooting video this past year (COVID-19 era) has been a challenge and an opportunity. BIG TIME. Not only did I learn the hard way how to better control light, sound and changing weather conditions, I figured out that a MacGuyver Kit is a good thing to have on any shoot. I've been caught in windstorms that blew over equipment WITH sandbags. I've had a crew of 3 or 4 people just to manage sun shades and reflectors. I've learned how to hide lavalier microphones down between layers of clothes to block the wind. And then shooting alone AND outside you have to have the equipment to rig things up. Like the set-up you see in the photo above. The sunshade was the only way to avoid the lattice-work shadows from the arbor canopy. The shade rested on the large pole crank, and the right side was held onto the microphone holder with a large binder clip. But we had WIND. So the whole thing had to be stabilized by a telephone pole post. It worked! This was the only way to catch the angle with the door open, the subject was well lit, lovely carved doors and no funky shadows.

Sunshade rigging using mic boom, clamps and a telephone pole!