Want Better B-Roll From Event Attendees? Follow This Checklist

Think of all the different kinds of events that happen throughout the year, including organizing concerts. Concerts, award ceremonies, trade shows, galas, company parties, business conferences, the list is endless. No doubt yo7u are going to want to tap into some of those events for either yourself or a client, and film the real nitty-gritty; the kind of footage that makes a viewer feel like they were really there.

But there’s a problem. You’re not going to get that kind of footage with a traditional film production crew. They’re too big to get the intimate footage you want. They’re too cumbersome to get into all the places you want to be. And most important of all...they’re not true attendees. They’re not invested emotionally in the event. For that, you need the actual attendees; the employees, the fans, and the people truly excited to be a part of it. 

How do you get those people to capture exactly what you need? They have the passion, sure, but they may not have the skills. However, with a great cloud production tool and the following four pieces of crucial advice, you’ll always get what you want. Think of it as a checklist for success. 

One: Recruit early and effectively

This isn’t an either/or scenario. You not only have to get the word out as soon as you can, but you also have to do it in the right way. Otherwise, you’re building your whole project on a shaky foundation. It starts with a smart recruitment campaign to bring your fans and attendees on board long before the event is due to take place. And by doing this immediately, you also help boost ticket sales, engagement, and attendance. 

Use your social channels to spread the word, and always include a strong call to action in every post. Tell the readers exactly what you want them to do, which sets expectations and weeds out people who don’t really want to do the work, and tell them what their reward is. In some instances, it will simply be that their footage will be used in an awesome video. But if you can, sweeten the deal with swag, digital downloads, or other cost-effective freebies that will mean a lot to them. You can find more great intel on driving engagement here. 

Two: Build a shot list that encourages improvisation

Remember, this is an event that your attendees want to take part in. They want to experience it personally. If you give them an airtight shot list with very specific instructions and requests, you are setting yourself up for failure. This should feel like fun, not a homework assignment. It also stifles authenticity, and that’s the very reason you’ve asked them to get involved. 

If you want the very best participation and footage (you do), keep the shot list fluid. If there’s a certain kind of shot you want, perhaps right in front of the stage, just say that and let them go with the flow.  Don’t tell them exactly where to be, what to film, how to film it, and a list of x, y, and z to capture. All that will come, especially if you have multiple people shooting for you. 

Similarly, if you want to capture specific moments of an event, signage, or something iconic, give them room to play with that shot. You’ll get a bunch of different takes on the same subject, and that gives you a greater bank of footage to pull from. You can find more on this winning strategy here. 

Three: Have onboarding materials at your event

We know what you’re thinking. “Hey, you said to get them early, this is literally last-minute.” Well yeah, but this isn’t your only strategy for getting people to film. It’s an addition to capture any other fans or attendees that may not have had a chance to see your social posts and recruitment materials. 

You may get an additional handful of filmers right at the event that actually bring you some of the best footage. All you need to do is make it VERY easy for them to get set up. A simple QR code on a flyer or poster, along with a few simple instructions, is all you’ll need. You could also have on-screen announcements, ambassadors, and even stickers and badges at the live event. Never assume that you’re covered with the people who signed up long before the event. These last-minute recruits can be gold. 

Four: Redeemables at the actual event encourage greater participation

How do you make sure your people show up? Well, there’s no way to guarantee 100% attendance. But you can dangle a carrot that will make the chances of them showing up even greater, and that comes in the form of incentives you can only get by being there. 

Let’s say you’re filming a convention, perhaps a Comic-Con or other pop culture event. The people showing up for these, love swag. They’ve already agreed to film for you, but you can let them know before they attend that they’ll be given something special when they arrive. 

Once they’re at the event, it’s a great idea to have a dedicated person, or team, ready to greet them and help with any onboarding or other questions. And that’s when you can hit them with a task/reward incentive. “So glad you’re here! Now, capture any 5 of these 10 shots, come back here when you’re done, and we’ll give you this awesome macguffin!”  

Now, it's time to fuel their enthusiasm and empower them to capture the shots you desire, swiftly and effectively, while ensuring they feel valued. As an added bonus, they are highly likely to share their fantastic experience and rewards on social media, inspiring others at the event to follow suit. If you’re not quite sure which incentives to offer, this article provides great pointers. And that’s it. Four steps to follow. A checklist for success..Now...go out there and seize that footage!