Every video production project has unique challenges. From conception to creation, to shooting, to distribution there are a ton of moving parts that you have to nail to get the results you want.
And when you create a material handling video, the issues that you face are compounded.
But not to worry! We have some pro tips to ensure that your material handling video project is a success.
Let’s start off with some general video guidelines and then delve into some more warehouse specific tips.
First, have a goal in mind for what you want to accomplish. Is your goal to drive leads, build brand awareness, or educate employees? Extra points for making sure that your goal is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely).
Goals: Focus on your goal throughout the entire process. It makes it much easier as you go through the stages of development. For instance, if you have a question about a line (or anything else) as you move through production ask yourself, “Will this help meet my goal”?
Message: You should have one overarching message that you present in your material handling video. This message is the takeaway that you want your viewers to retain.
To stand out, it helps to have a unique vision and t
o be creative. The last thing anyone needs is another dull material handling video. No one will watch it, and you will have wasted resources that could have gone elsewhere.
Engagement: Be sure that you have something of value for your viewers and demonstrate that value every second of the video. You need to edit your video strictly to ensure that every second is required.
Viewers fall off the instance they feel that you are not speaking to them.
Call to Action: What do you want your viewers to do after watching the video?
Do you want them to watch another video? Do you want them to download your white paper? Do you want them to check out your case study that examines your project more closely?
Your call to action should work hand in hand with your goals and message. We tend to put our CTA near the end of the video. However, you can place one anywhere throughout the video.
Distribution: While Facebook and YouTube are great, they aren’t necessarily the best place to initially host your video. You don’t control these properties or how they might change in the future. You do manage your website, so it makes sense to host your video on your site. We use Wistia to host videos on our site.
Now let’s get into some specifics for material handling videos.
Location: Filming in a warehouse or distribution center is much different from filming in an office, boardroom or even outdoors.
First are the variety of environmental issues.
Noise: Even the quietest of conveyors makes noise, and sensitive sound equipment is going to pick it up. We wouldn’t suggest that you shoot interviews on the floor of a distribution center. (learned that one the hard way). You might want to tape testimonial or explanations somewhere else and then lay over video of the solution in post-production.
Dirt: Warehouse, DC’s and manufacturing plants are not the cleanest places in the world. Be aware of the conditions when your actors choose their clothing. Also, remember to protect your equipment from the grime.
Lighting: Designers don’t light distribution centers for shooting video. When you go into a DC look around at the lighting situation. Pretty dim, eh? You may need to have some portable lights for parts of the video.
Work: In most distribution centers you are probably filming in a working area. There are people, forklifts, cranes, AGV’s, conveyors, etc. In essence, there are a ton of moving parts, and you need to be aware of them for both safety and filming.
Pro Tip: Make sure that the floor supervisors and management have an idea of what you will be shooting, where you need to be and if you need help from any associates on the floor.
For instance, if you are shooting a pick wall, it is much more useful if you have an associate doing picking while you are filming.
The dynamics of action shooting in a warehouse or manufacturing setting are excellent, but it is a double-edged sword. Always be aware of your surroundings and be safe.
Also, be prepared with steel toe boots, goggles, hard hats and any other safety equipment for everyone that will be on the floor.
If you would like some more tips on more ways to make your video project a success check out our ebook here.