How Many Video Pros Do I Need?
How many videography professionals does it take screw in a lightbulb? Just one, but another will measure the color temperature and lumens, a third will set the f-stop on the camera, a fourth will hang the light from a c-stand and a fifth will secure all the cables. How many professionals do I need on my video shoot? Now, that’s a bigger question. Hollywood frequently uses crews in the double or triple digits. Most of our projects — typical corporate-type videos with interviews and/or visual footage — can be filmed by a crew of two; sometimes one person can handle a simple shoot solo. Fast-paced events need three or four. Livestreaming, however, is by its very nature unruly. Any livestream will require at least two professionals on set.
#ProTip: Livestreaming requires at least two video pros.
In livestreaming, there are no re-dos, so more professionals are required to handle any needs (and correct issues) on the fly. At least two people are required at the bare minimum; one to actually do the livestreaming and another to monitor and make sure there are no issues with the broadcast itself. Maybe you’ve watched a livestream where there was an issue, and the audience was typing in the comments something like, “I can’t hear!” but there was no response and the issue persisted? That’s why one crew member needs to be dedicated to actually watching what the audience sees. More crew members are required if you need someone to move the camera because your subject isn’t perfectly still, if there are many sound sources that need to be balanced, if there are a lot of graphics to keep track of, or if there are other broadcast needs. More people does translate to a bigger budget, but when it comes to livestreaming, a bigger budget is better than having an unsatisfactory broadcast that wastes your money because it doesn’t actually your needs.
Katie Rutter is the executive producer of Thing in a Pot Productions. She has received multiple awards for her work, including a nomination for a Chicago/Midwest Emmy in 2021 and being declared Video Producer of the Year in 2018 by the Catholic Press Association. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our video ProTips in your inbox every month!