Plan Your Shoot

Ok, Get Ready

Firestone Complete Auto Care® and Meals On Wheels Association of America have partnered to increase the awareness of senior hunger in America. Your video must address some aspect of this national issue and be developed around a holiday timeframe, where family, friends and food are highlighted. Some presence of Firestone Complete Auto Care and Meals On Wheels Association of America can be utilized. However, this is NOT a requirement. The film should be more of a dramatic, compelling and emotional piece that causes the viewer to react, take action and respond. It should end with a compelling message that leaves the viewer with an indelible message regarding this serious issue. Examples of messages from other consumer brands are "You Can Shine", "Just Do It", "You Can Make a Difference", etc. We would be looking for something similar that can express the subject of the video, Meals On Wheels Association of America and Firestone Complete Auto Care.

The end result of the video should cause viewers to take any of the following actions:

  • Immediately forward to family and friends.
  • Post it to their Social Networks and Blogs.
  • Take action by volunteering.
  • Make a Donation to Meals On Wheels Association of America.
  • Reinforce Firestone Complete Auto Care as a caring company.

Think about the most effective way to present it. After you know how you're positioning your video, you're ready to move on to planning and scripting.

Planning Your Shoot

Step 1 - First you need a script

Write down what you want your characters and/or narrator to say. Then describe the visuals within each shot, including camera angles. Also include any music you plan to use (be sure that you are not using anything with a copyright). Make sure your script is detailed enough so you can plan each shot – but don't get bogged down in too many details.

Step 2 - Scouting your locations

Think about where you’ll shoot each scene. Consider which locations will make the best visuals. Which are most “do-able?” Which might require getting special permission to shoot? Are they places where you can work safely?

Step 3 - develop a storyboard

A storyboard is simply a visual of what each scene will look like. The visuals can be as simple as a rough pencil sketch – just enough to give you the basic idea. In general, you should have one storyboarded frame for each scene or each time the camera angle or background changes.

Step 4 - Create a schedule

Chart out the time you’ll spend shooting and editing. Then — stick to the schedule!

Step 5 - Get permission

If you plan to shoot your video on someone's private property, you'll need written permission. Anyone who appears on camera and can be recognized in any manner will need to sign a Talent Release Form. If they're under 18, their parents or legal guardians will also need to sign the form.