The Run of Show That Helps Make Sure Nothing Gets Missed

A good content shoot can move fast. Multiple setups, people arriving at different times, wardrobe changes, photo and video needs, social formats, approvals, pickups.

That’s why we use a Run of Show for each content shoot. At AFTR, ours is designed to do more than organize the schedule. It connects the business goal, story, required deliverables, people, timing, approvals and shoot-day details in one place so everyone knows what needs to happen before the day gets moving.  We use a comprehensive one, but then version it depending on the shoot needs.

Start with the goal and the must-haves

Before building the schedule, get clear on the business goal, audience, story, offer and CTA (view our article on this upfront story brainstorming piece here) and the few things you absolutely cannot leave without capturing.

Then define the deliverables by format, quantity, orientation, channel and priority. We like separating Must Have from Nice to Have, so if timing shifts, the team knows what cannot be sacrificed.

Know who owns what

A surprising amount of shoot-day time can disappear simply because no one knows who is approving the setup or making the final call.

The Run of Show should clearly identify the client, agency and production leads, along with each person’s responsibility and approval authority.

Build a realistic shoot-day schedule

A production schedule should account for more than cameras rolling.

Map each setup by time, talent, video, photography, props, wardrobe, deliverables, ownership and approvals. And leave room for setup, arrivals, changes, breaks, pickups, media checks and wrap.

Capture for every channel while you’re already there

One of the easiest things to miss is a format or variation you realize you needed after the shoot.

Our checklist includes vertical and horizontal coverage, alternate hooks, CTA, B-roll, close-ups, product details, BTS, clean audio, still photography, negative space for text and cover frames.

The goal is simple: make each setup work harder while the talent, lighting and crew are already in place.

Approve before you move on

Before tearing down a setup, confirm that the important pieces are actually there: framing, wardrobe, product placement, interview content, hero stills and key creative variations.

Then leave room at the end of the day for pickups and one final check that the must-have video and photography have been captured.  Here are couple example areas:

The AFTR Take

A Run of Show isn’t there to make a shoot rigid.  It’s there to keep everyone aligned so the creative can happen without losing sight of what you or the client actually needs.  Because the worst time to realize you missed something is after the equipment is packed up and everyone has gone home.

Want the exact AFTR Production Run of Show template?
Use it to plan your next photo or video shoot and help avoid the “we forgot to get that” moment.  Download here.