The film is edited, the music is set, everyone is delighted… until someone notices, at the back of the shot, a competitor’s cup. Welcome to the world of small shooting mistakes that cost a lot.
Good news: almost all of them are avoidable. Here are the ten most common, each with its remedy.
1. The sound nobody listened to
An average picture can be forgiven. Distorted sound, distant sound or sound drowned out by the air conditioning, much less so. And bad sound is very hard to rescue in the edit.
The remedy: suitable microphones (lavalier, boom), headphones on throughout the take, and switching off noise sources before shooting.
2. No backup
One lost memory card, and a whole day of shooting evaporates.
The remedy: copy the cards throughout the day, onto two separate media, and never erase a card until it has been backed up twice.
3. Light that changes mid-interview
A cloud passes, and your CEO becomes alternately radiant then pallid in the middle of a sentence. Impossible to edit cleanly.
The remedy: control the light with lamps, partially block the windows if needed, and don’t rely solely on the weather.
4. Forgotten permissions
A recognisable employee who hasn’t given consent, a location filmed without permission: the film can become unusable. The CNIL (the French data protection authority) points out that publishing the image of an identifiable person in principle requires their authorisation, and recommends written consent specifying the media, the purpose and the duration.
The remedy: prepare the permissions before the shoot, not after. This article offers general guidance and does not replace legal advice; to learn more, see the CNIL page on people’s images.
5. The competitor’s logo in the frame
A branded mug, a computer with a clearly visible logo, an advertising poster in the background. It seems like nothing at the time, and it jumps out in the final film.
The remedy: a quick walk around the set before each shot. What doesn’t serve the story leaves the frame.
6. The striped shirt
Fine stripes, small checks and certain tight weaves can produce a rippling wave effect on screen: moiré. It comes from interference between the fabric pattern and the sensor’s pixel grid, and it is very hard to correct.
The remedy: plain clothes in solid colours, and a spare outfit on hand.
Tip Also avoid bright white and full black over large areas, as well as big logos on clothing. Mid-tone, plain colours are the easiest to film.
7. The wrong format for social media
A beautiful horizontal film, cropped to vertical at the last minute for stories: heads are cut off, text falls out of the frame.
The remedy: think about formats from the shoot. Frame with margin so you can produce a vertical version, or shoot specific shots. Our article on vertical formats details the method.
8. No cutaway shots
In the edit, you want to shorten an interview, remove a hesitation… but you have nothing to cover the cut. The result: ugly jump cuts.
The remedy: shoot plenty of illustrative shots (hands, gestures, places, details). They are what give the edit rhythm and freedom.
9. Music “found on the internet”
Just because a track is available online doesn’t mean you can use it in a corporate video. For a commercial track, you in principle need the agreement of the rights holders of both the work and the recording. Otherwise: blocked video, muted sound, even a claim.
The remedy: use music licensed for the intended use (music library, original composition) and keep the proof.
10. The vague brief
“We want something dynamic, modern, but not too much.” Without a clear objective, target audience or main message, even the best team shoots blind, and the editing back-and-forth multiplies.
The remedy: a precise brief, with an objective, a target, a message, examples you like and the planned uses. Our guide to briefing a videographer properly helps you write it.
In summary
| Mistake | What it costs | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontrolled sound | Unusable interview | Headphones and good microphones |
| No backup | Lost day | Double copy |
| Unstable light | Shots impossible to match | Lamps |
| Forgotten permissions | Film that can’t be published | Written consent in advance |
| Competitor’s logo | Re-edit or retouching | Check the set |
| Stripes | Moiré on screen | Plain clothing |
| Wrong format | Botched crops | Formats planned from the shoot |
| No cutaway shots | Constrained edit | Shoot generously |
| Unlicensed music | Blocked video | Suitable licence |
| Vague brief | Endless back-and-forth | Written, precise brief |
At that dog, avoiding these mistakes is part of the job: preparation, control of sound and light, systematic backup, anticipated formats. You don’t have to think about it, it’s our job to think about it for you.
A shoot without nasty surprises
Entrust us with your project, and we’ll take care of the details that cost a lot.