How We Work with a Client: The Process from Idea to Shoot Day
Hey guys, I’m Ally, a creative producer here at Bold Work Studios, and today I’ll walk you through our process of building a relationship with a client, from pre-production all the way to shoot day.
We’re currently working with Weights For Soul, a gym that offers group training sessions, typically appealing to an older demographic, around 30+ and predominantly women. We’ve just started a retainer deal with them to produce monthly content throughout the year. During our discovery call last week, we established some key creative directions for the project. Vytas, the gym’s owner, wants to differentiate his group training sessions by focusing on community building and creating an enjoyable environment where clients not only get fit but also form meaningful connections.
Vytas perfectly sums up this ethos in his catchphrase: “We must lift each other before we lift the weights.” He also wants to break away from the typical, rigid gym lifestyle associated with hyper-focused coaches who push strict diets like chicken and rice every day. That said, he’s still serious about real workouts. He aims to dispel the misconception that group sessions are just about having fun in a studio — at his gym, they don’t compromise on weight training!
With these guidelines, I began crafting the creative proposal, outlining video ideas for the shoot day. The goal was to highlight different strengths of his business in distinct videos, each tailored to appeal to various customer demographics. Some of the videos were light-hearted and humorous, while others addressed common concerns and anxieties for people new to group training. After several discussions with Vytas, we finalized the script and shot list, ready to shoot just five days after our initial call!
Shoot Day Recap and Challenges
Fast forward a couple of days after the shoot, and I wanted to share some insights and challenges we encountered on set, as well as how we tackled them.
First off, Vytas was a fantastic client to work with — full of energy, welcoming, and easygoing. His enthusiasm was contagious, making the shoot a smooth and enjoyable experience. We managed to capture all the necessary shots and set pieces according to our script, but as with any project, it required some effort to ensure everything went seamlessly.
Here are some key challenges we faced and how we overcame them:
Pinch Point 1: Minimize Disruption During Live Sessions
Since we were filming a live group training session with paying clients, it was crucial not to disrupt the experience. If we needed Vytas to say a specific line or perform a particular action, we had to time it carefully to avoid interfering with the session.
How we navigated it:
We discussed the session schedule with Vytas beforehand to identify the best times to capture specific shots. Flexibility is key — even if a shot is planned for a certain moment, it’s important to read the situation and adjust as needed. Some elements were filmed after the session to avoid interrupting the flow, ensuring the final video maintained quality without affecting the attendees' experience.
Pinch Point 2: Tactful Client Testimonials
Capturing candid client testimonials can be tricky. Without proper communication, clients may feel self-conscious or uncomfortable being on camera, leading to awkward interviews.
How we navigated it:
We introduced ourselves to the group at the start of the shoot and casually mentioned that we’d love to get some testimonials. This helped gauge who was open to speaking on camera. By giving them time to warm up, even hesitant participants felt more comfortable as the shoot progressed. In fact, one of our strongest testimonials came from someone who initially seemed reluctant but later approached us to share her positive experience.
Pinch Point 3: Stay Adaptable
When working in a gym environment, certain shots or ideas you had in mind might not work due to space constraints or other logistical factors.
How we navigated it:
Communication is key. I stayed in constant dialogue with our videographers to adapt the script and find creative solutions on set. By brainstorming and collaborating, we were able to maintain the integrity of the original concept despite any challenges the location posed.
Closing Thoughts
The shoot was a great success, and we’re thrilled with the footage we captured. I hope this gives you some insight into our creative process and highlights a few challenges we face in projects like these. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes updates from Bold Work Studios!
