Filming Efficiently: Getting More Content From One Production Day
The Smart Way to Approach Video Production
Video production is not cheap. You’re paying for time, crew, equipment, planning, and post-production. And on top of that, you’re taking time away from other parts of your business to make it happen. So the question becomes simple. How do you get the most out of it?
Efficiency Is Where the Real Value Is
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking in terms of one video at a time.
“We need an about video.”
“We need one YouTube video.”
That approach works, but it’s not efficient. The better approach is to think in terms of production days, not individual deliverables. If you already have a crew, gear, and time blocked off, the goal should be to maximize what you capture during that window.
Learning From Someone Who Does It Right
Vanessa Joy is one of the best I’ve worked with when it comes to this. She doesn’t just create content consistently. She knows how to structure larger production days where everything is planned out in advance. Schedules are tight. Concepts are clear. And every part of the day is used intentionally. That allows her to capture a large amount of high-quality content in a short amount of time and then release it over time.
What This Looked Like in Santa Monica
For this project, we were already flying out to Santa Monica to film the Budget Gear Shootout series. That alone could have been the entire job. But instead of stopping there, the day was structured to do more. Multiple guests were scheduled. Multiple pieces of content were filmed. And everything was captured in a way that allowed for flexibility in how it could be used later. From a single production day, we walked away with multiple videos and multiple content streams.
Why This Matters for Clients
If you’re investing in video, this is where you win. Instead of paying for multiple separate shoot days, you:
Capture more content in one session
Reduce overall production costs
Build a content library you can use over time
Get more value out of the same investment
It’s not about cutting corners. It’s about being intentional with time.
Even the Small Things Add Up
Something as simple as B-roll can make a big difference. If you’re already filming an interview or a main piece of content, capturing additional footage during that same session gives you assets you can use across your website, social media, and future campaigns. That’s where efficiency turns into long-term value.
The Bottom Line
If you’re going to invest in video, don’t think small. Think in terms of how much you can create in one well-planned production day. Because the difference between one video and ten pieces of content often comes down to planning, not budget.