How to brief an FPV shoot: a checklist for producers

Most FPV problems are planning problems. Whoever commissions the footage can remove the majority of them by answering a handful of questions before anyone travels. This is the list we work through with every client.

The story

• What should the viewer feel in this shot, in one sentence?
• Where does it sit in the edit: opening, transition or payoff?
• Are there reference clips for the energy, speed or framing you want?

The location

• The exact site, how we get access, where we can launch and land, and who owns or controls the land.
• The permissions and notifications that apply there. Rules vary widely, so we want to confirm them early.
• Known hazards: wires, crowds, roads, wildlife, and reflective or featureless surfaces.

The people and vehicles

Tell us who and what will be in front of the camera, how they will move, and who gives the signals. Anyone close to the flight area should be briefed and, where needed, kept outside agreed safety distances.

Time and weather

Say which light you need and what the fallback is. Wind, rain and poor visibility can stop flying altogether, so a spare day or a flexible window is worth more than any equipment upgrade.

Deliverables and rights

• Formats, resolution, frame rate and the number of finished clips.
• Whether you want raw takes, a graded selection or a finished edit.
• Where and for how long the footage may be used, agreed in writing.

The best briefs describe the feeling first and the camera move second. We can find the move; only you know the feeling.