Today we’re finally talking about the other side of audio-visual production — the stressful moments, the mistakes, and the lessons learned. So, buckle up, because this one was a ride. I was directing a major event: the 10th anniversary of our beloved Music Vibes. It was huge, high-pressure, and honestly, the biggest project I had ever led. I had a full team to coordinate, and looking back now, I made a few key mistakes.
First, I underestimated the importance of pre-production. When I prepared the shot list, I divided the tasks among the camera operators but didn’t give enough detail or clarification for some of the shots. I assumed everyone would “get” what I meant — basically expecting them to read my mind. Since then, I’ve learned to communicate clearly and make sure everyone fully understands their roles and expectations.
Then came the event day. Things didn’t go according to plan. We were told that our team couldn’t go on stage to get the shots we normally capture. I had to improvise on the spot, but the alternatives I came up with didn’t work as well as I hoped. That’s why I now always prepare a Plan B — because last-minute surprises are guaranteed in this field.
The result? Post-production became a much bigger job than expected. But honestly, I needed this experience. It taught me to double-check every step, never underestimate pre-production, communicate clearly, and always have a backup plan. A tip for both you and future me: talk to someone who has worked on a similar production before. Ask what challenges they faced and what you should prepare for. If I had done that, I would have saved myself a lot of stress.
At the end of the day, mistakes are lessons — and this event taught me some of the most important ones.
– Elina
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