The Mistake:  

Even though we were well-trained and briefed on the event. The order, the speeches, the key moments, this was my first time working on a graduation live stream. I understood the plan, but I had not yet felt what it was like in real time.  

During rehearsal, my colleague took the camera I would be using the next  day. She was eager to try it out, and I stepped back to give her the space.  I watched, paid attention, and thought that would be enough.  

But when showtime came, things felt different. The balance, the pan, even the tripod resistance, all slightly off from what I expected.  

My first few shots were not smooth, and it took me a bit to find my rhythm. I adjusted quickly, but I knew I could have started stronger if I had taken those few minutes of hands-on practice. 

The Lesson:  

That day reminded me that theory and watching can only take you so far. For some of us, things only click once we have actually done them. I learned that even a few minutes of hands-on time makes all the difference; it’s where confidence really starts. Normally, I get into rhythm fast once I have practiced, but this time, I had not given myself that chance. 

Takeaway Tip:            

No matter how much you have been briefed or trained, always make time to test the setup yourself, touch the gear, know the event; Confidence on set does not come from knowing, it comes from doing! 

– Derrick

The mistake became clear later. I hadn’t planned my shots thoroughly enough, no detailed shot list, no clear structure of what moments I absolutely needed to capture. As the night unfolded, I improvised too much. When we reviewed the footage afterward, Elina didn’t have enough strong, usable shots for the final edit. She had to fill gaps with material from previous events, something that should never happen when you are covering a fresh experience. 

There was no one to blame; it was simply a lack of pre-production discipline on my side. The experience taught me that especially in fast-moving environments like parties or live events, preparation is as important as the shoot itself. A clear plan is essential in this kind of unpredictable environment, do not be tricked that your creativity will be limited, and like we say in Mediazone, plan for it and leave it all behind. 

Now, before any event, I build a detailed shot list: key angles, crowd moments, specialty shots, transitions, performer coverage, and backup options. I walk through the venue mentally, imagining the flow of the night. 

Before any live event, create a simple but detailed shot list and try to scout the location beforehand. Even 10–15 planned shots can save the entire edit and keep you from scrambling later. 

– Riad