Tech & Tools to Make Video Production Easier

While some video productions are complex simply because of their size and scope, even small projects can cause their fair share of headaches. From paperwork to project files to the people milling around on set, there’s a lot to manage. Staying organized is key to staying on task (and budget).

You probably already have a gameplan for balancing production needs and managing client expectations, but we urge you to consider adding some new tools to your arsenal. 

Designed to make life a little easier, these recommendations run the gamut from pre-production all the way through post, and touch various parts of the film industry. They’ve come to us from a variety of sources, including our own experiences here at Kraken Cove Productions. In fact, you may even recognize a few if you’re signed up for our newsletter… if not, click here to join!

Useful Production Tech

Digitization is pretty much the way of life these days, which can be frustrating if you’re not a particularly tech-savvy person. But believe us when we say some things are not better the old-fashioned way (lookin’ at you, analog onboarding.) Thankfully, there are tons of digital resources available – many of which are free and exceptionally simple to use. Here are a few of our favorites, guaranteed to make your video production life a little easier both on and off set.

BLINKBID

This fully-customizable bidding and invoicing software helps us easily create project estimates for prospective clients. Everything is intuitively organized and user-friendly, which makes managing production budgets less stressful too. And since BlinkBid is cloud-based, you can access it from anywhere.

DROPBOX SIGN

Dropbox Sign (formerly HelloSign) has one job and does it really well: eSignatures. Honestly, why people are still shuffling stacks of physical paper is beyond us. We regularly use this platform at Kraken Cove for uploading, signing and sending important documents to clients and vendors. Reducing hassle while also reducing carbon footprints – what’s not to love?

WRAPBOOK

Production. Payroll. Did you just shudder a little? We understand the feeling, since calculating film hours can be downright brain-scrambling at times. Wrapbook simplifies the whole process by digitally generating forms, tracking hours, and even collecting signatures for important documents. Crew can submit timecards right from their phone (convenient for people jumping from back-to-back work with no laptop time), and can track the processing so they know exactly when they get paid. With everyone on the same page (and a lot less paperwork to keep track of), crew feel confident their paychecks are correct while producers rest easy knowing their payroll is accurate – and save an immense amount of time during onboarding and wrap.

PREMIERE PROXY WORKFLOW

Recommended by our editor friends, this software allows you to create proxies in just a few clicks. That translates to faster render times and easier edits during post-production, which is particularly great if you’re working remotely from a laptop. And since teamwork makes the dream work, Adobe integrated another editor-favorite into the program - Frame.io. Frame.io makes it easy to upload, review and share video content with clients and fellow creatives.

SUNSEEKER PRO

A DP suggestion, this app provides advanced information on solar path and sunlight exposure – a handy bit of data to have on hand when you’re trying to determine when the sun will break through the trees or disappear over a hillside. SunSeeker Pro can also help predict where the sun will be on a future date, great if you’re scouting a month before an actual shoot date.

SPROUT SOCIAL

Building your brand? Personalized connections are key to amplifying your message or getting the word out on a new project. Sprout Social helps you spot trends on social media, so you can initiate conversations that really resonate with your audience. The platform also lets you plan, create, manage and publish your social content from one central hub.

Handy Production Tools

There’s a well-worn saying that ‘if your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.’ Basically, when we limit what’s in our toolbox, we limit ourselves alongside our creativity. With that in mind, these are some of our less conventional go-to items for making video production easier, whether we’re prepping for an on-location shoot or heading to a well-appointed studio space.

Portable Printables

While we work hard to minimize paper waste, printables are still a necessity on set. To ensure we can whip up new shooting schedules or script revisions on-the-fly, we like to keep a portable printer on hand – specifically one with an optional battery, so we’re not tethered to an outlet.

Similarly, having access to digitally-printed labels makes it easier for cast and crew to read the film slate, since they won’t have to decipher scruffy handwriting or worry about smudged EXPO markers. Beyond the slate, portable label makers are also great for keeping on-set items safely organized and making sure you know which cable is yours.

Functional Wearables

If you use a standard surveillance headset, then you know how uncomfortable the earpieces can be. We’re here to tell you it’s time for an upgrade. Replacement earpieces are affordable and easy to find, but we recommend looking for one with a snug fit and the type of design that will ensure you not only hear clearly through your receiver, but also everything that’s happening around you on set.

Another wearable worth your investment is a head lamp. You might feel a little silly with a flashlight strapped to your forehead, but we promise you’ll get over the appearance anxiety once you realize how insanely useful it is when shooting on location at night. We like something lightweight and comfortable, with a wide cast of light so you don’t get (literal) tunnel vision. There are loads of options available - some even have red light functionality.

Acoustic Accoutrements

We know you likely already have a Quiet on Set sign in your bag of tricks. But do you have a large, double-sided one that’s almost impossible to miss while also folding down tiny enough to pack into a little convenient carrying case? We thought not, which is why we suggest adding one to your shopping list.

On the technical side, we highly recommend keeping a USB Sound Card Adapter nearby. When clients or agency reps can’t be on set or we’re working with remote talent, this handy bit of equipment is an easy and reliable way to get audio to the zoom feed - and has saved us more than once!

Stress Beaters

Film sets can be stressful places, which is why we like to keep some calming vibes on tap. From fidget stress balls to essential oil sprays, the Kraken Cove team isn’t afraid to think outside the box when we need to decompress. One fast, fun and effective way to improve a long, difficult day is with some upbeat music. We always bring a portable Bluetooth speaker along for the ride, so anyone can connect and cue up some jams during set-up and wrap.

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