Conduct a scouting location trip. Choose climbing locations with wide bases for placing your camera gear for the introduction section of the climbing video. The scouting also lets you know what obstacles you'll face in carrying your video equipment, because the areas most likely will be remote and possibly difficult to access. Look for locations with several climbs that have wide overhead ledges, accessible by hiking trails or by climbing. The aerial shots will add variety to your video and allow the audience to see a different perspective of the climbers, focusing on hand placements and various climbing techniques not visible from below.
Find locations that are not shaded to ensure you'll have adequate lighting. If shaded areas are your only options, be sure you'll have enough light coming through the trees at the peak hours of the day, around noon, to allow filming.
Make a list of each location, including name, climbing difficulty rating, potential camera locations and other logistical notes. Use a point-and-shoot camera to photograph each location. Be sure the images match your notes. This way you can review the scouting material once you return from your trip and decide which location or locations to use.
Write your script based on your story line for the video. Note who will be speaking at what time and what they will be talking about. Include your camera angles and shots. Use approximate time codes for the script so you understand the timing of your recording sessions. A time code indicates the running time of the video, usually in hours, minutes and seconds. For example, a script for the intro might resemble the following:
00:00:01 Panoramic shot of the mountain range from above the climb.
00:00:05 Voice-over from narrator states the main introduction details.
00:00:15 Camera 2 shoots close-up of climbers preparing belays and equipment.
00:00:20 Close-up of Climber 1 tying into harness as he says, "We use this type of knot because ..."
The script is a major element in the project and will keep it on task, so devote ample time to this stage.
Check the video equipment two days prior to your shoot. Charge all batteries, test your cameras to be sure they are working, and test all lenses, tripods and additional video equipment. Do sound checks on all microphones, including the climbers' wireless microphones, and practice placing the microphones in the appropriate places while the subjects are wearing their climbing equipment. Another option is to use voice-over narration during these sections of the video, because wireless microphones can be challenging to use and placing them on climbers may make it harder for them to work with their gear.
Carry your equipment to the location and begin shooting. Film from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to sunset, when the light is soft and easier to work with. Use a shot list to gather all your B-roll shots, which are the scenery and detail shots to place with narrated sections such as the opening scene in your script. Use the script to shoot your video; be sure the climbers and on-camera voices have rehearsed their lines. Get detail shots of the examples of the climbing techniques to which your narrations and voice-overs will refer. Wear headphones connected to your cameras to gauge the proper audio levels and any distortion from wind.
Review your footage before leaving the location, especially if you are working in a remote, overnight location and shooting again is not an option. Be sure your audio is strong and clear and that the lighting on all your main shots is perfect. Pay particular attention to the dark and light sections of your video footage. If you shot these sections improperly, the video will have distortion and miss the rendering of details.