In short
- Coverage planning has three parts: time, people and things that happen together.
- Start with the run sheet, then mark the moments that cannot be repeated.
- One camera operator cannot be in two places, so overlaps need a choice.
- A short written brief lets the crew act without asking you during the event.
Good coverage is planned around three things: when moments happen, who is in them, and what happens at the same time. Answer those and the rest of the brief is much easier to write.
The three questions behind every plan
| Question | What it decides | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| When? | Guest arrival, camera positions, handovers, breaks | Planning coverage around the run sheet |
| Who and what matters? | The moments and people the film cannot do without | Prioritising moments that cannot be repeated |
| What happens together? | Where one crew cannot cover everything | Planning video for simultaneous activities |
A short worked example
This is an illustration, not a real event. A company dinner has the guests’ arrival at 7:00 pm, speeches at 8:00 pm and an awards segment at 8:30 pm, while a performance prepares backstage.
The arrival and the awards cannot be repeated, so they come first. The speeches need clear sound from the stage. The backstage rehearsal is a nice-to-have. Written like this, the crew has an order of priority and you have a clear reason for each choice.
Cameras and people are separate decisions
Asking for “three cameras” tells a crew little. What matters is how many views you need at the same moment, and whether each view needs a person. Our guide on cameras and camera operators explains the difference.
Ask us for a multi-camera crew and we confirm it for your date.
Turn the plan into a brief
Once you know the timing, the key moments and the overlaps, write them down in a page the crew can use. Our guide on creating a filming brief a crew can use shows how, and the run-sheet filming planner helps you lay it out.
Where to go next
Start with the run sheet, then mark the moments that cannot be repeated, then the overlaps. The guides below cover specific situations such as VIP arrivals, long programmes and changes on the day.
If you are still deciding what to film, see our event videography service.
If you have a run sheet, even a rough one, send it with the date and venue. We will point out where moments overlap and tell you what we can cover for your event.
Ask about your event