From our experience producing live-action, commercial, and branded content across Brisbane and beyond, the fastest way to save time on set is by getting the talent brief right.
And we don’t mean sending a script and call sheet the day before.
Why most briefs fall short
Shoots often run over because talent turn up without a clear understanding of tone, purpose or character. They might know the lines, but not how they’re meant to deliver them. That leads to more takes, more direction, and less time for everything else.
Talent often ask:
- Am I playing myself or a role?
- Is this serious or conversational?
- Should I be warm, confident, persuasive or neutral?
If those questions aren’t answered before the shoot, you're guaranteed to burn valuable time resetting and redirecting.
How we brief talent at IPER
We keep it simple and human. Our approach is based on giving talent the tools they need to feel prepared, not overwhelmed. Here’s how we do it:
- One-pager: A plain-English brief that covers tone, purpose, character and audience.
- Pre-shoot call: A quick 10–15 minute conversation (not just an email) so talent can ask questions and we can align on expectations.
- On-set walkthrough: A relaxed read through or run-through before the camera rolls, with direction on tone and priorities.
We often include notes like:
- Who the audience is and what they need to hear
- Whether the talent is being themselves or a persona
- The intended tone (e.g. “warm and reassuring, like you’re explaining to a friend”)
- What absolutely needs to land, even if time runs tight
Real example
On a recent Brisbane shoot for an education client, we worked with three different presenters across two days. Because they were briefed in advance - both with written tone guidance and a short call - we hit the ground running. We wrapped early.
On a different project, last-minute scheduling meant one presenter didn’t get a pre-brief. We spent over 45 minutes resetting performance tone. That delay compressed the rest of the day and added unnecessary pressure.
Final thoughts
Briefing isn’t just about logistics - it’s a creative and collaborative step that directly affects shoot efficiency and final quality.
When talent are clear, confident and aligned before they walk onto set, the results speak for themselves.
Want a sample of our one-page brief or a real-world example from a past shoot? Reach out - we’re happy to share templates that have helped us save both time and budget.
