In this episode of the Hard Copy Media Podcast, Colton sits down with returning guest J.T. Healy to break down what it really takes to shoot high-level corporate and fitness events—whether you’re a solo shooter or running a full production team.
From pre-production planning and shot lists to gear choices, audio capture, and on-site leadership, this conversation dives deep into the practical realities of event coverage. Colton and J.T. compare corporate events versus fitness competitions, explain why pre-production is everything, and share hard-earned lessons on how to avoid overshooting, protect your team, and deliver better results for clients.
Topics covered include:
- How to approach event coverage as a solo shooter vs. a team
- Building effective shot lists and runs of show
- Essential gear for corporate and fitness events
- Why audio quality matters more than you think
- How to communicate with clients, AV teams, and crews
- Leadership on set and shielding your team from chaos
- Repurposing event footage for additional deliverables
- Common mistakes that ruin event videos (lighting included)
Whether you’re a filmmaker, photographer, video business owner, or a marketer planning an event, this episode is packed with real-world insight you can apply immediately.
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#EventProduction #VideoBusiness #HardCopyMedia
00:00 – Welcome Back & Introducing J.T. Healy
01:15 – Recording in J.T.’s Studio Space
02:10 – Why Event Coverage Matters for Creatives
03:00 – Corporate Events as a Solo Shooter
04:40 – Pre-Production: Defining Deliverables
06:30 – Building Shot Lists From the Agenda
08:20 – Establishing Shots vs Detail Shots
10:00 – Avoiding Boring Edits With Shot Variety
11:45 – Overshooting vs Shooting Intentionally
13:30 – Communication With Clients & AV Teams
15:10 – When Things Go Wrong at Live Events
16:25 – Essential Gear for Corporate Events
18:45 – Why Audio Can Make or Break an Event Video
21:15 – Repurposing Event Audio & Footage
22:50 – Corporate vs Fitness Events Explained
24:30 – Shooting Fitness Events Like Weddings
26:40 – Speed, Efficiency & On-Site Editing
28:30 – Working With Athletes, Brands & Competitions
30:20 – Managing a Team on Fitness Events
32:10 – Leadership, Respect & Clear Direction
33:30 – Shielding Your Team From the Chaos
34:45 – Gear Setup for Fitness Events
37:10 – Why ND Filters Are Non-Negotiable Outdoors
39:00 – Handheld Shooting & Camera Movement
41:10 – Repurposing Footage for Future Sales
42:30 – Hot Take: Lighting Can Ruin Corporate Events
44:20 – Hot Take: Stop Shooting So Much Food
47:00 – What Creatives Should Watch, Read & Listen To
48:45 – Where to Find J.T. Healy
49:40 – Final Thoughts & Subscribe