SetJetters Filming Guidelines

Goal: Capture enough simple clips to tell a short story about the location (30–60 sec video)

BEFORE YOU START (IMPORTANT)

  • Shoot vertical (portrait)
  • Keep clips 5–10 seconds each
  • Hold the phone steady (use both hands or lean on something)
  • Wipe your lens (seriously… do it)
  • Get more clips than you think you need

1. ESTABLISH THE LOCATION (SET THE SCENE)

This tells the viewer where we are

Get these shots to establish the location:

  • Wide shot of the location (stand still)
  • Slow pan left → right
  • Walk-up shot toward the location
  • Tilt up (ground → landmark)

2. “I’M HERE” MOMENT (HUMAN CONNECTION)

This makes it personal

Get these shots:

  • Point at the location
  • Big reaction (smile, laugh, “this is it” energy)
  • Short selfie video (1–2 sentences max)
  • Walking through the space

3. DETAILS & TEXTURE (WHAT MAKES IT COOL)

This is what sells the experience

Get these shots:

  • Close-up of something unique (sign, texture, object)
  • Hand interacting with something
  • Feet walking POV
  • Any recognizable detail from the scene

4. RECREATE THE MOMENT

This is the “movie magic” piece. This creates the classic Then and Now of the scene location to be featured in the video.

Get these shots:

  • Recreate a pose or moment from the scene
  • Walk the same path as a character
  • Over-the-shoulder look / dramatic pause

If you don’t create a video recreation, at least a SetJetters ShotSync for the location is needed.

5. MOVEMENT SHOTS (FOR EDITING FLOW)

These make the edit feel smooth and pro

Get these shots:

  • Walk past camera
  • Camera follows behind you walking
  • Entering or exiting a space
  • Slow motion walking (if phone allows)
  • Take the shot ShotSync of the main scene

6. TALK OVER EVERY CLIP

Gives you usable audio moments

Record while taking the visual clips:

  • Explain to us… “This is where [scene/movie] was filmed”
  • Explain to us… “What’s cool about this place is…”
  • Tell us… “If you come here, don’t miss…”

 

Openings – “You’ve Seen This Place Before…”

Examples:

  • “You’ve seen this place before… You just didn’t know it was in Nevada.”
  • “You’ve definitely seen this staircase in a movie.”

 

“This Famous Scene Was Filmed Here.”

Examples:

  • “This iconic scene from Back to the Future was filmed right here.”
  • “This scene from Breaking Bad is a real place you can actually visit.”

 

“Most Fans Don’t Know…”

Examples:

  • “Most fans of The Goonies don’t realize this beach is a real location.”
  • “Most people walk past this filming location and never realize it.”

 

“Wait Until You See the Real Location.”

Examples:

  • “Wait until you see what this movie location looks like in real life.”
  • “The real-world version of this famous scene is actually insane.”

 

“You Can Actually Visit This.”

Examples:

  • “You can actually visit the diner from Twin Peaks.”
  • “This isn’t a movie set. It’s a real town you can visit.”

 

Additional verbal hooks
  • “Movie fans will recognize this instantly.”
  • “This place is real.”
  • “No CGI. Real location.”
  • “Recognize this?”
  • “This scene changed tourism forever.”
  • “Hollywood filmed here.”
  • “Bet you know this scene.”
  • “One of the most famous filming locations ever.”
  • “This is where they filmed it.”

If you don’t speak over the clips, that’s OK too. But you need to then record a video of you speaking and describing what is in the video as a commentary for the audience. This can be you in the camera or behind the camera while you talk.

SAFETY SHOTS (DON’T SKIP)

Do this to make sure you only have to do all of this once:

  • Shoot everything twice
  • Get one extra wide shot
  • Get one extra walking shot
  • Get one extra reaction