Using video capture to give stakeholders a clear view of work-as-done, rather than work-as-imagined, can benefit an organisation in numerous ways. Video assets can resolve incorrect assumptions, align operational planning with reality, establish standardised work procedures, retain valuable intellectual property, and provide accurate data for process analysis.
Using cameras to capture important information
A wide variety of cameras and shooting techniques are available for work capture. Each technical aspect, from shot composition and field of view to lens focus and subject movement, affects how viewers interpret the information they see.
When produced effectively, the final video assets will enable viewers to quickly grasp context, focus on key details, and easily understand important messages.
With the right camera setup, capturing work documentation from multiple angles can be even more insightful than experiencing the task in person.
Choosing equipment and planning your shoot
In practice, selecting camera equipment for use in an active work environment is often constrained by physical access, scheduling, available setup time, and the amount of gear that can be brought on-site.
In our work, we frequently use tripod-mounted DSLRs, point-of-view and equipment-mounted action cameras, and aerial photography drones. Occasionally, footage from CCTV, 360-degree cameras and smartphones may also be utilised.
Here are some typical elements of industrial work capture:
- Wide establishing shots: Set the scene and identifies personnel and equipment involved in the work task.
- Close-ups of critical activity: Show the details of important objects, tasks and processes.
- Aerial views: Highlight the scale of the environment, spatial relationships and site movement.
- Piece-to-camera: Interviews of operators and managers describing the work taking place.
- Audio: Recorded from all cameras where possible, and a high-quality microphone recording for speech.
- Time-coding: Use of time-tracking tools during the capture to log the tasks and sync the footage.
For one-off capture projects, acquiring fit-for-purpose equipment can be challenging. Renting recording equipment or hiring a videographer with their own setup may be more practical. Protective casing may be necessary in rugged environments or even intrinsically safe equipment for hazardous sites.
Adhering to safety protocols is non-negotiable in an industrial work environment. Ensure you follow all site safety rules, secure formal access permissions and obtain worker consent for filming.
Tips for capturing video from multiple cameras
For certain work, capturing different perspectives can be invaluable for process analysis. Understanding what the worker sees during the task, reviewing the space surrounding the worker, and seeing the detail of the object being produced or machine being serviced may all provide important insights.
While it’s sometimes possible to repeat a work task and film from different angles, many processes are time-sensitive, making re-shooting impractical. To minimise disruption on site we often capture from multiple cameras simultaneously.
We aim to record ambient noise and an observer’s narration on most work capture projects. When using multiple cameras, remember to capture audio from each device to enable synchronisation of the footage later in editing software. More advanced timecoding methods can be applied if needed.
Be sure to plan ahead, visit shoot locations beforehand, brief your participants and test your equipment.
Editing and analysing your video documentation
Once all footage is captured, it’s time to review and edit. Although simple editing tools are available and learning the basics is entirely achievable, seeking training or delegating to an experienced editor is strongly recommended. A lot of time can be wasted doing things that an experienced editor would speed through.
When delivering the final videos to stakeholders, consider using one of the many powerful tools now available for video review and collaboration. Assets can also be imported into specialised process improvement software, AI-powered tools for automated tagging and transcription, or immersive workforce training platforms.
Among others, we have recently used Panopto, an excellent enterprise video streaming platform that supports switching between multiple camera views and online, non-destructive editing. We are happy to advise on tools like these, so feel free to reach out.
Ready to get started?
Start by choosing a single critical work task. Capture, edit and then collaborate with your team to review the resulting video assets. Then evaluate the outcomes of the insights gathered and benefits of the reference material before rolling out work capture across other operational activities.
Get in touch if you need help.