From Grand Plans to a Flawless Production
Okay, this is it. You’ve done the hard yards: you understand the techniques, you appreciate the art, and you’ve made the smart decision to invest in getting your show filmed professionally. But how do you make sure that everything on the day runs as smoothly as a greased-up luchador? How do you, the promoter, create the perfect environment for a video crew to capture your show flawlessly?
The secret is in the preparation. A great final product isn’t just the result of a skilled crew; it’s the result of a great collaboration between that crew and a well-prepared promoter. When you know what the video team needs from you, the whole process becomes a thousand times easier, less stressful, and ultimately, produces a much better result.
Think of this as your ultimate show-day checklist. We’re going to run through everything you should be thinking about, from the week before the show to the moment the last fan leaves the building. This is your complete guide to ensuring your wrestling filming goes off without a hitch, leading to the flawless wrestling videography your promotion deserves.
One Week Out: Your Pre-Production Checklist
A smooth show day is all down to the homework you do beforehand. Getting these ducks in a row the week before the event will make you look like a pro and save a massive amount of stress later on.
Confirm all the logistics.
Drop the crew a quick email or text to confirm the venue address (including the postcode!), parking arrangements, and the agreed-upon arrival and setup time. Getting this sorted early avoids any last-minute panic.
Send over the ‘Creative Packet’.
Email the finalised match card and a list of the key storylines. Who’s the hero? Who’s the villain? What’s the beef? Also, send over high-quality versions of your promotion’s logo and any sponsor logos you need included in the final edit.
Have a quick creative chat.
This is a game-changer. Schedule a brief 15-minute phone call with the head of the video crew. This is your chance to align your vision with the practicalities of the wrestling filming. Mention any big planned spots, specific character moments you want them to capture, or the overall vibe you’re going for.
Clarify the ‘deliverables’.
Just double-check what the final package includes. Is it the full show? A highlights package? A set number of social media clips? Confirming this now ensures your final wrestling videography tells the stories you want it to and that everyone is on the same page.
On Arrival: Your Venue & Setup Checklist
The crew has arrived! How you handle these first 30 minutes can set the tone for the entire shoot. A little bit of prep from you can help them get set up quickly and safely.
Have the ‘Hard Cam’ spot ready. You should have already decided on the best place for the main camera. Ideally, it’s a secure, slightly elevated spot with a perfectly unobstructed view of the ring where it won’t be jostled or blocked by fans. Show them the spot as soon as they arrive.
Point them to the power. “Where can we plug in?” will be one of the first questions. Know where the working plug sockets are and make sure the areas are clear for them to run extension cables and set up a charging station for their batteries.
Do a ringside walkaround. Take the floor camera operator for a quick walk around the ringside area. Point out any potential hazards like loose floorboards or spillages. Discuss the best and safest places for them to shoot from, ensuring they can get great angles without risking their own safety or that of the fans. This quick tour is vital for safe and effective wrestling filming.
Make the key introductions. A quick “this is Dave, he’s filming the show” to your referee and ring announcer can work wonders. It helps build a team atmosphere and is especially important if the crew needs to take an audio feed from the announcer’s sound desk.
Just Before Doors: Your Pre-Show Audio Checklist
Before the building fills up with the roar of the crowd, it’s the perfect time to get the audio dialled in. Bad sound can ruin great footage, so helping your crew with these simple checks is a massive help.
Grant access to the sound desk.
If you have a ring announcer with a microphone running through a PA system, the best way to get clean audio is for the crew to take a ‘line out’ feed directly from that sound desk. Introduce them to whoever is running your sound and help them get plugged in.
Allow for a proper soundcheck.
Once they’re plugged in, the crew will need to check the audio levels to make sure they’re not too quiet or too loud (which causes horrible distortion). Ask your ring announcer to do a few full-volume announcements, or play a wrestler’s entrance music for 30 seconds. A quick soundcheck is a non-negotiable part of professional wrestling videography.
Approve placement of crowd mics.
The crew may want to place one or two small, discreet microphones in safe spots to specifically capture the atmosphere of the crowd. Just give a quick thumbs-up to their proposed locations to make sure they’re not a trip hazard and won’t get knocked over.
Bell to Bell: Your ‘During the Show’ Checklist
The show is live! The crowd is loud and the action is underway. Your main job now shifts from preparation to facilitation. The key is to create an environment where the crew can focus 100% on capturing the magic you’re creating.
Let them do their job.
You’ve hired skilled professionals for a reason. Now is the time to trust them! Resist the urge to go over and try to direct them during a match. They need to be completely focused on the action in the ring, anticipating spots and capturing the story. Trust is a vital part of the wrestling filming process.
Run interference with the crowd.
A camera operator can’t leave their post to tell a fan they’re blocking the shot. Keep an eye on the main camera positions. If you see someone repeatedly standing up and getting in the way, a polite and quiet word from you, the promoter, can solve the problem quickly and painlessly.
Communicate any last-minute changes.
Live wrestling can be unpredictable. If a match needs to be cut short due to an injury, or there’s a sudden change to the finish, a quick, discreet nod or message to the crew can be a massive help, allowing them to adjust their focus on the fly.
Keep their paths clear.
The ringside operator needs to be able to move around to get the best angles. Do a quick check now and then to make sure their main walkways are clear of stray chairs, bags, or fans who have crept too far forward.
The Aftermath: Your Post-Production Handoff Checklist
The show was a massive success, but there are a few final things to tick off before you call it a night. A smooth handoff to the editing team is the final step to ensuring a flawless final product.
Reconfirm the delivery timeline
Before the crew heads off, have a quick, friendly chat to reconfirm the expected turnaround time for the edits. Knowing whether to expect the full show in one week or two helps manage your own marketing schedule and expectations.
Provide an editor’s ‘cheat sheet’.
This is a massive help! While it’s still fresh in your mind, send the crew an email with a definitive list of the correct spellings for all the wrestlers’ names, their social media handles for tagging, and the official match results. The goal of this is to provide all the key info from the night’s wrestling filming.
Mention your ‘must-have’ moments.
Was there a jaw-dropping high spot or a particularly emotional moment you definitely want as a social media clip? Mention it now! This simple “cheat sheet” is a godsend for the editor and a key part of ensuring your wrestling videography is accurate and highlights the best bits.
Settle up promptly.
If the final payment is due on the night of the show, have it ready to go. Being a reliable and prompt-paying client is the best way to build a fantastic long-term relationship with a professional and talented crew.
Final Bell Wrestling Videography Questions: Your Promoter FAQ
Q: What’s the number one thing promoters forget that causes the biggest headache on the day?
A: It’s almost always the hard cam position! A promoter might forget to reserve a specific space for it, and then the best spot gets taken by early-arriving fans. This leads to a last-minute scramble to find a less-than-ideal position. Thinking about and securing that one key spot before anyone else arrives is the single best thing you can do to guarantee a smooth setup.
Q: Is it expected for me to provide food or drinks for the video crew?
A: It might not be in the contract, but it is a massively appreciated gesture. Remember, the crew is on their feet for hours, working non-stop to capture your show. Offering them a bottle of water, a soft drink, and maybe a hot dog from the stand is a simple act of courtesy that goes a very, very long way. It shows you value their work and helps build a brilliant, positive working relationship for future shows.
Q: I’ve followed the checklist for my wrestling filming, what’s the most important part of reviewing the final video?
A: Give clear, consolidated feedback. The most efficient way to handle revisions is to watch the entire show, make a note of any changes you’d like (with specific timecodes!), and then send them all in a single, numbered list. This is much easier for an editor to work through than getting ten separate emails with one change each. Clear feedback on the final wrestling videography makes the whole revision process quicker and easier for everyone involved.
