THE BLOG

How I Shoot Cinematic Videos Without a Big Crew (And Still Impress Clients)

Jul 14, 2025

Why You Don’t Need a Big Crew to Create Cinematic Work

Mastering the Art of Doing More With Less in Modern Filmmaking

If you’ve ever scrolled through behind-the-scenes photos from a major film set, you’ve probably seen the army of professionals packed around a camera—DPs, ACs, grips, gaffers, sound, makeup, production assistants… it’s easy to feel like cinematic storytelling is reserved for productions with massive teams and bottomless budgets.

And if you’re working with a skeleton crew—or just yourself—you might feel like you’re not playing in the same league.

But what if that belief is what's actually holding you back?

The truth is: a big crew isn’t the secret to professional-quality content. In fact, in many cases, crew size can slow you down, add unnecessary complexity, and even get in the way of authentic storytelling.

I’ve been filming commercials, branded content, and corporate films for over 20 years—and most of that work has been done with just two or three people on set. Not by choice, but by design.

Rethinking Crew Size: When “More” Isn’t Better

Let’s be clear—every role on set serves a purpose. A dedicated gaffer, a focused AC, a seasoned director—these professionals bring real value and elevate a production. But the moment crew size begins to outweigh efficiency, the production can suffer.

The logistics of managing 10+ people, moving gear between setups, or coordinating shots across locations can grind momentum to a halt. I've worked shoots where a full lighting truck and team were necessary. But more often, I'm shooting in real offices, tight timelines, and environments where mobility and adaptability matter more than muscle.

Sometimes, it’s just me and one or two trusted collaborators—people I’ve worked with for decades, who are ready to jump in wherever needed, regardless of job title.

Mastering the Craft: When You Are the Crew

Here’s the trade-off: fewer people means more responsibility. If you’re running lean, you have to be the DP, the gaffer, the grip, sometimes even the director. That means your technical skills have to be sharper than ever.

You can’t just know how to use a key light—you have to know five different ways to use it. You need to understand lens psychology, how to light for depth, how to expose for your specific sensor, and how to get the most out of minimal gear.

Thankfully, today’s tools make this much more achievable. Modern LED lights are portable, powerful, and fully controllable from your phone. Gimbals and sliders are compact and affordable. I travel with just three lights and a few bounce boards, yet I’m able to achieve looks that were once only possible with full crews and grip trucks.

But gear alone won’t carry you. Understanding exposure, contrast ratios, base ISOs, and the nuances of your specific camera sensor? That’s what lets you maximize the tools you have.

“Master the technical. Free your creativity.”

Because when you truly understand the craft, the limitations fade.

The Intimacy Advantage: Creating Space for Real Human Stories

One often overlooked benefit of a small crew is the emotional environment it creates—especially during interviews.

Most of the people I film aren’t actors. They’re real people. CEOs. Nurses. Parents. Employees. They’re already nervous just sitting in front of the camera. Now imagine adding a dozen people with headsets, wires, and lights staring at them while they try to talk about something personal.

That pressure is real—and it affects what you capture.

Ken Burns, in one of his MasterClass lessons, shared how he intentionally keeps his interview crews tiny to make people feel safe, comfortable, and able to open up. That stuck with me, because that’s exactly how I work. Not because I have to—but because it gets better results.

When the room is quiet, the subject relaxes. They stop performing. They start being real.

And that’s where the good stuff lives.

The Power of the Right People

Of course, the secret to making this work isn’t just doing it all yourself—it’s having the right people beside you.

I’ve been lucky to build long-term relationships with a few crew members I met early in my career. We’ve worked together for over 20 years, and we’ve built trust that allows us to work faster, solve problems on the fly, and deliver consistently excellent results.

I’ve also worked with younger, less experienced crew who brought curiosity and humility—a serving mindset—that made them invaluable, regardless of their skill level.

When you’re working lean, every person matters more. And ego has no place on a small crew.

How to Build That Kind of Crew

The best place to start? Show up.

Join your local film or media association. Go to networking mixers. Attend workshops, screenings, or film festivals. Introduce yourself. Offer to help on someone else’s shoot. Be the kind of crew member you’d want on your own project.

I always say yes to coffee meetings when I can—because one conversation can spark a creative partnership that lasts a decade.

Great crews aren’t built on a call sheet. They’re built through shared experiences, trust, and the willingness to serve the story—not the ego.

Final Thoughts

Working with a small crew has its trade-offs—but it also opens the door to a different kind of filmmaking. One that’s nimble, intentional, and deeply collaborative.

It challenges you to grow technically, to communicate better, and to be resourceful. But it also gives you more creative freedom, more intimacy, and more control.

So the next time you feel like you can’t make great work because you don’t have a full team—remember this:

You don’t need more people. You need more clarity, more skill, and the right people by your side.

Be that kind of person. And your best work is closer than you think.