Each type of production has a distinct style. Within that style is a further one. For example, a wedding shoot has a fairly serious style, with an edge of familiarity and humor. The standard shots need to be taken, the bride and groom preparing separately, interviews with family, the bride walking down the aisle, speeches, cutting of the cake, first dance and others. Within that framework, a further style can be chosen. While nobody wants a John Woo style wedding video, elements of all types of film making can be used in any kind of production.

A single perspective using a single angle can tell a seamless story from a single viewpoint. This can be ideal for interviews or reality style filming where there is a main character and the story is told from their perspective. A single shot like this will need to be creative with the viewing angles and use zoom and wide in order to avoid becoming predictable and boring.

For a documentary style shoot, many angles and other film making techniques can add a little spice to the feature. Using drama or a build up, mystery, or whatever. A documentary doesn’t just have to be a monologue describing situations. You need to give the viewer a reason to watch. A compelling and relevant story won’t always do that on its own, so keeping the shots varied and interesting is just one way of making it more compelling for the viewer.

If you join a shoot for an existing format, or do a piece for that format, then it is advisable to learn all you can about the existing style. Each network, channel, and program has its own unique style and all the footage they use will need to conform to it in one way or another. Learning the style in advance will allow you a lot more shooting time, and may give you ideas about how to work within it or even improve it.

Sometimes, it’s just better to let a story tell itself. It can be tempting to reshape a story in editing. You can do a lot with the right footage and editing skills, enough to completely change a story. Sometimes though it is just better to edit it seamlessly but leave the rest alone. A human interest story, or one about a grueling journey may lend itself to a lot of editing, but often, if the filming is of good quality, it’s just better to let the story unfold.

Keeping the “house style” in mind when shooting will save time in the shoot, in the editing room and deliver exactly what the director wants. The end result will fit nicely into the slot and won’t jar the audience with a change in style or pace from what they’re used to.

If there isn’t an existing style to conform to, then it’s an ideal time to make your own. While this comes with responsibility, it is also an ideal opportunity to stretch your creative legs.