You’ve shortlisted three Melbourne videographers. Their portfolios look good. Their quotes are similar. How do you pick the right one?
Ask these 10 questions. The answers separate professionals from amateurs, and experienced Melbourne shooters from interstate operators who don’t know the city.
We shoot 200+ video projects in Melbourne every year. The answers to these questions reveal more than any portfolio reel.
1. “Show me three projects you shot in Melbourne in the last 6 months.”
If they can’t show you anything from the last six months, they’re either:
- Not busy (why?)
- Not Melbourne-based (claiming to be local but actually interstate)
- New to video (nothing wrong with that, but price should reflect it)
Green flags:
- Recent Melbourne projects with recognisable locations
- Mix of different video types (not just weddings, not just corporate)
- Can name the Melbourne suburbs they shot in
Red flags:
- Only shows work from 2+ years ago
- Portfolio is all stock footage or interstate work
- Vague about when/where projects were shot
Follow-up question:
“What locations in Melbourne have you shot at most recently?”
A real Melbourne videographer knows the city. They’ll say things like “Richmond warehouse last week” or “CBD office in Collins Street” or “Docklands convention centre.”
Someone who hesitates or talks in generics probably isn’t Melbourne-based.
2. “What equipment do you own vs. hire?”
If they need to hire everything for your shoot, your project pays for:
- Hire fees (often $500-1,500/day)
- Their unfamiliarity with the gear
- Potential hire equipment failures
Green flags:
- Owns primary camera body + lenses
- Owns audio equipment (wireless lavs, boom mic)
- Owns basic lighting
- Only hires specialty items (cinema cameras, drones, jibs)
Red flags:
- Hires everything
- Uses consumer cameras (fine for some work, but corporate/commercial needs professional kit)
- Can’t clearly explain what equipment they’ll use for your project
Follow-up question:
“What camera will you use for my project, and why?”
A professional can explain this in two sentences. An amateur will either:
- Over-explain because they’re insecure
- Dodge the question because they don’t know
- Name a camera that’s wrong for the job
3. “How do you handle Melbourne weather on outdoor shoots?”
Melbourne weather is unpredictable. Four seasons in one day is real.
A good Melbourne videographer has outdoor backup plans. An inexperienced one doesn’t, and your shoot gets cancelled or produces unusable footage.
Green flags:
- Has shot outdoor Melbourne locations through all seasons
- Automatically discusses backup plans (indoor alternatives, weather clauses in contract, rescheduling policy)
- Knows which locations are protected from weather
- Mentions checking forecasts 48 hours before shoot
Red flags:
- “Weather is never a problem”
- No discussion of backup plans
- Interstate operator who doesn’t know Melbourne weather patterns
Real example:
We shot a healthcare video in Fitzroy in February. Forecast said “partly cloudy.” By 2pm we had a massive storm. We had an indoor backup location pre-scouted 5 minutes away, moved the shoot, and delivered on time.
That’s normal Melbourne video production. If your videographer doesn’t plan for it, your project is at risk.
4. “What’s your typical turnaround time for editing?”
“Fast” means different things to different people. You need specific days.
Green flags:
- Clear answer: “7 business days for first cut” or “14 days for complex projects”
- Differentiates between first cut and final delivery
- Explains what factors extend timeline (revisions, complex graphics, length)
- Offers rush options with clear pricing
Red flags:
- Vague: “Pretty quick” or “Depends”
- Unrealistic: “24 hours!” (for anything complex)
- No mention of revision rounds or approval process
Follow-up questions:
“What’s included in your editing package?”
“How many revision rounds?”
“What if I need rush delivery?”
Our standard turnaround for Melbourne corporate video: 7-10 business days from shoot to final delivery, including two revision rounds. We can output content faster, it just might be a bit more expensive.
5. “Walk me through your shoot day process.”
Ask them to walk you through a shoot day. A pro can explain their process in under two minutes: arrival time, setup, how they work with your staff, wrap time.
When we shoot corporate interviews in Melbourne offices:
- Arrive 60 min before first interview
- Scout room, set up lights and camera
- Audio test
- Brief interview subject (2-3 min to make them comfortable)
- Record interview
- B-roll of their workplace
- Pack down (20-30 min)
If they can’t walk you through something similar? They either haven’t done many corporate shoots or they wing it. Fine for event coverage. Terrible for corporate work where your CEO has 45 minutes between meetings.
If they say “I just turn up and film,” walk away.
6. “Do you carry public liability insurance?”
Major Melbourne commercial venues require it. Convention centres, CBD corporate buildings, and event spaces often won’t let you film without proof of insurance.
Green flags:
- “Yes, $10-20 million public liability”
- Can provide certificate of currency same day
- Understands why you’re asking
Red flags:
- “Do I need that?”
- “Never had a problem without it”
- Promises to “get it” if needed (insurance takes days)
Melbourne venues that definitely require it:
- Convention centres
- Most CBD buildings
- Crown
- MCG and other stadiums
- Many hospitals
If your videographer doesn’t have insurance and you’re shooting at any commercial venue, your shoot may be cancelled on the day.
7. “What happens if you’re sick or there’s an emergency on shoot day?”
Solo operators have no backup. If they’re sick, your shoot is cancelled. If their equipment fails, your shoot stops.
Green flags:
- Companies: “We have backup crew”
- Solo operators: “I partner with [specific Melbourne videographers] for backup”
- Clear cancellation/rescheduling policy
- Equipment backups (second camera body, backup audio)
Red flags:
- “That’s never happened”
- No backup plan
- No equipment redundancy
Real example:
One of our camera operators contracted Covid two days before he was meant to fly to Darwin. We had another experienced in-house operator to cover.
Solo operators can’t do that. If you’re hiring a solo videographer for critical work, ask about their backup plan explicitly.
8. “What’s your experience with [your industry]?”
Healthcare, government, corporate, not-for-profit, and education all have different needs:
Healthcare:
- Patient privacy protocols
- Filming in hospitals (permissions, quiet operation)
- Sensitive subject matter
Government:
- Approval processes
- Brand guidelines
- Public messaging sensitivities
Corporate:
- Minimal disruption to operations
- Professional communication with executives
- Brand consistency
Not-for-profit:
- Budget constraints
- Emotional storytelling
- Community sensitivities
Green flags:
- Can name specific Melbourne organisations in your sector they’ve worked with
- Understands sector-specific challenges
- Asks intelligent questions about your needs
Red flags:
- Generic answers
- No sector-specific work in portfolio
- Doesn’t ask about your specific requirements
Follow-up question:
“Can you show me a project for a [healthcare/government/corporate/NFP] client similar to mine?”
9. “How do you handle copyright and usage rights?”
Who owns the video after you’ve paid? Can you use it everywhere—web, social, paid ads? What about raw footage?
Standard: You own the final video, use it anywhere. Raw footage policies vary. We’ve seen Melbourne companies charge hundreds or thousands for raw files. We give them to you for free.
If they’re vague about ownership or restrict usage (“social media costs extra”), walk away.
10. “Can you provide two Melbourne client references?”
References tell you what portfolios hide. A beautiful reel doesn’t mean they show up on time or handle problems well.
What to ask references:
Reliability:
- “Did they show up on time?”
- “Did they deliver when promised?”
Professionalism:
- “How did they interact with your staff?”
- “Were they easy to communicate with?”
Problem-solving:
- “Did anything go wrong? How did they handle it?”
Value:
- “Would you hire them again?”
- “Any surprises in the final invoice?”
Green flags:
- Provides references immediately
- References are recent (last 12 months)
- References are Melbourne-based
- References are willing to talk
Red flags:
- Hesitates or delays providing references
- References are all old or interstate
- References are vague or overly enthusiastic (possibly fake)
What These Questions Actually Reveal
Every videographer shows their best work in their reel. These questions reveal:
- Real Melbourne experience
- Professional reliability
- How they handle problems
- Hidden costs
- Whether they’re actually local
The best videographer isn’t always the flashiest portfolio. It’s the one who:
- Shows up on time
- Delivers what they promised
- Handles problems calmly
- Makes your staff comfortable on camera
- Fits your budget honestly
Ask these 10 questions. The answers tell you everything a portfolio reel hides.
Need a Melbourne videographer who can answer all 10 confidently?
We’re The Jasper Picture Company. We shoot 200+ videos in Melbourne every year—corporate, healthcare, government, not-for-profit. Based in Burwood, filming across Metro Melbourne daily.
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