Production Tips from Our Team
How to make your Nativity look great on film
Most schools follow a script — here is what our camera team wish every school knew before the show. Small decisions make a big difference to the final film.
Don't have children popping up from random positions. When a scene has multiple children with short lines, place them in a row or a logical order. It's easier for the audience to follow and much easier for the camera operator to track.
Many schools use two stage areas at opposite ends of the hall at the same time. Whilst we can cover this with multiple cameras, the audience can't follow it easily. Reserve multi-stage moments for group songs only.
Tell us where narrators are positioned and when they speak. If acting is happening simultaneously, knowing this in advance lets us dedicate a camera to the narrator so the main camera can stay on the action.
Stage lights often don't reach the full width of the performance area. Check before the day — if children are stepping into dark spots, adapt the lights, reposition performers, or supplement with house lights or extra fixtures.
For younger children, mic stands at the front of the stage work brilliantly. For older children, headsets for lead cast are ideal. Good sound is the single biggest factor in how professional the final film feels — parents will forgive a shaky shot long before they forgive not hearing their child's line.
November and December are our busiest months for school productions. If your Nativity has a date, get in touch now and we can talk through cameras, sound, delivery and pricing before the rush.
Call 0208 668 0018Everything you need to know
Christmas Nativity Filming Q&A
Common questions from schools, nurseries, churches and community groups about having their Nativity professionally filmed.
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Yes. A professional filming company can capture your Christmas Nativity using multiple cameras, clear audio and a polished edit — so parents can enjoy the performance without worrying about missing the moment on their phone.
For schools, nurseries, churches and community groups, this is often the easiest way to give families a keepsake of the show while keeping the event organised and less distracting on the day.
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The biggest reason is quality and simplicity. A professional Nativity film means:
- Better sound, especially for young voices
- Multiple camera angles, not just one static wide shot
- Less distraction from phones held up in the audience
- A proper edited version families can watch again and again
- A safer, more controlled approach to filming children
- A keepsake parents can share with grandparents and family
It also helps the school avoid the awkward situation where some parents get a great view and others barely see their child.
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For most school Nativities, we would recommend at least two cameras. A simple setup might include:
- One wide camera covering the whole stage
- One close-up camera for key moments, solos, narration and reactions
For larger productions, three or more cameras can work beautifully — especially if there are lots of children, entrances, songs or movement across the stage.
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Yes. Most Nativities are filmed in school halls, churches, village halls or small theatres.
The main challenges are usually low lighting, echoey sound, limited space and excited children — all very normal. A good filming team will know how to work quietly, position cameras safely and capture the show without getting in the way.
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Sound is often the most important part of a Nativity film. Children's voices can be quiet, music can be loud and halls can echo. A professional setup may include ambient microphones, a feed from the sound desk if available, and careful audio mixing afterwards.
Parents forgive a slightly imperfect camera angle far quicker than they forgive not hearing their child's line. Audio matters massively. -
Yes. Cameras should be positioned carefully so they do not distract the audience or block parents' view.
For school shows, we usually keep the setup neat, safe and low-profile. The goal is to capture the magic without turning the Nativity into a film set.
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The most common modern option is a secure digital version that parents can stream online and, depending on the setup, download to keep.
Some schools may also want USB copies or a direct file to distribute themselves. The best option depends on how the school wants to handle sales, privacy and delivery.
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Yes. There are usually a few ways to do this:
- The school can pay a fixed filming fee and then share the film with families however they wish
- The school can collect orders from parents and sell copies directly
- Or the filming company can set up a secure order page, take payments and deliver the finished film to parents
For many schools, the third option is the easiest because it removes admin from the office team.
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As early as possible. November and December become very busy for school productions, dance shows, concerts and Christmas events. If your Nativity has a confirmed date, it is worth booking filming early so you are not trying to find a videographer at the last minute.
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Schools usually already have photo and video permissions in place, but it is important to check before filming.
A good process is to let parents know that the show is being professionally filmed and explain how the film will be shared or sold. If any child cannot be filmed, the school should discuss this with the filming company before the event so a sensible plan can be made.
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A few small decisions can make a huge difference:
- Make sure children speak clearly towards the audience
- Avoid placing microphones too far from the children
- Leave space for camera positions
- Think about lighting before the day
- Tell the filming team where solos, narrators and key moments happen
- Keep entrances and exits clear
Even a simple Nativity can look lovely when the filming team knows what is coming.
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Yes, and in some cases this is a brilliant idea. Filming the dress rehearsal can help capture cleaner audio, closer angles and extra cutaways without the pressure of a full audience. The live show then adds atmosphere, applause and the real Christmas sparkle.
For younger children especially, the best final edit may use a mixture of both.
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It depends on the length of the show, number of cameras, number of performances, editing requirements and how the film is being delivered.
Some schools prefer a fixed filming fee. Others prefer a parent pre-order model, where families buy a copy and the school avoids paying a large upfront cost. The key is to choose the model that works best for your school community.
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A good Nativity film should feel warm, clear and natural. It does not need to look like Hollywood. It needs to preserve the charm of the performance: the songs, the proud faces, the tiny waves, the missed cues, the brave solo lines and the big final applause.
The magic is in the honesty of it. -
Yes — not with the whole production necessarily, but definitely with filming-friendly advice. Before the show, a filming company can advise on camera positions, sound, lighting, staging, parent messaging, pre-orders and delivery. This can save the school a lot of stress and help the final film look and sound much better.
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Keep it simple and warm. A good message might say:
"This year's Christmas Nativity will be professionally filmed, so families can enjoy the performance on the day and still have a beautiful copy to watch again at home. Pre-orders are available before the show, with digital delivery after the event."You can also use QR codes on posters, newsletters, programmes and parent emails to make ordering easy.
Ready to book your Nativity filming?
Get in touch early — November and December fill up fast. We cover London, Kent, Surrey and the wider UK.
Call 0208 668 0018 Send an Enquiry
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