Filming in a convention centre with multiple halls

In a convention centre, agree three things with the venue early: how the crew moves through the building, what is running in nearby halls, and who the technical contacts are. Then plan filming around those answers.

Why a multi-hall centre needs its own plan

A single hall has one door, one stage and one sound system. A convention centre has many halls, foyers, lifts and loading areas, and other events may be running at the same time. The crew has to move equipment through shared space without blocking guests or other organisers.

Venue rules also apply. The KL Convention Centre, for example, asks for advance notice of commercial filming, and camera positions and cable runs are coordinated with the venue. Ask any centre what its rules are, and do it early.

What to confirm with the venue

1. Notice: how early must the venue know about filming, and in what form?
2. Routes: which doors, lifts and corridors can the crew use, and at what times?
3. Loading: where is the loading area, and are there fixed slots?
4. Positions: which camera positions are approved in each hall? See our guide on balconies, risers and restricted positions.
5. Technical contacts: who looks after sound, lighting and screens in each hall?
6. Access passes: do crew members need passes, and who arranges them?

What else is running nearby

Ask the venue for a simple view of the day’s bookings in the areas near your hall.

Planning across several halls

Write your programme as a table: hall, session, start and end time. Mark the walking time between rooms. Then decide:

• Which sessions must be filmed in full?
• Which can be covered by a single camera that moves?
• Which overlap and need a separate camera or crew?

For example, if two sessions run at the same time in Hall A and Hall B, decide which one must be recorded in full and which can be covered in highlights. Overlapping sessions often need more than one crew. Our guide to coverage planning and the simultaneous coverage planner help you work this out. For the wider offer, see conference and convention videography.

A day or two before

Call each hall’s technical contact again. Confirm the crew’s arrival time, the loading route and any change to the programme. Bookings near your hall can change, and last-minute changes are easier to handle when everyone has the same contact list.

Sound, power and cables

Sound usually comes from the hall’s own system. Ask the technical contact whether the crew can take a clean feed. Cable runs and power are normally coordinated with the venue, and our guide on cables, power and safe routes explains who handles what.

What we confirm for your event

• How the crew moves between halls, and how many people each session needs.
• Which sessions have a dedicated camera.
• How sound is taken from the venue’s system.
• Who our contact at the venue is, and who yours is.
• What happens if a session moves hall or time on the day.

The venue filming questions checklist gives you a list to take to a site visit.

Where we can help

If your event is in a convention centre, send us the centre, the halls and the dates. We confirm the crew and coverage that are possible for your programme.