As I try to advance my product for the client and attempt to make the end result of the videos I shoot more cinematic I find myself planning out shots I would like to capture during the event. As an example I have a wedding and reception that I am covering on March 21 2009. I have picked out a song for their Highlights Video (Come What May - Ewan McGregor) and printed out the lyrics. As I listen to the song I try to imagine the video playing in my head and what I would like to capture (emotion, event, etc.) during that portion of the song. I have made notes on the page with the lyrics of the shot I would like to have at that time playing in the video.

Is this a realistic way to plan your shots or should I shoot first and edit/plan later. (this has been my style in the past but I find myself evolving to plan first)

Does anyone have any other suggestions that would help both the day of the event and before or after the event?

How do you capture the moment or create the moment without making it look too staged?

I have no doubt that pre-listening and pre-planning will give you better shots. How much better, and if it is worth the time investment before the event is something else.

Philip - I say try it. The worst that can happen is that you realize that your plan isn't working and you have to scrap it on the fly and resort to your former method that has worked for you thus far. Even if you only partially succeed in getting a few of the planned shots you've done well. I don't see the harm in trying something new, you might find a style that works for you.