When choosing these elements as part of your project planning there are practical considerations for each. However the aesthetic should not be underestimated. Careful consideration of the visual compatibility of these elements with your creative vision will greatly improve the overall look of your video work. 

Set 

Your set is the location where your subject and action will be filmed. Your set may be chosen for you if you are documenting an existing event, performance, class, etc, or you may choose a location to create a desired aesthetic, mood or era. 

Things to consider if choosing a location:

Look - Consider the colour palette of the space, lighting, architecture, age, texture, condition, etc. How do these things work with your visual idea?

Time of Day - Time of day can affect lighting levels with variations in natural light. It can also affect levels of activity and accessibility. Do you want a calm, quiet scene or a busy, bustling one? If filming a beach scene, have you checked out the tides? This could also have implications for your audio depending on the set up. 

Permissions - Is the space public, or do you require permission, do you need to book the space, is there a cost involved? You can attract attention when filming in public spaces, depending on the set up and activity involved. Always ask permission when you can and if anyone says no, respect this and seek an alternative. 

Weather - This is a particular consideration if you would like to film outdoors, but can also affect the lighting of indoor spaces. Consider the weather conditions you desire aesthetically, but also any precautions you might need to take such as clothing, jackets, foot ware, umbrellas, etc. Be particularly attentive to your equipment if filming in wet conditions which can damage electrical equipment.

Ground / Floor - Consider cleanliness and safety, consider foot ware. This is a particular consideration when working with dancers. 

Safety - Consider the safety of the location, both in terms of condition, cleanliness and structural integrity but also consider the human interactions you might attract. I'd always advise bringing additional humans for safety and assistance where possible. 

Costume

Costume is the attire worn buy your subject or subjects. Costumes can be creative and transformative or they can be natural and understated. Clothing colour and style in relation to the space and lighting can have a big impact on the feel of a shot and on the atmosphere you are trying to create. 

I'd always advise a bit of guidance for performers even if you want them to come in their own clothes. Advise if you want them to be casual or dressed up. I generally advise avoiding obvious logos, branding or phrases on clothing. I usually avoid black and white as they can be challenging to expose correctly. I'd also usually advise bringing more than one option of different colour palettes or styles in case one doesn't work well on camera. 

Things to consider when creating a costume:

Aesthetic - Consider the colour, texture, shape, movement, etc and how this could help build character, mood and tone. Consider these in relation to your set, do you want the costume to compliment the environment, do you want your subject to stand out?

Practicality - Is your costume the correct size? Is the desired look practical for the proposed activity and location? Consider ease of movement, weather, temperature, floor condition, dirt, spare costumes, etc

Hair & Makeup - Be clear on the look you want, do you want it to be smart or casual, creative or natural. Discuss this with your performers in advance so they can come prepared with any makeup or accessories they might need, or you may need to source or provide additional items. Hygiene is of particular importance with makeup. 

Attention to Detail - Don't be afraid to be detailed and to communicate hair, makeup or costume issues to your performers. Ultimately they will thank you for helping them look their best and your shots will look more polished. Move hair out of their eyes, ask them to fix their collar, to remove hair ties from wrists, cut off clothing tags, fix makeup smudges, etc. 

Props 

Props are any objects that your subject are required to interact with during the shoot. 

These can be practical items such as tables and chairs or they may be more specific to the individual or action involved such as musical instruments, music stands, folders, etc. Does the space you're filming in contain the appropriate equipment or does need to be sourced and brought. Create a checklist for your intended shoot.

Consider the aesthetic of practical items, do they look at home in the space or do they stand out, what is the desired effect?