10 Steps That You Need to Nail during Pre-Production

Many people do not know that the real work starts even before the camera starts rolling. Pre-production is among the most important stages of producing a video, if not the most important. The success of your video depends on how well your pre-production has gone. 

What Is Pre-production and How to Do Things Right?

In a nutshell, pre-production includes everything that you do up to the moment that you start shooting. It helps you plan the location of your shoots, the equipment to use, and even the models to help out if any.

To make sure that this entire stage goes smoothly, here are ten vital steps to accomplish for effective pre-production:

1. Establish your goals. 
The first thing you need to do is figure out what you want to achieve from the video. A commercial video production team, for instance, will want to engage their audience and build brand awareness. If you are making a corporate video, your goal might be to educate. Having a clear grasp of your goals helps you determine your next steps and the direction you want to go to.

2. Agree on a budget. 
Knowing the budget you are working with can make decision-making easier. It’s no secret that the budget impacts the way you create a video. Yet, with the upgrades in technology these days, you don’t need a huge budget for your work to look professional. It’s all about smart planning and proper allocation of your budget – know when and where you need to spend money.

3. Write a good script.
Your script ensures that your audience gets your message the way you intend them to. As you create your script, you will be able to come up with calls to action that will fit into your storyline. However, remember not to rush this stage of the process, as a good script does make a difference in achieving your goals.

4. Choose your director.
Once you get the script finalized, you can start the selection process for the director. You might want to take a few days to watch videos and find out who the directors are so that you can narrow down your list to the ones that you think share the same vision as you. After that, you can ask for a storyboard to see how well they meet your requirements and decide from there.

5. Create a schedule and  decide on the production date.
It’s important to have a timeline that you can stick to up to the day of the shoot. By knowing what tasks need to be accomplished each day, you can make sure that you are not lagging behind. You also want to make sure that you have enough time for pre-production and post-production. Anticipate that there will be edits made after you’re done shooting, so make allowances for those.

6. Nail the planning stage.
Anything that might require planning needs to be planned well; otherwise, your production stage could fall apart. From casting to locations, props, and permits, make sure that you plan for them. In doing so, you can avoid costly delays and mistakes. You and the director should also work together to predetermine how many shots you need to make in the amount of time that you have.

7. Meet with your client and director as often as needed.
Filming goes on without a hitch when everybody is on the same page. For this reason, be sure to conduct meetings whenever necessary to make sure that every detail is agreed upon before you start shooting.

8. Do oculars before filming.
You don’t want any surprises that could get in the way of your filming, right? When you scout for desirable shoot locations, don’t forget to do camera and equipment tests to check lighting and sounds, among other things.

9. Make sure the cast is ready.
As soon as you have finished casting, remember to send the scripts so that the actors have ample time to know their lines by heart. Also, you should do a preliminary reading with the director so that they can discuss the approach they want for each actor.

10. Arrange call sheets.
Everyone needs to be aware of when and where they are needed for the shoot. The planning sheets should include the locations, directions, start times, contact details, and any other information that you might need to ensure the shoot goes smoothly.

Conclusion

Pre-production is indeed an overwhelming stage in the process of video production. Without proper organization and planning, the entire project can get chaotic. But when done right, you can expect a hassle-free shoot and a successful output. For this reason, before you rush into filming, make sure that you have all your bases covered, and remember that pre-production is the foundation of your project on which everything is built!

We at Backlot Media understand the importance of pre-production. We pay attention to the details. That’s how we can offer the best video production service in Vancouver. Connect with us today to find out how we can create your next video!