A polished video looks great, but very little is said about what it takes to get there. Pre-production planning is just that – a list of line items to tick off before you reach set, to ensure a smooth video production and post-production workflow for everyone involved.
Below we’ve outlined the six key elements you need to nail down to ensure a smooth video production for your business:
We start by writing down what the purpose and goal of this video is. Are we launching a brand awareness campaign? Is this a direct response ad for a product we are selling> Starting what the end in mind will guide the flow of the pre-production document. This is also important to put on paper so the client and creative team understand the why behind the video shoot.
Assess every stage of your project and ask yourself whether every element of the videos is executable.
Scoping your project with these questions helps in setting realistic objectives before the shoot starts
Your project's spine is the script. A script gives an insight into the narration style, props you need, and most importantly the story. The script gives clarity on how suitable it is with your video goals and shooting style.
Input all your creative ideas or any sample work for the project on a mood board. Reviewing the mood board enhances your creative vision as it allows you to perceive how your work looks. It gives visual references to the creative team as well as the client, so everyone can see what the end product will look like.
Storyboards are similar to moodboards, but is more in line with the actual shots you will use in the video. For example your moodboard may show imagery of models, locations and colour schemes that inspire the shoot, where as the storyboard will breakdown the framing and locations for each shot of the video e.g. “opening scene – interior” showing the hero of the story walking into frame, etc.
Typically the shot lists include;
Locations are split up into indoor and outdoor areas. Indoor locations are generally studios, which are available to rent. Indoor locations can also be a house or a facility owned by a friend who may waive the need for you to pay a fee.
The benefits of shooting outdoors is that you can shoot in a lot of areas for free – think of any outdoor area that isn’t owned privately. The downside is if the weather doesn’t go your way, your shoot may be delayed. The positive side is the cost – as you can use many of these locations for free.
Apart from planning how the video/film looks on screen, dedicate time to strategising marketing outcomes and how you can promote your video.
What formats will the final video be edited in:
To conclude, pre-production is a key element of pre-production. Spending the time before the shoot thinking out how the day will pan out and what you need to make this campaign a success is a good use of your time. If you’ve any questions or need help creating your pre-production plan, email thomas@fearlessmedia.ie or click the “Contact Us” page on our website and we’d be happy to help
Thomas
Owner, Fearless Media
