Pre-Planning for Video Production
Pre-planning rules the world, not just video production.
While photography and videography exist in the same wheelhouse, the learning curve or level of involvement for video production is often much more involved than capturing photos alone. Making photographs plays on only one of our six senses; which is sight, while video plays on sight and sound. As simple as it may read, it’s much more difficult to mesh the two together than most people initially realize. This is why I titled this section, Pre-Planning Rules the World.
PRE-PLANNING is 99% of the work.
Yea, that’s right! Pre-Planning is 99% of the work in almost all video projects. From creating a story, script or narrative to preparing gear and cast, this is where the magic happens, before the magic happens. There’s a common saying that floats about which is, “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail” and I can’t think of a truer statement when it comes to producing a video. How much of the work you do on the front side greatly impacts the tail-end of the project.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER WHEN APPROACHING A VIDEO SHOOT or looking to hire a production company
What is the targeted goal for the video?
What is the story or narration? (Why are we making this video?)
What is the target length for the video? 30 Seconds? 1 Minute? 1 Hour?
Will there be multiple videos that makeup the series?
Storyboarding the video is an invaluable tool. Using web-based software like Notion or Milanote will greatly help enable and propel your creative juices.
How much equipment or staff will be necessary to get to the end-result? (Think: cameras, lenses, lights, stands, gimbals, sliders, audio-interfaces, microphones, bounces, fills, negatives, cables and cords or extra film crew members)
Will the shoot take place in a day or multiple?
Will the shoot take place at one location or multiple?
How much time needs to be a lotted for each scene?
How much time needs to be a lotted for assembly, teardown and the relocating of equipment?
How much time will need to be spent editing your project?
When is the due date for the video?
All of the aforementioned bullet-points are important steps in the process of producing quality videos that will meet your expectations. I think there are some with the perspective that a video production company will show up with nothing more than one guy and a camera, but in reality it is much more involved.
I hope this short blog helps you understand some of the thought processes or considerations that need your attention when planning a video project.
All the best,
AJ