4 Quick & Easy Steps to Successful E-Learning Video Production

A successful video shoot is the result of proper planning and organization. In this quick and easy 4 step process you’ll learn how to be successful with E-learning video production for an online course or other style of academic content. At Beverly Boy Productions we take educational video production seriously which is why we’ve outlined an easy to follow 4 step process to produce top quality e-learning videos. 

If you’re thinking about producing an e-learning video as part of an online course or training program, you’ll want to prepare yourself with a list of essential planning steps. In this 4-step e-learning video production process you’re going to go from script writing to post-production with ease!

Step 1: Script Writing

The first step to producing a successful e-learning course or training program is to write the script. If you’re never wrote a video script before, this is something that you might consider hiring a professional for. While writing a script for an e-learning video isn’t necessarily the most difficult process, it does require some careful consideration to ensure your audience’s needs are appropriately met. 

Writing a script for an educational video requires you to:

• Define who your audience is and how you intend to educate them.
• Outline the goals and objectives of your video first.
• Define a purpose for your video. Why should your audience watch the video?
• Determine what you expect your audience to do after they watch your video.

This is also an important time to think carefully about your audience and what motivates them. You should know what your audience likes and dislikes. What makes them intrigued and what frustrates them. How they operate, and learn. As well as how they will likely interact with your video content.

All of this is important because it will help you with the script writing process of e-learning video production. As you write your script, think about your audience and how you can word your script to meet their needs. Start by outlining your script and preparing the wording so that it meets your audience’s needs. Then, fill in the rest of your script so that it comes together with a strong story that will resonate with your target audience and grab their attention.

Once you’ve written the script for your video, read it out loud several times before sharing it with others. You should make edits to the script, particularly to any wording that doesn’t feel natural, smooth, or otherwise easy to follow along with. Also keep in mind that a script should use words lightly. Think more showing, less telling!

Step 2:  Pre-Production

The next step to successful e-learning video production is pre-production. The primary purpose of pre-production is to prepare the storyboard, get all the production needs in order, and prepare for the actual production process. During pre-production, your first major task is the storyboard. This is where you will outline each of the key scenes and shots involves in your video as well as the camera angles, graphics, and cuts for the film.

Once your storyboard is organized, you’ll have a good idea as to the production equipment, personnel, and individual needs that you can expect on set during production. Pre-production is your time to organize all of these details and to coordinate:

• Your camera crew for production.
• Your lighting crew for production.
• Your audio crew for production.
• Your equipment rentals and set-up.
• Any other production needs.

Your goal is to have your production pre-planned during pre-production so that when shoot day rolls around, you’re ready and fully prepared!

Step 3:  Production

The production process, or shoot day, is where your e-learning video production comes together. Generally, for an educational video, production is between 1 and 2 days depending on the number of shoot locations, the total length of the video, and the size of the crew. This is when all of the footage for the video is captured including any b-roll footage that is necessary for the finished production.

During production it’s important to ensure that:

• You have captured all necessary shots and scenes on camera to avoid the need for a reshoot.
• You work efficiently with your crew to ensure maximum effective use of your shoot time. Time is money on the film set!
• You, your crew, and anyone involved in the production arrive on time and prepared.
• Breaks and meal times are taken to ensure you and your crew remain hydrated and ready to work.

The production process will generally take a full day, but it’s not uncommon for production to roll into a second day for a longer video. Just make sure you’re prepared to remain focused on your goal during this time.

Step 4:  Post-Production 

The final step of e-learning video production is the post-production process in which all of your footage is reviewed by film editors and prepared for the final cut. During this time, the post-production editing crew will create any graphics or special effects required for the production, incorporate any animations that are needed into the production, and music and soundtracks that bring the video to life. This is literally where your video is finalized and, once the final edits are presented, your e-learning video production process is complete and your video is ready for distribution!