What Goes into Pre-Production Planning for Video, Film and Multimedia

You may have heard us say many times over, pre-production planning is absolutely crucial to the success of your video. As you consider the various steps and stages of the video production process, you may be wondering, “What really goes into pre-production planning for video, film and multimedia?” And, more importantly, how can I be sure that the logistics are in place for a successful production?

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At Beverly Boy Productions we put more than two decades of experience to work for you in producing professional videos that drive engagements and ROI for your brand. We believe that all successful videos begin with appropriate pre-production planning for video, film and multimedia. Let’s take a look at everything that goes into the pre-production phase of any video, film or multimedia project.

Audience Targeting and Core Message

First, we define the audience and core message that will be delivered with the video content. This step is vital to the pre-production planning of a successful project because this is where the core concepts of your video can begin to take shape. Defining the most targeted audience is going to help you create content that emotionally connects with the end user.

Budget Planning

Next, we plan the budget for the film or video project. Budgeting requires some careful considerations to prevent any potential of overpromising and actually under delivering.

If you have a set budget for your project, make sure that your production team knows ahead of time — this will allow them to make sure that they plan a project that remains within the scope of what you have available to spend.

Script & Storyboard

The next big step that goes into pre-production planning for video, film and multimedia is the script writing and storyboard preparation. Writing the script is a matter of really hammering down the concept and the story, defining key characters, and outlining the visual process that will take place in the video.

The storyboard production includes notes on camera angles, focus, and various other important details on a scene-by-scene basis. This will be used as the foundation for planning the shoot later on.

You should have already determined the appropriate video length for your project ahead of writing the script or drawing up any of the storyboard images. Keep in mind that the first 8 seconds of your video are most important to keeping customers around — make them count!

Scheduling the Production

Next, the production team will work on the planning of cast and crew as well as the appropriate coordination of schedules to prepare for shoot day. The production schedule will detail the shoot location, scene or shots being filmed, equipment, and appropriate casting needs for each. This is a very intricate process. Any mistakes in scheduling can be very costly!

That’s why we typically overestimate the total amount of time that will be required for the shoot. If we estimate 5 hours, we schedule 8. If we estimate 1 hour, we schedule 4. It’s just the nature of the industry. Time estimates help us to deal with any potential unforeseen conflicts or changes that occur during the production.

Location Scouting & Equipment Planning

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Next, we scout locations and plan the latter half of the process. At this stage in pre-production planning for video, film and multimedia projects we’re looking at how each location can factor into our production. We’re thinking about scenes, shots, and how we can get multiple uses out of a single location to save time and money on production.

We’re also thinking about the appropriate equipment that will be used for the shoot and making a mental note of special equipment needs for various locations. Smaller projects may have significantly fewer equipment needs while larger projects may be more involved. We understand!

Call Sheet Distribution

Finally, with everything that goes into pre-production planning for video, film and multimedia projects getting to the point where we’ve produced the call sheet and are prepared for distribution the day before the shoot is a big deal! At this stage we’re locked in with a shoot location, schedules are in place, and the shoot has been planned.

We can’t wait for a successful production and we know that we’re going to meet our goals because we approached each phase of the pre-production planning for video, film and multimedia effectively and efficiently.

Now all we can do is have fun, shoot, and prepare for the next stage!