The production process - or things you need to know to plan an effective video shoot

The Brief

The client (that's you) provides the production company (that's us) with a brief. This could be just a face-to-face meeting or a more formal written document. Your briefing is the cornerstone of a successful video.

What we need to know:

  • what do you need to communicate?
  • who is your target audience?
  • how will it be delivered? (online, in a presentation, in-store, mailed out or on TV?)
  • how does it fit into your new or existing communications strategy?
  • is any animation or specialist graphics required?
  • when do you want it?
  • and finally, an indication of budgets is helpful, but not essential

1. Our Response

We respond to the brief with a detailed creative proposal. This will outline our approach to the production, its potential format, content and how and who will be working on your project. We outline the audience you are targeting, the best delivery method (web, DVD etc), and the implications of these. As well as this, other considerations, even as basic as 'why a video?', will be addressed and other solutions offered as necessary. On top of all this you will be given basic time scales/schedules and a full budget breakdown.

2. Scripting and Storyboarding

The proposal accepted! After a more detailed briefing you will be presented with a draft script/storyboard for discussion and a more detailed schedule (if its a big production you will also receive your first invoice).

3. The Schedule

The shooting schedule is the detailed diary of the production process, telling everybody involved the where, when and what. The script will now be finalised, a shot list drawn up, kit and talent auditioned and booked, props or sets commissioned.

4: Who does what?

So you have the schedule and it will be full of job titles that you have heard of but might not know what they do... you might think “do I really need a gaffer or best boy?” well the answer on most video shoots would be no, but roll over the titles below to see what they actually do:

6. On Location

You can't just film anywhere; permissions need to be sorted if filming on public or private land. If it's on your premises we will need to make sure any health and safety issues are addressed and prepare any risk assessments necessary. We will advise you of the best options for a stress free filming day!
Don't forget a studio always offers the most controlled environment for filming.

7. The Shoot

The crew commits the storyboard and script to tape, it is always good to have the client along to help with their interpretation of procedures and to check detail. The shot list and script for that days filming are covered. During the shoot a time-coded shot list is made to edit with.

6. The Edit

The filming completed, it is time to edit the shots together. A rough cut or off-line is made of the dialogue, key scenes and basic graphics and are presented to you for approval. Once this is done the On-line edit is prepared, this essentially is the final version, however changes can be made at all stages of the edit thanks to the wonder of computers (they just get a bit more time consuming (i.e. expensive) the later in the production process you change things, planning is the key to an on budget video).

7. Final delivery

With the editing finished it's time for getting your message out there. Confused about how? We will guide you through the maze of formats and present you with the best solution based on over 20 years of experience (that's 20 years each!).