The Ultimate Checklist for a Flawless Pre-Production Process

The glitz and glamor of video production is what gets attention, but behind every great piece of content is a critical phase that sets the stage for success: pre-production. At Platinum Peek, we understand the importance of pre-production when it comes to crafting story-driven video content that helps sales, marketing, and people operations teams scale. 

In this article we’re going to break down the necessities when it comes to pre-production.  Remember, without a carefully planned pre-production process, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. If you’re wanting to create a video, or you’re doing your homework on the ins and outs of video production, keep the following elements in mind. 

Understanding Project Goals and Objectives:

• When you’re planning a project, it is crucial to fully comprehend the goals and objectives it aims to achieve. What problem is being addressed? What needs to be accomplished? By gaining a clear understanding of the project’s purpose, target audience, and desired outcomes, the pre-production phase lays a solid foundation for the desired outcome. If you’re working with a video production company, you need to make sure your outcome goals are clearly articulated so the right type of video can be created. Video can be a pricy investment, so you need to make sure your goals and objectives are thoroughly explained and received clearly.  

Researching Project Requirements and Creating a Plan of Action:

• Thorough research is the key to success in pre-production. Good video production companies understand that this can make or break your success outcome. Before picking up the camera, ample time needs to be spent on gathering insights that guide a plan of action. This includes analyzing the target audience, understanding the industry landscape, and researching relevant trends and current best practices. Good video production companies will also utilize databases, consultants, and AI tools to maximize the efficiency of this process. Armed with this knowledge, we create a detailed roadmap that outlines the steps to meet project requirements. This ensures a seamless production process.

Brainstorming Ideas and Creating a Storyboard:

• Creativity takes center stage during the pre-production phase. At Platinum Peek, Inc., we encourage our team to think outside the box and explore various ideas to bring the project to life. Through brainstorming sessions, we generate innovative concepts that resonate with the target audience. If it won’t connect with your target audience, then to put it simply, it’s a waste of time. Once the ideas are refined, we craft a storyboard/story outline—a representation of the narrative flow, shot composition, and overall vision of the video. This serves as a blueprint for the production team and fosters a shared understanding of the project’s creative direction.

Preparing a Shooting Schedule:

• Time management is paramount in video production. To ensure a smooth production process, it’s crucial to prepare a comprehensive shooting schedule. This entails carefully outlining the timeline, including location scouting, specific dates, times, and crew requirements. By creating a well-structured shooting schedule, we optimize efficiency, minimize disruptions, and maintain a focused approach during production. It’s also worth noting that there needs to be room for error. Anyone in video production knows that things don’t always go as planned. Plan A often turns into Plan B. Therefore, an overall state of flexibility needs to be adopted. It’s important to be able to adapt and evolve with the circumstances that might arise.

Gathering Necessary Resources and Equipment:

• Every project requires an array of resources and equipment to bring the vision to life. From props to lighting and cameras, audio equipment, permits, etc. the pre-production phase involves sourcing and organizing all the necessary elements. Depending on the specific video, you might need a certain lens, for example. Maybe you need a certain type of camera accessory, like a stabilizer, to convey the mood of the video better. These things need to be planned in advance so you don’t show up ill-equipped on the production day. 

Assembling a Team and Assigning Roles:

• Behind every successful project, there is a talented and dedicated team. During pre-production, assembling the right team and assigning appropriate roles is extremely important. For example, how many shooters are needed for this project? How many hands are needed on deck to help move lights around? How qualified is the person manning the audio? By creating a cohesive team and clarifying each member’s responsibilities, you maximize the chances of creating a video that matches the client’s vision.

Creating a Shot List before Production Begins:

• To ensure a visually compelling video, creating a shot list can be very valuable. This comprehensive checklist outlines each shot, camera angle, and composition required to bring the story to life. Sure, this is likely to change depending on environmental circumstances, but having at least an idea before going into a shoot is always a good idea. By tailoring every frame to meet the desired look, the shot list helps us maintain visual consistency and capture the essence of the narrative.

Assembling all Relevant Paperwork prior to Filming:

• Before production begins, make sure that all relevant legal and administrative documents are in order. This includes securing proper contracts for the cast and crew, permits for shooting locations, release forms, and any other necessary paperwork. By taking care of these logistical aspects during pre-production, you don’t have to worry about any legalities that might arise later.

Reviewing the Script, Storyboard, and Other Documents:

• In the final stages of pre-production, a thorough review of the  storyboard, schedule, subjects involved, and other relevant documents is imperative. This ensures accuracy, consistency, and alignment with the project’s goals and objectives.

Pre-production, the often overlooked factor in video production, plays a pivotal role in shaping and elevating your film. Through understanding project goals, conducting thorough research, brainstorming creative ideas, and meticulously planning each aspect, the pre-production phase sets the stage for a successful end product. At Platinum Peek, Inc., we embrace the power of pre-production and harness its potential to create story-driven video content that helps our clients scale. 

If you’re interested to learn more about the overall production process or if you’d like information on our video production services, please contact us here: https://platinumpeek.com/contact-us/