The Value of Preproduction Planning for Video Shoots

If you are looking to create a great video, the key to success is proper preproduction planning. Before any cameras roll, you need to have an idea of what the story is that you are telling and who will be involved in telling it. You also need to know where the video will be filmed and what props you’ll need in order to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible on set. A little bit of planning ahead can save time and money in the long run, so read on for more details about preproduction planning for video shoots.

What’s the Story Being Told in Your Video?

The first step is understanding the story that your video is going to tell. What message do you want viewers to walk away with? What emotions do you want them to feel? Is this part of a larger campaign or does it stand alone? Answering these questions before filming begins can help ensure that everyone involved in production is on the same page and working towards a common goal. It can also help keep your costs down because if everyone knows what they’re shooting from day one, they won’t have to go back and reshoot any scenes at a later date because something wasn’t clear during filming.

Where will the Video be Displayed Online?

Your website, social accounts (YouTube, instagram, etc…), TV, or maybe a combination of these.  Knowing how you are going to use the video or photos is something that is a good idea to know before moving forward with the planning process.  Shooting content for instagram reels vs. shooting content for your website will look very different.

Where Are We Filming the Video?

Location scouting is another important step in preproduction planning. If possible, scout out multiple locations before settling on one, just so that you have some options available if your initial choice doesn’t turn out well. Make sure that all necessary permits have been obtained prior to filming and that access to power outlets or other resources are available when needed. Additionally, consider any factors such as weather or noise levels that could affect filming quality if not accounted for before shooting starts.   

Who will be Featured in the Video?

Once you know where the video will be filmed, it’s time to start thinking about who will be featured in it.  Will it you you or will you need additional people? If you need additional people featured in the video, consider casting actors based on their ability to bring your story alive with their performance rather than just their looks alone; also take into account how much experience each individual has in order to determine whether additional training might be needed prior to shooting day(s). Additionally, make sure everyone understands what roles they will fill during production days so there isn't any confusion when everything gets rolling.       

What Props will We Use?

The last piece of preproduction planning involves props—anything from furniture or vehicles used as part of a scene setup all the way down to tiny items like pens or letters used inside scenes themselves. Knowing exactly what props need to be procured ahead of time can help prevent delays once shooting starts by ensuring that everything required for each scene is ready when its time comes up in the filming schedule. It also helps keep costs low because having too many props around during filming can drive up labor costs unnecessarily as crew members attempt (unsuccessfully) to find things they don't even need! Plus, since most props must be rented anyway, ordering them ahead of time ensures availability when you actually need them instead of waiting until last minute and hoping they're still available then!       

Preproduction planning may seem like a daunting task at first but it's actually quite straightforward once broken down into its components: understanding your story, scouting locations, determining which talent should appear onscreen/behind-the-scenes (and making sure they understand their roles), and procuring necessary props beforehand in order avoid delays/cost increases later on. A few hours spent beforehand thinking about these things can pay off big-time come shoot day; after all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! So don't skimp on prepping – get your team together today and start mapping out exactly how your next video shoot will look!