Knowing you need to create video content for your business but not fully understanding the process can make your decision to move forward with your video production projects very daunting.

In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at each stage of the video production process and what they entail.

You’ve thought about it, done your research, and decided you’re ready to create video content for your business. Because every video needs to reflect the business producing it, there isn’t really a “one-size-fits-all” solution for producing video content. However, the three main stages of the video production process don’t really change from project to project. To help you better understand the video production process, here’s a look at each stage and some additional factors to consider with regard to your video.

Video Production Stages

There are three stages of video production — pre-production, production, and post-production — and there are certain aspects within each stage that can affect the overall scope and cost of your video production project.

Pre-Production

There are certain pre-production steps that every video project needs, such as scheduling and coordinating. Keep in mind, larger video production projects will require more producing time, which can include creative development, scriptwriting, casting, or location scouting. A much larger project may require producers to:

• Conduct research and assemble interview questions.
• Coordinates dates.
• Get storyboards created and approved.
• Source multiple locations, props, and wardrobe.

Production

When it comes to production, you’ll need a crew to make your video project a success. While you might be tempted to hire a one-person crew to film your project in an effort to keep production costs low, it’s not a feasible option for the majority of video productions. While we always try to run a tight crew, and we’ve successfully filmed many smaller production projects with as few as three crew members, we know that larger productions almost always require larger crews to get the job done. Here are some often overlooked aspects of the production stage we keep in mind when planning your production day and how many crew members we’ll need:

• Loading the equipment in and out of the studio set and/or location.
• Setting up lighting and backdrops.
• Ensuring all of the cameras are leveled and focused.
• Testing the audio.

All of these things have to be done before the cameras can start rolling, and each requires time and the correct crew member(s) to accomplish.

Post Production

While the production stage is what most people tend to think of when it comes to video production, the post-production stage is an integral (and sometimes the longest) part of the production process. During post-production, your editor will:

• Watch all of the footage.
• Select the best footage and produce a cohesive edit.
• Lay graphical elements and text, such as logos and lower thirds, into the video.
• Perform several rounds of revisions to meet the client’s approval.
• Run-off and perform a quality control check of the final video file.

Other Video Production Factors to Consider

The above steps outline the main three stages of video production, but here are some additional production factors to consider for your next project:

• Talent and casting. You might need voice-over artists or on-screen actors for your video. While professional actors are typically more expensive, they also have the training and experience to ensure they deliver a great performance. If you’re filming in the New Jersey/New York area, there are plenty of professional actors available, but finding the right actor(s) does require additional producing time since your producer will need to conduct casting sessions, auditions, and call-backs.
• Location scouting and rentals. Does your video need to be filmed in a home, an office space, on the beach, in the Swiss Alps? Your video production company can help find the perfect location for your video project. You also have the option of creating your own set in a studio space. Your producer will consider all of the practical concerns when it comes to deciding where to film your video, including size, proximity, permits (when applicable), and location aesthetic.
• Props. Props are more than just the objects your actors use while filming. Props encompass furniture, toys, food, dishes and cookware, appliances, phone, computers, tablets, wall art, plants — the list goes on. It’s important to not skimp on including the appropriate props for your video as they’re extremely helpful for making any set look realistic and complete to your audience.

Looking for Help with Your Next Project?

There are so many details and components to consider when you’re planning your next video project. The right video production company can provide you with the expertise you’ll need throughout every stage of production. Grey Sky Films has over 20 years of experience producing awesome, professional video content, and we’ve got the kick-ass skills to create an efficient and super exciting video production experience. Contact us for help with your next video project!