The Three Stages of Video Production — Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production
Video Production Stages
Diving into video production can feel like a lot if you're new to it. Breaking it down, there are just three main stages to get your head around. Large-scale productions in the television and film space will have dedicated teams working on each phase. Familiarizing yourself with the three main stages below will enhance any video production, whether you're creating a short online video or a larger-sized project.
Pre-Production
Example of a storyboard
The pre-production phase of a project is where all the planning takes place before the camera rolls. Whether measured in minutes, hours, or days, this planning phase sets the overall vision of the project. Pre-production also includes working out the shoot location, casting, and plans for capturing audio. Understanding the type of music that will be used is essential, especially for tight budgets. Fortunately, ambient sounds can be purchased from sites like Music Vine and Epidemic Sound. Just search for 'royalty free music', and you'll find plenty of other sites to choose from.
Scripting & Storyboard – A well-planned pre-production can save both time and money. Often, a well-defined objective and target audience can lead to more focused content. You enter pre-production mode the moment you start jotting down a few points to cover in a video, even if it's a short piece made for a blog. As your projects become more ambitious, you can begin to storyboard them. Storyboards can significantly streamline the post-production process, especially when multiple people are working on the project.
Summary of key items
Planning: Establishes the overall vision and objectives.
Location & Casting: Determines where to shoot and who or what will be featured.
Audio Strategy: Outlines plans for capturing audio and choosing music.
Production
Production begins once the footage is recorded. A storyboard and/or script can serve as a valuable guide, detailing what to film, where, and when. While smaller projects can get away with simpler planning, anytime a larger crew is involved and larger budgets are at stake, a storyboard or script becomes invaluable. It helps keep things on track in terms of what to shoot on a given day, the locations of the shoots, and more. This process captures all the scenes and information established in the pre-production process. During production, you'll apply various lighting requirements, frame the scenes, and focus on composition. Sound design is integral to the production phase, ensuring the right speaker audio or ambient sound is captured.
Summary of key items
Guidance: Use of storyboard or script is used as a guide.
Filming: Capture of main footage based on pre-production plans is managed.
Sound Design: The process to capture the right audio is captured is handled.
Composition: Adjusting lighting, framing, and scene setups all takes place during this phase.
Post-Production
The post-production process begins after all the footage has been captured. This is one of my favourite parts of the video-making process. Graphics, images, music, colour correction, and special effects can be added. If you're producing your own video content, there might be a learning curve initially, but it's incredibly rewarding. Post-production is akin to applying the final coat of paint in a room which brings your video project to life.
Filming one's own B-roll ensures originality, but if you're looking for alternatives, there are now many options available to add stock b-roll from sites like Storyblocks, Artgrid, or Motion Array.
Summary of key items
Editing: Selects and assembles the best footage to craft the project's narrative.
Enhancements: Incorporates graphics, music, colour correction, and special effects.
B-Roll: Integrates original or stock footage to complement the primary content.
Final Touches: Refines the video, making any last-minute adjustments to ensure it matches the envisioned outcome.
Sample Project Scenario - "The Coffee Chronicles"
Let's look closer at how the video production phase can all come together. The scenario below sheds light on the intricate balance of effort poured into each phase of video production.
Overview: "The Coffee Chronicles" is a short, 10-minute documentary that follows the journey of coffee beans from a small farm in Colombia to a popular café in New York City. This project will combine interviews, B-roll footage from the farm, scenes of the roasting process, and the bustling NYC café.
Pre-Production (30% of total time)
Research & Planning (10%): Researching the coffee journey, understanding the process, and setting the vision for the documentary.
Location Scouting & Permissions (5%): Visiting potential locations, getting permissions to shoot, especially in a different country.
Storyboarding & Scripting (10%): Crafting a compelling narrative, deciding on interview questions, and planning B-roll shots.
Casting & Audio Strategy (5%): Deciding on interviewees, planning for voiceovers if required, and selecting potential background scores.
Production (20% of total time)
On-location Shooting in Colombia (10%): Capturing the coffee farm, interviewing the farmer, and showing the initial processing.
Roastery Scenes (5%): Documenting the roasting process, machinery, and workers.
NYC Café Scenes (5%): Showing the final product, interviewing café owners and customers, and capturing the ambiance of the café.
Post-Production (50% of total time)
Initial Editing (20%): Sifting through all the footage to select the best shots and creating a rough cut.
Graphics & Enhancements (10%): Adding titles, transitions, color correction, and special effects.
Sound Design & Music Integration (10%): Layering ambient sounds, voiceovers, and the selected music.
Final Review & Tweaks (10%): Watching the documentary, making necessary adjustments, and getting feedback for final touches.
Final Thoughts
Video production isn't just about the tech or the tool. It's a craft and an art. Just like how a chef knows the sequence of adding ingredients, filmmakers have pre-production, production, and post-production. Miss a step? Your narrative might just fall flat which is why it’s so important to get each stage right.
