Beginner’s Guide to the 3 Stages of Video Production

If you’re new to the world of video production, you may have heard something about the stages of production. The three stages of film production act as the blueprint for taking your idea and turning it into a beautifully produced film. But you may be wondering, “What actually are the three stages of production?” and that’s what we’re here to answer! Read on to find out what defines the 3 stages of production and the important things to remember in each phase. 

Pre-Production

In the simplest of terms, the pre-production phase is everything that happens before filming. Essentially, pre-production is the planning stage of video production. 

The pre-production stage is when you answer the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how. In order to answer “What?”, you’ll need to create a vision for your film. What is the content? What’s the storyline? This goes along with the “Why?” as well. Why do you want to tell this story? Answering these two questions will help you with building your storyboard as well as writing your script

The “Who?”, “When?”, “Where?”, and “How?” questions come next. These questions help you answer the more logistical questions. Where and when will you be filming? Who do you need there with you? How are certain aspects going to be accomplished?

When doing all of this planning during the pre-production phase, it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind:
– Are the permits or approvals that you need in order to film where you plan to?
– Are there any weather considerations to take into account?
– What is your overall budget?
– Who do you need to hire? How much do they cost?
– Are there any props that will be needed?

Production

Of the 3 stages of video production, the production phase is the most well-known – and rightfully so! This is the stage where the filming takes place. This is where all your planning and hard work will pay off (or it will become abundantly clear that you should have done more planning in the pre-production stage). 

Now that we’re in the “lights, camera, action!” phase, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that staying on schedule is key. It is easy to fall behind and get way off schedule in the blink of an eye, so be sure that you manage your time carefully. Not only is time management important for staying on schedule, but it’s equally important to help you stay on budget as well. 

On the flip side, it’s also essential that you get all the shots you need for post-production. You’ll need to act quickly to determine if you got the shot or if you need to shoot more. Sometimes it’s worth it to get behind schedule if it helps you get the shot you need. Be sure that you make quick (but still thought-out) decisions on if you need to reshoot or continue on. That way, you can capitalize on the time you do have.

Post-Production

Once you’re done with filming (aka production), you’ll enter the post-production stage. This often is the most overlooked stage of film production, but it is extremely important if you want to get the finished product that you’re looking for. 

Post-production involves editing, adding any animation or visual effects, color grading, sound mixing, and so much more. There are endless opportunities to make changes to your footage in the post-production process. Hopefully, though, you did the necessary planning in the pre-production stage and you’re completely prepared for all of the editing that is needed in the post-production stage.

When it comes to editing and post-production, having a system in place is essential. Make sure you and your team are following the same file naming convention. Be sure that everyone is aware of the file storage location. Keeping everything organized will expedite the post-production process and keep you from losing track of files and where you’re at. 

Start Your Video Production

Now that you know the stages of production in depth, you’re ready to get started! If you’re looking for assistance in any or all of the 3 stages of video production, then we’re here to help. Our team of experts is well-versed in all three stages of film production and can help you to create your perfect video. Send us a message or give us a call at 831-824-9660 today!

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