How often have you heard the term video production tossed around, only to have no real idea what it entails? At first glance, many people think it’s just as simple as someone filming on location with a tripod. However, video production is much more complex than that.
The five stages of video production are pre-production, production, editing, delivery, and marketing/publicity. Each stage has unique requirements and serves its purpose in the overall filmmaking process, but as you’ll see below, each one also depends on the successful completion of the previous stage to achieve its own goals.
Here are the five video production stages, along with some details about each phase.
Pre-Production Phase: Planning and Scriptwriting
Before any filming takes place, there are decisions to be made by all parties involved. What should be filmed? How will we edit this footage? Who will star in this film? It’s all up for discussion during pre-production, and it’s important to address all details before moving on.
It’s also important to know where the filming will take place. If indoors, does your camera have enough light for sufficient image quality?
Should you choose to film outdoors instead, do you have access to power outlets near locations where shooting will take place? These are key questions that need to be answered before the production process.
Depending on the expertise required, you may need to hire a scriptwriter or video producer for this stage. Once the video production company has written or filmed a script, you need to review it before moving on to the next stage.
Production Phase: Shooting the Video
During production, there are three major components to focus on—the camera operator’s role, editing tasks, and sound recording.
Production is the stage in which your video is shot. The shooting process will vary depending on your camera type, but it is not too difficult to learn. There are many different types of cameras, and they range in price and quality.
You should research before investing in a camera because you’ll need to ensure it will suit your needs. Additionally, It’s important to think about the size and weight of your camera and how quickly you’ll be able to get the footage onto an external hard drive or other devices.
Post-Production Phase: Editing and Adding Effects
Editing and adding effects to a video is an important step in the post-production stage. It’s used to give the video a polished, professional look.
If you have a bit of knowledge and experience, there are some things you can try yourself in video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. If not, you should consider hiring someone with editing experience to do this part of the job.
You can also use other software, such as Avid Media Composer or Sony Vegas Pro. With the right ad production process and talent in place, you can create a winning commercial!
Distribution Phase: Getting the Video Out There
Video distribution is the process of getting your video out to the world. This can be done by uploading videos to a website or submitting them to directories like YouTube. The more avenues you explore for distribution, you’ll get more exposure.
For example, if you upload your video to YouTube and Vimeo, someone subscribed to your profile on both sites might see it twice! You should also include links on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, to drive traffic to your video.
Some popular content distribution channels include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. If you’re looking for more control over the content you are putting out there, share your videos on your website or blog.
Keep in mind that videos can be restricted from certain mobile devices, so make sure to optimize your video before uploading it to see if it’s appropriate for viewing on different platforms.
You should also keep an eye on how many views each video receives and adjust accordingly (for example, try changing the title or tagging your videos if necessary). It may take time for your video to gain momentum, but persistence pays off.
Analysis and Adjustment Phase: What Worked, What Didn’t
Planning the video production process can save you time and money as you move through each stage. However, there’s often room for improvement.
This stage is where you can see what worked and what didn’t. Do you need to make changes or adjustments to your storyboard? Or do you need to re-shoot some scenes? What did your audience love about it? What could they have done without it? What did they wish was there instead of something else? What would they have liked to see that wasn’t there?
Use this information as a way to create more effective videos next time.
Wrapping Up
You can use video to promote your business, educate your customers, or serve as a call to action. However, the process is a bit demanding, time-consuming, and might require a lot of resources.
It’s not something you should dive into without preparing yourself first. That’s why we’ve put together this list to help you better understand the steps involved and what they entail so you’re fully aware before you start. The good news is: you can start immediately with the right production company!
They’ll work with you to understand your vision for the video and provide insight into what kind of budget would suit your needs. They will then take care of all aspects, from shooting, editing, sound design, and more.
