What the Work Before a Video Shoot Is For
A video project starts before the cameras roll. In Married To Production EP3, Jessica and I discuss the planning behind a production and why filming is only one part of what a client is arranging. The episode uses a $20,000 project as its discussion topic; that figure is not a current package price or a quote for every project.
Start with what the client needs to achieve
Before planning a shot, understand the job the video needs to do. A brand introduction, training lesson, customer story and content library can require different preparation even if each includes a person speaking on camera.
Ask who will watch, what they need to understand and where the finished material will be used. Those answers guide the structure and the practical production decisions.
Turn the purpose into a workable plan
Preparation can include the interview approach, location information, relevant supporting pictures and the people needed to do the work. The exact plan depends on the project; not every video needs the same crew or setup.
The value of planning is that the people involved can see how the day connects to the intended deliverables. It also reveals missing decisions while there is still time to resolve them.
Judge the project by more than camera time
The hours on location are visible. The decisions that make those hours useful are easier to overlook. In the episode, we explain why strategy and pre-production belong in the conversation about a project, rather than treating the entire service as simply arriving with equipment.
Before your next production discussion, bring the audience, purpose and intended uses. Ask the producer to explain how the proposed preparation supports them. This article does not promise a return on investment or a fixed result. It explains why the plan deserves attention alongside the footage.
Talk through your next video
If you are planning a business video, start with what your audience needs to understand. Explore SwoleNerd Productions.
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