Video Production Process: Everything You Need to Know
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Do you want to know more about video production? Read this to discover everything you need to know about the video production process!
Are you using video in your marketing strategies?
If not, then why not?
A whopping 80% of digital marketers say that video boosts sales. And an even larger percentage of digital marketers say that it helps customers better understand their product or service.
So how do you get started? It all begins with video production.
The video production process is the series of steps necessary to create a video from concept to completion. This can include pre-production, filming, post-production, and distribution.
Each step needs careful thought and consideration, but if done right, you'll be able to produce a compelling video that will engage your audience.
Ready to create video content? With this guide, you have all the knowledge you need about video production to get started. Let's look at the video production process and break it down into its key components.
Pre-Production
Pre-production is the first step of video production. It involves planning, preparation, and research before capturing any video footage. It sets the foundation for a successful video and reduces potential issues during filming or post-production.
It may be tempting to go straight into video production, but taking the time to plan for success is the difference between an amateur and a professional video.
During pre-production, you'll need to decide on the video type (do you want a video explainer, testimonial, or something else?). This will help guide the video production process, from concept to casting.
Set an Objective
Ask yourself why you want to create this video and what outcomes you want.
Do you want to build brand awareness? Engage customers? Boost sales?
Whatever you choose, set these objectives as your video's goals and ensure all other aspects of the video production process align with them.
Research Your Subject and Audience
Research the video's subject, target audience, and video trends. This will help you craft a video that resonates with viewers.
An excellent place to start is Google Analytics. Their custom reports are based on real customers that visit the client's website. This research will also help you decide on video production techniques that may be more suitable for your video.
Consider Your Budget
Make sure your budget covers all aspects of video production.
You need to be realistic about the video production process and how much it will cost.
Write a Script
Your video should have a script that outlines the video's narrative, dialogues, and action. This will be used as the video's blueprint and guide video production.
Practice reading it out loud to make sure the wording makes sense and flows.
Create a Storyboard
The video's storyboard is like a comic book that outlines the video's scenes in detail. This includes camera angles, video transitions, and other visual elements to help you plan the video's flow.
This will help you visualize the video's look, feel, and pacing.
Make a Production Schedule
Creating a video production schedule will help you and your team keep track of video production progress. This should include pre-production, filming, post-production, and video delivery timelines.
This video production guide will help you create a video that keeps viewers engaged with your message. Follow the steps outlined, get a video production team on board, and let them do the hard work while you focus on reaching your video objectives.
Select Your Cast and Crew
Once you've planned your video concept and budget, it's time to select the cast and crew.
Look online for freelance or agency voiceover or on-screen talent to suit your video. Or you can find local talent in your area. Make sure you hire people who fit the video concept and understand your video's objectives.
Production
With pre-production completed, video production can begin.
Make sure you have a video production checklist, and everything is checked off before filming begins. This should include video equipment, cast and crew availability, props, and other critical video production details.
Think ahead! Have backup plans in case the unexpected happens. For example, if it rains at your filming location, you'll need a pre-approved plan to move filming indoors.
Setting Up Equipment
The first step in video production is to set up video equipment. This includes cameras, audio equipment, lighting, and other video production tools.
We recommend the following video equipment for video production:
Camera
Tripod
Microphone with a windscreen
External video recorder
Stabilizer or slider (for smooth video transitions)
Lighting panels and diffusers
Background or green screen
Depending on the video concept, you might need other video equipment. But the video equipment listed above is a great starting point.
Rehearsing
Once all video equipment is set up, you can rehearse the video scenes before filming. One good rehearsal tip is to use video playback while rehearsing.
When playing the video footage back, you can see how the video will look and catch any video production issues.
Filming Your Video
Once rehearsals are complete, it's time to start filming! Now you finally get to break out your camera and play director.
Filming is the most visible part of video production. If you don't have video production experience, we recommend hiring or working with a video producer for this stage. You'll need to consider video angles, pacing, and continuity during filming.
Angles
Angles are important in video production because they determine the video's look, feel, and viewer engagement. A video shot from different angles can have a different impact on viewers.
For example, a video shot from an overhead angle can make viewers feel small. But a video shot from an up-close angle can be more intimate and engaging.
Pacing
The video's pacing will affect how viewers interpret video footage. So, choose speeds that enhance video concepts and keep video footage interesting. Fast-paced videos give viewers an exciting experience, while slow-paced videos can be more contemplative.
Continuity
Does your video footage have continuity between scenes?
Continuity keeps video production looking professional. Make sure video shots are consistent and visually match. If video shots don't match and are edited together, viewers will be pulled out of the video's story.
For instance, if you start filming with a wide-angle shot, you should maintain the same video angles and distances between video scenes.
Post-Production
Post-production is the final stage of video production. It's where you turn video footage into a finished video.
Don't ignore this step! Without post-production, video footage will look unprofessional and difficult to watch. And you will need more than an amateur video to get the results that your video concept deserves.
Video Editing
You'll need video editing software for this step. This is where you can import and organize video footage into video timelines.
During video editing, footage can be cut, rearranged, and manipulated to create sequences.
Sound Design
The video's soundscape is just as crucial as its video footage. You can add music, voiceovers, sound effects, and other audio elements to the video to create a rich soundscape.
You can edit audio with video editing or audio production software such as Adobe Audition or Logic Pro.
Adding Graphics
You can add graphics during video production to enhance the video's visual appeal. You can use overlays and titles to introduce video scenes, explain video concepts, or add a creative touch.
Visual Effects
Most video projects use visual effects to enhance video footage and further video concepts. Animations, special effects, and visuals help draw viewers in and engage them with your video content.
Common video effects include green screen, 3D video effects, and video transitions.
Color Grading
Do you remember the Twilight films? The first movie had a blue/green, cold video color grade. It created a distinct look and feel that matched the emotional tone of the movie.
Color grading involves altering video colors for a specific aesthetic look. Color grading can make video footage look more cinematic or evoke a particular emotion.
Rendering and Exporting
Once video editing is complete, you can render video sequences for a smooth video playback experience. Rendering video sequences helps video files play back correctly and look great on video streaming services.
Once you finish rendering, you can export the files as video formats for web, streaming services, or video hosting platforms.
Rendering can take a while. Be prepared for it to take some time, depending on the video file size and video settings. But the video quality is worth it!
Distribution
Finally, you can distribute your video content online. You can send video files to hosting platforms or upload video content to social media sites or streaming services.
You can also distribute it through newsletters, ads, and SEO.
Streamline Your Video Production Process
Video content is a great way to engage viewers and promote your video concept. The video production process can be complex, but following these steps can create video content quickly and efficiently.
At Kestrum Bilt, our award-winning team has provided video production services for major brands and agencies for years. We understand all the nuances of video content and can help you get the video results you need.
Are you ready to get started? Book a 15-minute call with us today, and let's discuss your video!