Basic Steps in Video Production

  1. Get a binder to store all your materials.
  2. Prepare a treatment for your production.
  3. Write or get a script. (If you're planning an interview, develop your intro, background, and interview questions. For a documentary, write as much of a structure as you can.)
  4. Develop storyboards.
  5. Prepare a budget. (For this class, you won't have to budget money, but you will have to carefully budget your time!)
  6. Generate a scene report and or scene cards.
  7. Prepare a list of all necessary production elements and materials. These may include:

    production staff

    talent

    props

    wardrobe

    locations

    sets

    equipment (cameras, tripods, lights, mics, film, batteries, power cords, etc.)

    time (including editing time)

    editing hardware and software

    soundtrack music (Make sure to use music in the public domain, original music, or get appropriate releases.)
  8. Scout locations.
  9. "Hire" production people and actors. (Make sure to get signed releases from anyone appearing in your film. )
  10. Hold a "table reading."
  11. Create a shooting schedule. This can be organized by location and time of day or sequentially. Most directors do not shoot sequentially but consider locations and actors. A non-sequential schedule is useful when time and money are considerations. It can also be more convenient to take advantage of locations because of the work that goes into getting permissions where required and setting up. Your schedule should include

    scene numbers

    locations

    shooting times

    actors involved

    production staff involved

    wardrobe needed

    props needed
  12. Provide scripts and schedules to everyone who needs them.
  13. Rehearse. Unless you're doing an interview or documentary, you'll probably want to run the actors through the scenes to establish the blocking. Give the actors "marks" when necessary. Marks are parameters of the blocking and you can create them using chalk or tape or by just relying on landmarks or furniture (i.e."Walk from the sidewalk to that tree," or "Go from the chair to the door.").
  14. Shoot. You'll be shooting with one camera so make sure to get a couple of takes of each scene when necessary. You'll want some choices during editing:

    During shooting, someone--probably an AD or line producer--needs to make sure that all unnecessary elements are out of the way and that the set is quiet. Avoid unwanted ambient noise during your shoot

    " Slating" (clapping a slate together at the beginning of each shot) is used to synchronize sound and picture during editing. You will not have to worry about synchronization when editing your DV tape. However, you can "slate" by holding up a card with the scene number and announcing the Scene and Take numbers so that you can easily find the segments of film you want when you edit later.

    When the director calls "Speed," the camera starts filming. When the directors calls "Action," the actors start acting. When the director calls "Cut," the actors stop and the filming stops.

    If you're filming an interview, make sure your subject is comfortable; indicate whether you will begin filming, and DON'T CUT too soon after your interview subject stops speaking. You can eliminate gaps during editing.
  15. Organize your tapes (or film).
  16. Create credits and titles.
  17. Edit.