What is the best way to ensure your pre-production checklist covers all aspects of your project?

Pre-production is the stage where you plan, prepare, and organize everything you need for your video project. It's crucial to have a comprehensive and detailed checklist that covers all aspects of your project, from the concept and script to the budget and schedule. In this article, you'll learn what is the best way to ensure your pre-production checklist covers all aspects of your project, and how to review it before you start shooting.

1 Define your goals and scope

The first step of creating a pre-production checklist is to define your goals and scope for your video project. What is the purpose of your video? Who is your target audience? What is the message you want to convey? How long and complex will your video be? These questions will help you determine the type of video you need, the tone and style you want, and the resources and equipment you require.

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Tim Thompson

Creative Director at WarriorSage Academy
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One of the most important things is "who is this video for?". While this seems like a simple question, this is often clouded when you get into the shoot. You need to have a target viewer avatar; imagine a single person who is going to be in love with this video, the ideal person you would want this video to speak to. They don't need to be a real person. Next get into their mind, their thoughts, their feelings, what they care about, what excites them. Now, for every stage of your planning - ask yourself if what you're doing contributes or detracts from creating the best vision for your ideal viewer.

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2 Develop your concept and script

The next step is to develop your concept and script for your video project. Your concept is the main idea or theme of your video, and your script is the written version of your video, including the dialogue, narration, and visual cues. Your concept and script should align with your goals and scope, and be clear, engaging, and original. You should also get feedback from your team or clients, and revise your concept and script as needed.

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3 Create your storyboard and shot list

The third step is to create your storyboard and shot list for your video project. Your storyboard is a visual representation of your script, showing how each scene will look like, and your shot list is a breakdown of each shot you need to capture, including the camera angle, movement, lighting, and audio. Your storyboard and shot list will help you visualize your video, plan your shots, and communicate your vision to your crew and cast.

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Andrew Tomlinson

🎥 Producer of Training & Educational Videos | Crafting Inspiring Visual Stories to Enhance Corporate Learning | Your Partner in Marketing, PR & Comms Success
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A storyboard shot list is a blueprint, guiding the filming process and ensuring a cohesive and visually compelling final product. Begin by understanding the script or concept thoroughly to visualise the scenes. Break down each scene into shots or frames to show camera movements. Start with establishing shots to set the scene, followed by medium and close-up shots to capture details and emotions. Determine the sequence and flow of shots, ensuring a logical progression of events. Annotate each shot with relevant information, including camera angles, movement, actors' actions, dialogue, and any required props or special effects. Incorporate notes on lighting, transitions, and any specific visual style or mood needed.

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4 Plan your budget and schedule

The fourth step is to plan your budget and schedule for your video project. Your budget is the estimated cost of your video production, including the expenses for the crew, cast, equipment, location, props, music, and editing. Your schedule is the timeline of your video production, including the dates and times for the pre-production, production, and post-production phases. Your budget and schedule will help you manage your resources, track your progress, and avoid delays and overspending.

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5 Hire your crew and cast

The fifth step is to hire your crew and cast for your video project. Your crew is the team of professionals who will handle the technical aspects of your video production, such as the director, producer, cinematographer, sound engineer, editor, and so on. Your cast is the team of actors or performers who will appear in your video. You should hire your crew and cast based on their skills, experience, availability, and compatibility with your project.

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6 Scout your location and obtain permits

The sixth step is to scout your location and obtain permits for your video project. Your location is the place where you will shoot your video, and it should suit your concept, script, storyboard, and shot list. You should scout your location in advance, check the lighting, sound, and weather conditions, and identify any potential problems or risks. You should also obtain any necessary permits or permissions from the owners or authorities of your location, and follow their rules and regulations.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Fahad Qaseem

CEO @Image2work | Creative Project Manager @Ecombranding.co | Helping Amazon sellers and eCommerce brands achieve 3x growth through impactful design services | Book a FREE 1:1 Call now ↓
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Do a test shoot just with yourself! The shoot day can be very expensive! It is really important that you have everything ready on that day, because each minute of shooting costs thousands of dollars. I highly recommend doing a test shoot at your house; you don't need to have all the professional equipment that you will be renting. You can do it with your phone. You can use the home lights, but at least you will know that these are the things you will be using. Make a list when you're doing this, and then replace all the real equipment and people that will be helping you boom! There you go! Just like we do a "dry run" in coding

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What is the best way to ensure your pre-production checklist covers all aspects of your project?

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1 Define your goals and scope

2 Develop your concept and script

3 Create your storyboard and shot list

4 Plan your budget and schedule

5 Hire your crew and cast

6 Scout your location and obtain permits

7 Here’s what else to consider

Video Production

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What is the best way to ensure your pre-production checklist covers all aspects of your project?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your goals and scope

2 Develop your concept and script

3 Create your storyboard and shot list

4 Plan your budget and schedule

5 Hire your crew and cast

6 Scout your location and obtain permits

7 Here’s what else to consider

Video Production

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