how to.tv

One of the hardest things to do is get organized and this is true for video production as well. Whether you are doing the video production or are the client, it's important to know the general steps that happen when you're part of a big project. I can't tell you how many times we've been brought in to make a video for a company and they don't know what point they wanted to convey, let alone how long it would take and how much it would cost! There's no such thing as a stupid question so make sure you ask them all. Making sure everyone is on the same page is the only way everyone can come out of the project satisfied with the journey and the result.

Here is a general outline of a production workflow. Use it, delete or add tasks to make it your own and let it organize you, your team and your timeline!

Production Workflow:

• Know the end goal/purpose of the project whether it is one video or a full series.
• Establish the cost and timeline of the project based on the client's expectations, as well as billing terms.
• Use the goal of the video to make a story for the video.
• Once you have a story, make a storyboard of what each shot will look like and an outline of the script.
• Have the storyboard and script outline approved!!
• Once the storyboard is approved, have a script written (if needed).
• Recruit your talent - actors, voiceovers, camera/audio crew, editors, music/sounds, sets, directors, security and food service if needed, hair and makeup... Think through every aspect of what you need and make sure you have someone to do the job. Even having someone on set that can help run errands, pick up coffee and hold a reflector can make or break a shoot!
• Make sure you have all permits, permissions, contracts and waivers that are needed!
• Arrange the shoot and the pre-production meeting.
• Shoot!
• Hand off to the editor
• Review and revise internally
• Send for client approval. (Set timeline on this or it will throw off your timeline!)
• Send for client approval. (Set timeline on this or it will throw off your timeline!)
• Collect on final bill.
• Ask for referrals and permission to use for your reel (if not included in your contract).

As you can see, there are tons of steps and depending on the scale of your project, you can eliminate or add steps to this but it gives you a great place to start when getting organized for a project. It's so important to set the expectations of time, money and quality in the beginning so you can manage it throughout. A word of advice - everything always takes longer than you expect and costs more money than you think! Above all else, make sure you, your crew and the client are all in constant communication.