What is Video Production? Walkthrough the 3 Stages

For anyone interested in creating video content, it’s important to understand what video production is and what it entails. The video production process will help you create videos that are both high-quality and effective.

I’ve used this process to create hundreds of hours’ worth of instructional videos. It helps me stay organized and move through the creative process as quickly as possible, with fewer headaches and surprises. I know it can save you time too.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different stages of video production and what goes into each one.

Let’s get started!

Contents

What is the Video Production Process?

Video production helps companies tell stories through the use of images and sound.

A good video will always attract attention and create engagement. Here is the 3-step video production process briefly summed up for you:

Pre-production is where everything starts – including storyboarding, casting, location scouting, script writing, and budgeting.
Production is where you shoot the actual footage and edit them into a cohesive piece.
Post-production is where you put the pieces together to create a finished product.

Why is the Video Production Process Important?

In 2021, 85% of people would like to see more videos from businesses. As the stats show, video is very popular. The more professional videos you can produce, the more attention you will likely attract.

A well-planned video production process will save you time and money and allow you to keep producing video content.

That’s partly because a good process helps you avoid unnecessary changes. In addition, you can plan out the video with the goal of spending as little as possible right from the start.

In addition, if you’re hiring, then your team needs to understand what the goal of the video is well before they show up on location or in the studio and start filming.

The 3 Main Stages of Video Production

As mentioned, there are 3 main stages to video production. These include pre-production, production, and post-production.

We’ll go through each of them here:

Stage 1: Pre-Production

Video pre-production is the process of planning and preparing for a video shoot. This stage involves developing a concept and storyboard for the video, as well as choosing locations, props, and cast or crew members. Pre-production also includes creating a shooting schedule and budget.

This stage is important because well-prepared pre-production will help you avoid costly mistakes later on. This is the stage when you should really think about how much money you want to spend and whether or not you need to scale down your expectations. When it comes to shooting, there’s always something that can be done to save money.

1. Who is the Video For?

Before anything else, you need to know exactly who your target audience is before making any decisions about video production.

This will help ensure that your video speaks directly to your audience.

Make sure your main message is clear and concise and not watered down by fluff.

2. Determine the Objectives

Videos should have clear objectives. Your video objectives should be measurable, relevant, achievable, and timely. Think about what you want people to remember about your video.

3. Video Strategy

A video strategy should include all the elements needed to create a successful video. Your video strategy needs to be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the market. Make sure you have this going in as the strategy and objectives determine what is conveyed in the video. You’ll also need to plan out the main points of your video with an outline.

4. Write Your Script

A great script is the foundation of any great video. Your video script needs to be concise, engaging, clear, and easy to follow. Remember to keep your target audience in mind when writing the script.

Don’t forget to include any actionable items within your script. This might include any location details and props you need for the video. Be sure to write your script before hiring actors or presenters (if you’re hiring them). Then make sure your script is written to fit your actors’ or presenters’ voices

5. Create Your Storyboard

A storyboard helps you visualize your video before shooting begins. Storyboarding lets you see all the elements of your video together.

Your storyboard should include an overview of the scene, including camera angles, locations, lighting, props, and your actors.

6. Video Equipment and Professionals

Choosing the right video equipment is crucial to getting great results. But don’t worry, you don’t need the most expensive gear to get started.

A good quality camera will help you capture all the details of your event. But if you’re on a tight budget and are making content-oriented videos (where people are more forgiving with the quality), then you may even use a smartphone camera.

You should invest in a tripod to help keep the camera steady especially if you’re on location. And if you are on location, make sure you have enough space for your equipment.

At this point, you’ve completed pre-production and can finally schedule the shoot!

Stage 2: Production

Video production is the process of creating video content. Production is about making sure everything goes smoothly during filming.

If you’re using a production company then they will usually provide a budget estimate based on pre-production before starting any project. That way you should know ahead of time what the costs of the video will be. If you’re producing the video on your own, then you also should know the costs and have the equipment prepared.

1. Lights!

Video lighting is important because it helps to set the mood and tone of a scene. It can also be used to create special effects, such as making a person look brighter or more ethereal. Good lighting can make a big difference in how a video looks, so it’s important to take the time to get it right.

When it comes to video lighting, it’s often best to err on the side of too much light rather than too little. After all, you can always turn down the brightness if it’s too much, but you can’t turn up the brightness very easily if it’s not enough.

Be prepared for different kinds of lighting situations especially if you’re filming on location. Then set up your lights.

2. Camera!

The next part of the production stage is to set up your camera. Again, this can be a simple smartphone camera or the latest professional camera and lens.

Do keep in mind that multiple cameras allow for better coverage of an event (or even just a simple video of you speaking). More cameras mean that there are more angles to choose from during the post-production stage. A single camera cannot capture everything that happens during an event.

If you’ve hired a video production crew then the camera operator needs to set the camera up. They know what type of lens to use and where to place them to achieve the best effect. They understand how to balance light and shadow to create compelling images.

If you’re filming on your own then you will want to try out different lighting and camera placements to make sure the footage you record is as good as possible.

3. Action!

It’s here that you’ll record your video. Don’t worry too much about mistakes during filming as these can be edited out. Do each take a few times so you can mix and match the best takes together.

Stage 3: Post-Production

Post-production is the final stage of producing a video. This process can take anywhere from several days to weeks or even months depending on the size of the project.

A post-production team includes an editor, producer, director, sound engineer, etc. After the post-production team creates the edited video, it’s sent to the client (which may be you) for approval.

It is also possible for you to edit your own video. There are many tools on the market that offer the ability to edit without professional knowledge. Let’s get into this last stage …

1. Edit Your Video

Editing is the process of making changes to footage before your video is finalized. Editing includes things like changing the color balance, enhancing audio quality, cutting out unwanted scenes, etc.

Start off the editing process by compiling all your best takes in your video editor. Use a timeline to group and order your clips. If there are jumps between the clips, you will add transitions later on.

2. Color Correction

Color correction is the process of adjusting colors within the image. For example, if someone is wearing red clothing, you might want to adjust the color temperature to make them look cooler. You can color-correct your video to make it as visually appealing as possible.

3. Add Graphics, Animated Text, and Special Effects

Adding visual effects can really enhance a video. Visual effects can range from simple things like blurring the background to creating entirely new elements.

Animated graphics, animations, and text can add depth to your videos and bring them to life further. If you need to add transitions between clips, this is the time to do it.

4. Record a Voiceover

A voiceover offers you a way to add context to your video or provide more information about what’s happening on screen. Depending on the type of video you’re producing, voiceovers can be necessary.

If you’re going to hire a professional, then hire a voiceover artist. Don’t just hire an actor to read a script—they’ll probably sound unnatural and robotic.

5. Audio Editing

Audio editing software lets you cut out unwanted sounds or replace them with different ones. You can add music or take out a car horn in the background.

Some programs let you adjust the volume of background music (if you’re including any) while others automatically lower or raise the level of dialogue to get the right mix.

6. Render the Video

Render videos in the correct format for each platform. MP4 is the standard format for most videos.

Once it’s done, you’re ready to share your video with the world!

FAQs on Video Production

What does a video production company do?

A video production company can be responsible for a variety of tasks, from coming up with video concepts to filming and editing the final product. In some cases, a video production company may also be responsible for distributing the video content online or through traditional channels such as television or movie theaters.

What is a standard video production agreement?

A standard video production agreement is a contract between a videographer and their client. The agreement outlines the scope of work, including the types of videos that will be produced, the length of the project, and the budget.

It also includes other important details, such as the payment schedule and any rights that the client has to the finished product.

A standard video production agreement can help to protect both parties by ensuring that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. It can also help to prevent disagreements or misunderstandings down the line.

What are the basics of video production?

Video production is the process of creating videos, typically for television, advertising, or the internet. It involves a number of steps, including writing a script, shooting footage, editing the footage, and adding music and sound effects.

The basics of video production can be learned relatively easily, and with practice, it can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Of course, if you’re hoping to produce professional-quality videos, you’ll need to invest in some more advanced equipment. So if you’re interested in giving video production a try, there’s no need to be intimidated. Get started!

What are the elements of video production?

The elements of video production involve more than just pointing a camera and pressing the record button. To produce high-quality video content, you need to take into account factors such as lighting, composition, sound, and editing.

You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your video. What is the story you’re trying to tell, and how can you best communicate that through the medium of film?

Then start planning the logistics of your shoot. Where will it take place? What kind of equipment will you need? How many crew members will be required?

The Bottom Line: Video Production

Video production is a complex process that takes time and practice to perfect. However, as you’ve seen, it’s broken down into 3 stages. Each one makes sense from pre-production to production to post-production, and the process is very easy to follow.

Now it’s your turn to put the video production process to good use and start creating videos that are informative and engaging.