What is the Production Process? And what’s your role in it?

If you’re reading this, the chances are you are thinking of making a video. So, what does ‘pre-production, production and post-production’ mean? And how does it fit in with what you actually want from your video?

First, it’s helpful to know that a production is just another name for a project – and the production process is the process of making a product: that is, your video. 

With all our projects there is a broad process we follow. .

• Pre-production – The planning stage. This is where we clearly understand your objectives and design and schedule the project. This is also the stage where we would script and storyboard the video/s, if appropriate, or arrange interviews and come up with questions. Note the level of pre-production will vary from project to project.
• Production – The actual filming or recordings needed for the project. This is where the footage is captured that will then be edited in post-production.
• Post-production & Delivery – The footage is edited by our editors, including graphics and animation where appropriate. There are then feedback rounds for the client to ensure the project meets the brief. 

Pre-production

The first priority in pre-production is making sure we understand your objectives and everything you need. This will include a formal kick-off meeting at the very beginning of the project, including all relevant stakeholders from your organisation and our team, where we would clearly define a number of things:

• Clarify all objectives, audiences, content and deliverables. (See our post on briefing for more details.)
• Agree on design elements of the project including any visual ‘devices’, tone and look and feel.
• Look at all unique considerations for the project (filming locations & potential dates, contributors etc)
• Create a clear schedule for the project that is agreed by all parties.
• Assign project roles and responsibilities and introduce all relevant members of the team.
• Establish systems (for communication, feedback etc.) and ways of working.
• Define metrics of success for the project along with corresponding reporting needed.

When we are clear on all these objectives and considerations, we would propose and agree an approach for the project. This would include an agreement for what the video/s will include, the format and who will feature. 

We will also agree a schedule together, alongside a clear set of roles and responsibilities. You will be able to see who in your team will need to provide feedback and when that will be needed.

Script, storyboard or look and feel?

Depending on your project, we will then follow up with a script, storyboard or ‘look & feel’. This will depend on your project.

If your project is an animation then a script and storyboard is essential. If it is a documentary, often a storyboard and loose script can help ensure we know the key beats of the video before we start the interviews.

If the project is one where we don’t know what exactly we might get – if it is a series of interviews for example – or if the project is one with a tight turnaround, then we often agree a ‘look & feel’ before we start filming. ‘Look & feel’ means what the video will look and feel like – which includes how branding will appear, music, transitions and so on. Agreeing this before production, saves a lot of time in post-production.

When you have signed off the script, storyboard or look & feel, we now have a clear vision for the finished video/s. We can now move on to the production stage.

Production

During the production stage we carry do the shooting and recordings, according to the times and locations agreed during pre-production.

Our production team use professional equipment, including 4K cameras. Generally there would be 3-4 of our team on set, including a Producer Director, aDirector of Photography and an Assistant Producer or Researcher.

We can manage all aspects of the filming including conducting interviews and working with contributors on their performance. Because our editorial team are subject-matter specialists, we are able to work closely with your expert contributors to make sure their work is faithfully represented. We have been trusted to work closely with hundreds of experts, researchers and academics, including world leaders and over 50 Nobel Laureates, as well as working sensitively with people ‘on the ground’ affected by the issues in our videos.

Post-Production & Delivery

At this stage our post-production team of editors and animators edit the film according to the script and brief for the film agreed in pre-production.

We would also add things like motion graphics, archive footage and voiceover, as appropriate. It is at this time that we would colour the film, add music and also ensure the sound mix is of the highest quality.

It is usual for your team to have two rounds of feedback and amendments to ensure you are satisfied with the final video/s.

When you are happy with the films and have given final sign-off, we would deliver the film in all the formats and lengths agreed at the outset. This could include different versions for social media platforms. 

This would be in the form of a Handover file on Google Drive, although we can provide versions on hard drives if necessary. We can also offer to store all files for the project in perpetuity here at our office, in case anything is needed in the future.

If you have any other questions about the production process or would like to talk to someone about your own project, please get in touch.