Ask anybody producing video content now, and they will tell you that what might seem like a fun little hobby to outsiders is not as easy as it seems.
A lot of work goes into the video production; gone are the days when a video was accepted that was shot with poor lighting, sound, or editing. To get quality videos, you must go through a step-by-step process like the 5 stages of video production. These steps are essential for any video content creator or producer who wishes to end up with a quality video.
1. Idea Development.
Creating quality content begins long before you set up your camera and begin shooting. You might have a good idea for a video, but you must first refine and strategize your idea into something tangible.
Ask yourself these while developing your idea:
- Who is your audience
- What is the goal of your video
- How do you want your audience to feel when they watch your video
- What would you consider a successful video
- What is your video distribution plan
Your answers to these questions will help you have a clearer idea of what you want your final product to look like and will guide your video production. This stage sets the foundation for the rest of the production.
2. Pre-Production.
This stage is where you put your ideas into motion. In this stage, you write your scripts and define budgets for the video production process. If you require a cast of actors for your video, this is where you make your selections and begin assembling your crew. Here, you will also find the proper equipment for the type of video you are shooting, and decide your setting. If you require indoor lighting and microphones, get them and set them up to create the perfect set.
Have your actors rehearse your script a couple of times to get everybody familiar with the dialogue and the goal of your concept.
3. Production.
The production stage is where you make the video itself. This is the stage where you execute on your planning checklist and ideas, and if you have done everything right during the pre-production stage, your job should be significantly easier here.
A good production depends on many different factors; all of which should be well-managed and properly executed. Of course, unforeseen circumstances often pop up during the production stage, so you must make contingency plans to make sure that production can still flow smoothly.
The shooting schedule will follow the format already drawn up during the pre-production stage, and the crew will set up all necessary equipment needed for the shoot. You might need a continuity expert on set to ensure that all scenes remain consistent between multiple takes. Production time varies depending on the type of video you are shooting. Typically, a short explainer video could be shot in the span of one afternoon, while a TV ad could take a week to complete multiple takes. Full movies or television series could take anywhere between weeks, months, and even years to complete.
4. Post-Production.
The post-production stage is where everything starts coming together and the shots are assembled. During post-production, your ideas will start to take shape as you clean and edit the video and audio. All scenes will be placed in their correct sequence, and all errors within the video will be corrected.
This is where music, voiceover, or text is added to the video and visual effects are created. Although post-production allows you to clean up a lot of the mistakes you made during shooting, even the most experienced individuals can’t improve the quality of a badly shot video. So, you must take post-production and how you want your final video to look into consideration when you’re making decisions about resolution, sharpness, and the overall quality of your video.
5. Marketing and Distribution.
So your video has made it through post-production and is now ready to be presented to the public. If you have carefully followed all the steps, your final video should be of good quality and ready for public consumption.
You should have a distribution plan in place before your video comes out of post-production. Your marketing and distribution goals will mostly center on your target audience. For younger demographics, you can distribute your content to social media networks, while the older audience would appreciate video content in the more traditional way – television. Whether distributing to social media or television, make sure you keep in mind the various requirements such as social media or Connected TV ad specs.
Importance of Video Production Stages
No matter the size of your project, everything works out better when you follow set rules to guide you through.
Timeliness.
Following the video production guidelines will help you set an accurate time frame for all stages. With a mapped-out plan, you can tick every step off your list, and be adequately prepared for issues that could cause delays.
Reduces Post-Production Time.
With a good strategy, you will significantly reduce the number of hours your video spends in the post-production stage. If you get everything right during brainstorming and production, there should be few errors in your video.
Accurate Budgeting.
Video production can get pricey, especially if you’re working on longer videos. Planning out the different steps of your production and setting a budget for your plans will help you stay on budget and give you an idea of what to estimate as to the total cost for your video.
Coordination.
The best tasks are executed when every member of the team knows what their responsibilities are, and how to carry them out. Having tasks assigned to various members of your crew could reduce the video’s production timeline since everyone has a manageable workload.
Staying true to each of the five stages of video production is vital if you wish to end up with a quality finished video. If you have a business, you only want to put out videos that properly resonate with your brand’s values, and a poorly produced video won’t yield positive results. Pay proper attention to the planning and preparation stages, and your production and post-production should be hitch-free.
