How to effectively do the pre-production phase

How to effectively do the pre-production phase

Planning is the first thing you should do when you want to create a video. Here are some tips that will help you on this phase.

Assess your equipment
What you have will be your standard equipment you will be using to create your video. Get the best equipment as possible. Here are the things you will need:

  1. Camera
    The essential equipment, without it, you won't be able to feature yourself or your surroundings in your video. You can use a DSLR, a point-and-shoot camera, or even a smartphone. If you're doing vlogs on the go, you can use your smartphone, the cameras included in these devices are just getting better and better. If you want to aim for higher quality and add a more cinematic feel to your videos, you should think about a DSLR camera. As an alternative to a smartphone, you can also use a point-and-shoot camera, which have a more diverse range of features.
  2. Sound recording
    Don't underestimate the power of audio, it's not all about the video. Videos with bad audio quality are just as much likely to push your audience away from you as bad quality video. If your audience doesn't understand you, your video will be pointless. A good option to capture high quality audio e a shotgun microphone.
  3. Lighting
    Light can make a whole world of difference in the quality of your video. You will need two types of light, Key light and fill light (the one you will use to balance the shadows in the background). 

Construct your story
What is the story you want to tell your audience, what will you do in your videos.

  1. Brainstorm
    Let your imagination run wilde. Don't overly constrain your ideas. Put them on a piece of paper or on a white board.
  2. Narrow it down
    Refine your list of ideas, starting with your favourite ones. Then decide which you want to bring out in your videos.
  3. Build it out
    Think about the key elements. 

Create your script
Script writting is where your lines should be, including your notes, any graphics or visual cues.

Practice your delivery
  1. Read-through
    Read your script and practice it with your voice. This will help you make tweaks as you go along, and get the information out the right way.
  2. Walk-through
    This is more for the technical aspect. If you are shooting on location you can practice in that environment in order to uncover and fix any logistical challenges.
  3. Run-through
    This is the rendition of your characters and crew. For example, if you have stunts, this will make sure the action will go smoothly.

The look
Building your brand using the right message.

  1. Backgrounds
    Try to choose backgrounds that fit the content you are making. For example, if you make comedy videos, you may want to use bright color backgrounds or for more dramatic videos you may want to use a darker or muted palette. You can also use contrast or texture in the background to make the subject stand out. You can also try to remove things from the background that can be overly distracting. 
  2. Clothing
    You can be creative with what you wear, as it can tell a lot about you. To save money, many creators look into vintage stores, classified ads or auctions. 
  3. Brand
    Consider how your look reflects your brand. For example, a gaming channel may have a more casual look, while a business channel might be more formal. You can experiment to see what works best for your personal style.

Make sure to watch the video below for additional details.

    • Related Articles

    • Pre-production basics

      Before you do your shooting, here are some pre-production tips that will help you get there with less stress. Plan your video content Goal setting should be at the center of your production. Maybe it's a comedy skit or dialog heavy video, but it can ...
    • Tips on how to avoid burnout

      Burnout is a feeling of emotional or physical exhaustion that some times affect creators and can have very serious consequences to their health. With that in mind, we have created this article and a few videos so you can learn more about this issue ...
    • How to create music videos

      If music videos are your thing, we have some tips that may help you. Choose the best song for you and your brand Think of widely known song that you can recreate and recycle the content. Why pick up a widely known? Making content that is relatable ...
    • Tips on how to be charismatic on camera

      We know it's hard to be in front of a camera, and even more to connect with your audience, so here are a few tips that will help you. Strike a pose, the proper way Standing straight with shoulders up is a sign of respect that also sends a signal to ...
    • How to make a music video on a budget

      If you have a tight budget to create music videos, we have some tips for you. Shoot with what you have If you can't afford to get the latest DSLR camera, the best light kit, or the best microphone, don't panic. Chances are that you already have a ...