Although making a video can be time-consuming, the results are unquestionably worthwhile. The most exciting form of content that consumers now consume is video. Additionally, you will benefit greatly if you can figure out how to produce videos for your company efficiently and long-lastingly.
Three main stages make up the video production process: pre-production, where your strategy and script are laid out; production, when the video is shot; and post-production, when the video is edited and other special effects and music are added. Let’s go through the steps one article at a time.

Also read: 5 Ways How Creative Corporate Videos Benefit Your Business

1. Pre-production

Pre-production is the initial stage of the video production process. Pre-production is the planning stage for your video. You’ll decide what you’ll produce, for whom you’ll produce it, what resources you’ll require to make the film, and how long it will take to produce.

This stage is the longest stage of the video production process because careful planning will guarantee the success of your film.

Set Your Objectives

You must specify this video’s goals before planning. Why do you create it? What are you expecting from it? What will your audience get out of this video, and who are they? Like any other material, a video needs a goal from the outset to steer the project and determine its success.

To construct your objectives, follow the SMART methodology and choose targets that are:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable/practical
• Relevant
• Time-bound

Who Is Your Audience?

A successful video is aware of its audience. You may already have a clear idea of your target audience, including their characteristics and thought processes. If so, explain it clearly.

If not, you should conduct audience research. Find out more about them in addition to their basic info of age, gender, and location. What are the most common problems, questions, and passions with them? What do they have in common? Who are they being influenced by? Interview people, request feedback, and search your social media pages to see who engages with your brand.

Make the extra effort to identify the precise audience for this video, and you’ll have a solid basis for decision-making throughout the video production process.

What Is Your Takeaway Message?

Now that you are aware of the audience for your video, it is time to think about this information, put it together with your goals, and develop your main message.

From what you want your viewers to want to do after watching your video, work backwards. Is it to click a link, buy something from you, or subscribe to your YouTube channel? After watching your video, what is the immediate next action you anticipate they will take? Once you know that, determine what your video’s viewers must see to execute that action. Your main thesis will be this.

Create A Video Strategy

To put every decision you make into perspective over the long term, you must have a video strategy. During this process, you must consider the specifics of your video’s creation. How are you going to stay within your budget and delivery deadline? How will this content be used to maximise its return on investment (ROI)? For more information, read this article on developing a video strategy.

A sound strategy is essential to the success of your video, but it will evolve over time. It shouldn’t be too stressful to get it perfect the first time. Instead, the objective is to give you a precise framework that you can rely on and enable you to produce videos consistently. This will guarantee that you keep within your budget and that your film has the highest potential to generate a profit now and in the future.

Prepare A Video Production Brief

A production brief summarises the data you’ve gathered up to this point and should act as a road map for the duration of production to keep everyone on course. This document should include information about the objectives, target audience, primary message, budget, and deadline for your video. Include a description of success, such as how a successful ROI for this video will be attained.

Decide On Your Creative Approach

It’s time to start thinking about the video’s content by developing a concept. As you brainstorm the components of your video, such as how they should be presented and what should stand out, draw conclusions from your brief.

Look for ideas from other online videos that have addressed your topic. Look at what your industry competitors have accomplished. And get ideas from any remarkable and impactful videos you’ve seen. Find out what makes them effective.

All the information may be combined into a plan for your video content, which will provide you with the creative direction for your video.

Prepare A Script

Now that you have a plan and a creative strategy, it’s time to write a script. Your script should be highly influenced by your creative process, and the research you do should support the message it conveys.

Consider the actors or presenters you’ll use in advance to read this screenplay. Try to write in their tone and style if you’ve already hired them. To ensure the script is a suitable fit, consider involving them.

Make your script entertaining and natural by choosing language that is simple to grasp and specific to your audience. Try to keep it as short as possible to prevent the video from becoming overly tedious. Additionally, you can incorporate any locations and action concepts you have already plotted into the script.

Create A Storyboard

With the help of storyboards, you can see how your video will be put together and what you’ll need to animate or find footage for. It will assist you in turning your mental concepts into concrete, visually appealing objectives that are tightly related to certain screenplay sections.

Give as much specificity as possible to each photo you are picturing. What topics are required where? How bright is it here? How do you like the framing and colouring? Use screenshots and other visual cues from online movies, videos, and photos as references. Another option is a rudimentary storyboard called a scamp, which outlines the types of shots you need and where to place them.

The level of sophistication of this storyboard will depend on the type of video you’re producing. However, since you are the one

The level of sophistication of this storyboard will depend on the type of video you’re producing. However, since you are the one who created everything, do what pleases you. Having a plan for your shots can ensure you obtain them on game day.

Also read: How to Think of Storytelling Ideas for Your Brand Video

Decide On Filming Locations

If your video is live-action, you’ll need to select locations for the production (as opposed to animation or motion graphics). An office area or a quiet room with a plain background should work for a straightforward video where the talent needs to address the camera. Otherwise, if you intend to shoot outdoors or in specific locations, you must first get permission.

Decide On Your Video Equipment

You’ll probably need a camera, a microphone, and lighting to start shooting. You may need to consider additional lighting, a generator, and a computer to power any monitors you’re using for graphics in the background, depending on where you’re filming. When deciding what equipment you’ll need, be sure to take a look at your shot list and storyboard.

Cast your talents

By now, you should be aware of the type of video you’re making and whether or not talent is necessary.

If your video requires a voiceover, consider the personality and tone that will appeal to the audience you are trying to reach. Does someone you know has the right voice for it? Do you possess the necessary tone of voice? Or will you need to hire a third party to do this? There are numerous websites that can provide you with ways to get in touch with independent voiceover actors.

Next, consider how much of your video needs to be displayed (or acted) on screen. Do you know anyone who would be a good fit for these roles, or should a hired actor be cast? If so, you might need to run advertisements and have talent auditions.

Also read: Guide on Corporate Video Voice-overs

Schedule Filming

By now your strategy is well-defined. At this point, making a timetable for the shoot day is all left to do. Plan your schedule based on the amount of footage you need to capture, the distance between locations, and the availability of your talent.

Locations, personnel, equipment, skills, talent, attire, cosmetics, and permissions should all be booked in advance. You might want to think about hiring an experienced producer to help manage the shoot if your video is turning out to be a large production that needs many of these components. Otherwise, be sure to come prepared for anything on the big day.

Now that you have a rough idea of the pre-production process in video production, we will next delve into the second step, which is production. This will be covered in Part 2 of this three-part article.