Preparation and knowledge are everything in video production!

Consultations This is the pre-planning and preparation stage of production. In a series of meetings and discussions between a qualified Producer from the production company and key representatives of your organization, a creative approach for your video should be defined and agreed upon. Then, a production estimate should be quoted by the production company and deadlines should be set.

Scripting/Storyboarding The most important part of the pre-production process is the script or storyboard. Your production company should provide you with several options for creating a script or storyboard. The script’s writer should have an expert understanding of the subject matter that will be contained in the final video. The Producer should assist the writer with drafts of the script, complete with detailed audio and video notes, until you are satisfied with the script's content and understand how your video will look and sound when it is completed. The production company should also furnish you with a no-cost template for creating the storyboard outline yourself. Click here to view and print off a Storyboard template.

Locations Your production company should offer you several location options for shooting. You may want to consider using a studio space designed specifically for video production. A studio will allow you total control over the production atmosphere and they are usually worth their cost. If you have already picked a location, your production company should have a solid understanding of how to evaluate a location. There are several things that need to be considered. These are just a few: accessibility, power supply, noise, audio acoustics, existing lighting, windows, lightability, ventilation, etc. Many companies simply do not take the time to find a good location for taping. This can lead to uncomfortable working conditions for both you, your talent and the crew, poor audio or video quality, extended work days due to spatial inefficiency, increased time in post production or any one of several other location related problems.

Casting If you are using on-camera talent for your video or if you are going to use a narrator, your production company should have access to a wide variety of actors and voice specialists for you to choose from. If you need to see or hear demo tapes, they should be provided to you by the production company.

Rehearsals Your actors and voice-over talent should have copies of your script well ahead of their performance dates. Talent should be well rehearsed before they are asked to perform. Rehearsals can cut production time by as much as 50%. This can mean huge cost savings for you.

Phase II - Production

Shooting This is the actual nuts and bolts of videotaping. Your production company should have access to a versatile roster of professionals in order to assign a qualified video crew to tape and record all required materials outlined in the video and audio portions of the script. Make sure the crew assigned to your project has a history of working together and finishing jobs on time.

Phase III - Post-Production

Approval Copy The first step in the editing process is to produce an approval copy of the program as close to the final script as possible on a VHS cassette. While we welcome any client to come and supervise the editing sessions, the approval copy process helps eliminate the need for the client to spend two or three 10 hour days to nod "yes" or "no" during the sessions. Besides, by this time, the Producer should be cutting the program to a tight, approved script. The approval copy allows you to approve decisions on timing, scene sequence and shot selection. If any changes need to be made to the program, another VHS approval copy will be generated. This process will continue until you are happy with the program.

Mastering   After you are happy with your approval copy, your production company should then complete the post-production phase. This includes adding music, performing necessary audio sweetening, additional video transitions, laying in special effects and any other visual specifications that were outlined in the script. We have now created our master.

Closed Captioning   Hearing impaired people sincerely appreciate closed-captioning. Make sure your production company can get this done for you if you want it. It is a very inexpensive process.

Slipcover Design    If you need a customized slipcover designed for your videotape, your production company should either be able to perform this service for you or refer you to someone who can. A quick note: if you are going to have a slipcover designed or a brochure printed, you will probably want still photographs taken during videotaping. Make sure your production company can handle this task for you.

Duplication   Your production company should be able to deliver as many copies of the master program in any format (VHS, PAL, etc...) and in any quantities you require.

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