What are the Stages of Video Production? The Winning Guide
By Nick Oliver Valera
Are you familiar with the stages of video production? You should! When it comes to marketing, you’re always in the playoffs— a best-of-24/7 series, except there’s no off-season. Content is always on demand and video remains the superstar player. Video production is so much more in demand these days! Not only on TV, but also all over social media and the web, or even on the billboards you see while you’re stuck in traffic.
The Status of Video Production
Today video consumption continues to reach monstrous heights. People are becoming more and more attuned to staying at home where they just click away from a bucket load of content that’s conveniently made available via laptops, phones, tablets, or smart TVs.
That’s why the most valuable currency for a brand should be the audience’s attention. How can your voice be heard on top of the noise? How can your brand connect with your audiences more effectively? The bottom line is, you need a team of experts who know how to produce great marketing content. Take it from our experts as we take you through the stages of video production, to better understand how we work and how we can work together.
Step 1: Crafting the game plan (Conceptualization)
The most important stage of video production is to first craft a winning game plan. We take a look at the brand’s goals and set objectives. We make sure that the strategy and creative vision are aligned with what your brand is all about. We listen to your vision, do the research, then come up with creative, strategic solutions. We have an awesome team of creative writers and artists that are expert storytellers and are very passionate about what they do.
To help communicate our ideas, we craft concept notes, concept boards, and short sizzle reels that embody the creative soul of the video concept. Once we’re aligned in terms of the direction and idea we want to pursue, we start writing the script and piecing together the storyboard. Our mantra is “idea first, worry about everything else later!” because, for us, creativity is all about pushing our imagination to the limits while producing a unique brand story.
Step 2: Drafting the right talents (bidding and casting)
Okay, now that we have a script & storyboard. The next stage is to proceed to get the right talents. This is done by:
- Creating a casting brief,
- Ceeding this through our vast network of actors,
- Voice-over talents, choreographers, and other artists.
The shortlist of talents goes through a stringent audition process of videotape recordings (VTRs) or script reads to help us determine who fits the role best.
Take note, that drafting the right set of talents doesn’t apply only to the cast, it also applies to the crew. We take pride in having a capable support team and value the importance of collaborating with other experts-slash-insanely talented people in bringing our ideas to life.
How to Build Your Team for Video Production?
To build an expert team you’ll need a reliable and production-savvy producer. Having the correct producer is the GM who’s in charge of making the right decisions:
- Whether it’s about personnel
- The Finances
- On-the-set matters
They ensure a smooth-running and successful production. As the creative producer handling the video production for TeamAsia, I’m tasked with finding the best execution solutions that fit both time and budget, while safeguarding the sanctity of the brand and the creative idea. This is why a producer needs to have a multi-faceted understanding of the stages of video production.
Step 3: Doing pre-game preparations (pre-production)
Once we have the expert team in place, we proceed with pre-production. This is when we do all the pre-game preparations necessary to prevent any major hiccups during production. Pre-production meetings are set to discuss:
- Timelines,
- Character design studies,
- Logistics,
- Other agreements.
For onsite shoots, pre-light and ocular schedules are done to check on location conditions and make the right recommendations.
During pre-production
The director presents his version of the storyboard called the “director’s board” which is an expanded version of the agency board that reflects the director’s vision for the actual execution. The video production design team also shares their ideas for the set dressing, props, and wardrobe through detailed styling decks.
Workshops and rehearsals are also done at this stage so that the talents could get a better feel of their respective roles. Meanwhile, the production manager and line producer work in tandem to finalize the logistics, from schedules, call sheets, and location permits. All of these details are captured in a pre-production agreement which the team and clients review before we proceed with the shoot.
How to Take Safety Measures for Your Video Production People?
Of course, to ensure the safety of all the people involved in the shoot, all crew and talents will have to undergo either RT-PCR testing or antigen swab testing before the production day. We also do a quick briefing of the standard health protocols that everyone on the team has to observe before the shoot date.
Step 4: Taking the right shots (production day)
(aka “”) Now it’s game day. It’s time to put the game plan into action and execute what’s on paper. The first people on the set are usually the production manager, the production design team, and the lighting crew. We make sure that coffee and breakfast are served so that the team gets the necessary energy boost to start the day. An hour is usually allotted for set up and makeup, this can change depending on the scale of the project. Stand-ins are used to test camera angles and lighting for scenes, while the hair and makeup team readies the talents. Once everything is set up and ready, we get ready to grind.
At TeamAsia, we love to cultivate a collaborative environment when it comes to our shoots. The effort and input of each team member are all equally valuable, from the client, the director, talents, and the production assistants. A production day is expected to be a very long day, there can be minor challenges here and there, but doing the necessary preparations in pre-prod will surely help us take the right shots.
Step 5: Creating magic inside the film room (post-production)
Once the shoot wraps up, our team of experts goes straight into the film room to piece all the materials together and make some magic in post-production. We may choose to collaborate with a partner post-production house or do the post-work in-house with the help of our talented art directors, motion graphic animators, and video editors. Interlocks are scheduled with the client, leading up to the final material. Interlocks are essential for clients to give feedback on the cut, this is when necessary discussions on the edit are done.
The Offline Cut Stage of Video Production
An offline cut is presented and the story flow, pacing, and cuts are finalized before we move online. The online cut should look the closest to the final output, with all the graphic assets, animation, color grading, and sound design already applied. The same process applies to projects that involve music production. We work our way from the draft up to the final product.
Again, the team works closely with the client to ensure a solid final product. There you go! This is how we play the game. We know that the ever-changing times necessitate a change in approach and mindset.
Are you Looking for a Video Production Team?
At TeamAsia, also recognize the importance of exploring new formats and new ways to execute content while saving both on time and budget. Our video production company Philippines team can work with you – on your commercials, YouTube series, corporate videos, brand videos, online event videos, animated explainers… you name it!
So, what do you think? We are excited to work together and produce next-level, engaging marketing videos. Stay tuned to our social media channels for TeamAsia’s latest video reel.
