Production Process - overview

Three major stages of production

Preproduction

Planning, research, writing, organizing

Production
Shooting, recording, acting, performing

Production Process - overview

Three major stages of production

Postproduction
Editing, fixing, sweetening, copying,
evaluating

Production Process - Preproduction

1

Cannot just run out and shoot

Work closely with client throughout
Program idea - from basic to specific
Inspiration - for style & content be aware,
alert, curious

Production Process - Preproduction

1

Goals, purpose of production, audience,

outlet (distribution)
Research - background, details
Client history, background, relationship
Budget

Production Process - Preproduction 2

Planning - creative ideas, production style,
persuasive style, scriptwriting and re-writing,
storyboard
Production decisions:
Final budget

Production Process - Preproduction 2

Types and sources of music, crew &
equipment, locations, talent
Schedule of activities
Time frame, final deliverables

Production Process - Preproduction 3

Key preproduction personnel
Director - overall responsibility for translating
script to production
Producer - coordinator, manager of
production activities

Production Process - Preproduction 3

Key preproduction personnel
Scriptwriter
Music coordinator
Post-production supervisor
Client contact (the right person)

Production Process - Preproduction 5

Key preproduction personnel
Art director - set design
Lighting director
Floor manager (studio only)
Technical director (studio only)
Small company, small project yields more
overlap of duties

Production Process - Production 1

Translate idea into program (encode
message)
Location or studio shoot (edited or mixed
live)
Additional footage - cover video, b-roll, 2nd
unit
Reshoots
Archival pictures/film/video - source,
location

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Production Process - Production 1

Stock footage - source

Music/score - original, library
Graphics - design & creation
Narration, voice-over - talent, facilities

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Production Process - Production 2

Key Production Personnel (note - field vs.
studio)
Director, assistant director
Producer & assistants/associates
Videographer, Director of Photography (DP)
& assistants, camera operators

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Production Process - Production 2

Key Production Personnel (note - field vs. studio)

Lighting director
Audio director/engineer
Studio: Technical director (TD), floor person (grip),
Character Generator (CG), videotape operator, video
engineer

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Production Process - Postproduction

(editing) 1
Multi-camera style (game show, talk show,
sporting event)
Option 1: live broadcast, no need to post
produce
Option 2: clean up errors, remove bad
language, condense/consolidate, add
necessary video/titles/credits, music, etc

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Production Process - Postproduction

(editing) 1

Multi-camera style (game show, talk show,

sporting event)

Option 3: repurpose - edit program for a

different use

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Production Process - Postproduction 2

Single camera (film style):
Following script select best
takes/shots/still photos, etccombine
with audio to create final program
(Note: its not that simple, keep reading.)

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Production Process - Postproduction

3

Documentary, news, news magazine example:

Log footage (20, 30, 50:1 shooting ratio)

View footage, write down or digitally store shots you

plan to use
Very important step - re-familiarize yourself with
what you have, select best shots, quotes

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Production Process - Postproduction

3

Capture footage to computer for digital editing

Identify additional needs - acquire elements
Rough edit in sections
Final edit - transitions, titles, credits, audio
sweetening, color correction
Editing - very creative and stimulating, very
time consuming and tedious at times. Computer
skills a must!

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Production Process - Postproduction 4

Review by client
Make changes
Formative Evaluation of production with test
audience - formal/informal

During process, make changes to program

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Production Process - Postproduction 4

Final edit
Distribute
Summative Evaluation - evaluate effectiveness
of production or campaign in the real world

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Production Process Summary

All three steps important
Failure to plan is a plan to fail (clich but
true)
Always keep clients goals, audience effects
in mind throughout the process
Part of your job as producer/director is to
determine needs, goals, capabilities of client
and production team and to educate your

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clients in the process.