thought, inc.

Good, thoughtful, organized Pre-Production saves a great deal of time and money during the Production and Post-Production phases of a video production.

Scope of Work

We have found that the best way to ensure that expectations remain realistic and to keep within budget constraints is to clearly layout the project in a Scope of Work. Each task and its order in the video production is clearly defined and a tentative schedule is planned. The production schedule for the video project is organized through estimated dates rather than a fixed time schedule because much of the production depends on factors outside of our control. Just to name a few: client’s involvement, weather, actors’ availability, location availability, etc. Agreeing upon the Scope of Work is the official beginning of a video production.

Research

The purpose of the video project, will determine how much time needs to be spent on research. Product knowledge, fact-checks, historical information, location scouting, effects feasibility, etc. are all part of the research that needs to be done during Pre-Production.

Film/Video Treatment

Usually referred to simply as the “Treatment”, this document simply and succinctly tells the story of the video project. In many ways it is a short story of the video project. Typically, we write the treatment in a short story format, rather than a format suitable for screen-plays or scripts. For shorter projects, like commercials, a formal Treatment is not necessary and usually is foregone.

Scripts

Because our video productions tend to be shorter in nature, we typically use a two-column format for our scripts. We also incorporate our shooting notes directly into the script for efficiency. When the script is finished, it works both as a script and a shooting script. SEE A SAMPLE SCRIPT. On the left column of the script are the visual ques and camera directions. On the right side of the script is the audio ques and dialogue.

Storyboards

To effectively communicate scene progression from the director’s imagination to the client, crew, talent, and staff involved with the project, storyboards are often used. Limited projects, such as commercials, are usually short enough that they don’t need the effort and expense of storyboards. However, for larger projects, storyboards are vital and a necessary step in sharing the imaginative process of creating a video.

Shot List

After the script is developed and the storyboards complete, a shot list is created to organize and maximize the efficiency of principle photography during the video production. Many clients are surprised to learn that the shot list usually is not in the same sequential order as the finished video production. This is because by organizing the principle photography around the most efficient use of location and talent schedules, shooting is substantially more cost-efficient. On limited projects, the shot list is often not used. The shot list is broken out by days and scenes rather than following the script sequence.

Assemble Cast & Crew

For more extensive video projects, a cast of characters often needs to be assembled. These individuals are collectively referred to as the “talent.” This process is generally referred to simply as “casting” and is usually handled by the Casting Director and often in conjunction with the Producer and Director. Casting ends when the Cast List is published.

The larger the video production, the more people it takes to make it happen. Those people comprise the “crew.” Depending on the size of the production, a variety of crew members may be called upon—from grips to electric to set designers, specialized needs are filled as the production demands.

Read Through

Larger projects require measures that keep people focused and cohesive throughout the video production. The Read Through is the first opportunity to bring the talent together around the script. The director manages the Read Through, and although the Producer and Client are permitted to attend they are expected to remain quiet and removed from the process. The Read Through benefits the Actors, it is not a time for re-working scripts or scenes. It is a time for the Director to begin working with the talent and helping them develop their characters.

Green Light

When everything is in place, all plans are set, all dates are locked, the script is finalized page-locked and scene-locked, the storyboards are finalized, and the shot-list is finished. The producer gives the “Green Light” for the Production phase to begin. Hereafter, the project is referred to as having been “greenlighted.” The term (which has it obvious grammatical problems) dates back to the early days of Hollywood and is a allusion to the streetlights’ signal to move forward. Once a project is greenlighted, financial resources needed for Production are allocated for the project. Greenlighting is the official end of Pre-Production