Transcript Stages of Video Production

Stages of Video Production
By Mr. Lunney
FVP12 Sackville High School
The Three Stages
Pre-production
 Production
 Post-production

Pre-Prodution
Idea Generation
 The Treatment and Pitch
 Script
 The Storyboard
 Location
 Casting

Idea Generation
Sometimes the hardest part
 Many films are based on existing books or
real life experiences
 Make sure you tell a story with beginning,
middle and ending
 Include character development, conflict,
and resolution

Idea Generation (cont.)

Choose a Genre
 Comedy
 Action
 Mystery
 Science Fiction
 Documentary
 Musical
 Commercial / Infomercial
The Treatment and Pitch
The treatment is a written document(usually
one page) that summarizes the story line
(plot) of the video or film.
 A treatment contains a plot summary and
character information
 Used as a source by the writer and director
when making “the pitch” to the producer
(money person)

The Script

Your film written on paper including:
 Locations
 Lines
 Actions
 Directions
The Storyboard
A planning overview document
 One storyboard per shot (continuous film
segment)

Location
The places where you will film your video
 Include
 Sets – usually in a studio
 Remote locations – a place scouted for
filming
 Always include notes about backdrops, sets,
and locations on storyboards and watch for
continuity when shooting on different days

Casting
Selecting actors to play the roles in your
film
 Try to select people that meet the characters

Production
Continuity
 Lighting
 Composition
 Props and Sets
 Production Team Members

Continuity


Making sure that everything in a shot is consistent
over the course of a production
This can include:
 Light
 Location
 Wardrobe
 Hair
 Make-up
 And more…
Lighting

When shooting video it is important to use
proper lighting. Lighting can effect:
 Brightness: amount of light allowed into
the camera
 Contrast: the level of light to dark
 Saturation: the level of colour (i.e. colour
vs black and white)
Composition


Control over what an audience will see in a shot or
scene
Keys to good composition:
 Leave eye room: space in the frame for the
character to look into
 Head room: room above the character’s head
 Room to speak: room in the frame to speak
 Don’t cut actors off at the joints
 Frame your subjects: sometimes using a
doorway or tree
 Follow the rule of thirds: if the screen has 9
equal rectangles, the important stuff should be
Props and Sets
Props: Items used in the scene to add to the
reality of the film
 Sets: constructed backdrops used to film
parts of the video

Production Team Members
Director: responsible for overseeing project,
responsible for continuity, keeps the “big
picture” in mind
 Writer: write the story and make revisions
to the dialogue
 Shooter (Camera Operator): responsible for
capturing the images on film

Production Team Members
(cont.)




Talent: the actors playing the roles in the film
Audio Technician: responsible for capturing and
audio in the film (in small camcorder producitons
this is usually done with the camera)
Stage manager: organizes who needs to be on the
set and the shooting schedule with the director
Other Roles: costume, set design, gaffer,
electrician, lighting coordinator, etc.
Post-Production
Editing
 Credits and Titles
 Transitions
 Special Effects
 Audio

Editing

After you have recorded all the scenes you
can use editing software to produce your
video. Steps include:
 Capture video: move scenes from camera
to computer
 Edit: cut out any unnecessary parts
 Place in order on time line
 Save work
Credits and Titles
Add in titles and credits
 Titles normally appear at the beginning
 Credits normally appear at the end
 All people involved in the production and
their part should be listed in the credits

Transitions
Transitions help move from one scene or
shot to another
 Good transitions are invisible to the
audience
 Use appropriate transitions to enhance film
– don’t just use them because they are
‘cool’

Special Effects
Add in any special effects
 A lot of special effects today are computer
generated and shot with the help of a green
screen

Audio

Audio includes:
 Sound caught on film: actors lines
 Special sounds for effects
 Music
 Voiceovers