Pre-Production Phase

Articles

Magazine Articles

• Director's Chair: Planning Your Shoot
  December, 2007
  by Hal Robertson
  There is an old saying in the business world that goes, "Poor prior planning leads to particularly poor programs." This is especially true in the video industry.
• 8 On-the-fly Guerrilla Production Tips
  December, 2007
  by James Williams
  Now more than ever, it's possible for one person to venture into the world and capture great video. By following a few simple guidelines, you too can be an on-the-fly guerrilla filmmaker!
• Using an Audio Monitor for Video
  July, 2009
  by Christopher R. Ducas
  An Audio monitor will help take you from amateur to professional videographer. Audio quality is often a difference between amateur and professional videos.
• Basic Training: 7 Ways to Involve the Kids
  July, 2006
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Children love to make videos, all they need is the impetus and opportunity. So take the camera out of the closet on a lazy Sunday and say
• Basic Training: Gearing Up for Battle
  December, 2005
  by Michael Reff
  Before you grab your gear and hop on your trusty steed, you need advance preparation to successfully ride off into battle.
• 5 Steps to Great Video Production
  October, 2005
  by Randal K. West
  Every successful shoot starts with a good plan.
• Storyboard Software Buyer's Guide
  September, 2009
  by Terry O'Rourke
  How to Conceptualize that Vision in your Head to a Finished Video by using storyboard software to break an overwhelming project down to digestible parts.
• Seeking Great Ideas
  March, 2009
  by Stephen Smith
  Was The Thinker thinking about the effects of free trade or wondering how to enrich his next project with amazing storytelling and killer graphics? Finding inspiration for our creations can be difficult at times; most of us have good days and bad ones.
• Wild Things: Shooting in the Wild
  December, 2008
  by Chris Pyle
  Shooting in the wild changes how videographers would normally capture events. You have to slow down, take your time... and wait... and wait some more... and wait even more. But the video is well worth the time.
• Take 5: Class in Session 5 Tips for Videotaping in Schools
  September, 2008
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  It's that time of year when students return to the classroom with fresh shiny faces, new schedules and a plethora of activities to fill their calendars from now until June. Here's a few tips to get you ready to hit the books, too.
• Directing: Set Time Management
  June, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D
  Dashing out the door with camcorder in hand, but no plan, can cost you. Time is money. In video production, this is perhaps more true than in any other profession.
• Creating Characters
  April, 2008
  by Brian Peterson
  Getting the Most Out of Your Actors or Subjects