Pre-Production Articles

• Equipment
• Location Scouting
• Logistics
• Production Planning
• Script/Outline

• Surviving a 48-Hour Film Challenge
  July, 2010
  by Christa Sadler
  Film and video festivals are great ways to meet other enthusiasts just like you, and nothing gets the blood pumping faster than joining a 48-hour film…
• Video Production Scheduling
  March, 2010
  by Laura Martone
  You might know what you want to shoot, but how long will it take to do it? Here is how to create a simple shooting schedule so you'll have the answer.
• 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.
• Organizing your Workspace on a Budget
  January, 2013
  by Peter Zunitch
  When business is slow use your down time wisely. It might be your only opportunity to get your workspace organized.
• Script Writing
  September, 2012
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Why is scriptwriting important? Using even one other person can waste time on reshoots from poor planning. Even if working alone, you can still save time with…
• What to Charge - Freelance Video Hourly Rate Calculator
  September, 2012
  by Mike Wilhelm
  The video business is so unlike most businesses when it comes to "how to pay" and "how to charge" for services. "It depends" is a big factor - shooting rates…
• Why do You Need Release Forms?
  March, 2012
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  There's been a lot of talk lately in blogs, websites and magazines about the need to get releases whenever you step outside to shoot.
• Commercial Production
  March, 2012
  by Mike Wilhelm
  Producing a television commercial is as much about client relations as it is about creativity and the ability to sell a product or service to the viewer.
• Storyboard Examples
  February, 2012
  by Kyle Cassidy
  From commercial storyboard examples to storyboard camera angles, there's a plethora of illustrative information with great storyboard tips to help you with&hell…
• From Music Video Maker to Hollywood Director
  February, 2012
  by Mark Montgomery
  Editing music videos isn't too hard... all you need is a band, a camera or two, some editing software and a lot of patience! Music video editing is all about&he…
• Risky Business - Film and Video Insurance
  February, 2012
  by Mark Jensen
  Don't put your livelihood and creativity at risk. Film and video insurance is a must for most video business people, to protect you, and your product.
• Everything 3D Buyer's Guide
  January, 2012
  by Keith Collea
  If you really want to learn all you need to know about 3D gear - you need to start with some education. From capture to output, this 3D imaging gear Buyer's…
• How to Direct Animals and Stay Sane
  November, 2011
  by Peter Gerstenzang
  How do they make movies that focus on animals performing on command? One word: Patience. Two more words: Lots of!
• 15 Websites You Need to Know
  August, 2011
  by Peter Zunitch
  Type "Video Production" in a search URL and you come up with more than 24-million links. Finding your exact needs is time-consuming, but we've narrowed the…
• Find the Best Storyboarding Software
  July, 2011
  by Jennifer O'Rourke and Grinner Hester
  Every good story starts with a plan. Every good plan starts with an idea. Every good idea accumulates with a vision.
• The Video Editing Log Jam
  May, 2011
  by Mark Montgomery
  Whether you use film, flash files, or videotape, every editor needs to have the footage on their editing machine before they can start cutting the project…
• What's Legal: Location Legalities
  January, 2011
  by Mark Levy and Candice Geller
  Information you need to know to shoot on city, state and federal properties and be fully protected by the law to save you much time and potential legal fees…
• Stock Media Buyer's Guide
  December, 2010
  by Earl Chessher
  Research is Key to Getting What You Pay for.
• Pre-Production Planning: Approaches to Creating a Video Treatment that Works for You
  November, 2010
  by Earl Chessher
  Many video producers carry a video treatment in their head, ideal for maintaining control but the most difficult method for sharing or explaining their vision…
• Tips the Pros Won't Teach You
  November, 2010
  by Peter Zunitch
  Ever get the feeling you were left out of the loop? Ever feel that if you just had some bit of information your production would go much smoother, and come out…
• How to Make a Documentary: Part 3 - Shooting and Editing
  September, 2010
  by Morgan Paar
  Almost everyone who has a story to tell dreams about making a documentary at some time. Bringing that dream to fruition can become a reality now that the…
• New Gear: SteadePod, LitePanels, SmallHD, VeriCorder, Sony
  September, 2010
  by Derek Sine
  The gear you gotta have - The craft of making video takes a lot of stuff. This page is set to bring you the newest latest pieces of video support tools we find.
• The Perfect Plan: Storyboard and Shot List Creation
  July, 2010
  by Julia Camenisch
  The production process is incredible - you transform inanimate words on paper into color, emotion and life on the screen. But producing a script isn't an easy…
• Build a Guerilla Sound Booth
  July, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  One thing that is absolute in video production: whether you're a hobbyist or a pro - the audience might accept weak video, but will not forgive poor audio.
• Scriptwriting Software to Help you Write Videos
  July, 2010
  by Wynn Duncan
  If you want your production to rise above the competition, then a solid script and well-thought out storyboard should be an integral part of your production…
• How to Make a Documentary: Part 2 - Funding, Financing and Budgeting
  July, 2010
  by Morgan Paar
  Once you are bitten by the documentary bug, you might see all sorts of stories you think you can make a doc on. But before you shoot that very first frame, you…
• The Writer
  October, 1990
  by Rick Cook
• The Write Stuff
  April, 1991
  by Elaine Dale
• How to Make a Documentary: Part 1 Story Development
  May, 2010
  by Morgan Paar
  In this four-part series on How to Make a Documentary, we will first look at Story Development, then investigate Funding, Financing and Budgeting and finally…
• What's Legal: When Are Background Sounds With A Copyright In Video Clips OK?
  January, 2010
  by Mark Levy and Mike Szydlo
  The scenario is simple: background music, either live or recorded, is playing while you are videotaping a scene. Now you have sounds protected by copyright in…