Pre-Production Articles

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

• 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…
• 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-t…
• 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.
• 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.
• Home Video Hints: New Rules for Video Vacations
  July, 2004
  by Bud Elliott
  How to travel safe in the New World Order.
• From Shot Lists to Storyboards
  June, 2004
  by Tad Rose
  Organizing your project before you shoot can save you time during the edit stage.
• Recruiting Talent
  May, 2004
  by Tad Rose
  Quality talent means more than just a quality performance. It may mean the difference between a one-hour shoot and a four-hour marathon.
• Communication: The Foundation of Production
  November, 2003
  by Randal K. West
  The most important thing a director has to do is communicate.
• Computer Editing: Shooting for a Specific Audience
  July, 2003
  by Bill Davis
  Tailor your shows for the people who will watch them.
• Home Video Hints: Production Planning: Taking Your Act on the Road
  February, 2003
  by Jim Stinson
  Cover the essentials for smooth shooting.
• Video for Worship
  January, 2003
  by Hal Robertson
  A guide to help you prepare and present practical, powerful and appropriate productions.
• Storyboard - Test Case
  November, 2002
  by Tad Rose
  The plot is simple: a man wakes up to find himself the subject of a mysterious experiment. How does it end? You decide!
• 11 Tips for Location Scouting
  November, 2002
  by Bill Fisher
  Selecting the right location is the first step on the road to a successful shoot.
• Wedding Videos: 8 Tips for Success
  October, 2002
  by Melinda Thibodaux
  Before you say
• Home Video Hints: Plan for Success
  May, 2002
  by Jim Stinson
  A little planning goes a long way in making a successful video project.
• How to Make a Storyboard and Shot List
  April, 2002
  by Jim Stinson
  A bit of pre-planning can save you time and money.
• In box
  July, 2008
  by The Editors
  readers' letters
• New Gear
  December, 2009
  by Charles Fulton
  Canon's EOS 7D, Adobe's Premiere Elements/Photoshop Elements, Creative Vado HD
• New Gear
  November, 2009
  by Charles Fulton
  Verbatim's TUFF-'N'-TINY, CBL Lens, Aleratec Copy Cruiser
• How Much Directing should be included in a video script?
  October, 2009
  by Jerry S. Drake
  An accusation often aimed at video script writers is the charge of directing on paper. In the strictest production worlds writers write and directors direct.
• 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.
• Guide to Buying Camcorder Tripods
  August, 2009
  by Terry O’Rourke
  There are many things to consider when buying a tripod that will give continued support as your gear needs grow.
• 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…
• 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…
• 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…
• 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…
• Creating Characters
  April, 2008
  by Brian Peterson
  Getting the Most Out of Your Actors or Subjects
• The Craft of Family History Videos: Making Classics Out of Clutter
  December, 2007
  by Jeanne Rawlings
  We treasure our memories, but we can be easily overwhelmed. Fearlessly dive into your archives and uncap your camera lens for the holidays to create a video&hel…