Pre-Production Planning Articles

• Budgeting
• Casting
• Crew
• Sets and Props

• 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.
• 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…
• 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. Keeping that transfer route organized will cut your editing time tremendously.
• Stock Media Buyer's Guide
  December, 2010
  by Earl Chessher
  Research is Key to Getting What You Pay for.
• 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…
• 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…
• 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…
• Multicam Video Editing Tips
  May, 2009
  by Mark Montgomery
  To determine whether or not you need to use multicam video editing features, there are some considerations worth making.
• 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…
• Tutorial - DIY Crane
  November, 2008
  by Jennifer O'Rourke & Brian Peterson
  Moving shots using a jib or crane provide an added dimension to any video, allowing the camera to sweep from a high establishing shot as it follows the action…
• Tutorial - DIY Jibs
  November, 2008
  by Jennifer O'Rourke & Tom Benford
  Moving shots using a jib or crane provide an added dimension to any video, allowing the camera to sweep from a high establishing shot as it follows the action…
• 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…
• Decoding the Video Crew
  February, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  As a one-man-band, you wear many hats, but when your production gets bigger, you have to share the load. But who ya gonna call? Get ready for the name game, it'…
• 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…
• How to Make a Movie: Low Budget, Big Bang
  September, 2007
  by Kyle Cassidy
  One of the most exciting things that has happened to moviemaking lately is that consumer products have approached the level of professional gear.
• The Right Place at the Right Time
  June, 2007
  by James Williams
• Profitmaker: Hire Learning
  April, 1997
  by William Ronat
  Take care when selecting an employee to be sure you get the best person for your business.
• Profitmaker: Shooting on Location
  September, 1996
  by William Ronat
  Wherever you go, there you are. But are you prepared?