Pre-Production Planning Articles (Page 2)

• Budgeting
• Casting
• Crew
• Sets and Props

• Getting Started: High Concept, Low Sweat
  January, 1997
  by Jim Stinson
  Organization can mean the difference between a confusing series of clips and a compelling, satisfying video. All it takes is a little forethought and a little…
• Video Alfresco: A Guide to Easy Outdoor Shooting
  June, 1997
  by Bruce Barrett
  Neither sun, nor surf, nor wind, nor rain will spoil your videomaking excursions after you read these helpful pointers.
• Getting Started: The Great Balloon Video-A Case Study
  July, 1997
  by Jim Stinson
  If you're short on video equipment and expertise, go long on planning. It'll help your video take off.
• Profitmaker: Budget for Profit
  July, 1997
  by William Ronat
  Estimating the cost of a video for a client is a tricky but necessary part of doing business. Here's how to do it right.
• Audience Appreciation: Be Kind to Your Viewers
  March, 1998
  by Chuck Peters
  Four questions you should ask yourself before you hit that red record button.
• Video Production Equipment to go Shopping on Location
  July, 1998
  by Philip Partridge
  Video production equipment for shooting on location: What you need to know.
• Sound Track: Narration Sensation
  January, 1999
  by Loren Alldrin
  Make your videos sit up and speak with crisp, intelligible narration.
• Standing Sets for (Practically) Nothing
  October, 1999
  by Jim Stinson
  Do-it-yourself blueprints to build four low-tech, low-effort and low-cost video sets.
• Makeup and Wardrobe for Video
  October, 1999
  by Carolyn Miller
  Make your talent look their very best for your productions with these helpful tips that can subtly enhance your videos.
• Video Bag Essentials
  November, 2000
  by Jon Vosovic
  Indispensable accessories for the camera bag of a well-equipped videographer.
• Designing Training Videos
  January, 2001
  by Jim Stinson
  How to create efficient, effective and informative instructional video productions.
• The Secret to Set Success? Location, Location, Location!
  April, 2001
  by Jim Stinson
  Create realistic sets in the real world using these six tips.
• Video Adventurer
  December, 2000
  by Geoff Best
  Tips for shooting video on the trail.
• Storyboard - Late for a date
  June, 2001
  by Tad Rose
  Choose your own ending to our ready-to-shoot video storyboard
• Budgeting Time
  December, 2001
  by William Ronat
  How long will it take? Calculate your time investment before you start with these planning tips.
• Finding Talent for Videos
  November, 2002
  by Randal K. West
  A handy guide to finding, auditioning and hiring the best performers for your next production.
• Sound Advice: Voiceover Techniques
  May, 2002
  by Hal Robertson
  There are many tricks of the trade you can use to perfect your video voiceovers.
• 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.
• Light Source: One Location, Five Different Looks
  September, 2002
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Even in a small office studio, you can attain a variety of looks and moods for your video.
• Home Video Hints: Production Planning: Taking Your Act on the Road
  February, 2003
  by Jim Stinson
  Cover the essentials for smooth shooting.
• 5 Steps to Great Video Production
  October, 2005
  by Randal K. West
  Every successful shoot starts with a good plan.
• Stealth Directing: Getting the Most out of Real People
  June, 2003
  by Michael Joseph Kelley
  When directing amateurs, you use different techniques than when working with pros.
• 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.
• Secrets of Video Training: We Betray the Instructional Designer's Guild
  July, 2003
  by Jim Stinson
  Developing a training video is a straightforward process--if you know the techniques of professional instructional designers.
• Shooting for the Final Edit
  November, 2003
  by Brian Pogue
  If you plan to edit your videos, you should shoot them differently.
• Kindergarten Yearbook Videos
  September, 2004
  by George F. Young
  A little planning, your expertise and your camera can turn into a career or at least a little cash when you create a video yearbook.
• Church Video: Lights, Camera, Worship
  June, 2004
  by Bill Mauger
  You'll never walk alone: a pragmatic guide to worship video from those who have gone before.
• 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.
• Wardrobe & Make-Up
  September, 2005
  by Bud Elliott
  Looking Good: Tips for the Director