Creating a Web Video: Production and Planning
Producing video for your website can be a lengthy process. It’s important that before you begin you have a production schedule and plan that will make the process run as efficiently as possible.
Video preproduction
Begin with a budget and make sure you can afford all the equipment you’ll need, such as a camera, microphones and sound equipment, lighting, and a space where you can film the video. You or someone you know might already have some of these items, so ask around.
There are also a number of places online and around town that rent equipment. Keep in mind that when you rent equipment, it’s usually charged on an hourly or daily rate, so make sure you have a timeline in place for its use. With the potential of rental costs skyrocketing due to wasted time, it’s a good idea to do research and understand how the equipment works so you don’t burn money trying to figure it out.
Next comes the script. Every video needs to have direction, and a script provides that. The script is the single most important part of the preproduction process because it will be your compass in applying transitions and end points for discussion. It will also give you a sense of how long your video will take to film and will allow you to make estimates on how long you’ll need the equipment and space you might have rented.
Pass around and review the script many times to make sure your direction and focus are clear. It’s very important that everyone involved reads and understands the script, including interviewees, technicians, and the crew involved in the production process.
Depending on your budget, it might be worthwhile to hire a professional director and cameraman. Professionals in this area can give you great guidance and suggest different and better ways to go about certain scenarios as they arise.
Production
With all the preproduction considerations reviewed and handled, the production phase can now begin. One of the more important aspects of production is budgeting your time. In the preproduction phase, you planned and got a good idea of how long it would take to film the video. A good rule of thumb is to double whatever time you estimate in the beginning. If anything can go wrong it probably will, so be prepared to deal with it and move on.
If you’re short on time, it’s in your best interest to focus on what’s most important to the video first, so at the very least you have what you need and not a bunch of filler that you can’t use.
Retakes are also a time-consuming and inevitable part of the filming process. Make sure everyone who is involved is taken care of. Have water and other types of beverages available and provide food and snacks to curb any type of fatigue or unhappiness on the set; when people are tired and uninvolved it shows up on camera.
Post production
Filming has rapped and now you’re ready for the final phase: editing. Today there are many great and inexpensive tools available for cutting up your video. These tools allow you to make a variety of smooth transitions and offer sound editing with music and other tools such as clip trimming, cropping, and color adjustment if needed.
If you want to continue making videos, you might also want to splurge and purchase more powerful video-editing software which will allow you to make a number of advanced adjustments. Again, keep in mind that these are professional applications, so it might do you some good to read up and study before you begin.
The production phase may seem overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Have a plan, focus on what’s important, stick to the budget, and secure adequate time for everything involved.
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