Production Process - overview
Three major stages of production
 Preproduction
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– Planning, research, writing, organizing
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Production
– Shooting, recording, acting, performing
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Production Process - overview
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Three major stages of production
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Postproduction
– Editing, fixing, sweetening, copying,
evaluating
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Production Process - Preproduction 1
Cannot just run out and shoot…
 Work closely with client throughout
 Program idea - from basic to specific
 Inspiration - for style & content… be aware,
alert, curious…
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Production Process - Preproduction 1
Goals, purpose of production, audience,
outlet (distribution)
 Research - background, details
 Client history, background, relationship
 Budget
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Production Process - Preproduction 2
Planning - creative ideas, production style,
persuasive style, scriptwriting and re-writing,
storyboard
 Production decisions:
 Final budget
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Production Process - Preproduction 2
Types and sources of music, crew &
equipment, locations, talent
 Schedule of activities
 Time frame, final “deliverables”
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Production Process - Preproduction 3
Key preproduction personnel
 Director - overall responsibility for translating
script to production
 Producer - coordinator, manager of production
activities
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Production Process - Preproduction 3
Key preproduction personnel
 Scriptwriter
 Music coordinator
 Post-production supervisor
 Client contact (the right person)
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Production Process - Preproduction 5
Key preproduction personnel
 Art director - set design
 Lighting director
 Floor manager (studio only)
 Technical director (studio only)
 Small company, small project yields more
overlap of duties
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Production Process - Production 1
Translate idea into program (encode
message)
 Location or studio shoot (edited or “mixed”
live)
 Additional footage - cover video, b-roll, 2nd
unit
 Reshoots
 Archival pictures/film/video - source,
location
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Production Process - Production 1
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Stock footage - source
Music/score - original, library
Graphics - design & creation
Narration, voice-over - talent, facilities
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Production Process - Production 2
Key Production Personnel (note - field vs.
studio)
 Director, assistant director
 Producer & assistants/associates
 Videographer, Director of Photography (DP)
& assistants, camera operators
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Production Process - Production 2
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Key Production Personnel (note - field vs. studio)
Lighting director
Audio director/engineer
Studio: Technical director (TD), floor person (grip),
Character Generator (CG), videotape operator, video
engineer
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Production Process - Postproduction
(editing) 1
Multi-camera style (game show, talk show,
sporting event)
 Option 1: live broadcast, no need to “post
produce”
 Option 2: clean up errors, remove bad
language, condense/consolidate, add
necessary video/titles/credits, music, etc…
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Production Process - Postproduction
(editing) 1
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Multi-camera style (game show, talk show,
sporting event)
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Option 3: “repurpose” - edit program for a
different use
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Production Process - Postproduction 2
Single camera (“film style”):
 Following script select best
takes/shots/still photos, etc…combine
with audio to create final program
 (Note: it’s not that simple, keep reading.)
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Production Process - Postproduction 3
Documentary, news, news magazine example:
 Log footage (20, 30, 50:1 shooting ratio)
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– View footage, write down or digitally store shots you
plan to use
– Very important step - re-familiarize yourself with
what you have, select best shots, quotes
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Production Process - Postproduction 3
Capture footage to computer for digital editing
 Identify additional needs - acquire elements
 Rough edit in sections
 Final edit - transitions, titles, credits, audio
sweetening, color correction
 Editing - very creative and stimulating, very
time consuming and tedious at times. Computer
skills a must!
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Production Process - Postproduction 4
Review by client
 Make changes
 Formative Evaluation of production with test
audience - formal/informal
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– During process, make changes to program
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Production Process - Postproduction 4
Final edit
 Distribute
 Summative Evaluation - evaluate effectiveness
of production or campaign in the real world
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Production Process Summary
All three steps important
 Failure to plan is a plan to fail (cliché but
true)
 Always keep client’s goals, audience effects
in mind throughout the process
 Part of your job as producer/director is to
determine needs, goals, capabilities of client
and production team and to educate your
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clients in the process.
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