Video Pre Production for Beginners - Complete Guide

Think of pre-production as the part where you get your act together before the camera rolls. It’s the planning, the scribbling, the “what if we try this?” stage that keeps your video from falling apart halfway through. Whether it’s a reel, an ad, or a full-blown music video, this is where the difference is made between something people actually watch and something they scroll right past.

What is video pre-production?

Pre-production covers everything from the video's goal to essential tasks, storyboarding, budgeting, scheduling, and ironing out all the nitty-gritty aspects of video production.

Whether it's a new music video, animation, high-budget marketing ads, or the next viral Instagram reel, planning is paramount. It helps one keep the entire video production process from turning into total chaos, makes sure it's all doable, and manages potential disasters beforehand.

Let's walk through the key steps that make the entire video journey as smooth as a perfectly edited transition.

The five stages of pre-production

Brainstorming

Now that you've nailed down your audience and have a clear idea of your video's ultimate goal, it's time to bring out all the ideas, good, bad, and even those completely ridiculous. We all know that not every idea will make the cut. Brainstorming can be a collaborative effort with all the people involved in the project or a single man's job(if you're a solo creator). Either way, keeping the brainstorming process structured and documented makes sure you won't lose golden ideas. 
 

How to effectively brainstorm ideas: 

• Listen to your audience to generate new topic ideas. Your viewers are already telling you what they want and what they are paying attention to. Check comments and DMs. Are they asking you something? Do they have recurring questions? 
• Do rapid ideation. Set a timer and write down as many ideas as possible without overthinking them. The goal for this creative jam is not perfection but rather quantity. Don't censor yourself since the best results come from the wildest ideas. After the session, go back to refine the strongest concepts.
• Mind mapping is a visual approach to exploring different angles of a core idea. Write down the main topic in the center, then branch out into related subtopics. You can expand this until you hit a unique angle.
• Brain-netting is a process in which you and your team members use the same piece of paper(Google Docs for working online) to write down ideas. Then, you and your team members discuss all of the ideas together.
• See what's already working in your niche and draw inspiration from there. Check analytics and see the videos that have been watched the most. What competition is doing and working for them? Explore training topics in your industry.
   

Brainstorming good practices:

• Be specific, like "Generate x new ideas" to keep brainstorming focused.
• Set a time limit so you won't get stuck on ideation forever.
• Follow a method to start producing ideas quickly and efficiently.
   

Writing your script

Hitting Rec and just winging it? It's a total rookie mistake straight out of the early 2000s. 

Creating a compelling video requires many skills, one of which is choosing the right words to engage, inform, and influence your audience. This will set your video for success, save time editing, and make the recording smooth.

Best practices for a successful video script:

• Know your audience – We've said it before in previous steps, and we'll say it again: knowing the people who'll actually watch your video is non-negotiable. It guides the style, tone of voice, humor, and storytelling approach. 

Are they professionals looking for expertise? Keep it polished and informative.

Are they Gen Z TikTok users? Inject humor and quick cuts.

Are the parents watching YouTube tutorials? Make it warm and easy to follow.

• What's the goal of the video? Will it teach(video tutorial), establish a brand's identity(company intro video), or purely entertain(funny skit or TikTok challenge)? 
   
• Identify the main character - Even if you're not writing the Titanic sequel, people need a relatable face and voice to follow.  Is it the CEO or a public figure explaining the vision? The charismatic staff member showcasing a product? You as a content creator sharing a personal story? It doesn't matter as long as it speaks to them as they expect.
   
• Generate a script - We know writing can be tricky, and coming up with compelling stories for each project you have scheduled can become quite daunting. Luckily, if you don't have Woody Allen's storytelling skills, there's an easier way: Flixier's script generator. It can generate a script based on your description. You can tweak it, refine it, and edit it as needed. Choose the script duration(up to 5 minutes), select a tone(professional, funny, casual, informative, or creative), and choose the target platform TikTok, YouTube, Reels, Shorts, or LinkedIn). It's like Charlie Kaufman but in speed mode. 

Most script templates use the 4 A's formula: Attention, Agitation, Activity, and Action. Grab their eyes, make them feel the pain, give them a solution to their pain, and tell them how to get the solution.
 

Script templates that are proven to grab attention:

• Problem - Agitate - Solution(perfect for ads and sales videos)

This is the classic video ad, where you pick the most painful problem your viewers are facing, make them feel the frustration of facing that problem, then reach out with a solution. 
 

• The Before and After(suitable for transformations and tutorials)

This is quite simple: help your viewers visualize the before(and most times the actual situation they are in) and then show them the better after, where they can be.

• The 4 P's: Promise, Picture, Proof, Push(for awareness and persuasion videos)

If there's no need or pain to fulfill, rather present them a need they aren't aware of. Promise a significant benefit, picture them having the product/service, prove that your solution works with proof, and then push them with clear instructions on what to do next.

• The struggling hero template(ideal for brand storytelling or testimonials)

It usually refers to a person(hero) who is facing the same problem as the viewers. It showcases how we went from struggling to thriving with your solution.

• You're not alone" template(ideal for relatable, community-driven content).

This technique establishes a common ground with the viewer by asking a question or making a statement. The viewers know that others are facing the same problem. Then, you offer the solution and explain how it works.
 

Storyboard

Now that you have your brilliant script, generated or not, the storyboarding phase helps you and your team visualize the entire project shot by shot. This will address logistic requirements like lights, setting, and props, ensuring a smooth production process. 
 

This visual representation doesn't need to be professionally done; it just needs to offer a visual guide, from angles to transitions, camera movements, locations, and scene flow. 

They are usually drawn by hand, but you can use an image generator, like Flixier, to effectively generate your storyboards in multiple styles. Just mention frames, action notes, dialogue or voiceover, camera directions, timing, and other details. 
 

By mapping out all these elements, you eliminate the guesswork on set, keeping everything aligned, from vision to final cut.

Production prep

At this point, everything is meticulously planned. Now, you only need to gather the materials and equipment to make it happen. A smooth production starts with double-checking your gear and anticipating potential issues before ruining your footage.
 

✅Camera or smartphone —Are they fully charged? Do you have some spare batteries or a charging cable?

✅Tripods, stabilizers, and gimbals – Are they in good working conditions to avoid shaky footage?

✅Memory cards and storage – Do you have enough space for all the shots?

✅Lighting setup – Natural light, ring light, or softbox? Which one will give you the flattering vibe you're looking for?

✅Audio equipment – External mics, built-in sound, or lapel mics? How about background noise?

✅Props and set look – Everything is in place as you planned?

✅Location check – Do you film at home or in another location? Are there any restrictions?
 

In post-production, you can use tools to clean up audio, enhance speech clarity, and even generate voiceovers, but some issues simply cannot be fixed. Editing out a dog running through your scene? Not so easy. A good rule of thumb is always to test a short recording before going into full production. That way, you can easily spot and fix AC hums, street traffic, or other unexpected interruptions.

Video Production

It's finally shooting day! Now, all you need to do is set up your equipment, frame your subject, and test out shots. If there is a filming crew involved, sticking to the plan is vital; overtime can quickly inflate your budget. Make sure to capture all the B-rolls, main footage, and separate audio if you're using an external microphone. 

A call sheet would be a lifesaver at this point. It contains all the information anyone from the crew needs, from contact details to general crew call time, weather information, meal breaks, estimated wrap time, set location, shooting schedule, and cast list if necessary. 

A call sheet is useful for larger productions where more than 5 people are involved. However, you can manage smaller projects without one.
 

Be prepared for unexpected situations. No matter how much planning you've put into your shoot, things can always go wrong: bad weather, wardrobe issues, noisy background. 

Always make a test shot before the actual shooting to check lighting, sound, and framing. 

Setting up your video for success

Well, one thing is for sure, video production(even for someone like PewDieDie) is far more than shooting with your smartphone and posting it online. That's how you make noise, not impact.

If you want people to watch, engage, and remember, you need a plan. And that is the pre-production plan that goes a long way in saving time, avoiding frustration, and getting the results you actually want. Pre-production is the difference between "Wow, that looks amazing" and "Well… at least you tried."
 

And when you get to the editing phase? Flixier takes the chaos and turns it into clarity—cutting, refining, enhancing, and making sure every second counts.
 

Want to make videos people actually watch? Start planning. Or just keep hoping for the best –somewhere, someone will enjoy your outtakes.