Video Pre Production for Beginners - Complete Guide

What is video pre-production?

On the wild, wild web, videos work a little bit awkwardly. If you've ever binge-watched YouTube gurus or taken advice from those famous online video editing channels, you've probably heard that the video's production success lies in the pre-production phase – way before the camera even rolls.

So, what exactly is pre-production? As the name implies, it's the planning that goes down before a video's actual filming and production starts. It's the part where everyone gets involved and maps out details of the content that needs to be created. This stage is particularly essential to make sure everyone involved is on the same page, the actual production runs smoothly, the desired goal is achieved, and time and money are cleverly saved by planning ahead.

Pre-production covers everything from the video's objective to essential tasks, storyboarding, budgeting, scheduling, and ironing out all the less known aspects of video development.

Whether your project is a new music video, anime animation, high-budget marketing ads, or the next viral Instagram reel, planning is vital. It keeps the entire video production process from turning into chaos, makes sure it's all doable, and addresses potential disasters beforehand.
 

In this article, we're breaking down the most important steps of pre-production into steps that will make the actual video production journey as smooth as a perfectly edited transition.

How to plan your video

Locations? Props? Gear? Storyboard? Voiceover? Actors? Are you feeling overwhelmed yet? Well, it can be without the proper planning. To go from the initial idea to the final video, you need to navigate through scripting, storyboarding, casting, scouting locations and actors, doing the actual shooting, post-production, and finally, distribution. 

Here's an overview of the entire process:

1. Pre-production– Before camera rolls!

Before you tap on that Record button, you need a solid game plan. What's the ultimate goal for your video? This is where you lay the foundation for your video. 

• Define your goal– who it is for, what’s the purpose of the video, and what message you want to convey. We'll get to that a little bit later.
• Brainstorm ideas – What's the best approach to bring the concept to life? Should you follow a specific storytelling structure?
• Coming up with a compelling script– This part involves writing the actual script scene by scene, line by line. This is where you write the actions and the overall flow of your video, making sure it delivers the right impact. 
• Storyboarding– Acts as your video's blueprint, a visual representation of each scene that will guide everyone involved in the shooting, from actors to producers.
• Production prep – Locations, props, wardrobe, audio and video gear, and schedules; in this phase, everything gets organized to avoid last-minute madness.

2. Production - Light, camera, action!

Now, it's time to do the actual shooting. The pre-production phase should make this part much smoother.

• Do the set-up– Prepare your camera and audio gear, location props, lighting, and actors or products(if you're shooting an ad).
• Shoot footage – Press Record and shoot scene by scene as visualized on the storyboard with all the specifications from the pre-production phase(frames, angles, lighting).
• Edit raw footage – Trim unnecessary shots and put together the raw footage into a coherent narrative.
• Do the video editing and audio enhancements – adding transitions, effects, sound effects, voiceovers, and other visual graphics.
• Revise and optimize video – Different platforms have different specs. Whether it's YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, make sure your video fits the designated channel where it will be published in the final version.

 3. Distribution- Get your video seen!

What's the point of all of the above if nobody is watching it? We think distribution is as important as production.

Choose the right channels – Make sure people get to find out about your new creation through adequate channels where your target audience spends more time on.

Repurpose like a genius– Craft attention-grabbing teaser clips, behind-the-scenes reels, or mini-series episodes to ensure reach and engagement are driving attention to your video.

Promote, promote, and promote – Make SEO your playground. Social media ads? Collaborations? Email marketing? Use the right tools to get in front of the right people.

Alright, folks! Now that we've laid out the entire roadmap let's roll up our sleeves and dive into the pre-production phase.

The five stages of pre-production

Defining goals and parameters for your video

This is where the seed of each viral, worth-watching, and scroll-stopping video begins to sprout. It is the first and probably the foremost important pre-production step. If your idea is weak, misaligned with your audience, or just plain confusing, no amount of cinematic shots or expert editing can rescue it. Without a solid plan and concept, your time and resources are basically tossed into the "redo" bin. If you can afford one!
 

What's the purpose of the video?

If you can't clearly define your video project's outset, all the following efforts are doomed to failure. 

Are you:

• Promoting a product? Have you ever watched Apple's sleek iPhone launch videos?
• Educating your audience? Ever crossed over a bite-sized Reel on Instagram explaining finance in only 30 seconds?
• Entertaining? Who hasn't tried at least one of the famous TikTok challenges, hasn't laughed hard on comedy sketches, or far too relatable memes?
• Breaking down complex topics? Explaining blockchain through an anime-style skit? Probably not the best fit.

If you can't have a clear purpose, the rest of the production process will be just a frustrating guessing game.

What's the story? 

Everything, yes, everything, has a story. An ad for a coffee brand that tells a compelling tale of early-morning struggles and the first sip of life-saving coffee? 

Take Nike, for example. They don't just sell shoes, they sell the story of perseverance, hard work, and people pushing their limits everyday. 

Can you put that kind of story into a flowing narrative that will get people's attention? Whether it's a product launch, YouTube tutorial, or actual self-made documentary, it's all about how it will touch viewers? And that's the power of a well-told story through video.

Do you know your audience? 

If you don't know who you're talking to, you will miss the mark. To make informed decisions on the story, script, and format of your video, you should ask yourself:  

• Who is watching? A busy corporate CEO looking for productivity hacks? A teen scrolling through TikTok for entertainment? A parent searching for quick dinner recipes?
• Where will they watch it? LinkedIn audiences expect a totally different tone than Instagram or TikTok users.
• What do they care about? Is your video answering their question, solving their problem, or entertaining them? Or will they scroll right past it?

What's the core message you want to convey? 

How should your audience feel after watching your video? Informed, inspired, or simply entertained?

What should your audience do with the information you provided through the video? Buy something, Subscribe? Share the video? Click a link?
 

Is it doable(in terms of budget, time, and talent)? 

A blockbuster concept might be ideal unless your budget barely covers snacks for the crew.

• In-house or Pro help? Are you planning on shooting using your smartphone and editing with free editing software? Or are you hiring a full production team to help you?
• What are the expenses at each production stage? How do you plan to stay within your budget? You don't want to spend all your budget on high-end camera gear only to realize you have nothing left for post-production.
• Do you have the time and skills to pull it off? Or do you need collaborators?

Where will it be published?

A general rule of thumb is to never shoot anything before deciding where your video will live. 

• Instagram Reels & TikTok: Vertical(9:16). A landscape video here? Well, that's a "standard" formatting fail. 
• YouTube: Horizontal (16:9) or YouTube Shorts ( 9:16). A full-length documentary or a short-form clip?
• LinkedIn: Professional, informative, and more than often in square format (1:1).
• Facebook & Ads: You can test different types of ads. Sometimes, square videos perform best for engagement.

How long will it be? 

Time is our most valuable resource, and our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter.

• TikTok & Reels: Definitely under 60 seconds. If you can't hook them in the first 3 seconds, they're gone.
• YouTube: Tutorials can last 5 to 10 minutes, and deep dives can last up to 20 minutes.
• Ads: the shorter, the better, even those storytelling-driven, unless they're Super Bowl commercials. 

A 10-minute video just to realize you'll be posting it on TikTok, where viewers' attention spans are under 1 minute? How do you scale down from that? 

Test your ideas before you shoot.

Script and storyboarding come later, but this phase is where you refine your concept. Test it as a short teaser or sketch out key moments. Catch weak points to make the production process smoother and worth it.

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 sketch 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.