What are the steps involved in making a video?

Unlike still photography, which is reactive, filmmaking is proactive. That is: it requires planning to achieve a good result. Here’s the steps:

1. Concept. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” the saying goes. What is the objective of the video? Who is the audience? What type of film will be most likely to produce the results we’re after? A written script isn’t always necessary, but knowing where you’re going is vital before you start.

2. Planning. Scheduling participants, crew, and equipment can be time consuming, but it always pays off when “the day” arrives.

3. Production. Shooting itself generally involves at least two people: the cinematographer, and a sound recordist, who work in concert to produce high-quality audio that supports moving pictures.

4. Post-production. After shooting concludes, the real work of filmmaking begins: assembling the film in the editing room. Typically a first “radio edit” is made solely with audio, which provides a foundation for the story. Then, visuals are added, followed by transitions. Music is often added as the last step in this process, although it sometimes goes in much earlier. It’s important to note that music can add significant cost to a project, depending on choice of music. But inexpensive alternatives are widely available. Finally, color correction is applied, to make it all pop off the screen.

5. Delivery. When a completed draft of the film is ready, the filmmakers present it to the client. If the client loves it, the project is finished. But usually there is one round of changes requested at this stage by the client. After these changes have been made, the video is complete, and the client receives a full HD copy of the finished file for sharing on the web, burning to DVD, or for projection on any supported medium such as TV or theatrical screenings.