Video Production Process & Steps

Video Production
Video Production Process & Steps
Article by Ivana Ivanova
Last Updated: November 27, 2024

Video production is the process of producing video content for various multiple media outlets, including TV, websites, and social media. With the number of videos increasing every year — 2023 had 29% more videos than 2022 — it’s clear that many people prefer this format for discovering new things, including products on the market.

So, how can you use the creative video production process for your business? To do that, you must first understand its stages. We’ll cover the three key steps of video production to help you get started on creating your own amazing videos.

Video Production Stages

Video is the preferred content format today, with people projected to spend 60.1% of their time consuming video content in 2025 as opposed to other social network activities. With statistics like this, there’s no question whether you should invest in video marketing; outsourcing video editing and production to top video marketing agencies is the safest way to ensure great results. 

But if you feel you have what it takes to create compelling video content, there are three phases of video production you need to know:

  1. Pre-production stage
  2. Production stage
  3. Post-production stage

1. Pre-Production Stage 

The pre-production phase of video production is of utmost importance because it lays the foundation for the rest of the project. It involves the initial planning, scripting, and preparation of all the elements needed for a successful video shoot. 

This is where you develop your concept, create a storyboard to map out each scene, and make a list of all the visuals you want to capture. More specifically, during this stage, you should: 

  • Research current video marketing trends
  • Discover filming techniques 
  • Develop a storyboard
  • Decide on the budget 
  • Identify your goals 
  • Work on scripting
  • Scout locations 
  • Set schedules 
  • Hire crew

This ensures that everyone involved in the project is on the same page when it comes to the vision and execution. It also helps keep costs down by avoiding costly re-shoots or edits due to miscommunication. By defining roles and tasks for all stakeholders right from the get-go, you can produce polished results within the set timeframes.

Source: Freepik

Good pre-production work is crucial for identifying and addressing potential problems before they become too expensive to resolve. This is especially important for small businesses, as video production can cost them a lot. 

Pre-production allows for creative ideas and crucial technical details for each shot or scene to be sorted out in advance. This helps keep the shoot efficient and organized, minimizing the risk of errors or delays that could negatively affect the final result. 

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2. Production Stage

Production is the most exciting part of crafting video content. This is where you capture all the footage and audio that you need to tell your story. During this stage, you should finalize the script and storyboard and acquire all resources such as crew, actors, locations, props, and equipment. 

Whether you’re working with corporate video production companies, a small independent team focused on video ads, or going solo, having an organized workflow is key to ensuring everything runs smoothly during filming. 

Source: Freepik

On set, directors guide the action while camera operators capture every moment either through live-action shooting or animation. Once all the footage has been captured, it's time for post-production — which brings us one step closer to creating something incredible.

3. Post-Production Stage 

As the final stage in video production, post-production is your time to shine and prove that you can create top-notch video designs that your customers will appreciate.  Post-production includes a variety of tasks such as:

  • Editing: Selecting and assembling shots into a cohesive sequence based on the director's vision.
  • Color grading: This involves adjusting the brightness and color balance of each shot to create a consistent look throughout the film. 
  • Mixing audio: Mixing audio balances music, sound effects, and dialogue so they can be heard clearly in the footage while eliminating unwanted background noise.
  • Motion graphics: Adding animation or graphics to videos.
  • Compositing special effects: Adding computer-generated visual elements like explosions or other digital effects into scenes.
  • Titling: Used to generate opening and closing credits for projects, as well as create titles for each scene or sequence. 

Of course, the post-production stage can include all these steps, some of them or even more, depending on the scope of your project. For example, in explainer videos like Dollar Shave Club’s ad, professional video production companies will emphasize the importance of editing, color grading, and mixing audio, while special effects are not always necessary. See what we mean here:

Note that post-production isn't just about technical tweaks; it’s where creativity truly shines as you develop unique sequences and visual effects. With practice and patience, post-production can help you turn raw footage into something truly spectacular.

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You Produced a Video, Now What?

Once your video is ready, it’s time to implement strategies to ensure the finished product reaches its target audience.

Today, 91% of businesses use video marketing to engage their audience, meaning that after creating your video, it’s crucial to take steps to ensure it sees the light of day.

You can achieve this by coordinating with digital advertising agencies and media outlets or utilizing social media channels to maximize your reach. Determining which approach is best for you depends on the type of video you're using — comedy videos, for instance, are the second most popular genre, right after music videos.

If done right, you can enjoy different video marketing benefits, including:

  • Improve ROI
  • Boosts lead generation and builds brand awareness
  • Higher conversion rates
  • Increased content interaction on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram

5 Video Production Tips for Professional Results

Video production may seem like a daunting task for beginners, but don’t worry — we've gathered five tips that will help your business produce professional-quality videos:

  1. Have a plan
  2. Use the rule of thirds
  3. Mind the audio quality
  4. Use quality editing software
  5. Don’t copy

1. Have a Plan

While you never know what the outcome will look like for sure, you should still have a general idea of what you’re working toward. Define what you want to accomplish and how you want to do it. You can write down and make a list of goals that you can use as a roadmap to help keep you on track.

However, as important as a plan is, remember to stay flexible and adapt as the project develops. New opportunities or ideas may arise, so it’s a good idea to keep an open mind.

2. Use the Rule of Thirds

Source: Negative Space

The rule of thirds is a composition technique that sections your screen in three parts, placing the main element in one part, while the other two are open. Mostly used in photography, the rule of thirds helps create a balance in your image.

Videographers also employ the rule of thirds by creating a 3x3 grid. While most cameras have this grid feature, some may require you to visualize it.

3. Mind the Audio Quality

While software can fix and adjust audio discrepancies, it’s best to address them during filming to save you time and effort later.

Audio quality is crucial for viewer retention and to project a professional image of your brand to potential customers. Ensure every detail — clear pronunciation, adequate volume, and overall clarity — is in check to maintain a polished, professional sound.

4. Use Quality Editing Software

If video editing is not your strong suit, you can turn to professionals for help. However, this option can sometimes be too expensive, especially for small businesses and those just starting.

In such cases, getting good editing software is the best way to help you wrap up the video production process. Even if you don’t use the most recent equipment on the market, quality software can help you erase the mistakes and tweak the video, so it looks first-rate.

5. Don’t Copy

Don’t just follow someone else’s strategy. To achieve the best results in your video production process, every video project requires a customized approach tailored to your brand. While other creators’ ideas may be inspiring, remember that you’re promoting your own business. To stand out and connect with your audience, you need to have a personal touch to every video you make.

For example, viral trends on TikTok and Instagram can attract attention, but a copy-paste approach won't get you far. Incorporate elements unique to your brand like your mission, vision, logo, color, etc. to help customers differentiate you.

Video Production Process Takeaways

Producing videos is a time-consuming and detailed process, but the results are worth the effort.  It requires thoughtful planning, creativity, and careful execution, starting with a compelling story and followed by elements like an effective script and visuals.

As daunting as it may seem at first, breaking down the video production process into manageable stages makes it easier to navigate. If all else fails, you can always bring extra help on board. Just remember, when you outsource to top video production companies, be sure to prepare an RFP for video production to outline your expectations and requirements.

Not sure how to choose the right video production company? Check out this guide to make the right choice!

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