Video production is more than just recording and editing footage. It's a creative and technical process that, when executed well, can produce powerful videos that entertain, educate, and inspire.  
Guided by our video production experts, we’ll share all you need to know about video production and discuss key stages for creating successful videos that benefit your company.
Table of Contents
What Is Video Production?
Video production means the process of creating video content, both live and recorded, for various media outlets, such as television, websites, and social media. It relies on creative, technical, and organizational skills to capture video footage, edit it into a final product, and present it to an audience. 
Through visuals, audio, and storytelling techniques in videos, businesses can effectively communicate memorable messages that entertain and inform audiences across multiple platforms.
Video production can be broken down into pre-production, production, and post-production phases, which involve planning, scripting, shooting, sound recording, editing, color grading, and more. The final product comes in many formats, such as a film, television program, corporate video, or advertisement, depending on your needs. 
3 Stages of the Video Production Process
Following the video production definition above, let’s discuss its stages in detail. Whether you're creating corporate videos, social media content, or even feature films, the process is largely the same. Here are the stages: 
1. Pre-Production
Pre-production is often called the planning stage as it entails mapping out the project from start to finish.
During pre-production, video producers oversee:
- Defining the concept, key goals, and objectives
- Writing the script or storyboard
- Outlining a production schedule
- Deciding on locations and talent involved in the shoot
- Budgeting for equipment and personnel
- Researching potential filming techniques to best capture your desired visuals 
Pre-production also requires addressing any legal or copyright issues associated with the project, such as music or image clearances used in your video. Taking time to thoroughly plan every detail of your video in this phase ensures smooth-sailing production and post-production.
2. Production
Production is when the magic happens; this is when you’ll be capturing your video content.  
During the shoot, the director coordinates actors or hosts according to planned shots from pre-production, while cinematographers capture footage using cameras and other equipment. Cameras need to be positioned strategically to capture the best possible footage, considering composition, framing, and other aesthetic elements.
Additionally, proper audio and lighting setup are crucial for enhancing sound quality, creating appropriate moods with strategically placed lights, and producing a professional-looking product. 
If production goes well, you’ll have high-quality raw footage that can easily take your video project to the next level. 
3. Post-Production
Post-production ties all your efforts together. During this stage, the footage is assembled into a cohesive project that tells an engaging story. To produce the best video production design, the footage needs to go through editing.
Editing can range from basic clip trimming and adding titles and credits to more intensive work such as color correction, sound design, mixing, and special effects. This is when technical considerations, such as pixel quality and continuity, are also addressed. 
It’s important to keep an eye on the overall flow of the video and ensure a clear narrative that follows the story arc outlined during pre-production planning. 
Once you're satisfied with the edited piece, it’s time for sharing! You can share your video via multiple platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, other social media platforms, your website, or even broadcast networks, depending on the project’s scope.
What Is the Importance of Video Production for Businesses?
Video production enables companies to visually convey their message, quickly capture attention, and reach new audiences.
Studies show that viewers retain 95% of a message delivered through video content and only 10% through written content. Additionally, 94% of video marketers attest that videos helped improve understanding of their product or service among consumers. It's no wonder 84% of people have been influenced to buy after watching a brand’s video. 
Keeping up with the latest video marketing trends can help businesses:
- Stand out from the competition and build brand awareness
- Ensure consistency of message across all channels
- Enhance customer engagement and encourage potential customers to take action. For instance, video ads can increase purchase intent by 97% and brand association by 139%. 
- Improve SEO rankings by increasing the website’s visibility on search engines
- Allow companies to track their performance more easily by analyzing audience engagement data, such as viewership and clicks
Should You Outsource Video Production?
Outsourcing video production is an effective way to take your project from concept to completion. The top video production companies have a pool of experienced creatives and skilled editors, as well as the necessary equipment, the latest software, and know-how needed for producing high-quality videos. 
Most of them offer end-to-end solutions with content strategy, concept creation, scripting, storyboarding, casting, filming, and editing. This removes the need to hire in-house talent or purchase the right technology — all you have to do is explain your vision and let them handle the rest.
You can save time, money, and energy by utilizing the expertise of professionals who specialize in creating high-quality videos for various platforms. Outsourcing also gives you access to a broad network of resources so you can find the best talent and technology.
Professional video producers are experienced in all stages of video production from pre-production planning to post-production editing. This makes them highly capable of creating meaningful content that captures your viewers' attention. 
Moreover, when you outsource video production instead of hiring in-house video producers, you can handpick the exact match for each project you have. For instance, if you’re shooting a commercial, you can hire one of the top commercial video production companies that specialize in commercials exclusively. Plus, the cost of video production can get quite high, so you can choose a service provider that meets your budget! 
What Is Video Production: Key Takeaways
From planning to filming and post-production, the video production process is expansive but incredibly rewarding. If it seems like too big of a challenge for you, you can always choose to outsource.
With the right team and resources in place, even the most complex videos can be completed successfully. Our guide on how to choose a video production company can help you make the right choice. 
