What Happens in Pre-Production (And Why It Sets Everything Up)

7 Mar

Before filming. Before editing. Before anything is created. There’s pre-production.

It’s the planning stage that decides what the video will be, how it will be filmed, and whether the whole process feels smooth — or stressful. Pre-production doesn’t always look exciting, but it quietly does most of the heavy lifting. Done well, it’s what separates a chaotic shoot from a confident, controlled one.

What pre-production actually is

Pre-production is everything that happens before cameras come out. It’s where ideas start to take shape, where intentions become actions. At this stage, we:

Clarify the purpose of the video: who is it for, and what should they take away?
Decide what needs to be filmed: the key shots, scenes, and messaging.
Plan locations and setups: making sure the environment supports the story.
Think about format: vertical, landscape, or both, depending on where it will live.
Map out scenes or talking points: so the narrative flows and nothing is missed.
Prepare the people who’ll be on camera: giving them confidence and clarity before the day.

Nothing is filmed yet — but a lot is decided. Every choice made here saves time, stress, and guesswork later.

Why pre-production matters so much

Skipping or rushing pre-production usually leads to:

Unclear messaging: your audience won’t know what you’re trying to say.
Wasted shoot time: without a plan, valuable time on set is lost figuring things out.
Missed shots: critical moments may never be captured.
Stress on filming day: uncertainty creates tension for everyone involved.
More work in post-production: fixing problems that could have been solved before the camera rolled.

Strong pre-production, on the other hand, means:

Filming is focused: everyone knows exactly what needs to happen.
Decisions are already made: less guesswork, more confidence.
Everyone knows what they’re there to do: creating calm and control on set.

It’s the difference between “turn up and hope for the best” and “this feels organised.” When pre-production is done well, the entire process — from shoot to edit — feels smoother, faster, and more professional.

Pre-production isn’t about overplanning

This is an important distinction. Good pre-production isn’t about:

Rigid scripts: forcing every word and action into a fixed plan, which can stifle spontaneity and natural performance.
Overthinking every word: obsessing over small details that may never even be noticed by your audience.
Locking everything down perfectly: leaving no room for flexibility or creative adjustments on the day.

Instead, pre-production is about creating enough structure to guide the process. It’s clarity that matters, not complexity. When you know the essentials — the story, the key shots, the objectives — everything else falls into place more easily.

This is where efficiency starts

Pre-production is the stage where time is saved and resources are used wisely. At this point, we:

Plan multiple scenes in one location: this reduces setup time and keeps shoots moving smoothly.
Think about how footage can be reused: maximizing the value of every shot across different videos and platforms.
Group content logically: arranging shots so the narrative flows naturally and nothing feels disjointed.
Avoid unnecessary setups: focusing only on what’s essential for the story.

When done well, one thoughtfully planned shoot can produce:

Multiple videos: each tailored for different purposes or campaigns.
Short-form content: clips optimized for social media, ads, or internal use.
Assets for different platforms: images, B-roll, and graphics that support the broader marketing strategy.

Efficiency doesn’t come from rushing. It comes from deciding what matters most before cameras even start rolling. The more clarity you have upfront, the smoother the entire production process becomes.

Pre-production sets up production and post

Every stage of video production builds on the last:

Pre-production decides what should happen: it’s the blueprint for the entire project.
Production captures it: bringing the plan to life on set, with minimal guesswork.
Post-production shapes it: refining the captured material into a polished final product.

If pre-production is unclear, the consequences ripple through the entire workflow. Production becomes chaotic, the shoot feels stressful, and post-production ends up fixing problems instead of enhancing quality. A clear pre-production stage allows each following step to focus on creativity, not troubleshooting.

Final thought

Pre-production is rarely visible on screen, but it’s always felt. When it’s done properly:

Filming feels calm: everyone knows their role and the sequence of events.
Decisions feel easy: there’s confidence in what needs to happen next.
The final video makes sense: the story flows naturally, and the message resonates.

Pre-production isn’t about doing more upfront. It’s about making everything that comes afterward easier, faster, and more effective. Investing time here transforms a shoot from a stressful guessing game into a controlled, purposeful, and productive process.

Set Your Video Up Properly

The best shoot days are the ones that are planned well. Pre-production is where the messaging, structure, locations, and logistics get sorted so filming runs smoothly and nothing is left to chance.

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