Pre-production involves planning all elements of a film or performance before production begins. It includes outlining objectives, requirements, and plans. Key pre-production steps are concept development, script writing, casting, location scouting, securing equipment and props, and scheduling. Pre-production is important as it allows filmmakers to foresee and prevent problems, improve efficiency, have a clear plan, facilitate funding acquisition, and explicitly discuss their vision.
2. What is pre-production?
- First of three stages of a
production
(preproduction, production, post-
production)
- Pre-production is the process of
preparing all the elements involved
in a film, play, or other
performance.
- Involves outlining what is to be
accomplished, what you need to
accomplish it, and how you will go
about accomplishing it.
Amateur filmmaking
pre-production steps
3. Why is pre-production important?
- Allows you to foresee any possible problems before they
happen
- Allows you to be more efficient with your time
- Have a game plan/show people you know what you are doing
- Allows for explicit discussion of agenda that can be built upon
- Can work as a tool for acquiring funding
Teleprompter Fail Lord of the Rings Pre-
production: Forced Perspective
„Idol held auditions on
the aircraft carrier USS
Midway, which was the
first mistake, since boat
horns and jet noise
interrupted audition
after audition.‟
- USA Today on
American Idol Auditions
4. Stages of Preproduction
Amateur Production
- Concept
Development
- Script
Writing/Storyboardin
g
- Casting/Crew
Assembly
- Location Scouting
- Securing
Equipment/ Prop
and Wardrobe
- Scheduling
Professional
Production
- Grant
Writing/Funding
- Special Effects
Identification
- Accounting/
Financing Audit
6. The Dark Knight Script
- Condense, concise
- Leave out descriptive
language
- Format properly
- Don‟t worry too much about
camera direction
- The director will “mark
up” the script at a later
time; the script is about
character and plot
development
Script
7. Storyboa
rd
Script becomes visual
- Camera framing
- Basic camera
movement
- No writing
Usually constructed
AFTER locations are
scouted
Dark Knight Storyboard
8. News Scripts
- Differ from narrative scripts
- Separated into Audio and
Video
- Typically include “package”
prompts, anchor
information, and specific time
