Introduction

This page contains a brief checklist of the essential video production processes.

1 Planning

Make a budget

Write a script / treatment

Create storyboards

2 Pre-production

Make props

Cast and rehearse actors / musicians

Make costumes

Scout and arrange locations

Hire technical staff

Hire & test equipment

Ensure electricity supply

Hire van

Arrange catering

Charge batteries

Blank video tapes (to ensure contiguous timecode)

3 Filming

Ensure camera in SP (standard Play mode)

Ensure camera in 2-track 16-bit 48KHz audio mode

Check windshield status

Check time/date picture burn-in option is off

Use a tripod wherever possible (to help improve video compression)

Name / identify tapes

Log shots

Remember to record foley

4 Editing

Ensure you have a dedicated drive or your system drive is partitioned. A 7200rpm drive or better is desirable

Boot computer

Shut down all un-necessary applications

Create a folder structure (click here for downloads and advice) for all your assets on video drive (scratch disk)

Copy foley, music, still images, 3D, voiceover etc to relevant asset folders

Connect DV camcorder via firewire (iLink)

Launch editing application

Create new Project

Select DV PAL for UK, DV NTSC for US)

Set scratch disk location(s)

Set any other preferences (such as still frame duration)

Import your assets

Name and save the project file

Log and capture your clips (batch capture)

Edit your video

SAVE YOUR PROJECT FILE OFTEN

5 Publishing

FOR DVD VIDEO

If you are creating video for a DVD video disc then either ...

export using the QuickTime Pro MPEG-2 option which you can import into a DVD authoring program

save your file as a self-contained (mixed down) DV file and import it in a dedicated conversion program such as Cleaner

FOR THE INTERNET

Click here for advice. Again, you can either use the QuickTime Pro export option or covert in another program such as Cleaner

FOR DVD/CD-ROM

Click here for advice. Again, you can either use the QuickTime Pro export option or covert in another program such as Cleaner.