The Process

Although video production can be broken down into discrete phases, it is in fact a holistic process. Investing time and energy into pre-production will pay off during production and post-production. Even though editing can account to some extent for issues like color balance problems and unwanted camera shakiness, there is no substitute for good planning and recording.

The following will help guide you through your process.

• Pre-production
• Production
• Post-production

PRE-PRODUCTION

• Create outline
• Write script
• Make storyboard (click for templates)
• Determine budget
• Cast project
• Gather and create costumes
• Gather and create props
• Scout and OK locations
• Get equipment (UW students can use Classroom Support Services).

PRODUCTION

• Setting up shots
• Consider different shot types (click to view examples)
• Use the rule of thirds to help set up shots
• Minimize camera and subject motion with tripod or stabilizer
• Lighting
• For outside lighting consider the golden hour 
• For inside lighting with a stationary subject consider three point lighting 
• Prepare computer graphics and photographic images
  
  • Adobe Illustrator for creating computer graphics
  • Adobe Photoshop for editing images
  • Record additional audio
  • Gather stock video footage and sound

POST-PRODUCTION

• Consult our Software page to decide which application(s) to use to edit your project
• Connect your hard drive or flash drive camera via USB to your computer
• Use DV Decks (see Hardware) or connect your tape video camera via FireWire cable to your computer

• Back up the project continuously during post-production
• If you are on Mac, we recommend using a FireWire or Thunderbolt external hard drive
• If you are on Windows, we recommend using a USB 3.0 external hard drive (check to make sure your computer is USB 3.0 compatible first, otherwise use USB 2.0)

• Exporting to file
• Lossless vs Compressed
• Compressed videos are smaller and lower quality than lossless videos
• We recommend H.264 as a compression format
• Burn to DVD with iDVD (basic, Mac only), DVD Studio Pro (advanced, Mac only) or Adobe Encore (advanced, Mac or Windows)
• Upload to streaming media site such as YouTube or Vimeo
• For more information about streaming media at UW please visit How to Create Streaming Media