Steps to Creating Successful Video and Audio Media Productions
Define Your Audience
Defining your audience is the first step and most important step in the pre-production process. This step typically requires some degree of research. Defining your audience's interests involves narrowing the scope of a media production. The more narrow the focus, the greater chance of success because the media production will deliver a message that you know your audience cares about. It is important to engage your audience in a way that they will appreciate.
Define Your Message
Consider the message purpose prior to filming content. The message is the idea, theme or topic that you need to communicate to your audience. Narrowing your message is important. The more messages you include the less likely your audience is to understand and remember them. Is your story best told through audio, video, or another avenue? Is the message aligned with the district's or department's vision or beliefs? A simple message is best.
Create Script or Storyboard
Storytelling has been around since humans were able to communicate with each other. What evolves are the mediums in which we tell our stories. At the core of great media productions is a really good script. As you might expect, there is a direct correlation between video length and viewer drop-off. Short and segmented video or audio content is best. Different videos have different optimal length but the general rule of thumb is to make videos as short as possible and chunk content into separate videos. A storyboard is a visual representation of your digital story and provides a platform to visualize the shoot before production happens. Just as a storyboard is a breakdown of scenes, a shot list is a break down of camera shots to include camera placement and lighting. Creating a storyboard and shot list in advance will save time during production and will assist in creating a more professional product.
Location and Equipment Needs
Decide on the location of the media production ahead of time and schedule to determine availability. Identify equipment needs for all shots. Consider audio, mic, and lighting needs. BISD offers both onsite and a media production facility to assist district employees with production. Mobile green screen units, video camera, and mics are available though the BISD media center for use. A process for reserving equipment can be located on this website under the Request Services page.
Locate Talent
Who should be involved in the production of the media project? Will you need to interview? It is wise to schedule talent ahead of time and to share pre-production planning with participants.