production checklists

I got these off the web, but it is a start:

VIDEO PRODUCTION CHECKLIST:

Initial planning and preparation
This is crucial. You must know what you want
to film, where, and when. Most videos will require:

• 
  A script, showing in written form what filming
  is required including camera angles and shot sizes



• 
  and/or



• 
  A storyboard, showing the intended shots in
  the form of drawings.

A recce of each location to check that
it is suitable.

• 
  Is there enough light?



• 
  Is it quiet enough?



• 
  Is there enough space?



• 
  Do you need permission to film there?

A checklist of equipment you will need.

• 
  Do you need anything else (eg props and costumes
  for an acted scene)?



• 
  Will you need transport?

A shooting schedule indicating what
will be filmed, where, and when.

• 
  Will the people, equipment and facilities
  you need will be available when you want to film?



• 
  Will you have enough time for scenes that
  need several takes? 1

Equipment checklist

You may not need all of these every time.

Check that each piece of equipment is working
before you take it out on a shoot.

Name of project _________________________________________________________

Individuals involved _________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Date of shoot _________________________________________________________

Location of shoot _________________________________________________________

Camera

Required Ready

Clapperboard

Required Ready

Tripod

Required Ready

Microphone

Required Ready

Lead

Required Ready

Stand or boom

Required Ready

Headphones

Required Ready

Tapes with blank labels* Required Ready

Batteries and spares, fully charged

Required Ready

Mains adaptor

Required Ready

Extension cable

Required Ready

Script

Required Ready

Storyboard

Required Ready

Notebook to log shots

Required Ready

Lights

Required Ready

Other: ______________________________ Required
Ready

______________________________ Required
Ready

* If you're reusing old tapes, check their
condition and rewind them. 2

 

Filming checklist

 

Before you start recording

Check your camera isnÕt displaying
the date and time

Check colour balance if necessary.

Avoid mixing light sources (eg daylight
+ fluorescent light)

Set exposure and focus to manual or automatic
as required

Check for background sound and other distractions

Check sound levels if possible

Check there's enough light but not too
much contrast

Record a short section and play it back
to check everythingÕs working (including sound)

Film with the camera pointing away from
the light source

Check the background - is it distracting,
too light, too dark?

Check your framing

Make sure your shots don't 'cross the
line'

Check focus and exposure

Rememer to record cutaways

 

When you're filming

Check that the  REC symbol appears in
the viewfinder when you start filming, and that PAUSE or

STANDBY appears when you have stopped
filming

Record more than you need: start the camera
running several seconds before things start

happening, and keep it running for a couple
of seconds after things stop

 

After filming

Label each tape and make supporting notes
of what you have filmed

 

Filming an acted scene or interview

Team:

• 
  Director



• 
  Production assistant



• 
  Camera operator



• 
  Sound recordist

(You could have one or two people filling
all these functions)

1 When everything is set up and everyone
is ready to do a take, the Director asks for quiet and says

Stand by.

2 The Director asks the Camera Operator
to start recording by saying Turn over.

3 The Camera Operator presses the button
to start recording. Once she can see the symbol REC in

the viewfinder, she signals that the recording
has started.

4 The Director counts the actors/participants
in silently using 3, 2, 1, fingers and a wave of the hand.

5 Once the action has finished, the Director
silently counts to five and then calls out CUT.

6 The Camera Operator presses the button
to stop filming and checks that the REC symbol has been

replaced by PAUSE

7 The Production Assistant ticks off the
scene on the list.

Hints for shooting

• 
  When the shot includes a camera movement,
  hold on the still image for a couple of seconds before and after the movement



• 
  Try to include a complete movement



• 
  Don't cut while the camera/zoom is still moving



• 
  Zooms should only be used rarely if at all



• 
  Allow shots to run until a natural break occurs

Some things you may need for a video shoot:


Video camera (essential)
Tripod
Blank tapes (bring more than you’ll need)
Power supply and adaptors (3 prong to 2 prong)
Power strip/surge protector
Foreign currency converter
Extension cords
Charged batteries
Headphones (to monitor audio)
Gaffer’s tape (to tape down cords to prevent tripping over them)
Microphone(s) and spare batteries
Extension cords for external mics (XLR or mini)
Converters and plugs for audio and mics
Light kit
Whiteboard/reflector
Equipment cart
Take notes
Model release and a pen
Flash light (if you are shooting in a dark theater)
Portable monitor (if the camera doesn’t have a large, color display and you want to review the footage on site)
Cell phone (turn ringer off, but useful if you need to phone your contact or forget something)