The seven waypoints
- KickoffPRE-PRODUCTION · 01
All decision-makers at one table, ideally in a single meeting.
- Goal, audience and budget
- Roles and approvals
- Timeline and milestones
- Pre-production meeting (PPM)PRE-PRODUCTION · 02
The final sign-off on every detail before the shoot.
- Script, storyboard and cast locked
- Locations, wardrobe, props
- Shooting schedule confirmed
- Location scout (recce)PRE-PRODUCTION · 03
Check locations ahead of time, never on the shoot day.
- Light, sound and power
- Access, parking, permits
- Reference photos for the crew
- Shoot dayPRODUCTION · 04
The call sheet and shooting order set the plan for the day.
- Call times and contacts
- Shot order by lighting setup
- Buffer for the unexpected
- Offline editPOST-PRODUCTION · 05
Sequence, timing, story. Once it's locked, the film stands.
- Select the best takes
- Build structure and pacing
- Picture Lock
- Online finishPOST-PRODUCTION · 06
Color, sound and graphics come together.
- Color Grading
- Sound design and mix
- Graphics and titles
- Final deliveryDELIVERY · 07
Every format exported, checked and handed over.
- All aspect ratios and specs
- Subtitles and captions
- Archive and hand-off
What matters in each phase
In pre-production the film is made on paper. Every question you settle here no longer costs money on the shoot day. A clean script, a realistic schedule and a location scout are the cheapest insurance there is.
On the shoot day, calm is everything. The shooting order isn't based on the script but on lighting setups and locations: everything shot in one direction comes back to back.
In post-production, story and polish are separate. Only once the edit is approved (picture lock) are grading, mixing and graphics worth doing. Re-edit after that and you pay for those steps twice.
The seven steps are adapted from a post by Andy Heidenreich (@andyheidenreich_film).