Stages of Video Production
A film has three stages
The work moves through a plan, a shoot, and an edit. If you skip the plan, the shoot day costs more and the edit takes longer.
1. Planning
This is where you lock the goal, the viewers, and the budget.
We write the script, draw the shots, book the crew, and scout the place. Grey Sky Films spends real time here so the shoot day stays calm.
2. The shoot
This is the day we roll the camera.
The crew sets light and sound, then records the scenes. A director keeps the tone on track. We shoot with the edit in mind, so we do not miss a shot you will need later.
3. The edit
We cut the footage, clean the sound, and add titles or graphics.
You review a cut, we make the changes, and then we export files for the web, social, or TV.
What helps a job go well
Agree on the goal before you shoot. Keep one person in charge of notes. Leave time for a review cut.
Tell us where the film will run. A social clip and a TV spot are not cut the same way.
About The Author
Mark Serao
Brands Mark Has Worked With
Mark’s love and passion for photography started at a very young age. His father had built a darkroom in the basement of their house and for a young Mark, the spark was ignited. He saw the magic of watching a simple piece of photo paper transform into an image right in front of his eyes and he was hooked. Right then and there he decided he needed to be involved in that creative world somehow. Not knowing exactly where or how to break into the industry after graduating William Paterson University of New Jersey, Mark felt the best approach would be to start his own production company.
Professionally, Mark has spent the last 20+ years as a co-founder of Grey Sky Films and has directed thousands of videos. He feels lucky to have had the privilege to work with agencies and clients such as Entennmann’s, Chimay, Global Beer Network, Gatorade, Propel, HTC, LG, Prudential, SONY, Optimum, Ashley Furniture, Post Foods, D’Artagnan, PSE&G and so many more.
Mark’s work has taken him around the world to so many awe-inspiring places and has placed him in every situation imaginable.
