My Pre-Production Process

Here’s a breakdown of the materials I typically use to plan a shoot.

We begin with the a director’s treatment to pitch a concept. This is a general overview

of what topics I will touch upon when presenting to a client. Sometimes it’s mostly

text and images, but if I have a link to a video that helps sell the concept a bit better,

I will add that as well.

Next, I develop a shot list to make sure we know exactly what to shoot and where the camera

should be for each shot. Some directors prefer a storyboard to a shot list, others prefer both.

But for me, a shot list contains all the information necessary to finish a project. I have found

that people often get caught up in trying to match the exact frame in a storyboard when it

may not be possible to do so in the actual space we’re shooting in. Shooting a commercial

requires flexibility and improvisation. A shot list allows me to plan a shoot while allowing

room for unexpected challenges.

Next, I will put out a casting call and hire my crew. This process typically takes one to two weeks,

depending on how many projects I’m juggling at the time. Once all the details have been finalized,

a call sheet is sent out to all cast and crew. I tend to time my crew’s arrival half an hour before talent

to set up the first shot before our actors even get into wardrobe. Most of the time, we get the first shot

in the bag within half an hour of talent arriving on set. I have established a reputation of having my

shoots done in ten hours or less, and I plan to maintain that record as long as possible.

Finally, here’s the finished video.