A production day — from script to finished edit
How you use the most common hand tools correctly and safely
Production rarely involves just pressing record. It is about planning carefully, collaborating closely and delivering on time. The work is traditionally divided into three phases and you learn to know them all.
§Pre-production — everything is prepared
Before the camera rolls, everything is planned. Script or treatment is reviewed, shooting locations are found, equipment is booked, and a shot list sets the sequence for what is filmed when. The better the pre-production, the fewer expensive surprises arise on shoot day. An hour saved in planning often costs hours on set, so this phase is never underestimated.
§Recording day — the team works together
On the shooting day, the team gathers and each has their role: camera, lighting, sound, direction, and those who coordinate. The lighting is set, the camera is placed, the sound is checked, and the scenes are filmed — often multiple times and from multiple angles so there is something to choose from in editing. The pace is fast and a shooting day is expensive so discipline, clear communication, and respect for each other's work is crucial for it to run smoothly.
§Sound is half the impression
Many think film is mostly about the picture but poor sound destroys a recording faster than a mediocre image. Therefore the sound recording is just as careful as the camera: silence on set the right microphone close to the source and a sound technician listening. Sound that was not recorded properly can rarely be saved afterwards — so you get it right on the day.
§Post-production — everything is assembled
When the material is in house, post-production begins. The editor chooses the best settings and builds the story in a timeline. Then come sound processing, music, color correction, and any graphics and effects. Here the many recordings become one cohesive piece. An organized project with named clips and folders makes this phase fast—a messy project costs hours every time something needs finding.
§Delivery in the correct format
Finally the finished product must be delivered in the format it is to be used in — TV, cinema, web or social media each have their own requirements for resolution, image format, sound level and file type. A clip for a large screen and the same clip for a phone are not the same. A final check of image, sound and length catches errors before they reach the viewer.
§Why collaboration is a core competence
Film and TV are rarely made alone. You work closely with many professional groups, and a production succeeds when everyone does their part on time and communicates clearly together. The one who can both do his craft and work calmly under pressure is far more valuable on a team than the one who can only do one.
“It goes well on the shoot day when the pre-production was thorough. The rest is keeping a cool head and keeping to time.”
— Professional view on production's daily life.