Short videos are a great tool for storytelling. You can use them for vlogging, fundraising, or for telling a narrative at the heart of an organization’s culture. Here’s the big question, though: How can you maximize your effectiveness in storytelling? Sure, you can jump right into making a video and produce something stunning. And surely there are a range of methods to making fantastic videos. From my experience, however, almost all short videos are made up of a 3-part process. Those are: pre-production, production, and post-production. Your effectiveness as a filmmaker is a product of how you maximize on the nuances of the video making process.

In this 3-part blog series, I aim to help you capitalize on the video making process so that you can keep growing towards effective storytelling. I love this process because it applies to both the novice and the expert filmmaker. Since there are plenty of resources out there, it is my goal to help you see the process in a different light. That is, I hope to show you how to make exceptional short videos by mixing traditional video making strategies with unconventional ones.

I shot a short video for the Cople family recently, and it will serve as a quick reference throughout this series. TJ Cople plans to come on staff at Exchange Church in Rolesville, NC this year, and the video we created sought to communicate his story.

This week, we’ll touch on pre-production, the “before” stage of any short video. Here are 8 things I considered in planning for the Coples’ short video.

1. The Why

Why is it that you need to tell this particular story? What is the purpose? What are some goals you have that will come as a response to your short video? My initial conversations with TJ aimed to answer the big question of “why”. He already made a web page with his story, but needed another medium to communicate it. A short video, we decided, would help tell his story very well.

2. Feasibility

You have the vision, now can you actually do it? Do you have the right equipment for the job (lenses, camera bodies, mic stands, audio equipment, etc.)? Do you need other personnel to help with rigging and set-up? Will there be any costs (time, money, reputation, etc.)?

3. The Subjects

So, you have your “why” and determine it’s feasible to complete your video project. Now, who exactly will best fulfill the “why” under the constraints of feasibility? Free actors are great, but you need to take time to train them if they don’t know how to communicate properly on camera! Encourage them to practice articulation and script memorization before the shoot.

4. The Script

I have two thoughts here: CUT IT OUT and TARGET PRACTICE! You have your “why” and the right people for the job. Now your task is to write a concise but compelling script. I recently spoke with Brady Shearer, the Creator of Pro Church Tools, and he had this to say about the video making process:

My job as a storyteller is remove every iota of fluff that could muddy a person’s story. Cut away that which shouldn’t be there and let the redemptive work of Christ shine through.

Brady Shearer, Creator of Pro Church Tools

Brady knows his “why” and uses it for target practice! Aim your script at your “why”, cut out the unnecessary verbiage, and you too will be on track for effective communication.

5. Storyboard / Shot List

The more complex the video project, the more preparation you will need to do. Many filmmakers will create a storyboard in the pre-production stage, but simpler videos like the one I did with the Coples usually do not need a storyboard. However, I still included elements of a storyboard like shot types and transitions into planning their shoot. Check out what Justin Dise from B&H has to say about the types of shots and the purpose of each.

6. Location

It’s like buying real estate. Location, location, location – and choose well, friends! You want to avoid mechanical buzzing that your mics will pick up (like A/Cs, refrigerators, water fountains, etc.). Consider also your script and the shots you planned out. Will you need natural light, access to electricity, or permission to use a certain facility? For the Coples’, I chose a location in Rolesville High School away from the cafeteria and near a large window. This ensured gorgeous sound quality and a calm wash of light over each of their faces. We chose the high school location to add value to our video since Exchange Church currently meets in their auditorium every Sunday.

7. Date / Time

The day / time you choose is tied in part to your location. Again, consider your script, the “why” of your video, and your location. Be extremely intentional about capturing the right mood.

8. The Email

Here’s a neat trick. You want to prepare your team (including your actors and yourself) for the day of the shoot. Waiting until the day of the shoot to figure things out will make it go very sour. Anytime I shoot videos, I send an “expectations email” with as many elements of the shoot as possible. I include the script, tips for communicating on video (e.g. smile please!), how long the shoot should last, what to wear, what to bring (e.g. snacks), and the date, time and location of the shoot.

So there you have it – 8 simple tips to get you started on your next awesome short video. If you have any questions, please send me an email or message me on Facebook. What other tips would you add? Share your comments with our community below and share this post in your circles today!