Pre-Production

Training video production is the end-to-end process of creating a finished instructional video, spanning three sequential phases: pre-production, production, and post-production.

Why it matters#

Most problems in a finished training video were created before filming began. A weak video script, an unplanned b-roll list, or an undertested video kit produce footage that editing cannot fix. Understanding the three-phase structure makes it possible to catch problems at the cheapest possible moment — in a document, not on a filming day.

A video script is the written document that specifies what a presenter says — and optionally what appears on screen — for every moment of a training video.

Why it matters#

Without a script, delivery is inconsistent, timing is unpredictable, and editing is harder. A script locks in the learning goal before filming begins. Changing direction after footage is captured is expensive; changing it in a document is not.

How to write one#

Start with a single question: what is the one thing the learner must be able to do or understand after watching? Every sentence in the script should serve that goal. If it doesn’t, cut it.