The six steps of film pre-production

You’ll find the board for brainstorming on your Pre-production Plan board. Double click the Ideas board to open it and start brainstorming.

What's the idea or concept for your film? This is your starting point. It might be just a rough idea at the moment or a topic that you want to explore, but this process will help you see how far you can take it. Add a note that describes the film in 1 to 2 sentences to get started.

Now it's time to get creative. Invite your team and start adding any ideas that relate to your initial concept. Think about the characters, their relationships, the locations you could use, visual styles, and the topic's history. Explore every thread until you fill the board.

Don't worry about evaluating your ideas yet, that will come later. Setting a timer for 5 minutes is a great way to create a sense of urgency and prevent people from judging their thoughts.

Sometimes it's easier to communicate an idea with an image or video, especially if it's a mood or style you're trying to express. Gather reference imagery, videos and sound and add them into the mix. These can become the foundation for a moodboard as your film project evolves.

Once you've explored every idea, the next step is to make connections. This is where you see the magic of brainstorming!

Start by grouping similar ideas to uncover patterns in your thinking. Add a title to each group so it's easy to scan. You might find your ideas fall into groups like characters, costumes, locations or aesthetics but there are no rules about how you do it.

Now that your brainstorming session is complete, you have a strong foundation for your film! Remember, just as creativity and inspiration is constantly evolving, so are ideas. Come back and add to the brainstorm when inspiration strikes, or refer to it as you start your script.

You’ll find the board to make your moodboard on the Pre-production Plan board. Double click on the Moodboard to open it and start adding your inspiration.

Start by adding any existing material you have—this could include stills from previous shoots, client references or images you've saved as inspiration. These might not make it into the final moodboard, but they're still a great place to start.

The imagery you bring into your moodboard helps you express your film's look and feel. Images can define things like tone, cropping, lighting and color.

You can start by saving visual references from around the web. There are lots of fantastic sites where you can find great visual inspiration for free, like Shotdeck, Instagram, or Pinterest. Don't worry about organizing the images just yet, that step will come later.

Once you have all your inspiration in one place, the next step is to arrange your ideas to create the perfect layout. Start by exploring composition and introducing hierarchy. Place a key element to anchor your board, and change the size and position of the remaining elements to indicate their importance and relationships to one another.

Now that your moodboard is complete, you have a powerful visual reference for your film. Remember, you can create multiple moodboards to explore different directions at any time.

Next, we'll create a storyboard to map out the key parts of your film.

You’ll find the empty Storyboard on the Pre-Production Plan board. Double click the Storyboard to open it and start adding the mapping out the key scenes.

When creating a storyboard, it’s crucial to know what story you’re telling. They're a great way to break up the script or narrative into pieces to understand what you’re trying to achieve when filming.

Now it’s time to begin visualizing each scene. Some storyboard artists might begin sketching with a pen and paper first, but you can use reference photography, illustrations, screenshots, location shoots, and even motion to communicate each scene.

While each frame is a static image, try to communicate how it's going to look and feel as a moving sequence. Describe the style, mood, and behavior of characters. Consider how the camera will move through the shot and how you'll transition from scene to scene. Add details about the sound to help your team imagine the emotion and drama you're trying to capture.

When you're ready, invite your team to review your storyboard and share their feedback. This is the perfect moment to see how others interpret your vision for the story. It's also a great opportunity to make any final tweaks while in pre-production. Adjust the order of your frames or edit the content based on everyone's feedback.

Now that your storyboard is complete, you have a clear vision for your film! Let's move on and create a shot list to plan the scenes you'll shoot during production.

You’ll find the board to make your shot list on the Film plan board. Double click on the Shot List to open it and get started.

Start by listing the main scenes you'll be filming. Adding reference images or sketches will make your shot list easier to scan—even if they're just rough photos you've taken on your phone. It will also help your crew visualize the type of shots you're planning to capture.

This is the heart of the shot list. It's where you list each individual shot you require. Some details to include are: camera angle, location, position of the camera, and shot size (how big or small the subject is in the frame).

What equipment will you need to shoot these scenes? Imagine being half way through filming when you realize the spare battery pack is still in the studio. Adding a simple gear list will ensure you have everything you need on the day. It's a lifesaver!

Use the Film Production Equipment List template if you have lots of gear to keep track of.

Traditionally, you'd print out your shot list to refer to on the day, but digital shot lists can be accessed on phones or laptops. This way, you can check off each shot or adjust it as you need.

Now that your shot list is complete, you have a clear plan for the scenes you need to capture during the shoot.

Next, we'll create a call sheet to schedule your team…

You’ll find the board to make your call sheet on the Pre-production Plan board. Double click on the Call Sheet to open it and start laying out a plan for the day of the shoot.

Add background information about the shoot for your talent and crew. Next, add the location of the shoot and any details that will help people arrive safely and on time. Explain where the parking options are, nearby public transport and any details about to get into the building.

Who's involved in your shoot? List your talent and crew along with their contact details. This will save you hunting around for phone numbers when plans inevitably change on the day. Next, add any specific arrival times so each person knows exactly when they're expected.

Probably the most important part is the schedule—specifically the general crew call time. The general crew call time is when everyone needs to arrive on location. Under this, add the key events for the day so everyone can clearly see what's on and when. Don't forget lunch!

Once you have everything you need, it's time to organize your call sheet so it's easy to scan. Then share it with your team so everyone can start preparing for the shoot.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you become more organized during the pre-production stage. If you're just starting a new shoot, use the Film Pre-production Plan template below to get set up in minutes.