This post focuses on the first four of 12 things you need to do before you start recording video for learning. It was built and refined by professional eLearning managers who create their own training and manage hundreds of courses for their clients. To put it another way, they really know their stuff.
So let’s get to it!
This is all about the Benjamins, baby:
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” – Ben Franklin
eLearning Video Pre-production: The First 4 on the Punchlist
Making a professional learning video begins with Design, which is phase one of the Five Phases of Video Production for Learning. Phase 2, is video pre-production. A simple google search will yield pages of guidance on how to prepare for a video shoot. However, what I found missing over the years is pre-production guidance that focused solely on the process of creating a video for learning. The purpose of video for learning is to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors. So let’s get practical!
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Review the training needs
Before you spend valuable time and money preparing for your shoot, review the needs of the organization again. Video Pre-production is the perfect time to make sure everyone is on board with the video approach. You can use this moment to show everyone why creating this video will be the best way to instruct people on the topic(s) at hand. As you plan, ensure that the video is designed to reinforce the learning strategy and design document. If you don’t have a learning strategy and design document at this point, get one! Take time on a conference call or at an in-person meeting to review the overall goals of the training program with your team. Make sure the budget is allocated properly and priority has been given to learner engagement in all decisions.
Create a project timeline
A project timeline establishes due dates and milestones so project managers can effectively evaluate progress. It lets everyone know what the project will accomplish, who will do the work and by when it should be completed. Use a template to make it easier to get started. I use a project timeline built-in Google Sheets that contains drop-down menus for each of the project phases. I think of the project timeline as one of the most valuable parts of learning video pre-production. It helps everyone know where we are at any given point in time.
Pro-tip: Pad your review cycles to provide enough time for both internal and external reviews. 3 days internal, 5 days external.
Review cycles are the most critical element of a project timeline. The review cycle is the period of time it takes for the video project team and the clients to look at a deliverable and provide feedback. If possible, pad your review cycles with an extra day or two. Each project I work on includes internal reviews – including a Quality Assurance (QA) review – and two rounds of client review. After each review, feedback is addressed. This could mean making changes to the deliverable or explaining why no changes were made. The final review stage for each phase of the timeline is “Final Approval.” Asking everyone involved to sign-off on each stage of the process ensures that the work stays on time, on budget, and of high quality.
Here’s a helpful link to Next Thought Studios’ production timeline post, straight from the video production world. For additional information, check out Clarizen’s Project Timelines: Why They’re So Important. They make a great case for placing a project timeline process at the core of your management.
Assemble your crew
Hire a camera crew for the days you are going to record. Once you’ve signed a contract with them, ask them to take part in preparations. If they are true professionals, they will want to be included in as much of the decision making as possible. If you are running the shoot yourself, look for an experienced vendor with a good reputation. At a minimum, include the crew (or head of the crew) on all production planning communications to avoid surprises during production.
If you’ve never hired a video production crew before, here are four things to do when looking for a vendor:
1. Seek recommendations.
Most of the video productions I’ve worked on as a vendor came via recommendation. There is no substitute for testimonials from people you trust.
2. Review their previous work.
View samples of their work on their website or ask for comparable videos based on what you are trying to produce. Do they have experience with the type of video you’re looking to make?
3. Ask for a proposal.
If you ask a vendor for a proposal and they only give you a price quote, walk away. By asking for a proposal, you are looking for attention to detail. The proposal will demonstrate their communication skills, an understanding of your organization’s needs, and the ability to build a positive business relationship.
4. Focus on communication.
When you engage prospective video production vendors, evaluate their business acumen. Pay close attention to their written and spoken communication. As I mentioned above, the proposal is just one example. A professional corporate video is made by individuals with a wide range of personalities and abilities. Confirm in person that the vendor you choose communicates in a way that aligns with your organization.
Hold a kick-off meeting
The kick-off meeting should include the key members of your team all together in-person or on a conference call. The project manager should drive this meeting to make sure everyone is on the same page right from the beginning. If you are using an outside vendor, then they should absolutely be there. Below is a sample agenda of a video project kick-off call.
Summary
Now that you are more familiar with the first four items on the checklist for eLearning video pre-production, you will be one step closer to delivering on the promise of learning video: to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors. With the training needs reviewed, a timeline in hand, a crew assembled and a successful kick-off meeting on your calendar, you are now ready to prep wardrobe, props, and set the scene. Up next, I will share the middle four items on the checklist. Sharpen your pencil and ready the hairspray!
If you use this checklist, please drop me a line via email or Linkedin and let me know how it went. The key is GSD!
Make it happen!
Helpful Links
Are you new to learning about video for learning? Consider reviewing my four-part series, Video for Learning Fundamentals.
Part 1: The Case for Video
Part 2: We Need Learning Video Production Skills
Part 3: 5 Phases of Video Production for Learning
Part 4: The Glossary of Learning Video Terms
Looking to improve your learning video scriptwriting skills? Check out these six posts that will help you be more efficient and process-oriented.
Part 1: Scriptwriting for Learning
Part 2: The Writing Process for Learning Videos
Part 3: 4 Must-Have Skills for Writing Scripts for Learning
Part 4: 5 Best Practices as a Learning Video Scriptwriter
Part 5: 3 Learning Video Storytelling Formulas
Part 6: The Mindset for Writing Learning Videos
Join my feedback loop
What formula or template do you need? Drop me a note and let me know.
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I love feedback loops. As Elon Musk said, “I think it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.”
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