eLearning video pre-production is an easier process to complete if you use a checklist. This post is dedicated to steps nine through twelve on my eLearning video pre-production checklist. I created the checklist specifically for phase two of the video production process for learning. If this is your first time reading one of my posts, welcome! I’m on a mission to help people like you, make and use video for learning purposes. These four final steps are the only things standing between you and finally hitting that “record” button.
But first, consider this pre-pro haiku:
Pre-pro makes it so
Video is easier
You just check the box
How to Complete eLearning Video Pre-Production
Steps nine through twelve are CRITICAL, but a bit less exciting. Warning! legal stuff ahead! If you want your eLearning productions to be professional, do not skip these steps. Before you reach this stage in the eLearning video pre-production process, you should have addressed eight other items.
Here are the links to past posts that discuss steps 1-8:
eLearning Video Pre-Production: The First 4 on the Punchlist
How to Make eLearning Video Pre-production Easier
Remember, the main goal of video for learning is to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors. Once you complete the checklist, you’ll be ready to roll, eh-erm, the camera that is!
Now, let’s get to it.
Scout locations
1. Locate power
A fruitful location scout includes locating electrical outlets you can use to power the camera, lights, and review monitor.
2. Listen carefully
It is also imperative to check audio levels by listening with your camera microphone for unwanted noises like appliances, heat/air conditioning, or traffic. Make sure to do this with the same equipment you plan on using to make the video if you can.
3. Ask about interruptions
Ask your contact at the location about foot traffic of employees or other people at the time you plan to record.
4. Photograph the scene
Finally, take photos of potential scenes. Try to find the angles you would like to use for each scene so that the crew has a visual reference to discuss when planning and building them out.
Links from the film world about location scouting:
11 Tips for Location Scouting – Videomaker
Secure legal paperwork
If you are shooting in public or using space at a company’s office, make sure to gather the proper permissions. In a corporate setting, permission may be informal, or it may involve picture identification and confiscation of cell phones to protect intellectual property. Best practice suggests raising the questions: Will we need written permission to record here? If yes, what can we do to make things move smoothly?
Operating with a video crew requires insurance to protect damage to the equipment, location, and any claims of physical injury. If you plan to film in a public location, obtain proof of insurance before you even think about seeking a permit from the city or municipality.
Talent release forms are standard in corporate productions. Use a template like the one seen above. Modify it so that it fits your organization. Make sure employees and any paid/unpaid talent sign the release forms. This can be a tedious process, but it could save you thousands of dollars in a lawsuit, or extra expenses from having to re-shoot because someone sent a cease and desist letter.
Links from the film world about talent release forms (currently no guidance from eLearning sources)
When to Use a Talent Release Form
Why do You Need Release Forms?
Confirm production equipment
At this point in the checklist, you should have a firm idea of location, talent, scenes, and dialogue. Take one last look at the shot list, storyboard/script, and location notes. Compare your preparations with the equipment you plan to use to make sure you have what you need to execute your plan.
If you’ve hired a production crew, they will handle this detail with you. Be sure to ask if they have the proper lighting and enough access to their chosen method of power for their equipment. There’s nothing worse than a production coming to a halt because the camera ran out of batteries right before shooting a scene in a location with no outlets!
Links to help you decide about gear:
The Exact Gear You Need to Record Videos for Your Online Course
I love and highly recommend Phil Ebiner’s podcast: Online Course Masters if you are a DIY creator. Listen on Stitcher
Create a call sheet
Summary
We’ve talked all about the final four items on the checklist for eLearning video pre-production. You now know the importance of choosing shot locations ahead of time, getting your paperwork in order, confirming your production equipment, and creating a call sheet that’s distributed before the big day.
It may have seemed like a lot to process at first. After all, my checklist wasn’t built in year one of my career. Be kind to yourself. Hold onto this idea: Once shooting day comes, you’ll be glad you took the time to plan your video. All 12 steps culminate in a final product that delivers on the promise of every learning video: to improve knowledge, skills, and behaviors.
If you use this pre-production checklist, please let me know how it goes. I’d love to know what was still confusing or if there’s anything you found that might be missing. Now, go record that video. Make it happen! GSD!
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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