--- name: video-production description: Professional video production from planning to delivery. Use when creating video content, editing workflows, motion graphics, or optimizing video for different platforms. --- # Video Production Comprehensive guide for professional video production across all platforms. ## Production Phases ### The 3 Phases | Phase | Activities | Deliverables | | ------------------- | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------- | | **Pre-Production** | Planning, scripting, storyboarding | Script, shot list, schedule | | **Production** | Filming, recording | Raw footage, audio | | **Post-Production** | Editing, VFX, color, sound | Final deliverable | --- ## Pre-Production ### Script Format ``` SCENE 1 - INT. OFFICE - DAY Wide shot of open office space. ALEX (30s) sits at desk. ALEX (looking at screen) This is where the magic happens. CUT TO: Close-up of computer screen showing code. NARRATOR (V.O.) In today's tutorial, we'll cover... ``` ### Shot List Template | # | Scene | Shot Type | Description | Duration | Notes | | --- | ----- | -------------- | ------------------- | -------- | ---------------- | | 1 | Intro | Wide | Office establishing | 3s | Natural lighting | | 2 | Intro | Close-up | Subject face | 5s | Eye contact | | 3 | Demo | Screen capture | Code editor | 30s | 1080p60 | ### Storyboard Elements ``` ┌─────────────────────────┐ │ [Rough sketch] │ │ │ │ ┌───┐ │ │ │ O │ ←Subject │ │ └─┬─┘ │ │ │ │ ├─────────────────────────┤ │ Shot: Medium close-up │ │ Action: Subject speaks │ │ Audio: Dialogue + music │ │ Duration: 5 seconds │ │ Notes: Eye-level angle │ └─────────────────────────┘ ``` --- ## Camera Fundamentals ### Shot Types ``` FRAMING: ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ │ │ │ ┌───┐ │ │ ┌─────┐ │ │ ┌───┐ │ │ │ O │ │ │ │ O │ │ │ │ O │ │ │ └─┬─┘ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ └─┬─┘ │ │ ─┼─ │ │ └──┬──┘ │ │ ──┼── │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ /│\ │ │ / \ │ └─────────────┘ │ / │ \ │ │ / \ │ │ / │ \ │ └─────────────┘ CLOSE-UP (CU) │ / │ \ │ └─────────────┘ MEDIUM (MS) WIDE/FULL (WS) EXTREME CLOSE-UP (ECU): Eyes, details only MEDIUM CLOSE-UP (MCU): Head and shoulders OVER-THE-SHOULDER (OTS): Person from behind another TWO-SHOT: Two subjects in frame ``` ### Camera Movements | Movement | Description | Effect | | ------------- | ------------------- | --------------------- | | **Pan** | Horizontal rotation | Reveal, follow action | | **Tilt** | Vertical rotation | Reveal height, power | | **Dolly** | Move toward/away | Intimacy, reveal | | **Truck** | Move left/right | Follow alongside | | **Crane** | Vertical elevation | Epic, establishing | | **Zoom** | Focal length change | Focus attention | | **Handheld** | Natural movement | Documentary feel | | **Steadicam** | Smooth handheld | Following shots | ### The Exposure Triangle ``` EXPOSURE │ ┌──────────────┼──────────────┐ │ │ │ ▼ ▼ ▼ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ │ ISO │ │Aperture │ │ Shutter │ │ 100-12800│ │ f/1.4-22│ │ 1/30- │ │ │ │ │ │ 1/8000 │ └────┬────┘ └────┬────┘ └────┬────┘ │ │ │ Sensitivity Depth of Motion (noise) Field blur ``` ### Video Settings | Setting | Standard | Notes | | ----------------- | -------------------- | -------------------------- | | **Resolution** | 1080p, 4K | Match delivery target | | **Frame Rate** | 24, 30, 60 fps | 24=film, 30=TV, 60=smooth | | **Shutter Speed** | 1/2x frame rate | 180° rule (1/48 for 24fps) | | **ISO** | As low as possible | Higher = more noise | | **Bit Rate** | 50-400 Mbps | Higher = better quality | | **Codec** | H.264, H.265, ProRes | ProRes for editing | --- ## Lighting ### Three-Point Lighting ``` KEY LIGHT │ │ (45° angle) │ ▼ ┌────────────────────────┐ │ │ FILL │ 👤 │ BACK LIGHT LIGHT│ Subject │ (rim/hair) │ │ └────────────────────────┘ │ │ CAMERA ``` | Light | Purpose | Intensity | | -------- | ------------------ | -------------- | | **Key** | Main illumination | 100% reference | | **Fill** | Soften shadows | 50-75% of key | | **Back** | Separation from BG | Variable | ### Lighting Styles | Style | Key:Fill Ratio | Mood | | ------------ | -------------- | ------------------ | | **High key** | 1:1 to 2:1 | Bright, optimistic | | **Medium** | 3:1 to 4:1 | Natural, neutral | | **Low key** | 8:1+ | Dramatic, moody | ### Color Temperature ``` Kelvin Scale: 1800K ████████░░░░░░░░ Candlelight (warm) 2700K ██████████░░░░░░ Tungsten bulb 3200K ███████████░░░░░ Halogen 4000K ████████████░░░░ Moonlight 5600K ██████████████░░ Daylight (neutral) 6500K ███████████████░ Overcast 10000K ████████████████ Blue sky (cool) ``` --- ## Audio ### Recording Guidelines | Element | Target Level | Notes | | --------------- | ------------- | ----------------- | | **Dialogue** | -12 to -6 dB | Peak at -6 dB max | | **Music** | -18 to -12 dB | Under dialogue | | **SFX** | Variable | Support the story | | **Noise floor** | Below -60 dB | Record room tone | ### Microphone Types | Type | Best For | Pattern | | ------------- | -------------------- | --------------- | | **Lavalier** | Interviews, dialogue | Omnidirectional | | **Shotgun** | Film, documentary | Super-cardioid | | **Condenser** | Voiceover, studio | Cardioid | | **Dynamic** | Loud sources | Cardioid | ### Audio Checklist - [ ] Record room tone (30 seconds minimum) - [ ] Check levels before recording - [ ] Monitor with headphones - [ ] Backup audio recording - [ ] Sync audio/video with clap --- ## Post-Production ### Editing Workflow ``` 1. INGEST └─→ Import footage, create proxies if needed 2. ORGANIZE └─→ Label clips, create bins/folders, log selects 3. ROUGH CUT └─→ Assemble story structure, timing 4. FINE CUT └─→ Tighten edits, pacing refinement 5. PICTURE LOCK └─→ No more timeline changes 6. COLOR └─→ Correction, grading, look development 7. AUDIO MIX └─→ Levels, EQ, compression, spatial 8. TITLES/GFX └─→ Lower thirds, motion graphics 9. EXPORT └─→ Final render, quality check ``` ### Editing Software | Software | Best For | Platform | | ----------------------- | ------------------------ | --------------- | | **DaVinci Resolve** | Color grading, full edit | All (Free tier) | | **Adobe Premiere** | Industry standard | All | | **Final Cut Pro** | Mac ecosystem | macOS | | **Avid Media Composer** | Broadcast, film | All | | **iMovie** | Beginners | macOS/iOS | | **CapCut** | Social media | Mobile/Desktop | ### Essential Cuts | Cut | Description | Use | | ------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------- | | **Hard cut** | Instant transition | Standard, dialogue | | **J-cut** | Audio leads video | Natural dialogue flow | | **L-cut** | Video leads audio | Reaction shots | | **Jump cut** | Same angle, time skip | Pacing, style | | **Match cut** | Visual similarity | Transitions, meaning | | **Cutaway** | Insert shot | Context, time compression | --- ## Color ### Color Workflow ``` 1. CORRECTION (Primary) - Fix exposure, white balance - Balance shots in scene - Create neutral baseline 2. MATCHING - Match shots within scenes - Consistent skin tones - Scene-to-scene continuity 3. GRADING (Secondary) - Creative look development - Selective adjustments - Style application ``` ### Color Scopes | Scope | Shows | Use | | --------------- | --------------------- | ---------------------- | | **Waveform** | Luminance levels | Exposure, contrast | | **Vectorscope** | Hue, saturation | Skin tones, color cast | | **Histogram** | Tonal distribution | Clipping, balance | | **Parade** | RGB channels separate | Color balance | ### LUTs (Look-Up Tables) ``` Types: - Technical LUT: Log to Rec.709 conversion - Creative LUT: Stylistic look (film emulation) - Calibration LUT: Monitor/display correction Application Order: 1. Input LUT (log conversion) 2. Primary correction 3. Secondary grading 4. Creative LUT 5. Output LUT (delivery spec) ``` --- ## Motion Graphics ### Animation Principles | Principle | Application | | -------------------- | --------------------------------- | | **Easing** | Smooth starts/stops (ease in/out) | | **Anticipation** | Setup before action | | **Follow-through** | Motion continues after stop | | **Secondary action** | Supporting movements | | **Timing** | Speed conveys weight/mood | | **Staging** | Clear presentation | ### Common Motion Patterns ```css /* Easing functions */ ease-in: slow → fast ease-out: fast → slow ease-in-out: slow → fast → slow linear: constant speed /* Standard durations */ Quick: 150-200ms (micro-interactions) Normal: 300-400ms (standard transitions) Slow: 500-800ms (emphasis, reveals) ``` ### Title Safe Zones ``` ┌────────────────────────────────┐ │ ┌──────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ ┌────────────────────┐ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ TITLE SAFE │ │ │ │ │ │ (80%) │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ └────────────────────┘ │ │ │ │ ACTION SAFE │ │ │ │ (90%) │ │ │ └──────────────────────────┘ │ │ FULL FRAME (100%) │ └────────────────────────────────┘ ``` --- ## Export & Delivery ### Platform Specifications | Platform | Resolution | Frame Rate | Format | | ------------------- | ---------- | ------------ | ------------ | | **YouTube** | 1080p/4K | 24-60 fps | H.264/H.265 | | **Instagram Feed** | 1080×1080 | 30 fps | H.264 | | **Instagram Reels** | 1080×1920 | 30 fps | H.264 | | **TikTok** | 1080×1920 | 30 fps | H.264 | | **Twitter** | 1280×720+ | 30-60 fps | H.264 | | **LinkedIn** | 1920×1080 | 30 fps | H.264 | | **Broadcast** | 1080i/p | 29.97/25 fps | ProRes/DNxHD | ### Export Settings (H.264) ``` Web Delivery: - Codec: H.264 - Container: MP4 - Bitrate: 10-20 Mbps (1080p), 35-68 Mbps (4K) - Audio: AAC, 320 kbps - Sample rate: 48 kHz Archive/Master: - Codec: ProRes 422 or DNxHD - Container: MOV - Audio: Uncompressed PCM ``` --- ## Best Practices ### DO: - Plan before you shoot - Record more footage than needed - Use manual focus when possible - Monitor audio with headphones - Shoot for the edit - Keep organized project files - Back up everything (3-2-1 rule) - Color correct before grading ### DON'T: - Overuse transitions - Rely on "fix it in post" - Forget b-roll coverage - Ignore audio quality - Over-sharpen in post - Export at wrong aspect ratio - Skip the rough cut phase - Delete original footage --- ## Quality Checklist ### Pre-Export - [ ] Timeline resolution matches delivery spec - [ ] No black frames or gaps - [ ] Audio levels normalized (-14 LUFS for streaming) - [ ] All graphics within safe zones - [ ] Color consistent across scenes - [ ] Exports without errors ### Final Review - [ ] Watch full export beginning to end - [ ] Check on multiple devices/screens - [ ] Verify audio sync throughout - [ ] Confirm captions/subtitles accuracy - [ ] File size appropriate for platform