The Three Phases of Production
Every professional video project — whether a one-day corporate shoot or a multi-day brand film — moves through three distinct phases. Understanding each one helps you know what to prepare, when decisions need to be made, and what the timeline looks like.
Phase 1: Pre-Production
Pre-production is everything that happens before a camera is switched on. For a straightforward corporate video, this phase typically takes two to four weeks. For a cinematic brand film, allow four to six weeks or more.
During pre-production, your production company will:
- Work with you to develop and finalise the creative concept and script
- Conduct a location recce to assess suitability, lighting conditions, and any permit requirements
- Schedule the shoot day(s) and brief the crew
- Prepare a shot list or storyboard so the day runs efficiently
- Arrange any cast, voiceover talent, or on-screen contributors
- Gather your brand assets — logo files, fonts, colour palette, any existing footage
The more thorough the pre-production, the smoother the shoot. The majority of problems that arise on shoot days can be traced back to decisions that weren't made — or conversations that didn't happen — in pre-production.
Phase 2: The Shoot
A professional shoot day is typically contracted and scheduled at 10 hours — the UK industry standard. In practice, corporate and brand shoots are often structured as 8–10-hour working days, not including crew travel and equipment prep time.
Call Time and Setup
The crew will arrive before you do. Camera, lighting, and audio all need to be set up and tested before the first shot. Expect the crew to be on location 60–90 minutes before the first scheduled filming. For complex setups — large locations, multiple camera rigs, or significant lighting builds — this can be longer.
On the Day
The director or producer will guide proceedings. Your role as a client is most valuable in the pre-production phase; on the day itself, it helps to trust the crew to do their job. That said, a good director will keep you informed throughout and check in on key shots.
If you have contributors or interview subjects, the crew will brief them before filming begins. A skilled director will put people at ease quickly — the first few minutes of an interview are rarely the best material, and good directors know to let contributors settle before asking the key questions.
What Can Go Wrong
Weather, last-minute location access issues, and contributor no-shows are the most common disruptions on professional shoots. A good production company will have contingency plans for all of these. Communicate any access restrictions or time constraints well in advance.
Practical tip: If you have colleagues appearing on camera, brief them on key messages beforehand but don't over-script them. Spontaneous, natural responses almost always come across better on screen than a rehearsed delivery.
Phase 3: Post-Production
Post-production for a standard corporate or brand video typically takes one to three weeks after the shoot, depending on complexity and how many revision rounds are included.
The post-production process generally follows this sequence:
- Edit assembly: The editor cuts a first rough assembly from all the footage, following the script or agreed structure
- First cut: A refined edit is shared with you for feedback — usually around 70–80% of the finished piece
- Revisions: Your feedback is incorporated. Most production agreements include four rounds of revisions; additional rounds are usually chargeable
- Grade and audio: Colour grading and sound design are applied once the edit is locked — changes to the edit after this point can be costly
- Delivery: Final files delivered in agreed formats and specifications
What Slows Projects Down
The most common cause of delivery delays isn't production — it's client-side approval processes. If your project involves sign-off from multiple stakeholders, legal review, or senior leadership approval, factor that time into your timeline before briefing the production company. An internal approval round that takes two weeks can add a month or more to a project with multiple revision stages.
Ready to Start a Project?
Tell us about your brief and we'll come back within 24 hours with a tailored proposal.